Personally do not agree with the relatively low rating for "She's All Yak", despite being a very subjective person the 1s confuse me. Despite not caring all that much for the yak culture in general in their previous appearances, being very mixed on their episodes with Pinkie Pie. Yet Yona was always a well executed character ever since she was first introduced and is easily the most interesting and most developed of the Student Six characters, something that was obvious earlier on this season in "Uprooted".
"She's All Yak" is not one of the best episodes of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'. It is also not quite one of Season 9's very best or most original, though actually it is very close. It was though surprisingly very, very good (in the two halves of good and bad when ranking the Season 9 episodes it is high up in the good half), and not only makes Yona a well rounded character but the yak culture actually properly engaged me for the first time. It also does really well at being charming, easy to relate and heart-warming. Actually think that "She's All Yak" is a much better episode than a lot of those rated higher.
Actually have very little to criticise the episode for. Rarity's "yak-cident" line was a very corny what the heck moment and even more cringe-worthy when it is said to Yona's face, when what the Mane 6 were trying to do was making her feel better.
Compared to the flaws of a lot of Season 9 episodes, that is nothing. Yona to me, as has been said earlier on in the review, has always been the most interesting and most fleshed out character of the Student Six characters. It was great to see the episode show her strengths, without her being too perfect, and also her weaknesses without over-exaggerating them. Her situation here is something that people that have always struggled to fit in, struggled to be themselves and struggled with conforming to other people's way of thinking, will identify with hugely. Having been there myself my entire life, it was like seeing myself in Yona. It was good to see the Mane 6 being helpful and with good intentions, while also acknowledging their mistakes.
Furthermore, "She's All Yak" was the first time where the yak culture and traditions really intrigued and engaged me without being distracted by overly brutish personalities, unexplained motivations for bad things happening and character flaws being overwritten to the point of it feeling like the character in question had no redeeming qualities (my problem with Prince Rutherford). It was great to see how Yona came to be what she came to be, Sandbar is actually likeable in a way that he wasn't before and his chemistry with Yona was sweet. The general moral is one of the most relevant and most relatable of the latter seasons, despite it being a very old, often rehashed message everywhere it is a timeless one and well delivered. It connected with me having been there more times than can be counted, being something of an introvert.
The animation is terrific throughout, with beautifully synchronised movement and very expressive in all kinds of emotions facial and body expressions. The music is infectious yet atmosphere, with the heart-warming "Fit Right In" being one of the best songs of the latter seasons. "She's All Yak" scores very highly in the humour department, which doesn't feel too much and is genuinely funny. The voice acting is excellent, particularly from Katrina Salisbury.
Overall, great and deserving of more credit here. 9/10.
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