AKATSUKI NO YONA

DESCRIPTION

CAST

CHAPTERS

ANIME ActionAkatsuki no Yona
NOVEL AdventureAkatsuki no Yona: Tsuki no Shita de
OVA ActionAkatsuki no Yona OVA
Not Available ActionAkatsuki no Yona (Zoku-hen)

REVIEWS

• 

  GGShang

  85/100
  An all around solid shounen feeling shoujo

  After having a decent amount of people tell me over and over again about how good Yona of the Dawn is, I finally decided to take a read to see what all the hype is about, and I can say that they knew what they were talking about. For the most part.

  Yona of the Dawn is a story about a sheltered princess who has her entire life shattered when her childhood friend and romantic love interest kills her father to ascend to the throne. She runs away with her bodyguard Hak and they have to find a way to survive off the radar to avoid being captured and killed by the new emperor. Now, as a basic premise this isn't that uncommon, but it serves its purpose well to set up the story. After this, there are essentially two major arcs, with one being really lackluster and the other one being pretty decent. The first major arc follows Yona as she finds out that she is the reincarnation of some important guy who had four dragons to protect him, so she goes off to find these four dragons. This is by far the weakest part of the story, which is unfortunate since it comes so early on. I was really contemplating dropping Yona of the Dawn because of it, but trust me when I say that it gets much better. The next major arc actually contains quite a few small ones, but it basically involves Yona and her crew going around to help the poor and forgotten people of her land. It does much better than the dragon arc since we actually get to see the characters, especially Yona and Hak, grow and become more fleshed out. Along the way there is some political drama, a few action scenes and romantic development between characters.

  If I were to describe the mood and pacing of Yona of the Dawn, I'd say that it's a mix between shoujo and shounen. It has the conflict instigation/resolution speed of a shounen while having the romantic and comedic pacing of a shoujo. It makes for an interesting, although a little weird experience. Thematically it also falls really neatly into these two demographic groups, with nothing being too difficult to understand or hard to swallow.

  If we take a look at the characters in this manga, I'd say that they are probably some of the weakest parts of it. Besides Yona and Hak, and maybe like a third of the other cast, no one really does anything or grows. They are essentially the same from when they first are introduced to the latest chapter. This isn't necessarily the worst, but there's just a lot of wasted potential with it. Other than that though, Yona, Hak and the new emperor have a really interesting chemistry throughout the series which is probably the best part. Yona also serves as a good, headstrong female protagonist, which was refreshing to read.

  Personally when I read Yona of the Dawn, I didn't find it to be all that spectacular. I really disliked the first arc, I found Yona to be a little too headstrong without getting any consequences for it, I thought the dragons were really bland and boring as characters, the dragon's interest in Yona felt really undeserved for the most part, Yona's romantic feelings never really felt resolved well and maybe a few more things I found to detract from the story. But those are pretty minor overall, so I don't think that detracts from the story being overall decent.

  Yona of the Dawn is a shounen feeling shoujo that explores the great dynamics between a princess and her people as well as childhood friends and betrayal. It's not the best story in my opinion, but it is overall solid all around.

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• 

  Watereda

  95/100
  "Once the rain stops I'm taking up a sword again."

  Yona of the Dawn is, without a doubt, my favorite manga ever. What really makes this series stand out for me is how it blends so many genres together, the story never feels forced into one genre. While It has the romance and emotional depth you’d expect from a shoujo manga, it also offers shounen like action scenes, some political drama, comedy, and even mythological elements. No matter your age or gender there’s something in it that can interest you.

  The main character Yona begins as a sheltered, naive princess who has lived a luxurious life, completely unaware of the struggles outside of the palace. However, her whole life changes when her father, the king, is assassinated. She's then forced to leave the palace with her guard Hak. What could have been a typical revenge story takes a different route from there onwards. Yona starts on a journey of self-discovery, learning about the people of her kingdom and trying to find the mythical dragons who are destined to help her. Her growth is one of the best written things in the series. She doesn’t become fearless or powerful in one day, the process is slow, filled with struggles, doubts, and small victories making her development feel genuine and earned. Seeing Yona transform from a scared, naive princess into a woman who stands on her own feet was very inspiring to me.

  You go girl xD Hak Yona ad break

  
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  Other characters also play a huge role in why this series is so unforgettable for me. Hak is easily one of my favorite characters. He’s loyal, funny, and always ready to step in when Yona needs him, but he never overshadows her journey. And the story allows their relationship to develop at its own pace rather than rushing it. Then, there is Yoon and the four dragons. Each has a different personality, adding unique dynamics to the group. They are technically just some random characters brought together by fate but they feel more like a found family and I love it.
  
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  That being said, no story is without its flaws. Some parts can feel a bit slow, especially the political discussions, which, while important, can sometimes drag a bit, that's why It's not a 10/10 for me unfortunately. 
  
  Overall, it's a story about discovering strength within yourself and through the support of those around you, never giving up, and always striving to do your best. Yona’s journey inspires me, and her relationships remind me of the importance of trust, loyalty, and love. This manga means a lot to me. It’s not just a manga I’ve read, it’s something that’s stayed with me and shaped how I see some things in my life. I would recommend it to everyone ♡
  
  </center><div class='youtube' id='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHIzCtVZqK8'></div>~~~

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• 

  GrandMasterWaifu

  100/100
  “Drawing a bow means taking and losing lives. My father hated pain. But, Father, if I do not take lives, I cannot live"

  I don’t quite know how to feel. It’s the manga that started it all for me, and throughout my time delving into other notable series, has remained my tried and true. Not only for the nostalgia of the Happy Hungry Bunch, but because it represents the culmination of 16 years spent carefully and methodically developing its characters, the world around them, their individual places within it, and the various cultures and political dissonance that take shape within its deep, meaningful story.

  It masterfully weaves, threads, connects, and articulates plots, subplots, intentions, and historical power structures into a compelling mixture of dialogue and action; the kind of action that serves as a testament to the author’s storytelling capabilities, displayed panel after panel, chapter after chapter, and flawlessly reproduced volume after volume, never compromising the tension or anticipation she’s built.

  I have nothing but praise for this series and will be sad to “close the book,” so-to-speak on this masterpiece of fiction. Before its release, I plan to reread the series to enjoy the experience in full once more. This time, however, as a seamless and uninterrupted journey through one of my all-time favorite historical dramas

  To me Yona is the most well-crafted example of how to depict true character growth. It's not confined to gender, but rather the gradual and painful visualization of her problems. The manifestation of what it means to learn from mistakes and overcome that which feels out of reach. She's a strong and complex character not defined by the "power" she was born with but the strength she obtains. When the story begins, she’s sheltered and naïve, living a peaceful life without any real understanding of the world outside her palace walls. Then, in one night, everything she’s ever known is ripped away from her. Instead of collapsing under the weight of that loss, she decides to grow from it. A gradual, natural, and refreshing cycle of growth, not achieved instantaneously but through the act of failing and putting oneself and their determination on the line, time and time again. That’s what makes her powerful; not overly characterized by her special ability, but rather her choice to keep moving forward despite fear, heartbreak and change.

  

  What I love most about Yona is that she redefines what “strength” really means. It’s not just about learning how to fight or survive, though she does both. Her real strength comes from empathy, from caring about others even after she’s been hurt. She learns to listen, to understand, and to help people who live completely different lives from her own. Acknowledging the indecisiveness of her father and the willful ignorance she’d held while indulging palace life. Understandably unburdened and unhindered by the world outside these walls at the time, yet not nearsighted enough to purposefully turn a cold shoulder when the truth presents Itself. Her compassion becomes her weapon, and it’s what allows her to change hearts and build trust wherever she goes.

  

  Another thing that makes her stand out is her motivation. Yona doesn’t chase revenge; she seeks understanding. She wants to know why things happened and how she can make them right. As she sees the suffering of her people, she turns her pain into purpose; overcoming the grief and hatred she feels by seeking to understand before she is understood. Veering from the action to destroy what hurt her, and instead proactively maturing in order to rebuild something better. That sense of responsibility and progressive understanding as to the climate of her nation is what makes her so much more than a survivor; it makes her a true leader.

  And yet, even with all that strength, she never stops being human. Yona still feels fear, sadness, love, and doubt. She struggles with her feelings for Soo-won, with her dependence on Hak, and with the weight of the choices she has to make. She’s not a perfect hero and that’s exactly what makes her believable. Instead humanizing the insecurities and dreams she shares with those around her. Rejecting the dejection and impossible nature behind such notions; constantly pursuing the light and justice she so craves for her people, her friends, and the love she's garnered. People don’t follow Yona because she’s powerful or royal; they follow her because she inspires them. Her courage makes others want to be better, do better, and in turn spread this mindset of kindness though kinship. She brings out the best in everyone around her just by staying true to who she is.

  

  By the end of her journey, she’s not the same girl she once was, but she’s still Yona. She never loses her warmth, her heart, or her kindness. She’s grown into someone capable, wise, and compassionate, yet she never forgets where she came from. A story of resilience, empathy, understanding and forgiveness. Showing the audience that being strong doesn’t mean being unfeeling; it means standing tall, even when we waver and all seems lost. That it's okay to lean on others and long as we always strive to be better both for ourselves and the people around us.

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