The manga for Yona of the Dawn is coming to an end on December 19th, 2026. In honor of the ending of this 16-year-old tale of Princess Yona and her friends, here is a list of reasons you should pick up this series if you haven’t already.
If you are unsure if the manga would interest you, there is always the 2014 anime by Studio Pierrot you can watch now via Crunchyroll. There has been no confirmation of a continuation of the anime, but if more fans of the manga demand it, there is always potential for the series to get picked back up.
5. The Unique Plot of Yona of the Dawn
Princess Yona is a young and naive royal of the Kouka kingdom; her father is a pacifist king who was murdered. Following her father’s death, Yona is forced to run away from the castle she has known her whole life. She is accompanied by her bodyguard and faithful friend, Son Hak, who helps guide her and protect her.
Yona is told by a priest that she should collect the power of the four dragons from infamous fables to help her take back her kingdom. Through this journey, Yona grows stronger and more in tune with the lives of those who live in her father’s kingdom.
This plot rivals that of popular shounen arcs, with Yona on a journey to seek strength to help her try to make things right for her kingdom. It’s very compelling to see a hero’s journey through a young female perspective.
4. The Art and Visuals
The fantasy kingdom in this series is inspired by a lot of different East Asian cultures. One could compare the setting style choices as a blend of Inuyasha and Apothecary Diaries. The artist, Mizuho Kusanagi, does an amazing job of breathing life into the characters and the world they live in. From intense battle scenes to emotionally charged moments, the art really adds to the depth of this series.
3. The Action
While Yona of the Dawn may be labeled as just a shoujo series, the manga is filled with a lot of action right off the bat. From fight scenes with Hak to Yona training her swordsmanship and archery skills, there is a lot of action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
2. The Romance
Shoujo can have a bad reputation for cheesy and forced romance, but with the deep character building in Yona of the Dawn, the romance is an organic, slow burn. These characters are fighting life and death situations as well as political uncertainty, which adds tension and layers to the love and romance that happens.
While romance happens in Yona of the Dawn, it is not the story’s focal point. When the romance does occur, it is very passionate and makes you want to see more.
1. The Characters and Found Family Trope
If you find political dramas boring, one thing Yona of the Dawn has that makes you stick around is strong character writing. Each character, from the protagonist to the side characters, they a fleshed out and emotionally charged backstories that really invest you in the story.
There is a found family trope between Yona, Hak, and the dragons that really warms your heart. The manga expands upon the relationships and dynamics of the dragons more so than the anime did.
The End of a Journey
Die-hard fans have been watching Yona’s journey for 16 years, so the conclusion will be bittersweet. From the laughter, love, and tears, this series will be remembered as a shoujo series that redefined the genre. If you are looking to get into a new manga series that will have you hooked, try Yona of the Dawn, as new and old fans alike come together to witness its conclusion.
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