Akatsuki no Yona/暁のヨナ Anime to Manga

Princess Yona lives a life of luxury and ease, completely sheltered from the problems of the seemingly peaceful Kingdom of Kouka; however, the sudden murder of the king and betrayal of her beloved cousin Su-won places Yona’s life in mortal peril. Forced to escape only with Son Hak, who is both her childhood friend and bodyguard, the naïve princess soon discovers that Kouka is not the idyllic place she envisioned it to be. Poverty, strife, and corruption run rampant, making reclaiming the throne nothing more than a wishful fantasy given the kingdom’s current state.

Based on the popular manga of the same name by Mizuho Kusanagi, Akatsuki no Yona follows Princess Yona on a coming-of-age adventure as she faces the harsh realities of her kingdom. With only a mysterious legend to guide her, Yona must discover a way to restore Kouka to its former glory while being pursued relentlessly by the forces of the new King of Kouka.

Aye! Another good anime I just had to share after completing it.

When I first watched Akatsuki no Yona or a.k.a Yona of the Dawn, what caught me was the quality of the voice actors. Comparing to other anime, the quality of the recording was really unique. There was this form of crisp clarity in the seiyuus’ voices, let me emphasize the word ‘CRISP’. And it kind of hit me in the heart as if the reality of it was with me. I was actually with them, in front of them, hearing their voices before me. So close, so crispy.

I’m not sure if anyone understands this but I know I can be weird sometimes.

As I watch throughout, bonds were build, character development could obviously be seen and the background music at every dramatic or climax scene was just so good. Best part from the anime I would keep with me was the music and the development from the weak Yona who promised her late father she wouldn’t take any weapons to accepting the fact that she had to become stronger and actually hold weapons. Because to get Kouka Kingdom back under her reign, killing people was inevitable.

*spoiler* Especially the part when she shot Yan Kumji with her bow, I went bawling with happiness like heck, girl you da man. You improved from being a weakling to having that burning resolve to do what’s right Yona-hime! Everyone saw her did it, especially Hak and I was like, my life is complete. I can die a peaceful death. When you think she was still weak to do anymore beyond fighting, she did it.

That’s my Yona! *starts sniffling* Character development, guys.

So I managed to finish the anime and I expected to see the fight between Yona’s companions against Su-Won’s army but that didn’t happen. I mean they showed the team preparing for the war in the beginning of the first episode, obviously I was looking forward to that part(the first pic with the title all the way above was the location they were at and the anime ended). They just stopped right there with them preparing to fight the army. Which is why I am here as the blog title says ‘Akatsuki no Yona/暁のヨナ Anime to Manga’ meaning that I am continuing the story from the anime to the manga.

Of course, I am always hoping for a season 2 from Studio Perriot, the studio that does this anime. I read somewhere that before the anime came out, they actually planned to have 2 seasons for this anime. I don’t know if it’s true but let’s hope for the best as always. Maybe season 2 hasn’t yet come out as the manga is still ongoing and there isn’t enough materials or story to make it into anime for a season 2 yet. Plus, I am super curious on why Su-Won killed Yona’s father, took over the throne and the part he said ‘I can’t die yet. There is something I have to do.‘ when both of them stumbled upon each other at Awa, and Yona wanted to take his sword and kill him.

Hence, I am here to share where the anime ended in the manga. So those of you interested to continue the story, you could always continue to read where it ended in the manga.The chapter to continue is chapter 48. Yeah, you’re welcome.

I just want to add on how I love the first opening music of the anime. It was so good that oriental orchestra. That culture. That instrumental awesomeness. Obviously I was disappointed when the second opening was some modern dub step music. To me, it just didn’t fit. Anyhow, it’s not my anime so again I’m up for anything.

I guess I’ll end this post with my ship couple – Hak, the Thunder Beast and Yona-hime, Princess of Kouka. Drawn by mangaka, Mizuho Kasanagi, herself. Yay.

 

Mirai-san…out.

P.S The setting for Akatsuki no Yona is loosely based on the Three Kingdoms of Korea period and a Korean mythical legend that set Yona and Hak on their adventure to search for the four Dragons. The Kouka Kingdom is inspired by the Goguryeo Kingdom. Its neighbor Sei and Xing are based on Baekje and Silla respectively. You can also see that the three kingdoms are located in a peninsula in the manga and that they almost have the same layout as their real-life counterparts. and hence, the birth of Akatsuki no Yona.