Now, I am not usually one to leave reviews for anything, I am a more read/watch and rate kind of person. That being said, this is my first review I've written because I couldn't NOT write one..

I just stumbled upon this yesterday and stayed up until 3AM bingeing 1/2 (12) of the episodes. It took me everything I had to go to sleep and to save the remaining episodes for today. I can't believe I didn't know about this one sooner! I already can't wait to rewatch them. It reminded me a bit of Avatar the Last Airbender (which is NEVER a bad thing), just a more adult version with different elements of course. I'm completely in love with the character development of the main female character; going through a traumatic event, and resolving to become stronger for it. What really got to me was the audience isn't lead to believe it is a complete 180 of who she was before; which makes the story that much more enjoyable, we get to see her growth and development over time. I'm also completely in love with Hak, but then again who wouldn't be? His resolve to protect the one he clearly loves (sucker for the type) and to help her get stronger even though he doesn't want to see her fight; I'm not really sure how to describe it, but it's a beautiful kind of love to see. I'm also a dub watcher, and I'm basically a sucker for any character who Chistopher Sabat vocies, so I am all here for this.

Also, I have to say that I really have yet to meet a character that I don't liked, I even find myself sympathizing with the villian at some points. The author wrote his character really well and I'm entrigued to find out if one of my current working theories is correct. The past he shares with the FMC and the MMC just makes the story that much more enthralling and it makes their present that much more heartwrenching. The audience can clearly see the love and bonds that they all had for one another throughout childhood, which makes the events that took place all the more tragic. I've got to say, the hesitation, regret and realization that the villian displays at certain points throughout the show, is animated so well that it became the catalyst of where my sympathy for him derives. Especially since I'm wondering if someone else has been pulling his strings or whispered seeds of doubts to him, which resulted in the actions that he took.

I find the animation and the soundtrack to be both quite beautiful and captivating, which just helps to keep one's attention throughout the episodes. Admittedly, it is rare for me to be able to sit still and watch a show now (my attention span occasionally turns into that of a gold fish) and though I was preoccupied on my phone for the first 2-3 episodes (though I did lift my head throughout, and was a constant pause/rewinder) I found myself putting the phone down to give my complete and undivided attention to the rest of the episodes I watched yesterday. You have no clue how reare that is for me to do and yet how easy it was for me to do it. That being said, once I went to "bed" I was up for another hour falling into the YouTube blackhole searching for fanart vids and loving every moment of it. I was also searching if there has been any further word about another season coming because 24 episodes is simply not enough. I already know that I am going to be reading the manga after I finish watching the episodes (and lets face it, I already have plans to rewatch them again and again, it has already ended up in the queue as a favorite), but along with the rest of the fans of this anime, I would truly love to see this played out on the screen because I have a feeling it is only going to get better as the story continues.

All in all, I highly recommend Yona of the Dawn. Easily one of the best anime/manga/stories out there right now.

*This review is also posted on my Anime-planet account*

How? How can every page be so... so... wonderful?! It's a definite must-read for everyone, regardless of age or genre preferences.

My Synopsis
Akatsuki no Yona tells the story of young Princess Yona of Kouka Kingdom, the worldbuilding being inspired by a nice blend of Korean, Japanese and Chinese culture, who suddenly finds herself expelled out of the palace after her father, King Il, is murdered by her most beloved and trusted cousin -- Soo Won. Instilling himself as King and framing Yona and her bodyguard Son Hak as the ones who assassinated the King, Soo Won decided to rebuild Kouka and gather all 5 Tribes of the kingdom together once again, as it was under the previous monarch's rule.

Meanwhile, Hak and Yona are now leaving outside the palace grounds, and decides to visit the Wind Tribe, one of the 5 Tribes, whereby Hak has close ties with. Mun Dok of the Wind Tribe and Hak's adoptive grandfather urges them to visit the High Priest, Ik Soo, who tells them the story of the Four Dragons of Kouka.

Yona, Hak and Yoon, the young guardian of Ik Soo, thus set off on a journey to find the Four Dragons and borrow their power.

My thoughts
What an INCREDIBLE journey! Yona changes from a naive, innocent and easily persuaded princess to a fierce, loyal and compassionate warrior. She doesn't need to bring change -- she is the change

Also, the characters and the plot! Both are solid and splendid, and I only have praises. Even the antagonist Soo Won isn't your typical "bad guy", with his complexity and own struggles. I hate him, but I don't. I love him, but I don't. *shrugs*

Hak is so cool and supportive of Yona. I understand why he disagrees with Yona's decision to learn how to wield weapons at first, since that's going against the wishes of King Il, but he thus gives way to her. Watching them bicker and grow is adorable. Also, our Four Dragons! Each brings their own special traits to create our beloved Dark Dragon and the Happy Hungry Bunch 🙂 Yoon as the "mother" of the group is a running gag despite him being the youngest, but he is adorable... as Zeno will say it =D

If you haven't read this yet... WHY HAVEN'T YOU? HEAR THAT? THAT'S ME KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR DEMANDING AN ANSWER.

*Ahem*

I'll be sad when the series ends </3

TLDR: Intense, whirlwind beginning that leads to great characters and a slow burn romance.

Long Version: I really do love Yona of the Dawn, it’s one of the few manga I read even though it’s not completed. One of the biggest delights of the story, besides Hak (that beautiful man), is Yona’s growth. Her growth from a weak willed, sheltered princess to a strong woman is so amazing and believable that you’re enraptured and rooting for her the entire time. If you love seeing a strong hero, Yona won’t let you down.
But let’s not forget the romance, it is a shoujo after all~. Yona has no shortage of kingka around her and the romance she slowly warms up to has you rolling around shrieking, it’s so good.
If there’s any complaint I’ve heard about Yona of the Dawn it’s that it’s long... but even that I think is more of a positive than a negative. It’s more time for me to enjoy reading these character’s worlds.

This manga is sooo good! I finished reading the entire thing in around 2 days. The plot is extremely well developed and there is a lot of character development. All of the characters change some way or another throughout the story, and even the antagonists are well thought out. Although Soo-won may seem super evil in the beginning, the author gradually shows the reader his motivations and reasons for doing what he did and even if you don't like him very much, you can't completely blame him for his actions. The art style and humor in this manga are also very good. Anyways, I definitely recommend checking this manga out! 🙂

Honestly, it flows beautifully and has so much material. It's done so well

I started the manga simply because I thought the art was nice. I don't usually read a manga with similar setting such as this one and at the beginning I thought the story telling was a bit clumsy. The action scenes weren't great in the first few chapters either. I mean they weren't great compared to the shounen standard but certainly were much better than most shoujo. I'm glad I kept reading because every aspects of the manga kept getting better, both the art and the story. I love the author's sense of humour and the character development too. What I like the most is probably the balance between plot and romance. The romance is there and does progress well but it isn't the main focus of the series. It is also refreshing to read a story that put focus on the people's experience, not just that of the heroes.

This is TRULY one of the best manga out there. I fell in love with the characters, plot, fantasy elements, and most importantly, THE ARTWORK! I am always thrilled and get goosebumps every time they stare intensely and it's almost as if they're alive! It's been years since the last time I read manga again (back then I really like it when I was still in junior high) but during high school and until now (I'm currently in college) I haven't touch the mangas. I remember Akatsuki no Yona as one of the best, and the most memorable manga, but I've left out a lot of chapters since last time so I read it again from the very first chapter. I'd say that this manga can stir up your feelings like a roller coaster. One time you'd laugh yo ass off because it's hilarious and at one time you can cry a lot because it's very heart-breaking. I admire Yona and every character in it. I suggest you to read this if you like a bunch of handsome men and a cute girl, but none of them are shallow. They are deep, and lovable. This ain't giving you the stigma of reverse harem.

I rate this manga as high as Joou no Hana even if many people might think differently. Like Joou no Hana, this has a compelling storyline, great artwork and some adorable romantic moments. That being said, it does fall into some of the shoujo traps
- all important male characters are Handsome
- Yona is able to make (most) of the main male characters fall in love with her (or at least they have this insta-loyalty thing)
- Big eyes on Yona, her cutesy smile etc etc

Yet some other things different from regular shoujo historical
- Characters have depth (Su-Won is shown to have killed Yona's father and yet he is a wise and just ruler, Yona is depressed by her father's death and just like in real life, does not get over it in 1 chapter. She also does not become a skilled fighter and diplomatic negotiator in a small amount of time)
- the back-stories of the 4 dragons is compelling. The manga shows the pitfalls of believing in some abstract form of power rather than in your own strength.
- Lastly, excellent comedic undertones interspaced by brutal (well fairly brutal for Shoujo standards) war, famine, disease and poverty associated moments.
All in all, worth the read!

I really love this manga it's not like any of the ones that i have read. While it is still not finish and i would go back to the first chapter cause i really get into it. I don't even remember how many times i re-read it and also re-watch the anime cause i really love it. Can't wait for its update cause it really get exciting

Super good, the art is amazing and detailed, its definitely not the basic shoujo art. The story and character development is impeccable. there is humor and i personally think its the best historical romance manga out there, the romance is a little slow but the amazing story makes up for it 100%