Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 1 Kindle & comiXology

I've only just recently finished the anime (covers 8 volumes of the whole series) and was upset to find it was unlikely for there to be a continuation, only to find out there was a manga with tons of more content which improved my mood significantly. I'm so happy I can find out what happens next after the end of the anime and volume 8. The first episode and volume may not seem out-of-this-world but the more you read/watch, the more the characters develop along with the story and interesting and complex things get.This is the first manga I've ever purchased and I'm happy I bought the first 4 volumes because it was so hard to stop reading it the further I got into the series, just like when I was watching the anime. I bought the next 4 volumes a week after my first purchase. It was also easier than I thought to get adjusted to reading a manga, especially with the author providing helpful instructions on the last page (which is the typical front page for western? books).In addition to all these things, the cover and title art is beautiful- all of the art in the manga is amazing from the characters and their clothing to the backgrounds. The author writes occasional side notes on some pages that are interesting and add a little more personality to the writing. I'm so grateful I found both the animated and written series.

Like many other reviewers, I found this series through the anime (which is beautiful and well worth watching). Yona is a spoiled sweet sheltered princess who... ends up going impoverished and adventuring for reasons. It is seriously hard to get to far into the plot without major spoilers. It's a historical/romance/adventure with fantasy elements balanced by comedy. And it *works*. Seriously - I started watching the anime when I was sick and my husband ended up making me back the whole thing up and start from the beginning because it was just that good.Now, I don't like angst. It's fine when there's a reason - zodiac animals in Furuba, I'm looking at you - but on the whole, I don't like wallowing around in emotional turmoil. And while Yona (and many of the characters) are given tragic circumstances or backstory, it really feels like it's more just how this character became who they are and largely ends on a positive, "Yeah, that sucked. Moving on..." note.I really like the strong female feel to the series - Yona remains a small, petite woman physically dwarfed by the men around her, but (after the major turmoil that gets the story going) doesn't feel any less worthy or powerful. She does not become an instant magical badass going toe to toe with giants, but continues to work hard to become as strong and smart of a fighter as she's physically capable of being. Since she ends up surrounded by supernaturally strong fighters, she's never going to match them and that's okay. Think of Star Wars - Leia's never going to physically match Chewie, Han, Luke or Lando for strength, but her will and passion drive the group. Strong doesn't have to be physical, and Yona's willingness to just keep going for the sake of her friends and her kingdom becomes epic.While there are magical elements in Yona, they're mostly limited to the prophecy and the dragons. It's a bit like The Force in the original Star Wars trilogy where, sure, people had heard of it, but it's not like anyone had ever really seen it in action. Most of the action and adventure arcs are grounded in more realistic "this kingdom is falling apart" type action: poverty, bandits, human trafficking. Those become the things Yona is trying to fix from the shadows and are the backdrop for the adventure, humor, romance and relationships that fill this story. I love the balance in this story and pretty much everyone I've loaned the series to loves it as well. For younger kids, the violence can be realistic if not explicit. Kids die. Innocent people are killed. And Yona becomes willing (and able) to kill people in order to stop it. My 14 year old loves the series, but you'd have to think about what age you're willing to let kids read about humans killing other humans.If you liked Inuyasha, give it a try - it's way less shonen, no monsters, and less slapstick, but plenty of adventure and epically badass characters. If you liked Kamisama Kiss, you'll probably like the humor, historical fantasy, meta-story about how it all fits together, and gung-ho heroine, but there's no school girl hi-jinks and the heroine isn't aware there's a romance element for a long time. If you liked Kenshin, there's even more political intrigue/country in turmoil, strong women, and amazing fight scenes, but way fewer villains of the week.

I have been slow on starting this series, but it is just what I need in my reading slump! I cannot wait to read more!

I’ll read the next one but, idk, maybe manga just isn’t for me. I would still be willing to try the rest of the series.

Having watched the anime, I know this series gets better as you go. It's a great start! The first 8 manga are covered in the anime, so I cannot wait to continue the saga and find out what happens next!

It arrived on time and no damage. Highly recommend

I watched the anime a couple of weeks ago, fell absolutely in love with it, and have rewatched it three or four more times. I got a friend hooked on it as well. IT IS THAT GOOD. So of course I was going to buy the first volume of the manga! I preordered it, it arrived on the release day, and read the whole thing that night. For those who have watched the anime, this volume covers episodes 1-3, and I'm happy to say the anime follows pretty closely.For those who have not seen the anime and do not know much about Akatsuki no Yona (or Yona of the Dawn), it follows the story of Yona, a pampered 16 year old princess who witnesses the murder of a loved one and is now on the run for her life. Accompanying her is her childhood friend/bodyguard Hak, who has vowed to protect her at all costs. In order to survive, Yona must not only pick up a sword and a bow, but also track down the Four Dragons of the old legends; only then will she discover her true destiny. A warning to those just picking up the manga and who do not know where this story goes: Yona is pretty annoying in the beginning. She's a princess who has never known pain or weariness, and is only concerned with winning the heart of the man she loves (not Hak...that would be far too simple!) and how horrible she thinks her red hair is. In the anime, you discover at the end of the second episode where her character development leads to (by far my favorite scene in the whole series--seriously, just watch it, people), and that gives you an incentive to keep watching because that girl is NOT the same spoiled princess you've spent some time with. Volume 1 of the manga centers around Yona's pampered life and childhood memories, before any character development takes place, and she is definitely your classic helpless princess in distress. Do yourself a favor and don't give up just yet!! Her story gives room for fantastic character development, and it definitely doesn't disappoint. If you don't have the patience to sit around waiting for the English translation of the manga to be released every few months to be hooked, watch the anime and get a feel for Yona's journey. You'll be glad you did.Yona of the Dawn has something for everyone. Action, humor, a bit of romance, lovable characters, a controversial and complex villain that you love to hate, a strong fantasy-like appeal (it's pretty clean stuff--no nudity, witchcraft, hardcore magic and spells, etc. that often comes with the fantasy genre; I personally like fantasy that way, but I know others that see it as a sort of watered down coffee), and an overall engaging story. I HIGHLY recommend it, though don't judge the whole story and Yona's character on this one section.

I adore this manga ever since I saw the anime I have been in love. The princess is so feminine and strong my favourite kind of character

Yona of the Dawn details the story and struggle of Princess Yona who after her sixteenth birthday, witnesses the assassination of her father at the hands of the man she had loved: Su Won. Reeling from the shock of this, she herself is nearly killed but is saved by her loyal guard and close friend, Hak. The pair flee from the Castle and from here, they decide what it is they must do in order to live and survive. They seek the advice of a Priest who advises Yona that if her idea of living is not a life of peace. "For you, living means calling up a storm that will shake Kohka to its very foundations." The Priest reveals to her the voice of God and sends her on her way to find the Four Dragons of the Kohka Kingdom.This is an fantasy/adventure series with some really sweet romantic scenes between the characters. Be warned - this is not a fast paced romance series. Yona is a little dense when it comes to love, having only ever loved Su Won her whole life, but over time, her and Hak begin to explore their relationship as they become closer. It really rewards the readers when they finally do take that step together.

I can across the anime a few months back and delighted to see it was based on a manga series.I thought this series was a run of the bill kind of deal but I was so very wrong. the concept of good vs evil is turned on it's head and your not 100% sure that the main bad guy is totally evil, in fact he's very complicated. the dynamic between the heroes and the villains is complex and very interwoven. the story is fun and light but can also turn on a coin, one moment your laughing with them and at them the next your wondering exactly just how you got from point A to point F.Yona is a good kid as is Hak and his gang, and they were very much a lovable gang but even as they strive to help Yoda take back her kingdom your not entirely sure if she will or even if she actually should. I wont spoil it for you but the series has so many layers and twists and turns.

OMG am in love with this manga already bought the next 2. Watched the anime before I bought the manga. I deffo wanna see more of this series as a manga and a anime. It's funny but serious too and goes far beyond what the anime does. Love supporting the manga artists by buying there work.

Finally found vol 1 for a good price been so hard to find this volume happy to add this to my collection 😀❤