Title

Yona of the Dawn

Also known as: Akatsuki no Yona, 暁のヨナ, AkaYona, Yona: The Girl Standing in the Blush of Dawn, Yona, Princesa del Amanecer, Yona w blasku świtu, Yona - Prinzessin der Morgendämmerung, Yona - Công chúa bình minh, Yona, Princesse de l'Aube, Yona: A Princesa do Alvorecer, 새벽의 연화

by Mizuho Kusanagi, Lys Blakeslee

Score from AniList: 87/100finished48 volumes295 chapters

Action Adventure Drama Fantasy Romance More like Yona of the Dawn

Buy or read official Read with StoryHoard Community Sign in to vote for this week's Top 10

A red-haired princess loses her family and her kingdom—now she must rise and fight for her throne! Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Su-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when tragedy strikes her family! Yona reels from the shock of witnessing a loved one's murder and having to fight for her life. With Hak's help, she flees the palace and struggles to survive while evading her enemy's forces. But where will this displaced princess go when all the paths before her are uncertain? (Source: VIZ Media) Note: Includes 19 extra chapters.

Chapters available: 295
Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 4/5

A sweeping shoujo-fantasy reversal of fortune with a princess who has to fight for everything, though its slow start asks for patience.

Pros

A strong, determined heroine with real growth
A rich, politically intricate kingdom
An ensemble with memorable bonds

Cons

The early chapters take time to get going
The romance and political threads can compete for attention

Read this if you liked:The Ancient Magus' Bride Kingdom Vinland Saga

Read the full take

Yona of the Dawn starts in a royal palace and quickly tears that comfort away. The princess loses her family and her kingdom in one brutal turn, and the series builds its story around her rise from fear into resolve. That arc is the real strength: Yona grows into a fighter and a leader without losing her sense of compassion. The world is rich, with political alliances and historical texture that give the kingdom a lived-in feel. The ensemble is strong, and the bonds between the leads carry emotional weight. The honest cons are pacing and focus. The early chapters take time to find their footing, and the romance and politics sometimes compete for attention. Some readers will find the slow build rewarding, while others will want more action sooner. It is a patient, sincere fantasy that pays off its investment. If you want a heroine who earns her victories, this is a good pick. Give the first few volumes a fair chance.