Anime Reviews ⇢ Yona of the Dawn
Yona of the Dawn
Akatsuki no Yona
Average Rating: 10 / 10

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Ratings: 1
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Content Overview
Violence: 4 / 10
Nudity: 3 / 10
Theo Theme: 3 / 10
Neg Theme: 2 / 10

Brief Description:
Brief Description: The will to live is the strongest weapon. From the studio behind Tokyo Ghoul and Fushigi Yuugi comes the story of Yona-- a typical teen despite being the sitting princess of the Kohka Kingdom. On her sixteenth birthday, she stumbles upon her father being brutally murdered by the man she loves. After this tragic discovery, Yona and her bodyguard, Son Hak, embark on a quest to find the legendary Four Dragons who can save her fallen kingdom. (From the Manufacturer- site- Amazon)

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=16154
Licensed by FUNimation Entertainment in the US
Suitable for Ages 13 and Older
Yona of the Dawn is complete at 24 episodes


User Reviews
08/07/2021: Rose Faerie [ Already Rated ]

Violence: It's mainly typical action violence. There is some blood and characters are sometimes injured. Nothing happens beyond stabbing and knocking people down, even in the death scenes.

Sex and Nudity: Yona's initial love interest, Su-Won is her first cousin, though any chance of them getting together was ruined in the first episode. The story has a historically based background, so I would assume their relationship would have been socially acceptable at the time. The third episode depicts Yona nude and Hak sees her. This is brief, and it isn't sexual and Yona's arms and legs cover everything. She just wants his help getting leeches off her legs. Hak sometimes makes suggestive and flirty comments to psych Yona out. One of the Dragons can be... interesting, as he makes a few unwanted jokes and calls upon prostitutes at one point (nothing happens). However, the other characters don't find his behavior acceptable. One arc involves taking down a human trafficking ring. Some of the people being taken are intended to be prostitutes, though ultimately nothing happens.

Theological Themes: There is a seer and a prophecy, which play a role in the story. The Four Dragons have enhanced physical abilities attributed to dragons. The original Dragons were mythological figures, though I can't remember if they were revered as gods.

Problematic Themes: There is occasional mild swearing, and there might have been a pirate who smoked a pipe.

Overall: This is one of my favorites. The plot is a very traditional one, as it follows a lot of fantasy tropes(finding a seer, locating magical warriors, ect.).

It is the characters that truly make Yona of the Dawn shine. Yona is an amazing protagonist, who has some of the most realistic and well paced character development I've ever come across. Her companions are all equally lovable and well developed. Their views are all realistic and in-tune with their pasts. One thing I like is that they have the same goal, but different ideologies and viewpoints. Gi-Ja and Jae-Ha are prime examples, as they had similar upbringings, yet they reacted to their supposed destinies very differently. Su-Won is also a compelling antagonist with a point. I don't agree with his means, but his end goal seems reasonable, which I appreciate.

The character chemistry is great. I personally thought things really started to pick up once Yona and Hak gained a few companions. Most of the comedy comes from the character interactions.

The character designs are beautiful and the music is very lovely as well. The OST is really nice. I also can't think of a single character who looks weird. In general, I thought the anime was very well made.

Unfortunately, the anime lacks a resolution. It's almost like a character introduction, as it is spent gathering most of the key players. I've heard things really pick up in the manga once the anime ends, so all I can do is hope for a second season. It's not like the anime was unsuccessful or anything.

I really recommend this one, though for teenagers and up for suggestive comments and violence.

Added: July, 2021