Anime Review: Yona of the Dawn

Due to some predicaments in my town/city, (I don't even know, it's a capital but it's small as heck) I had a week off from school out of nowhere. I then wisely spent the time watching anime. In the end I only watched one, and also continued it into the manga. Obviously as the title says, that show is Akatsuki no Yona, or to some, Yona of the Dawn.

Dark Blue = Hak
Long Blonde in Back = Suwon

First things first, plot summary. Yona is the sole princess of the Kouka Kingdom. It's only a few days from her 16th birthday and her childhood friend and long term crush, Suwon (or Soo-Won depends on how you prefer it) is coming to her castle. Suwon, her, and Hak, who is now Yona's personal bodyguard, were close childhood friends and both spent a lot of time with each other. But on Yona's 16th birthday, one of them will vow to never leave her side, while the other will destroy her trust forever by doing something unforgivable. Yona is forced to choose between the life she's always known or standing strong, getting dirty, and fighting for what she knows is right along with the special companions, decedents of a legend that forged the Kouka kindgom from Gods. And it's pretty damn cool.

I really can't explain much of the plot without revealing some of the storyline (if you don't already know about it) so yup, if that doesn't make sense, just know it gets kind of cool.

Anyway, so Yona of the Dawn was an adaptation from the manga of the same name by Mizuho Kusanagi. Licensed by Funimation (there's probably going to be a dub soon....maybe I don't actually now hahaha) and consisted of 24 episodes.

So the aspect of this anime that stood out the most was it's main character Yona. Yona, a princess who undergoes a tradegy and has a legendary title letting her be able to control (kinda) really hot, really talented figther gus to protect her. You know what she does though? She realizes that she needs to protect them like they feel the need to protect her. She turns from a whiny princess who is always taken care of to full blown leader and revolutionist (kinda) by the end of the series. Not to mention that she picks up a weapon depsite her father's wants to never handle one. And the eyes of fire, when she turns them on you you'd best pay attention.

Like Really she goes from this

Yona is a strong female lead in a show of mostly males. Let it be that it is a reverse harem, but that doesn't stop it from letting her control her show. Because last time I checked it's called Yona of the Dawn. The most character development coming from her, gradually, nicely, beautifully. Though she is still protected she does help and makes a very huge effort to learn the ways to protect herself and others, picking up the sword before the series is over. (she learns how to use it well in the manga)

To This. And yes, they are the same character.

The rest of the characters all have understandble personality with their backstories and they are very nicely put together. What is another major focus, that is freaking great, is the character relationship between Suwon, Hak, and Yona. Yes it's a sort of love triangle, but it's more than that. It takes it a step further by breaking up the friendship that the three had spent years building up.

The music now. The background music is actually quite nice, reflectign the atmosphere of old age east asia. It's not inherently said where they are or what culture it is based off of (because the names, a lot of them, aren't japanese and the clothing does not reflect that of Japan) so um, I think it might reflect Korea, but that's just my speculation. Anyway, it' s like Inuyasha in it's sound for background music. I really liked it. Although, the Ops and 1st Eds were not all that memorable or, in my opinion , good, the second ending was reeeally great! Being sung by Akiko Shikata, "Akatsuki" was really well done, not to mention it's really pretty art style for that end.

You go Yona.

The animation is good, not supurb but definetly good. Doing a fairly good job on the fight scenes of Yona, which there are a lot of. Although they weren't gorgeus KYOTO ANI WORK, it was pretty good.

Overall, this anime is a definte reccomendation for someone who wan'ts a legend/kingdom story. Or, you know, a good reverse harem. It has action, betrayal, romance (she be dense AS FUCK) and more! Go watch it. Although the ending will leave you pissed as hell go read the manga instead. The anime continues in chpater 48 right where the anime left off, without major changes to the anime from the manga.

But seriously, that ending pissed me off.....grrrrr.
Talk about CLIFFHANGER! It' s like they did nothing in 24 episodes while doing everything!

Left to Right
Kija, Jae Ha, Hak, Yona, Su Won, Yoon, Zeno, Shina Ah