Yona of the Dawn (2014)

About Yona of the Dawn

"Yona of the Dawn," also known as "Akatsuki no Yona," is a Japanese anime series that first aired in 2014. It is a blend of action, romance, and fantasy set in a fictional kingdom. The story follows Yona, the sole princess of the Kingdom of Kouka, who lives a life of comfort and ease until the murder of her father by Su-Won, her beloved cousin. This tragic event forces Yona to flee the palace with her bodyguard, Hak. The series documents Yona's evolution from a sheltered princess to a strong warrior, finding allies and reclaiming her kingdom.

Making / Production

The anime is produced by Pierrot and directed by Kazuhiro Yoneda. The series started airing in Japan on October 7, 2014, on the AT-X network and continued until March 24, 2015. Funimation has licensed the anime series for streaming and home video rights in North America.

Actors

• Chiwa Saito voices the character of Yona. She flawlessly brings out the diverse emotions Yona goes through - from a naive princess to a fierce warrior.
• Tomohiro Tsuboi voices the character of Hak, the bodyguard, and childhood friend of Yona. He excellently captures both the humorous and serious aspects of the character.
• Yusuke Kobayashi plays Su-Won, the primary antagonist who kills Yona's father. He brilliantly depicts the character's calm demeanor masking his ruthless ambition.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Yona of the Dawn is an adaptation of the manga series of the same name by Mizuho Kusanagi.
• Each of the four dragon warriors in the series represents a different virtue: courage, purity, knowledge, and power.
• Despite its historical setting, the anime incorporates modern-day slang, giving it a unique charm.

Quotes

• "Even if I can't carry a weapon... I'll survive." - Yona
• "In the end, with time, everything will be forgotten. And so it will be for that one too." - Hak
• "I will rise again. For the sake of my people, I cannot afford the luxury of defeat." - Su-Won

Music, Soundtrack

• The opening theme is "Akatsuki no Yona" performed by Kunihiko Ryo.
• The ending themes include "Yoru" by Vistlip and "Akatsuki" by Akiko Shikata.
• The soundtrack of Yona of the Dawn perfectly complements the anime's atmosphere, with a mix of traditional and modern musical elements.