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暁のヨナ [Akatsuki no Yona] #39

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 39

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The battle between Kohka and South Kai intensifies, and Hak has no choice but to disguise himself as a South Kai soldier! To make matters worse, he runs into General Rahn, with whom he has crossed swords before. Now Hak’s identity as a citizen of Kohka is exposed, and he’s still in enemy territory with no backup!

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2022

63 people are currently reading
812 people want to read

About the author

Mizuho Kusanagi

112 books871 followers
KUSANAGI Mizuho (草凪みずほ) used to work as an assistant for Yoko Matsushita.

Circle(s): JAKE

Loves: drawing and considers herself to have a 'super fetish' for voices. As such, she loves seiyuu (voice actors) but also actors with good voices.

Favorite Food: Ramen. Prefers vegetables to meat.

Favorite Movies: Anything by Miyazaki, whom she loves! Also, The Sound of Music and Lord of the Rings.

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5 stars
1,482 (67%)
4 stars
603 (27%)
3 stars
101 (4%)
2 stars
12 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
Profile Image for J.
678 reviews66 followers
October 2, 2022
Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Chapters 223 to 228

My favorite parts:
1. All the scenes with the Dark Dragon and the Happy Hungry Bunch - I missed their dynamics so much and I was delighted to see them being light-hearted again!
2. Soo-Won's realizations about Hak and Yona - It's about damn time, genius.
3. Hak - His bravery and devotion to his loved ones melted my heart.
4. Hak & Yona - ISTG, I will go down with this ship.
5. Gorgeous art (especially of Yona and Hak)
Profile Image for I.M.BookMeIn.
621 reviews38 followers
Want to read
August 17, 2022
223. It's All or Nothing
224. Surpassing the Limit
225. Breathe Out
226. The tenderness of the dawn
227. Squirmings in the Dead of Night
228. Revolt
Profile Image for MargReadsManga.
571 reviews83 followers
August 4, 2023
I screamed. I cried. I squeed. Chapters 224 & 225 were EVERYTHING!!
Profile Image for Laura A. Grace.
1,992 reviews315 followers
December 24, 2023
"I was saved by the very things I discarded..."

WOW! This was an AMAZING and action-packed volume! Granted, what volume lately HASN'T been just that?! LOL! But still!!

I was deeply grateful that the battle ended pretty early because I was quickly reminded that this series is not for the faint of heart. *nervous laughter* I was really worried I wouldn't be able to handle more of what was happening (and that was only further clearer to me when someone had "fun" with Zeno…), but as soon as I saw the smiles of these characters I love, the worry, fear, and angst that had been gripping my heart loosened enough where I felt I could breathe.

That's NOT to say things are easy or smooth sailing because seeing some aftereffects with a certain character was hard and crushing. My heart felt like it was breaking, but Yona. Oh Yona, our fierce warrior. I love her.

I was telling a friend that when Yona says how she wants to protect this certain character, some people may say it's downright laughable that SHE would protect someone who doesn't need protecting due to their sheer strength and will. But that's the thing, it's NOT laughable because she means those words with her heart and WILL do everything in her power to protect. I deeply treasured that moment and how I feel Yona captured the strength of women and that we are not something to be laughed at. Definitely one of my favorite moments in this volume! <3

However, the other part that I could not get enough of was the scenes with Yona, Hak, and…Su-won. WOW! I especially loved the development shown in Su-won's character because it reminded me how much I enjoyed his character in the beginning and was like YOU ARE FINALLY SEEING IT SU-WON!!! The opening quote is related to him and that was ultimately my favorite moment. Did I anticipate that with the deep anger I had towards him before I would now say a moment with him was my favorite? No, I didn't, but it was everything.

Lastly, it's been a while since I have thought that someone BESIDES Sinha needed to be protected at all costs, but YUN! HE BETTER BE PROTECTED AT ALL COST!!!! Oh my goodness, he better!

And speaking of him, my favorite panel/page was the one right after Sinha at the start of chapter 225. While I know these characters are growing and time has passed over this series, it was this page that made me realize how much Yun has grown and how he looks like such a fine young man. *happy sobs*

Definitely a great volume and VERY eager to read the next one!!
Profile Image for Alexandra Elend Wolf.
650 reviews320 followers
June 8, 2023
4.80 stars.

“No matter how unbearable the pain, I thought I could claim victory, but Hak risked his life to protect Kin Province, and the tide of battle was turned by the power of the four dragons and Yona. I was saved by the things I discarded.”


The way this tugged on my heartstrings and destroyed my soul is not even funny, but it is expected at this point.

I will never grow tired of saying that I appreciate, tremendously so, the way that Kusanagi takes time to show the natural reactions of the characters after traumatic, important, impactful events. It might hurt my soul to incredible degrees but those moments are so raw and realistic that I can never help it but be mesmerized by their sheer beauty and humanity.

While the trio of Hak, Yona, and Soo-won are mostly chief, as always, in bringing me the most bittersweet, heartbreaking interactions the ones we got between Val and Mei-nyan were quite the contestants.

Yes, both Mei-nyan and Val might seem like extra characters with little context to the story but in a story built upon the relationship and dynamics of its characters, with so much weight and importance trust upon each interaction, theirs becomes more significant and quite beautiful. Even if it is more straightforward than some of the other bonds that we've seen through the story, I can say with certainty that I ended up quite liking them.

Now, because this is Yona of the Dawn and we cannot have quiet, simple happy moments anymore there was quite a bit of strife and heart-stopping suspense going on too.

“We fought and got hurt together. These days are so far away now.”
Profile Image for sarah ♪.
133 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2024
4.5 stars!! Were we about to have a Hak and Yona sex scene??? To be honest, I doubt we'd ever get one since this is a shoujo manga (that would be like having a sex scene in a ya novel), but oh well. I'm glad to finally see Hak and Yona reunited after what feels like forever, and I hope they get a chance to talk their feelings out with each other now that things are sort of winding down.

Also, Hyuli is so creepy but I'm also so curious about him. How is he so strong (especially at such an old age)? Why does he never talk? How did he get that scar? Weirdly enough, I kind of hope we get more context about him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for giuliaghoulia.
653 reviews39 followers
April 21, 2024
y'all should know every time i give a yona volume 5 stars it's bc i got yonahak content and this volume DELIVERED
Profile Image for melhara.
1,870 reviews89 followers
October 25, 2024
3.5/5

Hak and Yona - finally reunited again after the battle with South Kai!!! Also, a possible rekindling bromance between Hak and Suwon is something I definitely want to see in future novels!

Meanwhile, South Kai assassins are looking for Meinyan and Yun gets kidnapped in the process. Meinyan and Val reunites (I quite like their dynamic - Val is a lot like Hak, I think).

There's a really weird bonus chapter included in this volume and I can't say I fully understood what was going on...
Profile Image for Sarah Ryder.
1,060 reviews244 followers
December 31, 2023
Ahhhh, so many emotions!!!! Seeing the whole gang back together again was such a relief even though the battle scenes were really intense and heartbreaking at times—it really looked like they wouldn’t get out of several scrapes alive but between Hak and the dragons they thankfully managed!

And Su-Won FINALLY had a “no, duh!” type realization of just how amazing all the people he cast away are and what they did for him despite the way things went down throughout the whole series, and while he remains far from my favorite character I appreciated that he at least got it, even if it did take over half of the series to get there! 🙄 *sniffs disdainfully*

And while I loved the whole volume I have to say my favorite part, though the most heartbreaking one, was Hak having PTSD—that broke my heart how he was panicking and for good reason with what he’s remembering but all the same I was also like don’t hurt my precious Hak!!!! 😭😭 And Yona being there for him and wanting to protect him is so beautiful and I LOVE how her compassion and emotional strength shines so brightly here and just proves that as women we don’t have to be “strong and tough” to show strength but that we can protect the hearts of those we love even if they are physically stronger and can protect themselves. I love how the mangaka has shown that powerful trait of Yona’s the whole time, even though I also do love it when she kicks butt in her own way as well. Not to mention she’s always there for Hak to lean on just like he’s always there for her and I love that so so much. 🥰🥰

And the last bit with Yun, Meinyan, and Riri was both hilarious (Yun trying to keep Meinyan from drinking too much was gold, lol 😂) and frankly terrifying with these creepy assassin dudes lurking around. Like what exactly is going on here?!?! And they better not hurt Yun or I’ll riot!

And if the whole volume wasn’t intense and amazing as is, the bonus chapter would have been that all on its own! It’s so funny and so typical of Hak and Tae-Jun, and I cracked up laughing reading the whole thing! (then had to smother said laughter to avoid waking my family up!) 🤣🤣

This series continues to be amazing and I can’t wait for more!


‼️Content‼️

Language: crap; bastard; dammit; hell

Violence: injuries and blood (nothing over PG-13); fighting with weapons (nothing over PG-13)

Sexual: kissing; a shirtless guy

Drug/Alcohol: characters drink and some get a little tipsy

Other: a character has PTSD; creepy looking floating (?) assassin people; a town is set on fire
Profile Image for Emily Grace.
Author 1 book5 followers
August 10, 2025
"I need to dampen that sound for Hak." 😭❤️

Hak killed the most feared/dangerous of the South Kai generals, General Kurau. I didn't even realize that's what Hak did until they literally said that General Kurau is dead.

I had a feeling about General Kaji. Idk, maybe it's because his hairstyle is similar to Gija's and I also am biased in liking his appearance, but he didn't strike me as a total evil person. I didn't get the same vibe as I did with General Kurau, who was obviously horrible. Kaji cares about Meinyan. That means he can't be all bad, right? That said, I'm hoping Hak didn't actually kill Kaji. I'm hoping he only stole the plant from him. I mean, we would've seen Kaji's dead body like Kurau's if that was the case, right?

I was also right about Val and Meinyan. I knew he liked her (his actions speak louder than his words). I wasn't sure if Meinyan liked him, but we now got confirmation that she does.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Laura Pandorabooks.
643 reviews77 followers
December 28, 2023
Este tomo sí, joe. Este tomo sí.

Por fin vuelvo a sentir cosas cuando leo a Yona, los anteriores me parecieron muy meh, pero este ya ha retomado el rumbo 😍.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
698 reviews344 followers
Read
December 4, 2025
The hut scene will forever live in my head rent free
Profile Image for Alycia.
320 reviews
October 20, 2023
How do manage to wait every single time for the next volume without dying from cliffhangers??
Profile Image for Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎.
1,331 reviews190 followers
January 4, 2026
Halfway through the volume, I’m mostly happy. What with Hak and Sinha’s interaction, I couldn’t contain my smiles. I loved that they’re so vocal with their feelings now. I mean, considering they’ve gone through so much, endured so much, bonding for how many nights. They’re tight-knitted already.

And then, Kohka’s victory after the recent battle with South Kai, which I honestly believe wouldn’t really happen with Hak’s determination (or it would take a terribly long time for Kohka to advance with him.) If Hak hadn’t killed General Kurau, nothing would deplete the South Kai soldiers’ morale. And it would a terribly long battle, or Kohka would just lose.

And then, there’s Hak’s trauma after the flood and Yona trying to ease his pain leading to the barn scene *screams at the top of her lungs* and now we got that cute moment with Val and Meinyan (that I actually shipped though since Val’s deployment to pursue Meinyan at Kohka.)

The other half, I’m mostly worried. The burning of Hiryuu castle? What will happen next! What if it’s connected to Yona’s dream before? This is making me anxious!
Profile Image for Anshika.
792 reviews4 followers
December 9, 2022
It's just everything at this point!! ❣️
Profile Image for alice.
446 reviews107 followers
June 13, 2024
THIS IS THE HAK X SUWON ANGST I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR EXACTLY !!

Profile Image for andrea .
325 reviews72 followers
February 28, 2025
QUE TOMO QUE TOMO QUE TOMO QUE TOMO. ¿MI FAVORITO HASTA LA FECHA MAYBE?

No tengo palabras, se me han saltado hasta las lágrimas llorando. Sé que me repito muchísimo pero Hak es el mejor personaje ever. Ha evolucionado muchísimo, respeta muchísimo a sus enemigos y su actitud en cuanto a Soo-Woon ha cambiado muchísimo. Este tomo tiene escenas preciosas y muy realistas. Por primera vez después de tanta guerra podemos ver secuelas psicológicas en los personajes y me ha encantado la verdad. No pueden ir ganando siempre como sin más.

Estoy muy feliz, ya se han reencontrado todos y parece que Hak y Yona podrían avanzar en su relación pero vaya que si está historia es tan conocida es por ser el slow burn más slow de todos. Que a mí me apasiona este trope pero que estamos ya en el tomo 39 please...

Por otro lado, tenemos personajes nuevos que me están dando mucha curiosidad, también nuevos peligros y REENCUENTROS. Por favor, cuidadme a Yoon que es el solecito del grupo.

Solo me quedan dos tomos para estar al día. No quiero tener que esperar meses para seguir leyendo, no me quiero despedir ya.
Profile Image for Tired Tiger.
292 reviews6 followers
December 28, 2024
This goddamn manga. One minute I'm sighing in relief for some characters and the next I'm stressing over the fates of others. For the first half of this volume, most of my thoughts consisted of, "Hak, the man that you are! You over the bear!" and etc. I was applauding, kicking my feet, wiping away a tear or two after that scene with Su-won.

But the second half? Mostly dread. And it started out cute to boot. We get to see Riri again, as well as Tetra and Ayura. Always good to see them, couldn't be happier. But then you go and pull that. *deep inhale* I'm very glad volume 40 is out because I'm running out of them and that cliffhanger was just mean. Back to my tea I go.
Profile Image for Noelle Haycraft.
647 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2024
Yona of the Dawn hits again with another volume! I figured I would start out the year with a book that I knew I was going to like, hence Yona. I don't know how this anime wasn't continued considering it's one of the greatest mangas known to man.

This volume focused on how Hak came back and fought his way to Yona and Su-Won. The dragon warriors did their part in helping him and fighting back the army. But what will happen to Yun?? But yo, seriously? Su-Won's bodyguard? Scary af. But we like him. Can't wait to see what happens next in volume 40!!

Happy Reading!!
Profile Image for Momo.
580 reviews4 followers
September 23, 2022
I finished this volume about two months after the last and just like the last one it was alright but not great. I liked seeing more of my favorite characters again but I found myself checking how many pages I had left a few times. These last two volumes are resting periods in the series, a calm before the storm, so the story ties in with the next arc better but it just wasn't done in a way that holds my attention well.
Profile Image for Lemoona.
228 reviews
July 31, 2023
Hak’s war trauma made me SOB. I COULD NOT! I’ve never seen Hak in such a state, trembling and depending on Yona for emotional support because he felt like he was still drowning in that flood! *SOB*

I cried rivers over his state. Over Zeno. Over Meinyan. Over all the dragons. OVER YUN! BECAUSE YOU CAN’T TELL ME MY MAN IS IN DANGER AGAIN! *drowns in a river of my own tears*

My ship drowned. I knew it was a far cry to ship Meinyan with Yun but a girl can dream! And that’s why dreams are never a reality. I mean, WHO THE HELL IS VAL. YOU CAN’T JUST INTRODUCE HIM ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN I WAS BEING DELUSIONAL OVER MEINYAN AND YUN. I KNEW THEY’RE JUST FRIENDS BUT WHO TF IS VALLLLLLL?!(!;!?!,!,!

Anyway. Fk Val. And LORD HELP ME IF I EVER HAVE TO SEE HAK IN THIS STATE AGAIN BC MY BOOK WILL BE DRENCHED IN TEARS! AHHH. STUPID FLOOD! STUPID WATER! I used to love water (as in swimming) but WE ARE ENEMIES NOW! HOW DARE YOU TORTURE MY PRECIOUS HAK AJSJKSKSKSOSOSOLS

AND THE AUDACITY Su Won had to say “I was saved by the things I discarded” like HOW DARE YOU STFU YOU BASTARD CRUSTY DUSTY PIECE OF RUBBISH ACTING LIKE HE EVER OWNED THEM TO DISCARD THEM FK YOUUU SU WON IDK HOW YOU HAVE FANS ON TIKTOK YOU USELESS, HELPLESS PIECE OF TRASH. I hate Su Won for what he did and I’ll never forgive him. He wants to save his country from a bad king? Fine. But I’m allowed to despise him for it. And then he has the audacity to utter trash from his mouth when he would have been dead and at the mercy of South Kai if it wasn’t for Hak, Yona, and the dragons. I. Hate. Him. I don’t give a single crap if he dies. The only good thing about finding a cure for his stupid illness is that Meinyan has a chance of living too, and that’s all I care about. So, I hope Yun finds a cure. FOR MEINYAN. And I hope Su Won continues to live the rest of his life in regret and I hope it haunts him FOREVER.

Lord help this review. And lord help Su Won in the event that my wishes are answered because he’ll be but a speck of dust after I’m through with him! Just let me isekai into the story and WATCH ME. I AM COMING FOR YOU SU WON! WITH HAK’S GLAIVE!!!

And I can’t even end this review on a good note because I’m mentally not ok at the moment and all these tragic events have severely impacted my brain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Angie.
1,813 reviews22 followers
March 10, 2023
Hak and Yona are reunited and as adorable as ever. I think Hak might have PTSD from the flood, though. Can the writers stop putting him on the brink of death every few volumes now? He deserves to be happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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