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夜明けの唄 [Yoake no Uta] #4
Lullaby of the Dawn, Vol. 4
Night after night, Elva steps forth into the black sea with sword in hand, driving back creatures that surge forth from the waves - for he is one of the 'kannagi,' white-haired, ageless warrior priests chosen by the divine to protect the people of the island. Although kannagi are destined to live short and lonely lives, Elva has found devoted companion in Alto, whose touch heals the black stains left by the cursed sea, and who has sworn to serve him and free him from his cursed fate. Piece by piece, Alto, Elva, and their allies are unraveling the secrets of the kannagi, the mysterious black sea, and their isolated island home — but every new revelation only brings more questions. After confronting Lord Shiyan and his own painful childhood, Elva finally feels that he is ready to deepen his connection with Alto, and for the two of them to become lovers in truth. But Alto is coming face to face with painful truths of his own as the origins of his healing abilities and immunity to the black sea finally come to light.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2023
About the author
Ichika Yuno
14 books37 followersIchika Yuno (Jap: ユノイチカ is a Japanese mangaka of Boy's Love.
The debut work Yoake no uta (Jap: 夜明けの唄; Eng: Lullaby of the Dawn), a fantasy Boy's Love manga, was first at Kono BL ga yabai! 2022 and BL award 2022.
The debut work Yoake no uta (Jap: 夜明けの唄; Eng: Lullaby of the Dawn), a fantasy Boy's Love manga, was first at Kono BL ga yabai! 2022 and BL award 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 11, 2024
where to read: inkr
This volume has an overwhelming amount of information. It hasn't been that long since I read the last volume, but I spent the beginning of this a little confused since it just immediately goes into all this info. So it's definitely better read immediately after volume 3.
The messaging in this can be a little heavy handed, but the connection of the real world and how it affects this fantasy world is interesting. They talk about war, the fight for gay marriage, and the control of powerful people. Also it's went into the topic of childhood sexual abuse. I actually really liked how that was done. Elva is learning about things that he was sheltered from and there's a moment where he's like oh that's what was done to me? All he knew was how it had made him feel, but didn't understand the act. It's such a realistic depiction. I also love that it's not shown at all. Just alluded to. There's so many things I've read that graphically depict abuse when it's so unnecessary. Like you can easily show it without actually showing it. Anyway, Elva and Alto are my precious babies and I'll probably be waiting a while for volume 5, but I can't wait to learn more about their world and I really want to see them get further in their relationship.
This volume has an overwhelming amount of information. It hasn't been that long since I read the last volume, but I spent the beginning of this a little confused since it just immediately goes into all this info. So it's definitely better read immediately after volume 3.
The messaging in this can be a little heavy handed, but the connection of the real world and how it affects this fantasy world is interesting. They talk about war, the fight for gay marriage, and the control of powerful people. Also it's went into the topic of childhood sexual abuse. I actually really liked how that was done. Elva is learning about things that he was sheltered from and there's a moment where he's like oh that's what was done to me? All he knew was how it had made him feel, but didn't understand the act. It's such a realistic depiction. I also love that it's not shown at all. Just alluded to. There's so many things I've read that graphically depict abuse when it's so unnecessary. Like you can easily show it without actually showing it. Anyway, Elva and Alto are my precious babies and I'll probably be waiting a while for volume 5, but I can't wait to learn more about their world and I really want to see them get further in their relationship.
April 5, 2025
Wow, I swear the plot twists are getting more and more intense with each volume!
October 19, 2025
2025 reads: 295/300
in the fourth volume of lullaby of the dawn, alto and elva continue learning more about the black sea and their respective pasts. elva especially is struggling with how he looks and feels, and i hope he continues working through these feelings. i also loved getting more explanation into the island in this volume! there were so many twists in this book, which i can’t wait to see further explored in the next one.
in the fourth volume of lullaby of the dawn, alto and elva continue learning more about the black sea and their respective pasts. elva especially is struggling with how he looks and feels, and i hope he continues working through these feelings. i also loved getting more explanation into the island in this volume! there were so many twists in this book, which i can’t wait to see further explored in the next one.
September 16, 2025
This book is lowkey pissing me off. Don't get me wrong, I loved how it fleshed out Elva’s past, his trauma, body dysmorphia, the pain he’s been carrying, and Alto being his safe place was so precious. But honestly, the dragging pace is too much, like all this suffering is being strung along for the sake of grand reveals. I don’t hate it, but it leaves me wary. I’m really hoping the payoff makes all this frustration worth it.
May 15, 2024
4⭐️ - Why did we all know that something like this was on the horizon and yet it's just as horrible once revealed!? After getting cucked for the main couples first time again (though rightfully so since Elva is going through it) we just get sadness and horrible stuff heaped on top of each other literally on the last page too. Good god we are just all going to suffer and wait now for a new novel too.
January 5, 2025
This story has a ton of stuff packed into it. It seems like they are trying to add depth to the characters by adding all these circumstances to them, but it feels so unneeded in my eyes. I do still really love Alto and Elva as characters, and I like them together, but some of these extra plot peices just really weighing the book down.
February 16, 2026
I do like a twist!
August 29, 2025
and the category is 'identity crises all around'
April 23, 2024
Reseña de los cuatro tomos de una:
1) plottwist muuuuy plottwist, quedé loca.
2) como que no odio a nadie(? Todos unos icons.
3) sigo loca con el plottwist, merece ser mencionado de nuevo.
4) snk, pero no se parece en nada a snk.
Conclusión, ojalá sean todos felices (porfis)
Pd. Me había dicho que no iba a poner los mangas que me leo, pero este lo valía. Necesito que todos sepan que yo se que es rancio ponerlos‼️
1) plottwist muuuuy plottwist, quedé loca.
2) como que no odio a nadie(? Todos unos icons.
3) sigo loca con el plottwist, merece ser mencionado de nuevo.
4) snk, pero no se parece en nada a snk.
Conclusión, ojalá sean todos felices (porfis)
Pd. Me había dicho que no iba a poner los mangas que me leo, pero este lo valía. Necesito que todos sepan que yo se que es rancio ponerlos‼️
September 5, 2024
Wow. This volume was so good. Finding out who Alto was being the most shocking. I knew he had to be something special, but I was not guessing that.
In other thoughts - I hope we get to see the monastery taken down.
”Those nuns are so selfish. They preach about the sanctity of life while standing on a pile of corpses.”
In other thoughts - I hope we get to see the monastery taken down.
”Those nuns are so selfish. They preach about the sanctity of life while standing on a pile of corpses.”
August 2, 2024
NO ME LO PUEDO CREER!!! AHHHHHHHH!! YA! EXIJO EL SIGUIENTE VOLUMEN!
September 25, 2024
SIGO PROCESANDO LA VERDAD DE ALTO, MIENTRAS MAS INFORMACION REVELAN MAS ME ATRAPAN.
AHORA NECESITO QUE TRADUZCAN RAPIDAMENTE EL SIGUIENTE TOMO
AHORA NECESITO QUE TRADUZCAN RAPIDAMENTE EL SIGUIENTE TOMO
December 27, 2024
Che figata questo manga, peccato che passi così tanto tempo tra un volume e l'altro che rischio sempre di perdermi i pezzi per strada
May 2, 2025
This series kinda reminds me of the girl from the other side.
May 7, 2025
NE PUÒ ANDARE BENE UNA?!
August 1, 2025
Another twist?! This story is so mysterious. I just keep flying through all the volumes…
January 13, 2026
4.5* ???
December 25, 2024
THE PLOTTWIST.
April 20, 2024
So much information given in this volume. The more that's revealed, the more it draws me in. Excited and super curious to see where it goes.
September 2, 2024
Es una maravilla. Cada tomo me gusta más.
August 4, 2024
I have the same response every time I finish a volume of this series: not entirely sure I know what's going on, but I'm intrigued!
There is a lot more info-dumping in this one, though, including a more complete explanation of the outside world and how the island works. And we finally get an answer on Alto's powers and immunity to the Black Sea.
A lot still doesn't totally make sense; if the outside world is basically exactly like the current world we all live in, how did this little island suddenly develop so many supernatural mysteries? The sea wasn't always black and full of monsters, so was it some sort of an experiment? And why is it all run by a church?
The narrative flow continues to be weirdly choppy, jumping between different characters from one page to the next, and I don't really understand what happened to Manieri. I thought he was just going on a little day trip outing. But he seems to have been gone for ages, so was this some longer journey? It's weird little bits like those that go unexplained. He's my favorite character at this point, though. So incredibly funny. I loved every scene he was in, and every time the panels went cartoonish with the reactions. It provides a nice balance to the darkness of the rest of the story.
This time we're delving a lot into Elva, who's a rare kannagi who's lived long enough to start seriously thinking about his place in the world and how to start disrupting it. He's questioning his purpose as the islander's defender and beginning to wonder if he's just perpetuating a system that's ultimately hurting everyone, not just the kannagi who die for their cause.
His toolshed assault backstory honestly felt unnecessary. Like he needed more trauma? It helps to explain some of his intimacy issues with Alto, but there were plenty of ways of accomplishing that. While it also showed Shiyan's clinical detachment and interest in seeing what happens around him without ever interfering for good for bad, that was also present in a lot of other examples.
I find a lot of the characters in this series interesting, including Nina, Shiyan's wife, whose secrets we know now, too. Very interested to see whether Alto tells Elva what he's discovered; it's not like he can separate himself from Elva now without the stains overtaking him again, so he can't just disappear for angsty reasons like he would in a typical series.
Honestly have no idea how this is going to conclude, though. Even if they reenter the world outside their island, will things really be that much better for them? I guess we'll see.
There is a lot more info-dumping in this one, though, including a more complete explanation of the outside world and how the island works. And we finally get an answer on Alto's powers and immunity to the Black Sea.
A lot still doesn't totally make sense; if the outside world is basically exactly like the current world we all live in, how did this little island suddenly develop so many supernatural mysteries? The sea wasn't always black and full of monsters, so was it some sort of an experiment? And why is it all run by a church?
The narrative flow continues to be weirdly choppy, jumping between different characters from one page to the next, and I don't really understand what happened to Manieri. I thought he was just going on a little day trip outing. But he seems to have been gone for ages, so was this some longer journey? It's weird little bits like those that go unexplained. He's my favorite character at this point, though. So incredibly funny. I loved every scene he was in, and every time the panels went cartoonish with the reactions. It provides a nice balance to the darkness of the rest of the story.
This time we're delving a lot into Elva, who's a rare kannagi who's lived long enough to start seriously thinking about his place in the world and how to start disrupting it. He's questioning his purpose as the islander's defender and beginning to wonder if he's just perpetuating a system that's ultimately hurting everyone, not just the kannagi who die for their cause.
His toolshed assault backstory honestly felt unnecessary. Like he needed more trauma? It helps to explain some of his intimacy issues with Alto, but there were plenty of ways of accomplishing that. While it also showed Shiyan's clinical detachment and interest in seeing what happens around him without ever interfering for good for bad, that was also present in a lot of other examples.
I find a lot of the characters in this series interesting, including Nina, Shiyan's wife, whose secrets we know now, too. Very interested to see whether Alto tells Elva what he's discovered; it's not like he can separate himself from Elva now without the stains overtaking him again, so he can't just disappear for angsty reasons like he would in a typical series.
Honestly have no idea how this is going to conclude, though. Even if they reenter the world outside their island, will things really be that much better for them? I guess we'll see.
June 5, 2025
Alto and Elva have been receiving more character development in the last three volumes which I have enjoyed however I find it ridiculous that Elva and Konoe thought it was a good idea to let their enemies know they are investigating them and the secrets of the island.
It doesn't seem characteristic for Konoe to let the High Priestess be aware that he has been trying to solve the mysteries surrounding the island and the Kannagi nor was it wise for Elva to question Shiyon in the matter he did.
Well at least Elva restrained himself from saying anything more about what he knows to Shiyon but Konoe was too bold.
My theory from before seems correct.
Alto had some connection to the Black Sea which is why he isn't harmed by the sea.
The random introduction of iPads,laptops, iPhones and online p*rn photos is odd in a fantasy story such as this one is odd.
Alto and Elva had multiple partial "love scenes" in the past two volumes so it is odd that the writer is passing the guys up as v*rgins with no experience other than kissing.
Elva has gone through many tragic events from his childhood to now.
He was abused by Shiyon's brother,apparently he never knew his real family and then he was forced to become a Kannagi and used by the church for their every whim.
I can sympathize with Elva.
He was a devoted and diligent Kannagi who was willing to sacrifice himself to protect the villagers but after the current treachery was revealed about the church and Shiyon's family and their connection to Letty's family he realized the hypocrisy and corruption of the church.
The High Priestess is desperate for a new Kannagi that she is willing to kill one of the previous Kannagi who is on the blink of death.
This person is supposedly the friend of Elva that was thought to be dead in volume 1.
I look forward to seeing the rest of the story unfold.
It doesn't seem characteristic for Konoe to let the High Priestess be aware that he has been trying to solve the mysteries surrounding the island and the Kannagi nor was it wise for Elva to question Shiyon in the matter he did.
Well at least Elva restrained himself from saying anything more about what he knows to Shiyon but Konoe was too bold.
My theory from before seems correct.
Alto had some connection to the Black Sea which is why he isn't harmed by the sea.
The random introduction of iPads,laptops, iPhones and online p*rn photos is odd in a fantasy story such as this one is odd.
Alto and Elva had multiple partial "love scenes" in the past two volumes so it is odd that the writer is passing the guys up as v*rgins with no experience other than kissing.
Elva has gone through many tragic events from his childhood to now.
He was abused by Shiyon's brother,apparently he never knew his real family and then he was forced to become a Kannagi and used by the church for their every whim.
I can sympathize with Elva.
He was a devoted and diligent Kannagi who was willing to sacrifice himself to protect the villagers but after the current treachery was revealed about the church and Shiyon's family and their connection to Letty's family he realized the hypocrisy and corruption of the church.
The High Priestess is desperate for a new Kannagi that she is willing to kill one of the previous Kannagi who is on the blink of death.
This person is supposedly the friend of Elva that was thought to be dead in volume 1.
I look forward to seeing the rest of the story unfold.
June 2, 2026
the more answers we get the more questions I have...
volume 4 focuses on elva, alto, letty and the rest of the gang trying to unravel the mysteries of the island and the black sea. we also begin to see just how deep the corruption of the monastery reaches, and just what use the lords of the island had in mind for the kannagi.
alto finally manages to meet with nina again, who tells him more about his father, and its the last thing he expected and the worst thing he could have learnt. it's actually quite chilling how nonchalant the people of the sea are when it comes to their identities and plans. like its inevitable.
I also liked the exploration of elva's growing frustrations. as he loses faith in the monastery, he begins to question what he's given his life for night after night. and when he no longer has that steadfast faith, everything that he never before questioned as part of duty, begins to weigh on his mind.
like the fact that he's 26 years old and stuck in the body of kid. and may never grow out of this body so long as he is a kannagi.
volume 4 focuses on elva, alto, letty and the rest of the gang trying to unravel the mysteries of the island and the black sea. we also begin to see just how deep the corruption of the monastery reaches, and just what use the lords of the island had in mind for the kannagi.
alto finally manages to meet with nina again, who tells him more about his father, and its the last thing he expected and the worst thing he could have learnt. it's actually quite chilling how nonchalant the people of the sea are when it comes to their identities and plans. like its inevitable.
I also liked the exploration of elva's growing frustrations. as he loses faith in the monastery, he begins to question what he's given his life for night after night. and when he no longer has that steadfast faith, everything that he never before questioned as part of duty, begins to weigh on his mind.
like the fact that he's 26 years old and stuck in the body of kid. and may never grow out of this body so long as he is a kannagi.
June 22, 2024
Alto prende possesso della bellissima copertina di questo quarto volume, e ha ben donde, viste le rivelazioni contenute al suo interno che lo riguardano molto da vicino.
I misteri che avvolgono l'isola si stanno districando sempre più grazie alle azioni di tutti, ma c'è ancora molto di taciuto. Per quanto provi simpatia verso Leti, sono convinta che lei nasconda le reali motivazioni che la spingono ad aiutare Elva e gli altri sacerdoti. Nina è disturbante in tutto ciò che dice e fa, ma il peggiore tra tutti in questo volume è il disgustoso e ignavo Chillon.
Un volume denso in cui si avvicendano rivelazioni cruciali e dove drammaticità e romanticismo si intrecciano in modo estremamente bilanciato.
I misteri che avvolgono l'isola si stanno districando sempre più grazie alle azioni di tutti, ma c'è ancora molto di taciuto. Per quanto provi simpatia verso Leti, sono convinta che lei nasconda le reali motivazioni che la spingono ad aiutare Elva e gli altri sacerdoti. Nina è disturbante in tutto ciò che dice e fa, ma il peggiore tra tutti in questo volume è il disgustoso e ignavo Chillon.
Un volume denso in cui si avvicendano rivelazioni cruciali e dove drammaticità e romanticismo si intrecciano in modo estremamente bilanciato.
December 30, 2025
★★★★.5
Mi è esploso il cervello con questo volume e ora mi sta colando dalle orecchie! Che svolta inaspettata che sta prendendo e che plot twist con i fiocchi, non me lo sarei mai aspettata una rivelazione di questa grandezza, ed è strano perché spesso le mie teorie si rivelano giuste ma questa volta mi hanno preso proprio alla sprovvista, quindi chapeau.
Confermo che questo è uno dei miei manga preferiti di quest'anno: BL, bel design, bei personaggi e bella trama. In questo volume poi vengono affrontati anche temi importanti come l'accettazione di se e del proprio corpo e i diritti della comunità LGBTQIA+. Davvero una bella opera.
Mi è esploso il cervello con questo volume e ora mi sta colando dalle orecchie! Che svolta inaspettata che sta prendendo e che plot twist con i fiocchi, non me lo sarei mai aspettata una rivelazione di questa grandezza, ed è strano perché spesso le mie teorie si rivelano giuste ma questa volta mi hanno preso proprio alla sprovvista, quindi chapeau.
Confermo che questo è uno dei miei manga preferiti di quest'anno: BL, bel design, bei personaggi e bella trama. In questo volume poi vengono affrontati anche temi importanti come l'accettazione di se e del proprio corpo e i diritti della comunità LGBTQIA+. Davvero una bella opera.
May 4, 2024
Band 5 ist angekündigt für März 2025, wie soll ich so lange warten?! Und dann endet der Manga auch noch auf so einen fiesen Cliffhanger!
Lullaby of the dawn wirklich ein ganz besonderer Manga. Auch wenn er Boys love ist, ist die Story so viel mehr als nur die Beziehung zwischen Elva und Alto.
Wobei die zwei wirklich Zucker sind.
Man versetzt sich stark in die Handlung, freut sich, wenn man mit seiner Vermutung richtig liegt und leidet mit den Charakteren.
Ich brauche jetzt erstmal einen Moment, um zu verkraften, dass ich so lange auf den nächsten Band warten muss.
Lullaby of the dawn wirklich ein ganz besonderer Manga. Auch wenn er Boys love ist, ist die Story so viel mehr als nur die Beziehung zwischen Elva und Alto.
Wobei die zwei wirklich Zucker sind.
Man versetzt sich stark in die Handlung, freut sich, wenn man mit seiner Vermutung richtig liegt und leidet mit den Charakteren.
Ich brauche jetzt erstmal einen Moment, um zu verkraften, dass ich so lange auf den nächsten Band warten muss.
August 27, 2024
Tras el tremendo plot twist del final del 3 continuamos con más descubrimientos y más misterios.
Lo de Alto lo estaban dejando caer a lo largo del tomo, muy bien hilado. Aún flipo con lo del mar y anda que no quedará por descubrir
Elva diciéndole a Alto que esperen a la siguiente luna, les adoro jajajaja me encantan la pareja tan bonita que hacen.
El final vuelve a ser increíble dejándote con ganas de más como acostumbra este manga!
Lo de Alto lo estaban dejando caer a lo largo del tomo, muy bien hilado. Aún flipo con lo del mar y anda que no quedará por descubrir
Elva diciéndole a Alto que esperen a la siguiente luna, les adoro jajajaja me encantan la pareja tan bonita que hacen.
El final vuelve a ser increíble dejándote con ganas de más como acostumbra este manga!
September 22, 2024
La storia continua a evolversi e in particolare iniziano a rivelarsi nuovi pezzi relativi al mistero dell'isola di Alto e di Elva, anche se non si riescono ancora a unire in un'unica risposta e non vedo l'ora di saperne di più.
Si è inoltre scoperta la vera natura di Alto e dei suoi poteri e sinceramente adesso ho paura per quello che farà...Sento già il cuore di Elva spezzarsi.
Attendo con ansia l'uscita del quinto volume!
Si è inoltre scoperta la vera natura di Alto e dei suoi poteri e sinceramente adesso ho paura per quello che farà...Sento già il cuore di Elva spezzarsi.
Attendo con ansia l'uscita del quinto volume!
November 29, 2024
This volume delves more into the world construct, about how and why things are happening behind the scenes, who he Lord and the nuns are and how their behaviour impacts the other characters.
I don't want to say too much, because there was a lot going on in this volume. But, what an ending! There were so many huge revelations, but that ending was a spectacular ending!
TRIGGERS: war, child abuse, PTSD
I don't want to say too much, because there was a lot going on in this volume. But, what an ending! There were so many huge revelations, but that ending was a spectacular ending!
TRIGGERS: war, child abuse, PTSD
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