Lullaby of the Dawn, Vol. 5

夜明けの唄 [Yoake no Uta] #5

by Ichika Yuno

He is one of the kannagi, white-haired, ageless warrior priests chosen by the divine to protect the island and its people. Although most kannagi live short and lonely lives, Elva has found a devoted friend in Alto, who's sworn to serve him and free him from his cursed fate.

But painful revelations threaten their bond as the secret behind Alto's miraculous power is revealed - a truth so devastating that Alto finds he cannot share it even with his beloved Elva. As tensions mount and fear and distrust toward the kannagi reach a fever pitch, the return of Mikhail - a kannagi thought long-dead and Elva's former best friend - only throws things into further chaos. Why has Mikhail turned his sword against the people of the island? What painful secrets are hidden in the depths of the black sea...and will Elva lose himself in the unrelenting tide of old wrongs that cry out for vengeance?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Yaoi, Graphic Novels, Boys Love

200 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2024

About the author

Ichika 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.

Reviews

[Brigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ufff that was heavy. Thought we were getting more Elva and Alto, instead it was a traumatic backstory. Very curious to see where this goes, but afraid we will wait for years as I don't think vol 6 is out in Japan?

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fear I'm starting to fall out of love with this series. I didn't particularly like the characterization of Alto as much as I once did (his personality is starting to feel less firm to me and therefore much less likable. Personally, I struggle to root for a character I don't like all that much.) and I wonder if perhaps this story has went on longer than it needs to? Or maybe it's just not progressing fast enough to feel like every installment is getting us somewhere? Anyhow, I think this might be the end of the story for me.

Still very pretty illustration work though!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

where to read: inkr

This volume was so heavy. My heart hurts. So much painful lore dropped at once. This volume made me so angry and sad.

I'm looking forward to this series being finished so I can reread everything in one go and properly soak everything in. There's just a lot going on and it's been hard for me to focus on all the little things.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume broke my heart with the painful back story of the kannagi. I agree this cover is very misleading, thinking you are going to get some good loving moments between Elva and Alto. I don't know how many volumes this series will be, but I do hope the next volume gets a little lighter and starts to resolve the plot.

[⋆ ࣪˖ ִֶָ sel ་༘࿐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dreaming angel, please never forget me. The man who broke your wings. I'll love you forever."

The imagery doing the emotional heavy lifting only made the experience more viscerally exhausting, not less. I really want the story to earn this cruelty with real consequences, clear motives, and meaningful catharsis. If it doesn’t, all this beauty and suffering will taste like cruelty for cruelty’s sake.

[Lee Fr · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok now why did it have to crush me so utterly huh. but srsly it's so good like i'm done

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the first volume where I wasn't really confused by any of the events/timeline/etc, probably because it was so devastatingly straightforward. The main issue I have right now is that I think this might be all that's out in Japan, as well? Which means an actual conclusion to this story is going to be endless. I have no idea how many more volumes it'll take to wrap the whole thing up.

For now, we're learning more about the island's...more recent history. There still isn't an explanation about why the Black Sea has its powers, or where the kannagi originally came from. But we do get to see how the kannagi gained popularity with those from the outside world, for their prophetic abilities - which they gain from immersion in the sea and its time-warping memories.

In exchange for protection and isolation from outside wars, the Lord of the island allows powerful men to come to the island for the visions, and to abuse the kannagi however they like - which is definitely the roughest part of this volume, and an experience Elva shares with one of the earliest (?) kannagi.

Okay, I take it back, I was confused by the "Miko" part. It seemed like two different kannagi were called by the same name/title (?), and Dana also used it while fighting off a group of pitchfork-wielding villagers. "This is the home of the Miko." But I swear that's never been used in the previous volumes as a name for the kannagi so ??

Beyond that, though, this was just a really rough read about powerful men getting anything they want, with the kannagis' treatment turning out to be even worse on so many levels than had previously been shown. And yet the islanders still fear and hate them! The ones who, despite all the horrible abuse, continue to fight and die to keep everyone on the island safe.

It's infuriating and deeply realistic, and it's hard to not be swayed to some extent by Mikhail's anger. His methods aren't great - Elva's right to push back against him and his plans for sacrificing innocent islanders to the sea - but it's also understandable for Elva to be momentarily swayed by his hurt and anger, especially once he picks up the sea's memories, too.

We end on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I truly have no idea where we're going from here!

Manieri, with a brief appearance in this volume, continues to be my favorite.

[Night Lantern · Rating 2 out of 5]

The series started out strong, but my enjoyment of it started to peter out towards the end. A little disappointing, but I'm glad I tried it!

[psyche · Rating 5 out of 5]

JAJAJA, ya había terminado este tomito y se me había olvidado actualizarlo. TREMENDO ESTE TOMO. Creo que es el más político y oscuro hasta el momento. Contrario a la portada toda bonita y colorida, los temas que trata el tomo son muy serios. Ojalá Elva y Alto puedan ser felices a pesar de tanto sufrimiento...

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

TRAUMA

[Beck B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to agree with other reviewers that the cover is very misleading. For a second, I thought this would be a beautiful final volume with Elva and Alto getting a happy ending. Unfortunately, they barely get to spend any time together in this volume. Can't recall a single happy moment. This is possibly the darkest saddest volume yet, digging deeper into the details of Elvas past abuse he experienced as a child, along with the history of past kannagi being mistreated for centuries repeatedly. Hope to see more connections in future volumes as to how the black sea came to be what it is.

[LindSlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really confused. This is so in the weeds of this island lore. I am hanging on because I do enjoy Alto, Elva and all the Kannagi but dang. It feels so jumbled and incomplete with its direction.

[L. Luck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m honestly sick to my stomach about what was in this volume and some implications around systemic sexual violence. It’s important. There are overarching important messages here about violence and sexual violence against women and children in wartime and peacetime, how people and cultural resources are exploited with and without (questionable) justifications and often in ways that purposefully continue subjugation and prevent improvements, how systemic violence shapes people and cultures, and how the wealthy and powerful will maintain their status through violence or enabling violence even if it means tossing those they should protect, their fellow citizens or community members, or even friends and kin to literal and figurative wolves.

My 3* isn’t meant to put down how well the story delivers these messages because it’s objectively done very well. As a reading experience, it was just hard and graphic. Sexual predation against children is repetitive (realistically so), but also graphic each time in new, horrifying ways. Ratings are also about reading experience, and I find such scenes even more horrifying the more I see it. I know that is the intent, but it’s hard. I’m bound to have nightmares of it.

As a queer person, it is also hard to see another queer story that centralizes sexual violence in this way and, not to spoil things, centralizes it in someone’s identity formation. Queer people unfortunately can face sexual violence like anyone else, but I grow weary of stories that almost seem in part or unconsciously raising up the stereotype that sexual violence experience (especially in childhood) is the origin of queerness or that queer people have something that inherently causes violence from others. I’m hopeful that this is not the intent here. I have an idea what the intent likely is with these harmful stereotypical scenes, but currently they just read as the same old stereotypes. I’m just tired.

Warnings for CSA, SA, lots of sexual violence and predation in this volume

[Sofie · Rating 5 out of 5]

well that was absolutely gut wrenching. i mean it was clear that elva’s experience as a kannagi was a metaphor for sexual trauma but for that to be the shared experience of so many of the other kannagi before him?????? and the black sea carries all of those memories and now mika and elva do too?????? the layers are really well done and horrifying and disgusting and i just want everyone to be happy goddamnit. this series really does have some of the most tooth-rotting fluff i’ve ever read but wow does it also pack a punch. i cannot WAIT for more to be released

[akacya ❦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 reads: 297/300

in this fifth volume of lullaby of the dawn, tensions mount, making the villagers’ distrust in the kannagi rise. elva’s former best friend, believed to be long dead, is going on a murder spree, and he seems confident that elva will see his ways if he learns the secrets of the black sea…

i enjoyed this volume! we’re finally getting close to the truth behind the island’s curse. elva’s backstory was really elaborated on here, too, which i loved, though it was really emotional. i’m excited for the next volume to come out!

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so well written/drawn… almost too well because this volume was full of sadness… It’s really heartbreaking. Be warned!!!

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume was a lot heavier than the others were. Needed though. Everything that was hinted at before is now explained in detail - everything that happened to the Kannagi of past. Especially during their childhood years. It was the worst seeing how Elva became one of the Kannagi. Nothing showed until he had to experience despicable trauma.
I’m just glad he has Alto. Alto seems to be the light needed for his darkness. Literally. Although Alto is now keeping some secrets so it’s bound to put a damper on things later. I was a bit disappointed he didn’t share his truth with Elva when he found out.

I do feel this volume didn’t flow as smoothly, but it wasn’t any less enjoyable.

I read this volume on Hoopla. I didn’t even think it was coming out until November, but was pleasantly surprised to see it available.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's it, and boy is it a good (bad) time.

[Pip (Bookish_Pip) · Rating 3 out of 5]

(A review for volumes 4 and 5) - Well I certainly read these volumes! Idk if I can say ‘enjoyed’ due to some of the flashback events that happened during these past two volumes but I do still really like this series!! I adore Elva and Alto’s relationship and how it’s developing as well as the discovery surrounding Alto’s history as this will have further repercussions for the plot and his relationship to Elva in the future!

I am picking up some warning flags though. I get that this is a ‘BL with plot’ and some people will lord it simply because of that but it does feel as though the mangaka is getting overly caught up with making the plot twisty and complex, slapping on additions rather than allowing the story to deepen or even providing hints or foreshadowing for things that would come to play a part later on. Also, hot take, but I don’t think all this additional SA trauma being piled on in these past two volumes was particularly needed?? I think Elva and the other Kannagi have been traumatised enough but okay, I guess you can add it in to what I thought was mostly fluffy fantasy romance with supernatural elements?? (Then again, I thought this series was set in fantasy Mongolia and was only 5 volumes long so what do I know 😃)

I do think we’ve reached the end of these ‘new plot discoveries’ so hopefully we’ll get a story now rather than the characters just constantly finding out new things, being amazed by them and moving on to another new discovery about the island and its history so will be hanging in there and sticking with the series! I love these two too much to hop off this train, so looking forward to volume 6 when it comes out!

[Choupi · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai adoré ce tome pour les dilemmes moraux qu'il expose : Arnor pour ses origines et Elva pour son devoir d'arrêter une personne qui a été importante dans sa vie.

Si Arnor est plus en retrait, le passé d'Elva est au cœur de l'intrigue avec des détails déchirants autant pour lui que 'l'antagoniste' de ce tome. La portée émotionnelle est forte.

Je n'ai pas vu le temps passer et hâte de lire la suite.

[Utente sconosciuto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This arc is so horrible, so sad, and so disgusting that I felt dirty. Not even in my worst nightmares could I have imagined the story of these children. An entire island traded goods and resources by selling the bodies of their children to a circle of vile perverts. I'm too angry right now. Elva,you deserve an happy ending 😢

[Akansha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kannagi deserves so much better, every single one of them..

After a lot of info dump that was Vol 4, I expected 5 to be maybe a little less intense but it wasn't..the flashbacks and their backgrounds are heartbreaking..

One of the better things about this series was how Elva and Alto always talked to each other but now one is keeping a big secret, and I am not the biggest fan of it.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta es una de las portadas más engañosas que existen 😭 Creí que las cosas iban a mejorar para Alto y Elva, pero fue el volumen más triste hasta ahora. Creo que me la pasé o en shock o llorando 💔
Me muero de impaciencia solo de pensar en lo que tendré que esperar para leer más de esta historia.

[Ade Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo preciosa y cuqui que es la portada y lo duro que es este tomo😢 aunque, por desgracia es bastante realista. No me esperaba este giro, la verdad. De nuevo, como al final del tomo 3, me vuelve a recordar a Shingeki, veo a Ymir en la sacerdotisa.
El extra es muy soft y cuqui, les amo❤️‍🩹

[Ephelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★.5

C'è un po' di trama in questi trigger warning.
Un quinto volume (e ultimissima lettura del 2025) che segna la fine del primo arco narrativo della storia, con i capitoli più dolorosi e pesanti letti fin'ora in questo manga per via dei temi trattati, anche se l'autrice riesce a farlo in modo delicato e con molto tatto.
Questi capitoli mi hanno ricordato quanto l'umanità - o una parte di essa - faccia schifo (non che serva un manga per ricordarmelo, basta fare doomscrolling su Instagram), tanto che ad un certo punto sono riuscita ad empatizzare almeno un po' con i mostri del Mare Nero, il cui intento è sterminare gli abitanti dell'intera isola e sostituirsi ad essi occupandone il corpo, vendicando così i venerabili sacerdoti, da decenni vittime degli abusi dei nobili e del silenzio degli isolani e del monastero che invece dovrebbe proteggerli.
Io personalmente non credo che la loro motivazione sia davvero questa, per me è stato più un modo per portare dalla loro parte uno dei sacerdoti (una vecchia conoscenza di Elva) così da avere a loro disposizione la forza di un venerabile sacerdote, di molto superiore a quella di un normale essere umano.
Questo mese dovrebbe uscire il sesto volume e considerando il cliffhanger con cui si è concluso questo non vedo l'ora di leggerlo, mi dispiace solo che la pubblicazione sia molto lenta quindi per il settimo chissà quanto tempo passerà ancora. Sono certa che questo manga ci riservi ancora molte sorprese, rimanendo uno dei miei preferiti anche nel 2026.

[Danielle Gonçalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite my suspicions, I was shocked by this volume's revelations regarding the kannagi. It's both sad and revolting :'(

I understand Mika's anger and revolt, but I can't see a path forward for the character... However, I wish he could heal and leave the island. I also wish Manieri would leave soon— every time I saw him still on the island, I despaired that he would be captured...

I got the impression that Manieri also knows what happened to the kannagi (perhaps, unfortunately, he was also a victim of sex*** violence).

I really enjoyed this volume, but I was a little annoyed by Konoe telling the Great Priestess about the diary and Alto not telling Elva about his true origins (as much as I understand their concerns, they've always been so open with each other that it bothers me that he's hiding it — I feel like this could become a bigger problem... =/).

Ultimately, I can't wait for the sequel!

[Elaine White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book with a clear trigger warning at the beginning: sexual violence against minors.
Now that I've read it, I can say that it's not explicit. It's fade-to-black, implied events from memories.

This was such an intense volume. I'll admit, I started reading this series thinking it was finished, but this book ends on a HUGE CLIFFHANGER!

So much happened here: Mikael is back; e finally learn the whole sad history of the Kinnagi; we find out more about the island and its exclusion from the rest of the world; it even goes all the way back to the first Kinnagi 'Miko' and how the greed of man will always be the biggest threat.

This was a completely sad, bittersweet and heartbreaking volume, but also adds so many layers to the story so far.

[Waffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lasst euch vom Buchcover nicht täuschen, der Band war düster und hat sich beim Lesen schwer auf's Herz gelegt.
Wir bekommen Einblick in die Leben vorheriger Kannagi, aber auch in Elvas Vergangenheit, dessen Schicksale gar nicht so verschieden sind. Beides war wirklich schmerzhaft zu lesen. Aber auch Alto hat mit den Geschehnissen über seine vermutliche Vergangenheit und der Wahrheit zu kämpfen.

Bis auf das Bonus Kapitel, hatte dieser Band nicht vor, einem auch nur einen Fünkchen Komfort oder positive Gefühle zu geben.

Leider muss man etwas geduldig sein, bis der nächste Band erscheint, aber ich bin gespannt

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siento este tomo como la preparación para la resolución final y como tal no hemos avanzado.

Solo hemos visto lo que ya sabíamos que pasaba pero de forma más directa y por tanto dura.

Además, varios personajes presentan matices: uno de ellos es Alto. Nuestro Alto perfecto y sonriente se calla algo crucial y tiene dudas, miedos e inseguridades. Le hace más real. Me ha gustado. Es comprensible. (aunque yo hubiera tardado tres segundos en contárselo a Elva más que nada porque es un asunto muy importante que puede hacer más comprensible el misterio del mar)

La historia no debería de alargarse mucho más de un par de tomos, espero que así sea.

[Exela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this is the first BL manga whose physical copy I’ve ever bought. I’m so glad to have found such a great work that combines fantasy elements while staying true to the BL genre with a promising plot—and the exciting part is that it’s a long series! When I learned about such a promising work, I really, really wanted to get the physical copy to support the author. I’m happy that more people are starting to discover this manga, and I’m looking forward to the author’s new works; I hope those will be long series as well ‼️🫶🏻