Yona, Princesse de l'Aube T22

暁のヨナ [Akatsuki no Yona] #22

by Mizuho Kusanagi (Drawings), Léa Le Dimna (Translator)

Après les terribles aventures aux forts du pays de Sei, Yona prend peu à peu conscience de ses sentiments pour Hak et se confie à son amie Lili. En ville, la rumeur grossit de quatre guerriers dragons et d’une jeune fille aux cheveux rouges qui apparaîtraient sur les champs de bataille…

Alors qu’ils quittent le pays de Sei par les montagnes à la frontière avec le pays de Shin, Yona et sa bande tombent sur un groupe d’hommes masqués...

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Shojo, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Adventure

192 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2016

About the author

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.

Reviews

[mors · Rating 4 out of 5]

The miscommunication 😩 and the slowburn 🤌🏼💕

[Fai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemplative, dark and deep... I keep looking for something about this series that I don't like, but it's just that good.

One argument people make is the slow development of Yona's character... Yet I find her growth, through the deliberate choices that she makes, very authentic. Every decision she makes in her story rings true. And that, in part, is the beauty of her journey. She's sincere and eager to learn, to fight and rectify mistakes.

All of the characters are given moments to shine... the dragons, Yoon, Hak... and Soo-Won. They are written with genuine love. Hak and Soo-Won have their own flashbacks, which never cease to hurt and bewilder me... The memory of their friendship makes me ache for what they've lost.

Therein lies the epic strength of this story. When any story, especially a novel that mainly consists of pictures and less than 200 pgs, makes me feel emotions this intensely, I know I'm involved in something grand.

[Lucía Cafeína · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mil estrellas les daba.
Yona, que cada vez está más pillada por Hak (sdfghjk necesito que se besen, por favor <3); la relación entre Lili y Yona, que es taan cuqui y tierna; un nuevo arco que pinta súper interesante y lleno de acción, y, por último, sentimientos de Hak respecto de Su won :O

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

AM I SEEING THINGS??
Yona ADMITTING she has feelings for Hak to Riri is JUST UFF, YES GIRL GO FOR IT🤧✨

The friendship between Riri and Yona is also so adorable and honest (eg. the way they help each other grow as persons) - I‘m really hoping to read more about how their relationship will progress throughout the upcoming chapters!💓
Have to say that Riri became one of my favorite characters - looking forward to her character development☺️

The flashbacks from Hak‘s childhood were also insightful - I'm happy that we are able to see the course of certain situations through his eyes!

Also I‘m really looking forward to see how the political schemes will continue to unfold/develop in the upcoming chapters/volumes

[Readingwithnori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am convinced that I will not give Yona of The Dawn anything less than a 5 stars.

[Victoria ✮⋆˙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* every time, truly every Time

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t express how much I love this series and it’s characters.

In this volume we get to see more of Hak’s thoughts and feelings about Suwon. Suwon’s betrayal is so heartbreaking for Hak as well as Yona, but in different ways. Yona loved him, and Hak loves Yona. His feelings about the hair pin weren’t jealousy that Yona had feelings for Suwon and STILL keeps it. But it’s that his own heart was broken because his FRIEND gave a romantic gift to Yona, then immediately turned around to kill her father and attempt to kill Yona. So many emotions.

Also this series has yet to disappoint me with its comedy! I find myself laughing out loud multiple times while reading. I think my favorite part was when they tried to rescue Yona’s stuff and we see Hak falling. Then on the next page everyone soaking wet because they jumped in the river to save Hak. Precious.

Also can’t get enough of the slow romance between Hak and Yona!

[TrippyBooks]

Met some super cute new characters this volume!

[Δανάη Ιμπραχήμ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how girls always support girls in this manga.

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Yona is the pampered daughter of her kingdom's king. Isolated and doted on she has two childhood friends, Hak, a general who also protects her and her cousin, Suwon who helped her mourn her mother's passing and who she is crushing on big time. On her 16th birthday her entire world implodes to to a crippling betrayal... She must decide if she will fall in line or rise up and take back her kingdom.

I really enjoyed Yona of the Dawn vol 22. It was packed with revelations and a new story arc in Xing. We learn who Riri is crushing on... and it’s no one you’d expect! Hak shares his intimate feelings about being betrayed by Suwon. I found it fascinating that the mangaka framed it as seeing everyone equally.

Riri really is an action girl to rival Yona! I loved what she did to Suwon. And I found the mangaka‘s side not fascinating... Yona protects people but Riri expects them to fight for themselves. And now we have another new princess!! It was quite fascinating what her retainers decided to do to capture the monsters of Kohka attention.

Yona of the Dawn is such a fun series, and it’s always keeping the political situation fresh with the best characters being the face of each faction. I can’t wait to get to know Princess Tao better along with a Yona as they work to make her ambition a reality.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 Read #106

Yona rarely ever disappoints, and this volume opens a new arc with plenty of possibility and potential. Yona and her warriors are going to continue to get wrapped up in battles and political games, but the ride is so exciting to go along with. Cannot wait for more!

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/iT5HciwzgJw

"As always, your mood is awful. Why don't you cuddle a kitty and soften that hearts of yours?"

Good volume!

I didn't think it was quite as exciting as the previous volume, but I'm wondering if its just because we were in the transitioning of arcs? However, that doesn't mean it was boring because it was far from it!

The opening chapter was hilarious! I absolutely loved all the interactions and conversations since we found our who Riri loves, Su-won being "pressured" (maybe encouraged is the better word?) to get a wife, and just all of Riri's interactions/actions. She was such a hoot and love how her and Su-won don't have this friendship where royalty even matters. Its awesome and makes things all the more livelier when they meet up again and how she can "put him in his place" by saying she will tell on him to Ju-do. HA! (Only Riri seems to have this "power." LOL!!!) Seriously though, I really enjoyed their interactions and hope we see more of them together, despite if Su-won says he doesn't understand love. On topic with Riri, I LOVED the "girly" conversation between her and Yona! It has been SO nice having more women on page and that Yona can confide in! Even though it happens later (and with a different female), I've read plenty of shojo manga, but I think this is the first time I've seen a very brief conversation on periods. It was surprisingly a cool scene in the sense that again Yona, can tell another girl about these things.

Speaking of girls, we meet another female character and she seems pretty cool! Goodness though, that ending sort of made me not like her QUITE as much because its hard seeing Zeno be in danger to protect other people. Plain and simple. That's not anything against this new female character on the scene, but it still makes me heart hurt despite that she is super cute and admire her actions of why we even meet her in the first place.

The chapter involving Hak and his feelings was SO well done! I'm not sure what to say except the mangaka need not worry if she voiced/displayed his feelings well because they were sorrowful and eye-opening. It puts Su-won in a different light (again) and have enjoyed(?!) seeing Su-won through different lenses? It makes the story all the more complicated, but surprisingly more satisfying even though I am SHOCKED I would ever actually say that.

I was rolling about the story of the goblins and what Gija looks like! BAHAHAHAHA! Poor Gija! Though what the new lady and Yona say about Gija made my heart happy!! <3

I enjoyed two new male characters we meet as well and think there dynamics are very funny. Its fun seeing a skilled fighter really like cats in the way he does! (I officially need a Sinha kitty pin now! *heart eyes*) I deeply enjoyed their humor and arguing so much! This seemed a lighter volume compared to the past few volumes I've read because of them.

Overall, this was a good volume and found myself thankful for something lighter even if somehow I caught myself missing the action. Ha!

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love hak i wish men were real

[Alexandra Elend Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

“Seriously, Yona has some painful memories, doesn’t she? When I think about her pain, it’s almost unbearable.”

If there is one thing that is true about this manga is that I never know what will happen next, I always think that the previous arc cannot be topped and yet I always end up being pleasantly, heartwrenchingly surprised when the new arc immediately sets the stakes higher and makes my heart pound and race from the get-go.

While the politics of this world are never far from the sphere of influence and from one's mind in this series it certainly takes front and center stage now.

The introduction of the xingese conflict is certainly unnerving in a very different manner than any of the previous issues we've dealt with before. And it unnerves me quite a great deal.

Even though this volume just made me nervous, seeing Lili and Soo-won interacting is the silver lining that I never thought I would need, but it was most welcomed.

Getting that little insight into Soo-won's thoughts toward Yona, and romance in general, was most welcome as well. Little by little, we are unraveling the mystery that is his character and it's always quite fascinating and confusing.

Any time we touch upon Hak's grief over the whole situation my heart shatters and cracks a little more.

“That day, when you saw the princesses’ face, with such a cheerful expression. Did you not feel anything? You said you like people. In other words, you’re not attached to anyone in particular. That person who I held so dear, you trampled over her entire world. I saw you, ready to murder the princess too, and I was struck with so much grief that I felt my heart shatter to pieces.”

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sei arc is officially over and this is the rest before the next Xing arc!

I looooove the colorful cast so much 😭 the times where they’re traveling is where we really get to see them shine.

AND THEN flashback of Hak and Suwon’s friendship gets me everytime.

The dragons all learn that Yona used to have feelings for Suwon too.

RECAP: Riri fan girls over earth chief. Yona TELLS RIRI SHE HAS FEELINGS FOR HAK. Riri follows Suwon to his info gathering from Ogi. Yona and gang go to Xing. Divide of Xing due to war/no war. Ends with Zeno holding off a burning building for Princess T.

Also a bunch of Yona being a shy embarrassed girl in front of her crush and Hak thinking she hates him haha

[Estíbaliz Montero Iniesta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mmm quizá un 3'5.
Es un tomo un poco de transición y la cosa es que los nuevos personajes están bien pero no han conseguido llegarme tanto como otros. Pero bueno, a ver qué tal este arco del país de Xin.

[Claudia Torkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neviem, čo napísať. Sledovať Hakove flashbacky a myšlienky keď príde na Su-wona je miestami bolestivé a nádherné zároveň. Mali medzi sebou tak silné puto, až mi je ľúto, že stoja na opačných stranách.
Autorka ma neprestáva udivovať v tom, ako to všetko dáva krásny zmysel.
Taktiež ale musím povedať, že Yona by sa už mohla odhodlať a povedať niečo Hakovi, pretože to napätie medzi nimi by sa dalo priam krájať.
Inak ale skvelá časť ako všetky predošlé, možno o niečo pomalšia, keďže sa posúvame na cudzie územie.

[sarah ♪ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars!! Out of all of my predictions for what this next arc would be (which I wrote in my review of Volume 21), I did not expect for it to take place in an entirely new kingdom with new characters introduced! I love how the dragon warriors are becoming more and more well-known, with their existence even being known to people from Xing. It's such a contrast to the beginning of the story when they were trying not to stand out while they were traveling.

I really hope that Yona gets rid of the hairclip Suwon gave her. Maybe not now, but I hope she does it eventually. The day she does that, I will jump up and down and scream at the top of my lungs with JOY. That is the day that all will be right in the world. And no, it's not just because I'm not a huge fan of Suwon as a character (he's actually starting to grow on me), it's because I am in desperate need of the Yona x Hak ship to sail. It will never sail while that hairpin is in her possession. Throwing away that hairpin is symbolic for throwing away her feelings for Suwon and committing to Hak. She needs to do that. I NEED her to do that. It's for my own sanity and well-being.

Also this is random, but I love that we got a scene of Yona being on her period. I could honestly never do what she does and travel while I'm on my period. How does she even do it??

[Cindee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like I said before this series is the best shoujo manga I have ever read. The characters are great as always I like the new ones from Xing looking forward to reading more about them. The plot is really good there is a breather from the action and drama to expand the world and develop more things looking forward to reading more.

[Chrys · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the good story continues without disappointing! This volume covers chapters 124 to 129.

124: "Bottled up feelings"
In this chapter, we see for the first time Lily and Soo-won interact in a meaningful conversation. Soo-won assures Lily that her intervention in the battle was, actually, useful. Lily decided that despite her love for Yona and knowing that this man is Yona's enemy, she can't automatically despise Soo-Won without knowing all the circumstances. We also find out that the man that Lily loves is, surprise surprise, Lord Gun-Tae! Who would have thought haha Kusanagi really is good at foreshadowing, as now we see that Lily becomes a very modest and quiet girl when speaking with Lord Gun-Tae, which some might remember is how Lord Gun-Tae had described Lily to Soo-Won and Lily's father several chapters back, to the surprise of both (as Lily, as you know, is anything but). Unfortunately for Lily, not only is Lord Gun-Tae happily married, he also thinks Lily should marry Soo-Won (which doesn't seem to appeal to either interested party). We also see at the end of the chapter for the first time Lily and Yona speaking of boys, which is a refresher for a saga that is full of serious topics to have just a few pages of these two teenagers having some common teenager talk. Lily also finds out that the one Yona loves is actually Hak! To which Hak continues to be oblivious (really, you two, please confess to each other already!). Yona explains that her fear of confessing her love for Hak stems on the fact that they have known each other, well, practically all their lives--changing their relationship seems difficult. I guess this is the first time Yona makes a coherent explanation of why she is taking so long to make a move (to be fair, she only recently has realized that it was more than friendship that she felt). But being a Kusanagi story, the chapter did end with a darker twist at the end--Lily gives to Hak the package Yona had lost when she was captured, which contained the infamous hairpin she received from Soo-Won. Hak says to Lily she will give the pin back to Yona, with a look that says that is the last thing he wants to do. Overall a nice chapter after all the action packed chapters we had in the previous volume.

125: "Those Who Had Dreams"
This chapter has several flash backs to maybe three years before Soo-Won murdered King Il. It opens with Hak and Soo-Won talking about how Soo-Won likes everyone, even the leader of the Fire tribe (who later will try to take over the whole kingdom). 15-year old Hak thinks how commendable that is, and how different he is from Soo-Won, as he has a lot of people and things that he hates. He thinks that Soo-Won is looking into the future, and how that makes him perfect to be king. Cut to the present; Hak gives to Yoon the hairpin to give back to Yona (at least he tries to return it indirectly, I thought he might hide it from Yona), but Yoon accidentally drops it while gathering some plants and it gets stuck in some plants in a steep sort of canyon with a river below. Hak explains that the contents are very important to Yona, and Yoon quickly figures out that the hairpin must have been given to Yona by Soo-Won and that Yona must have been in love with Soo-Won. The dragons, who were there to help, are shocked by this revelation. Hak says that he wants to smash the hairpin, but as it is important to Yona, he will retrieve it. As he climbs down, he loses his balance and the hairpin and him fall in the river. As the river takes him away, he thinks how it never really bothered him that Yona loved Soo-Won, as he had known this for a long time. What bothered him was that Soo-Won was able to smile and give the hairpin to Yona on the same day he was plotting to kill King Il and take his kingdom. Hak thinks that the quality he had admired in Soo-Won, that of liking everyone, means Soon-Won does not cherish anyone in particular, and that is why he was able to stomp on the whole world of the person Hak cherished the most, if it meant for the greater good. It broke Hak's heart that Soo-Won was even prepared to kill Yona. This is the first time we get a deep explanation on Hak's hatred for Soo-Won. Before this chapter, I think a lot of people dismissed Hak's reaction as simplistic, not as complex as Yona's. Boy the were wrong. Kusanagi couldn't have made this character more perfect. In a way, he was more hurt by Soon-Won betrayal's than Yona was. Soo-Won was his best friend, but also someone he looked up to and dreamed to have as king. And that person, that he fully trusted, that he was willing to see married to Yona, the person Hak cares most about in the world, that he saw as the future king of the kingdom, that Soo-Won was able to smile and give Yona a gift, knowing that Yona had a crush on him, and all the while plot to destroy Yona's world. And that is what Hak cannot forgive. Now, whether Soo-Won is as cold blooded as Hak thinks he is, or that there still seems to be something more to understand as Yona thinks, remains to be seen. Fortunately for Hak, Yoon and the dragons jump after him to get him out of the river, the mood lightens up, and Hak feels better after seeing how worked up the Hungry Bunch were. Still, the hairpin does not go to Yona yet and the chapter ends on that note. I am thinking the hairpin will probably be handed back to Yona toward the end of the series, when she has to make a final important decision.

[Mary Emma Sivils · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, the scene revealing Riri's crush made me laugh! Yes, it's a little weird since her crush happens to be a married man, but it comes across pretty harmless.
Meanwhile, Yona's crush is getting pretty adorable, too. 😏

The complexity of Su-Won's character continues to be fascinating, especially when it comes to his past friendship with Hak. Poor, poor Hak, though... I really don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive what Su-Won did to him and Yona.

New characters and some excitement to end the volume! I need to read the next one ASAP. 😩
But this review wouldn't be complete without a shout-out to the best new character—Gija's kitty twin!

[MariewithWings · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

[Momo-Lune Momo-Lune · Rating 5 out of 5]

1/ « J’ai eu la flemme de nager » Mais Hak 😭
2/ Yona reconnaît (presque) ses sentiments 🥹
3/ La fin 😰🔥

[Rayane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will not read any on-going manga from now on. Reading chapters individually drives me crazy.
I want to know the end so I can't drop it now. I just can't stand waiting 'cause it makes me want to read all the manga from the start again when they update.

[Nikoletta (nikisjournal) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Świetny tomik. Rozumiem z jednej strony narzekania na fabułę "Yony", ponieważ im dalej, tym robi się bardziej politycznie i skupiamy się na kwestiach społecznych, ALE mi się to właśnie ogromnie podoba. W tym tomie poznajemy dwie interesujące perspektywy i tak naprawdę każda ze stron ma swoje racje. Nie mogę też zapomnieć o REPREZENTACJI OKRESU. Pierwszy raz w mandze się z tym spotkałam! Dziękuję ci, autorko. A także Suwon to najprawdopodobniej ✨ ikona aseksualności ✨. 4.5

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so sad I have to wait for individual chapters now :(

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will forever and always love Yona of the Dawn. There was some great character development in this volume for me. We got a flashback regarding Hak and Soo-won, and I found that to be a crucial piece to know for later in the series. I continue to love the art, and how far Yona has come along this journey. I'm so excited to see what happens from here.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yona finally acknowledge her feelings that she have for Hak in front of Riri. I didn’t like Riri opinion that Su-won is kind, i think he still very suspicious, also the new cute character (that i forget her name lol) i can’t wait to see her working together with the crew.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Tao and all the cats are so cute!

[giuliaghoulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars i am a yonahak stan until the day i die! these two had me kicking my feet!!! oh also new plot things are happening and the stakes are high