VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8801-8; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK
Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi. It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009. VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.
Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona. She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her. Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her. Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe. However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed. Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne. To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.
As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 19 (Chapter 106 to 111) opens, Yona, Hak, Jun, the Four Dragon Warriors: Gija, Jaeha, Sinha, and Zeno, arrive in the “Blue Forest.” While gathering firewood, Sinha the Blue Dragon finds a stone dragon idol. When the idol's mouth begins to close down on his animal companion, “Ao,” Sinha slices the idol's head off. Sinha does not realize that his actions have also released an ominous spirit – one with a connection to his past!
Then, it is on to a reunion with Princess Riri of the Water Tribe and her two guardians, Ayura and Tetra. Once again, Riri must call upon Yona and company for help.
[This volume includes the bonus chapter, “Sleep Well Tonight,” and also miscellaneous comics.]
THE LOWDOWN: The Yona of the Dawn manga is a historical shojo romance manga, one of my favorite genres of manga. I also like that it is somewhat based in Chinese history and mythology.
Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 19 offers a glimpse into the past of one of its Dragons. Creator Mizyho Kusanagi uses this opening story not only to reveal some things about Sinha, but also about the other characters. “The Blue Forest” mini-story arc is also a brief interlude that allows readers to enjoy the series' seven main heroes. Kusanagi also gives us some intense moments between Yona and Hak that bring the two closer together than ever.
The work of JN Productions (translation) and of Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) helps to deliver some strong scenes of personal moments – within characters and between characters. Plus, Lys Blakeslee's lettering sets the mood, as usual, for this more intimate Vol. 19.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.
A
9 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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