Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 41

暁のヨナ [Akatsuki no Yona] #41

by Mizuho Kusanagi

Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Su-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when tragedy strikes her family!

Yona and friends embark on a dangerous mission to get Meinyan back—by sneaking into an enemy camp where the Dromos assassins await! Val must battle his former South Kai comrade General Hittan for Meinyan’s sake, but the rescue effort backfires once the cruel Emperor Chagol draws near!

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

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2023

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

[Alexandra Elend Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars.

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt the reassuring presence of my friends by my side, and the conviction that we would prevail…”

I felt nothing if not unadulterated dread through this whole volume.

All through this volume, my heart was racing and squeezing painfully in my ribcage, and while there were some definite triumphant moments scattered here and there the feeling never really left and is still clogging my throat and lungs.

The dark clouds that have been hanging almost out of sight for some volumes now are starting to creep into view and they don't bring glad tidings.

“A member of the royal family like myself cannot exist without the people. Even if it’s hard, by thinking about and working to build a world where there isn’t a need for strife in the future, I’ve found a meaning to my life for the first time.”

While my heart has yet to recover from the existential dread that it was inundated with through the pages of this installment, there were some nice moments that made me euphoric with pride and incandescent with victory. Enough so that they softened the blows, if only a little bit.

As unexpected as it is, seeing Soo-won and Yona work side-by-side, bouncing ideas and strategies from one another is a sight to behold. There is a sharp tang to it that will never go away and makes everything more complicated, but it was a moment of undiluted triumph and wonder.

More than anything, however, seeing the evolution of Yona, who was nothing if not badass and an absolute queen through this whole affair, and Hak's dynamic and how far they both have come was the ultimate highlight, everything else felt opaque in comparison.

“The princess who only receives protection is long gone.”

“Self-sacrifice. I see, so she’s a sacred princess who loves the people as much as they love her.”

[bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

yeah you can argue that things work out too well for everyone but i genuinely could not care less i need everything to work out i need everyone to be okay i need them all to stay alive. i genuinely couldn’t handle it if something were to happen.

[Nibs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole manga is just so so good. I literally don’t give 5 stars to any book but this is really the exception. When I rate a book I think about how I would have changed the plot to my liking, but in this case I would not change a single thing. ALSO WE WERE LEFT ON A CLIFFHANGER AND I DONT WANT TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK but you know what there’s nothing I can do. All the characters are designed so well and Yona’s character development is unmatched istg.

[Yari · Rating 5 out of 5]

the amount of distress i am currently in truly cannot be described because WTF?!
THEY BETTER ALL BE ALRIGHT, I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS, SO MUCH IS HAPPENING, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Alexa (Alexa Loves Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Chantaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume with a huge clash as our heroes finally meet Emperor Chagol. An action-heavy volume, with some interesting reveals about the Dragons' past. I continue to love this series and damn myself for catching up so quickly.

[TrippyBooks]

Stop letting villain’s monologue! End him

[MargReadsManga · Rating 5 out of 5]

So intense!!! Loved it!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[⋆˚࿔ mary 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express how much this series means to me 💕

[BreAnna (Bre'sBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh, so much stuff is happening!! But I think it's going well? 😅😅😅

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favoloso. Adolescenziale.

[cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love you Yona I love you Su-Won I love you Hak I love you Jae-ha I love you Gija I love you Shin-ha I love you Zeno I love you Meinyan I love you Val!!

There’s nothing I love reading more than this series and all of these characters have my heart.

Su-won telling Yona that she is useful and important has changed my life. Probably one of the most important conversations of the series. Yona needed to hear that after trying for so long to break out of her old role of selfish, useless princess and she’s come so far, now everyone can see how amazing she is, even Su-won.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters 235-240.

Every small almost stolen moments we get between Yona and Hak is so precious. I love them so much.

The poor dragons are not having a good day in this one. But the « don’t touch my brothers » moment? Almost worth it.

It’s nice to see everyone coming together against a common enemy. We really have seen enough of this guy and he needs to go.

And once again, can we give it up for Yona’s development?

Man, I wish these volumes would be published faster.

[Ac · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)



Gracias por tanto, Mizuho.

[Kaitlynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need for whatever is going to happen to ACTUALLY HAPPEN and not keep dragging out so long, because the anticipation is giving me A N X I E T Y

[Gaby Cresswell ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este volumen estuvo buenísimo 💜

[franie · Rating 4 out of 5]

yona <3 (also mi sono lagnata e stavo per singhiozzare per i suhak? sì)

[Khadija · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite volumes. Also I can’t handle these cliff hangers I need everyone to be ok right now

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So viel Krieg.

[Laura Pandorabooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madre mía, cómo se está poniendo esta historia.

BRUTAL.

[giuliaghoulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

while i did like this volume and as much as i love this series and these characters... i very much am looking forward to this series ending bc this arc is kinda dragging

[marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Meinyan don’t worry. I won’t give anything to this child who wants to destroy the one you love.”

“My royal blood and red hair were more than enough to distract you for a moment.”

I’m sorry, but every time Gija refers to the dragon warriors as his brothers, it makes me want to cry. It’s just to sweet. I hate how they are separated. They been in trouble before, but they have always been together. I hope they are okay.

Yona is such a mastermind. The way she talked him into executing her just so she can get rescue was genius. The plan was so good. Yona got her dream! She is strong enough to fight along side Hak. It was such a fantastic moment to witness because this is what she has been working towards. I was so proud when she shot that arrow. I saw surprised when Su-won pulled up! I can’t wait to see how this goes down.

Thoughts while reading:
- DAMN! Zeno was quick to clock him
- The panel of Yona telling Hak to come back is so cute
- Bro why did he do that
- OH SHOOT
- NOOO
- You know it’s bad when Sihna lashes out!
- BRO WHAT? EXECUTION?
- BRO SHE IS SO GOOD
- YESSS! READ HIM TO FILTH!
- YES HAK
- “Whose execution did you say it was?” SO COLDDDD
- The panel where Yona is behind Hak and is ready to shoot is so cool
- “Ask me that in a somewhat sexier place once we’re home” AHHHHHHHHH IM SCREAMING
- YESSSS! I’m so happy they came to help!
- That panel of Su-won with the army in the back is so fire


First read on 5/21/23
Thoughts while reading:

- Zeno is so smart
- “Come back, okay?’ “Order received.” AHHHHHH THE MOMENT IS SO FREAKING CUTE I LOVE THEM
- This fight seems so sad
- DAMNNN
- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
- NO NO NO NO NO
- “DONT TOUCH MY BROTHERS” yo they are about to make me cry right now
- If he liked how she was before then he shouldn't have killed her spirit!
- I'm going to cry
- Oh shoot this is bad
- YONA NO
- Hak is going to go crazy
- SLAYYYYYYYYYYY
- YES HAK GO CRAZY
- THEY ARE FIGHTING SIDE BY SIDE AHHH WHAT A MOMENT THIS IS WHAT YONA HAS BEEN WORKING TOWARDS
- AHHHH she said “i want to stay with my man!”
- Soowon is hereee i just know it
- YESS WE LOVE BACKUP
- OOP soowon ate with that line
- WHATTTTTTTT
- Hak said “you are too close to my lady”

[jana ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i need everything to work out for them you don't get it

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO STRESSFUL. MORE PLEASE.

[andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Con esto, termino todo lo que hay de Yona hasta la fecha y me despido de todos con mucho pesar (que por mucho que haya varios tomos en japonés la publicación aquí en España es súper lenta). Por lo menos este tomo termina más o menos cerrado, aunque dudo mucho que sea el fin del arco.

Hak es una green flag andante (cómo protege hasta a Soo-Won help), Yona al fin va a luchar (me tiene un poco cansada porque últimamente es más rehén que otra cosa) y tenemos estrategias y reencuentros por todo lo alto.

Parece que Zeno va a tener problemas en un futuro y se nos desvelan algunas cositas sobre el rey Hiryu, del que siempre viene bien saber algo porque es el centro de todo pero yo tengo muchas preguntas. Estoy muy emocionada porque Zeno es un personaje muy interesante al que casi no se le ha prestado atención y creo que tiene mucho que aportar a la trama. Parece que el final está cerca (y que tendrá un peso bastante importante en él), espero que no tengamos que esperar mucho.

Estoy super orgullosa y contenta de haber hecho está relectura al fin y haberme puesto al día (empecé en AGOSTO del año pasado sos). Ahora solo me queda leerme los libritos extras (bueno, releerme más bien, que nuevo nuevo solo tengo el que venía con este tomo) y esperar a que renueven el anime que, tal y como pinta la trama, yo creo que será más pronto que tarde. ¡Cuando el manga termine tenemos anuncio fijo!

[Emily Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I came because you invited me to Princess Yona's execution, but this looks like your execution."

Damn, Su-Won. You got Emperor Chagol there.

In all seriousness, this was one of the most intense volumes yet. Chagol continues to be a terrifying and ruthless leader. And when he calls Meinyan "kitten," ew...it just irks me and gives me the ick.

I'm glad Kaji switched sides and is now working with Yona, even though he had no idea she was Kohka's princess (lol).

[Naiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ayyy siento que todo terminó muy bien para todos. Eso le saca un poco lo realista, cómo salvaron a Yona fue raro, lo premeditado que estaba todo también. Rari. Peroooo mentiría si no dijera que esas falencias se cubren con otros aciertos. Cuando me empecé a sentir fastidiada, la historia vino y me dijo "tomá contentate" y bueno soy débil, caí.

Hasta ahora no hablo de Hak porque si lo describo lo limito.

[Marta Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como siempre Yona es increíble, me he leído el tomo en nada, ha sido una pasada y tiene una pinta de que se acerca el final, que solo sé que necesito más, necesito saber qué pasará y que le ocurrirá a los personajes.
Yo ya lo digo, recomiendo tanto tanto Yona, porfa leerlo es impresionante de mis historias favoritas.

[melhara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yona and her friends have infiltrated the South Kai camp to save Meinyan but Emperor Chagol is perhaps more powerful and deadly than anyone could have anticipated.

*** #42 of my 2025 Popsugar Reading Challenge - A book with a title that starts with the letter Y ***

[Marisa ZK Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

aaahhhhh. this made me feel all of the emotions, a brilliant rollercoaster. How is so much fit into such a little package?? I will forever be obsessed with this series. Yona’s growth into badassery is everything