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Yona of the Dawn

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese shōjo manga series by Mizuho Kusanagi, serialized in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume since 2009.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese shōjo manga series by Mizuho Kusanagi, serialized in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume since 2009. It follows Princess Yona of the fictional kingdom of Kouka after a coup forces her into exile, where she begins a journey to reclaim her kingdom and gather allies. The series was adapted into a 24-episode anime television series by Pierrot that aired from October 2014 to March 2015.

Premise

The series centres on Princess Yona, who is forced to flee her palace after a political betrayal. Her journey turns into a quest to survive, gain strength, and seek allies to restore Kouka.

Publication

Yona of the Dawn is written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi and has been serialized in Hana to Yume since 2009. Hakusensha publishes the manga in tankōbon volumes, and Viz Media has released it in English.

Anime adaptation

Pierrot produced a 24-episode television anime that aired from October 2014 to March 2015. The adaptation was directed by Kazuhiro Yoneda and licensed by Funimation in North America.

Setting and themes

The series takes place in the fictional kingdom of Kouka in a fantasy setting influenced by East Asian aesthetics. Listed themes include dragons, history, politics, and revenge.

Key facts

  • The story is set in a fantasy world inspired by East Asian history and culture.
  • Yona is the sole princess of the kingdom of Kouka and flees after her father is killed in a coup.
  • The manga began serialization in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume in August 2009.
  • The anime adaptation consists of 24 episodes and was produced by Pierrot.
  • The story prominently features Yona, her bodyguard Son Hak, and the search for the legendary four dragons.
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Canadian context

The anime has been licensed for North American streaming and home video by Funimation, which includes Canadian viewers in its regional distribution history.[2][3]

Frequently asked questions

What is Yona of the Dawn?
It is a Japanese manga series by Mizuho Kusanagi, with an anime adaptation produced by Pierrot.
Who created Yona of the Dawn?
The series was written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.
When did the manga begin?
It began serialization in August 2009 in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine.
When did the anime air?
The anime aired from October 7, 2014, to March 24, 2015.
How many episodes does the anime have?
The television anime has 24 episodes.
What is the story about?
It follows Princess Yona after she flees a coup and begins a journey to reclaim her kingdom.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yona_of_the_Dawn
    Supports: General premise; 24-episode anime adaptation; sequel announcement
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yona_of_the_Dawn
    Supports: Manga author; magazine; anime dates; Funimation licensing; OVA details
  3. Anime News Network — https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=16154
    Supports: Anime plot summary; production; episode runtime
  4. Anime News Network — https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=16244
    Supports: Manga themes and plot summary
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Yona_of_the_Dawn_volumes
    Supports: Manga serialization date; tankobon publication; English release information