I actually watched the anime before picking up the manga. I have to say, I much preferred the manga! There were so many little details that weren't explored in the anime. The characters felt much more fleshed out, which made me grow a lot more attached to them. I love this story because of the growth amongst all the characters. I think seeing princess Yona going from helpless to more independent as time passes. Overall a huge fun of this series! I'll definitely be reading more in the future.

To the collective screams of Yona fans, the last volume ended on one of the series’ more intense cliffhangers to date. Yona of the Dawn Volume 26 by Mizuho Kusanagi focuses on the aftermath of this incident and provides a solid conclusion to the Xing story arc. Published in English by Viz Media under their Shojo Beat label; it is translated by JN Productions, adapted by Ysabet Reinhardt McFarlane, and features touch-up art and lettering by Lys Blakeslee.

After the four dragon warriors manifested the spirits of the dragons to save Yona from a flood of arrows, priest Gobi takes advantage of the spectacle to stoke fear in the witnesses and further his agenda. The citizens don’t yet know that Gobi was masquerading as “anti-war” to attempt a power grab, and his fear-mongering puts the now incapacitated Gija, Sinha, Jaeha, and Zeno in danger. Yona and Hak must fight with Princess Kouren to get her and Tao to meet and negotiate with Su-won, in the hopes of preventing war.

The last part of this volume focuses on the aftermath of that meeting, so I shall say little to avoid spoilers. However, readers will be happy that Yona finally addresses kissing Hak in volume 24 in the most comically adorable way possible. A true highlight is the Happy Hungry Bunch’s reactions as spectators to the world’s most oblivious endgame couple.

At 26 volumes in, it is difficult to not sound repetitive when I’m trying to convince people to read it, but the Xing arc is such a stunning display of years of character development. Kusanagi illustrates so many different sides and pain of these political conflicts and isn’t afraid to kill a character or two off to remind you of the stakes of the situation. It never feels gratuitous, but it hits strong emotional beats every time. Yona of the Dawn Volume 26 also puts a brief spotlight once again on Hak’s grief. He has found a family but is still struggling to reconcile his past love of Su-won with his hatred for him now. The series never makes this feel as though Su-won should be forgiven, only that Hak’s hatred might be holding him back from personal happiness.

I also always have to spotlight Yona of the Dawn’s treatment of women. They are allowed to be wrong. They are allowed to cry, and be disasters while also wielding a bow or a sword. Not all of them fight the ones that don’t aid characters in other ways and make bold political moves. This volume allows us to see Yona, Kouren, Tao, and Riri all approach their positions in drastically different ways, but nonetheless push each other forward together. When the men in the series defend the women, it never feels condescending because everyone is trying to protect their loved ones. The women aren’t singled out as “in need of protection.” This is truly a found family story at its finest.

Kusanagi’s art is beautiful and brings back memories of older shojo fantasies such as the works of Yuu Watase. Characters’ faces are soft and beautiful, but as soon as they are angry or embarrassed the lines get bolder and the shading darker. It makes the emotional shifts in characters stand out all the more.

Yona of the Dawn Volume 26 wraps up an absolutely stunning story arc in this fantasy series. The agency and growth of characters are on full display this volume, with a little more lighthearted fun towards the end. This might truly be one of the best manga series of all time.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

That’s my review just screaming. I can’t believe it finally happened!! If you want to know you’ll have to read this.

I just really love this series it has all the elements that I just can’t ever get enough of. Found family, love, pining/ angst, and such strong and loyal characters.

This is more than just a romance story with so much political intrigue and wars with the clans. It has something for everyone.

Big Big thanks to Viz Media and NetGalley for a review copy

This volume was absolute perfection! It is such a good representation of everything that Yona is about. The last chapter of this volume fed my romantic heart in a way long overdue in my opinion. But I promise, it was worth the wait.

Yona of the Dawn is a great manga for teens, young adults, and adults alike. The character development throughout this series has been one of the most rewarding qualities. Yona has gone through a lot of growth. She continues to be challenged and rise to the challenges. Not only have we seen Yona grow into the young, strong female protagonist, but also her companions and those she meets and interacts with.

Yona, the Four Dragons, Hak, and Yun continue their efforts to end the tensions in Xing and Su-Won’s impending arrival with the Kohka army and possible war. This volume brings the conclusion of the Xing arc and (finally) and has Hak and Yona having a chat that addresses many misunderstandings.

Overall, I am glad the Xing arc is over. For some reason, it felt like this arc took forever to conclude and I was losing interest in it. I appreciated some of the heart-felt moments between Yona and Hak and I always admire the wit and dedication of the four dragons (do they have a choice?), but a shift in the storyline is fitting. Love this series and will continue to follow Yona and her companions on this adventure… anxious of when it ends, but will be a faithful follower until then – and probably afterwards.

One of my top recommendations for my upper middle school and high school students who are interested in manga and/or fantasy books.

This was another slow read in many ways, yet there is so much to unpack.

The story picks up right after the climactic ending of volume 25, where the four dragon warriors become actually dragons to defend Yona from an attack that most assuredly would have killed her. We don't see a lot of the gang after this, as this quickly exhausts them, and the story focuses more on the Kohka/Xing conflict and Yona and Hak.

I found the resolution for the Kohka/Xing war to be satisfactory, but I'm not going to lie, I'm worried for Yona and the Happy Hungry Bunch now that Su-won and, especially, his sleazy advisor know the truth. Also, fascinating tidbit, but it seems like King Il knew that Yona was the Crimson Dragon King??? We see this in a super quick flashback of Il talking to to Su-Won, and just makes you wonder how much Il was a bumbling fool or not. I feel like there's a lot more to him than we've seen yet, and I hope I'm right and we do continue to get more added layers to him.

The last third of the story takes place after the conflict has ended, so there are various warm fuzzy times with reunions and the usual sad partings.

After this has to be one of my favorite things I've seen in a story in a while. With as little spoilers as I can, there's a misunderstanding between two characters, and instead of dragging it out for books and books, or even chapters, it gets resolved very quickly through COMMUNICATION. One of my biggest pet peeves in literature is how stupid misunderstandings lead to the most idiotic situations that could be avoided if person A spoke to person B and they just hashed out what the issue was. I was genuinely worried when the situation began and was praying that it wouldn't become that. Thankfully, the situation gets resolved before the volume ends, and leaves with yet another little truth bomb.

I'll be honest, I don't know where the story will go from here, but there are some loose threads that will be picked up in the next few volumes, like what happened with the Fire Tribe sending up the flare, as well as the fact that now everyone knows Yona and Hak are alive and that Yona is protected by the four legendary dragon warriors. I feel like the advisor or even Su-Won himself may take a more antagonistic approach from this point on, but we'll just have to wait and see.

This is more like it, awkward and funny. Great strong Smart females and Devoted men. As always a great plot and character development.

If you didn’t know, this is one of my favorite manga series ever!

Each volume amazes me more than the last and they also make me so emotional. Sometimes I’m not even sure why I’m crying but it is what it is, haha. I guess it’s just the side effects of this series. 🤷‍♀️

Princess Yona has a way of bringing everyone together. Some may not like her for this reason but I am here for the unity. I think we need more of it in our own world. She is always headstrong but she also knows when to stand aside and let others do what they need to do to make things right. I just really enjoy her as a character.

I am still unsure about Su-won. I think he has a long way to go when it comes to actually caring but I am liking what I have seen from him in the last couple volumes. Maybe he is a softy after all? The world may never know!

Hak has definitely progressed when it comes to sharing his feelings and I was here for it! It’s been a long time coming and how could this volume possibly end like that?? I don’t know how I will manage until the next one. 😢

Overall, I loved it. There wasn’t much when it came to action but we are seeing some real emotions here and no matter what I’m here for it all.

What a great wrap-up the Xing arc! And actual progress in the romance department! Such a pleasing volume of Yona. Patrons who love Yona of the Dawn are going to eat this volume up.