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暁のヨナ [Akatsuki no Yona] #20

Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 20

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A red-haired princess loses her family and her kingdom… Now she must rise and fight for her throne!

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!

Betrayal leads to Yona and Riri being abducted by the nation of Sei! Forced to work as slaves, the two stubbornly refuse to be controlled, but their situation is dire. In order to save Yona and Riri, Hak and the Four Dragons split into two groups and sneak into enemy territory!

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2016

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About the author

Mizuho Kusanagi

74 books770 followers
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.

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5 stars
2,785 (69%)
4 stars
1,033 (25%)
3 stars
193 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
Profile Image for MrsNightRead.
179 reviews153 followers
May 29, 2021
"There...was a small Hak." The things Shin-ah comes out with. I can't.

The humour and of this series just make me so happy...AND YONA IS FINALLY GETTING A CLUE YAYYYYY I KNEW YOU WOULD JOIN THE CLUB GIRL
Profile Image for Dilushani Jayalath.
1,000 reviews206 followers
August 18, 2016
I really love this manga series. The story reminds me of my first ever anime to watch(which ultimately brought me to the wonderful world of Anime and manga)- Fushigi Yuugi

Also am I the only one who seriously dislikes Lily and would hate to see her get together with Soo-Won?
Profile Image for Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer.
1,512 reviews5 followers
December 26, 2019
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.


The Premise

Yona of the Dawn vol 20 is a most fascinating Hak centered volume!! I totally didn't know what to expect when Yona was separated from her men... but I was warmed through seeing her get closer to Riri. She hasn't really had a bosom pal and Riri thrives under Yona's example too. We learn the deal with these two slave stealing forts and its a huge political mess... than Suwon has decided to take advantage of too. He gathers around him his generals and there are explosive meetings in store!!


The Buzz

Hak finally meets him in Yona of the Dawn vol 20... yes, HIM!! It's traumatic but Mizuho Kusanagi goes out of her way to create the best atmosphere for these two ex-best friends to meet. I was blown away by how nuanced their first meeting since the betrayal goes... I think Hak is even more hurt than Yona... Because he knows what Suwon threw away to get the throne. We needed this first meeting to happen... he can't heal and change how he sees Yona's future without resolving this history.


The Feels

My favorite moments of Yona of the Dawn vol 20 though are between Hak and his family!! (And with how things are developing between him and Suwon Hak will need his family around him to deal with it.) I personally love his adopted dad and find him and his brothers super funny. I adored how Sinha and Yun both met members of his family. A mini-Hak!! Hahaha. But its the way that this volume ends that blows you away. Yona and Riri get into even more trouble and its going to be a treat to get them out of it...


The Visuals

Suwon really dominated Yona of the Dawn vol 20. The art defining his moments with Hak are tremendous. I just loved that situation. And the art shows the poignancy of the meeting so well. Also the confrontation between the dragons and Suwon were also really strong. Through this we learn of Suwon's disdain for his country's history... funny but he mirror's Yona's dad's attitude in a way. Better watch out Suwon the gods are watching...

Yona of the Dawn vol 20 was a stellar installment for this story in Sei. We have the king and his generals visiting as well as the dragons and two rivals of Sei!! It's getting dangerous out here... but never fear... Hak and his zany family are here!!


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art

Thanks to Edelweiss and VIZ Media for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.


This is a multi-volume series and there may be references to the plot of those volumes... SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20

______________________
Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!
Profile Image for Mary Emma Sivils.
Author 1 book56 followers
April 13, 2023
So good, as usual. I have mixed feelings on some of the dragons' reactions to Su-won, and personally, I wish Hak would get the chance to land one solid punch on him. But it is interesting to watch them all interact.
And Yona and Riri! That didn't go the way it was supposed to!

Not as many funny moments in this volume, which makes sense, but that part where Hak sees the people from his tribe...😆
Profile Image for Sarah Ryder.
781 reviews160 followers
May 30, 2024
I know when I first met Riri I wasn’t too fond of her, but now I’m actually growing to like her more and more as she grows into a stronger person. Especially with what she does for Yona at the end…!!! That took GUTS and a LOT of courage, and I admire her for that. And Tetra and Ayura are so fiercely loyal to Riri and SO not two girls I’d ever want to mess with, haha!

I also love the parts where Gija and Hak both hit/pick up the soldier and are all like “oh, sorry, you were in my way” in such a sarcastic way—it cracked me up, as did Yun telling Gija and Sinha they were building the fort too fast and their immediate response was “WE MUST TEAR IT ALL DOWN NOOOW!” Everyone in this group are such dorks, and I love them. 🤣🥰

And Hak…man, does he keep being dragged through the ringer. 😭🥺 But I LOVED his realization of just how much he cares for and relies on the others to help save Yona and watch each other’s backs, and I just found that so touching and…emotional for him to admit, even if it was just to himself.

And I’ll just end with this: Wind Tribe warriors, Hak, bombs=🤣🤣🤣 #ifyouknowyouknow

Content: people are enslaved, violence and blood (nothing over PG-13), people drink drug laced alcohol
Profile Image for Alexandra Elend Wolf.
631 reviews313 followers
May 16, 2023
“Even if my throat is so dry, so parched, even if my sanity is about to burn away, my field of view is lit red from my burning anger. Even if my hands and legs are burnt to ashes by this fire, I will destroy this rotten place. And I will protect Lili.”


How can so much angst coexist with so much good heart and joy? I don't know, but Kusanagi pulls it off so perfectly it never ceases to outstand me.

I cried. I laughed. I felt rage and anxiety and pettiness. I felt so much love and endearment. All of it in the span of a few chapters, it's almost unbelievable, but it is becoming the norm with this wonderful manga.

Seeing how far along both Yona and Lili have come and how utterly badasses they have become was honestly one of the most captivating, amazing things to ever happen. If their friendship already shone brightly, after seeing them be so protective of each other, I cannot help but adore it all the more.

“It is not my desire to sit on the throne. I have but one goal, to make this country strong. Enough so that it won’t be invaded. I became king only as a means toward this purpose. Your existence is intriguing, and I won’t refute your claim, but it is also true that I have no need for you. Because what I want is not the powers of gods, but the power of humans.”


Getting to see some scenes that I had been waiting, and wanting, to see from nearly the beginning of this series was a highlight and gift I was not expecting. And they went almost exactly as I wanted to go.

No, they were better than I could have expected them to be.

The angst and comfort were built so naturally around each other, flowing comfortably from one moment to the next, intertwining to create an emotional rollercoaster. It really does wonders to add depth and meaning and clarity to each moment and make everything that is already quite epic and hype just that little bit more connecting and special.

“Whenever I think about how this would have gone if it were just me and the princess like before, with no one trustworthy beside us, I feel terrified. After losing a friend, then leaving the Wind Tribe, I never thought I would get to meet people like you. Everyone being beside us now like this, makes me really grateful.”


The richness of the friendships always goes directly to my heart.

While the situation is certainly not ideal, the way it tests the bonds created so far and strengthens them warms my heart every time.

I've said it before, and I will say it again, but the depth and intricacy of every character flavor the series delicately and make it a vibrant, living soul that is refreshing to read, despite all the pain that comes with it.

“If this world was a world where someone like Lili didn’t have to pick up a weapon and fight, it would be a better place.”
Profile Image for Lucía Cafeína.
1,786 reviews209 followers
December 2, 2019
TOMA MI DINERO, KUSANAGI, PERO TRATA BIEN A MIS BEBÉS
Por favor, cómo me ha hecho sufrir en este tomo, con todo por lo que tienen que pasar Lili y Yona, ¡y ese reencuentro tan alucinante, que pone la piel de gallina! Oh my goodnesssssssss
Profile Image for Faizah Finur F.
96 reviews24 followers
August 16, 2016
I don't usually read manga with historical genre. But I have been curious since this series is always on the website's top list on where I'm reading. Didnt give it a shot till my friend said this was good and it has anime adaptation. I watched the anime first and read the manga later. Well, im suffering here waiting for chapter 125 to have english translation T____T

HISTORICAL MANGA HAS NEVER BEEN THIS GOOOOODDD OH MY GOD AND IM ROOTING FOR HAK AND THE DRAGONSSSS ;;;;;; they are soooo cute! I don't even know how to describe my feeling towards Soowon.....just because.....i just can't hate him??? HAK PLEASEEEEEEE DONT BE SO HANDSOME AND ADORABLE AT ONCE I CAN'T HANDLE YOUUU ;~; (every fangirl problem lol) and yona i luv u, u tough princess!!
Profile Image for Mandy (Bookishlove85).
810 reviews83 followers
February 5, 2022
The stories of our fave characters are becoming even more entwined and the more we get of Su-Won has me so intrigued!! Every volume leaves you with just enough of a cliffhanger to want to keep going! Gah I love this series
Profile Image for Victoria ✮⋆˙.
1,064 reviews103 followers
May 7, 2023
Shin-Ah says the funniest things sometimes I love him so much !! So much tension in this volume as well!
Profile Image for Laura Grace.
1,705 reviews221 followers
September 18, 2022
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/iT5HciwzgJw

(Gija looks so handsome on the cover! <3)

Excellent volume! I feel I am fully back into the world of Yona with this one and what a whirlwind!

The thing that stood out to me the most is that if we were to get a lot more of Hak's perspective, I think I would really really really dislike Su-won. From Yona's perspective, I do not. But from Hak's…its A LOT harder to see the "good" in Su-won's actions (despite that he IS helping the people). Hak's pain and betrayal runs deep and will say that one of the most satisfying things about this series in reading it (almost) straight through, is seeing how each character has grown, changed, and developed. Hak being grateful for the guys is a HUGE step from who he was in the beginning. Goodness, him not killing Su-won ASAP is a HUGE step from just a few volumes ago! So that has been one thing I've really appreciated reading these volumes this way because it makes me wonder if I would have seen that as strongly as if I read these volumes when they released. But yeah, I like Su-won anytime we are NOT in Hak's character because Hak doesn't allow us to forget his (Su-won) actions for a moment and the blow his actions had on him (Hak) and Yona.

Riri is absolutely incredible! I've really enjoyed her character, but her growth has been almost more satisfying then Yona's and I think that is simply because of the very short amount of time she had to have warrior-like qualities. Not only that, I think its where we see how far Yona has come in this series. Its been a long journey for me personally in really starting to like her character and want to read this story for more then just Sinha and Gija and a few other characters. We see how far SHE has come when she was in a very similar position as Riri was but with Hak being the one to help save her (Yona). Now those roles are reversed in this situation. I especially loved though how Yona's father never wanted Yona to hold a weapon and here Yona says how she hopes women like Riri will never have to hold a weapon. I don't know why, but I thought that extremely powerful and absolutely loved her voicing it! Some of that might be how Yona HAD to pick up a weapon and therefore we know what she also has gone through as a result of picking up one. In that moment, it has made Yona a lot more admirable and inspiring than she has already been.

The old men showed up!! Yes yes yes! I LOVE seeing these guys on page and this volume was an absolute delight to read because of it! (Well one of the parts LOL!) Even funnier yet is when Hak sees a few certain characters and his reactions! I laughed SO much reading that scene and even went back to reread it again!

Sinha of course looks amazing as always and loved every single panel where he is there! <3 Also Gija and Sinha teaming up in that one panel was EVERYTHING!! Two of my favorite guys looking epic made my night!!! <3 <3 <3

That ending was a total cliffhanger and not sure where this story is going to go next!
Profile Image for Andrea.
498 reviews499 followers
May 1, 2022
I love this series so much OH MY GOD.
Profile Image for Ren (A Bookish Balance).
945 reviews104 followers
February 25, 2024
May 31, 2020
4.5/5 stars

Yona and Lili have been kidnapped and Hak and the dragons need to save them, but the Water Tribe General has gotten word of the kidnapping and now Su-won and the other tribes are also involved.

Tension was extremely high in this volume, as the main cast makes efforts to try to save Yona and Lili. This volume was extremely action packed, and I think Kusanagi is really skilled at writing tension and action, while still managing to throw in comedic relief at the right moments. The focus of this volume was definitely more on characters who aren’t Yona which was a nice change. We got to see Hak interact more with Kija, Shin-ah, and Yun and it is so sweet how much he cares for them. I’ve always gotten the impression Hak takes on too much responsibility, is not one to let many close to him, and that he’s become especially guarded since King Il’s murder, so it was so sweet to see how much he cares and trusts Yun and the dragons. I also really got a sense that everyone is super comfortable with each other at this point and they know each other well. Also seeing the guys meet/reunite with the Wind Tribe made my life, and was easily the highlight of the volume for me. I’m really happy Hak got more page time than normal in this volume and that we got to spend a bit of time in his head. As usual, his interactions with Su-won were super stressful. When Su-won is off being king and interacting with the generals I think he's great, but when he interacts with the HHB, and Hak in particular I hate him. I did love seeing Mun-deok and Geun-tae having the wrong idea about him and Lili though, that was hilarious.

Something that bothered me about this volume, and I’m just being nitpicky at this point, is that the two girls were so dehydrated at camp and yet our other main characters were fine? That was weird.

2016
4.5/5 stars

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Profile Image for sarah ♪.
121 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2024
4.75 stars!! I HATE HOW THESE VOLUMES ALWAYS END ON THE WORST CLIFFHANGERS. I really hope that Riri ends up surviving, and I feel like she will because she was captured and not killed on the spot (please let me be right). Also, the bomb scene with Hak and the members of the wind tribe was so funny! The wind tribe needs to have an arc or two of their own because I love the characters a lot.

Overall, this might be one of my favorite arcs so far! It's reminding me a lot of the Impel Down arc from One Piece for some reason (I really need to reread One Piece). I'm really excited to see what happens in the next volume, and HOPEFULLY no one ends up dying!
Profile Image for Angie.
1,371 reviews20 followers
March 9, 2023
Soo-Won and everyone else have not only found out that Hak is alive, but they know about the dragons too. I’m not sure I like the false King, but the White Dragon seems to think he may not be so bad after all. A redemption arc for Soo-Won in the future?

The boys haven’t caught up to Yona and Riri yet, but at least the girls stood by each other. But now that Riri is leading the enemy away, I wonder what Yona will do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Somu.
467 reviews15 followers
October 23, 2021
OMG. So much happened. People found out Hak was alive plus the dragons. i cant wait to see what happens when they figure out Yona is the dragon king. Definitely one of the better volumes and I need to read the next one noww.
Profile Image for Jess.
759 reviews43 followers
May 27, 2023
I love the friendship between Yona and Riri so much. And the complicated relationship between Yona, Hak and Su-won, but mostly between Hak and Su-won. There's so much to unpack there and I'm excited to see how the author will handle the intricacies of it all.
Profile Image for Doc.
1,919 reviews30 followers
December 4, 2022
Abduction!

With Yona and Riri thinking they were safe the last thing they expected was a betrayal that lead them to Sei itself to work one one of the two forts using slave labor to complete them. Just as a warning Not only do people get hurt in this volume but once again people are forced to take addictive drugs and are forced into slave labor. Certainly Yona being abducted is not a new concept but her hidden strengths have been more noticeable as she does her best to save Riri from their captors while not succumbing to the temptation to take the only drink they are being offered. In the mean time the boys have discovered what has happened and are on their way at the same time Soo-Won is assembling his own forces to rescue Riri unaware that Yona is with her. Will these two groups meet and what of Yona and Riri? I guess you'll have to either look it up or read for yourself as the action gets read hot. :)
Profile Image for Estíbaliz Montero Iniesta.
Author 61 books1,283 followers
April 27, 2020
YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
Me encanta que en este manga todos los personajes evolucionen. En este tomo sobre todo vemos la evolución de Lili, y me parece estupenda. Son muy necesarios personajes femeninos así, fuertes de espíritu y de carácter, dispuestos a luchar por lo que creen.
Profile Image for Sandra.
145 reviews47 followers
October 13, 2019
PERO COMO ME PUEDE GUSTAR TANTO ESTE MANGA DIOS MIIOOOOOOOO 😍😍😍
Me encanta me encanta me encantaaaaaa.
El reencuentro del clan del viento 😭😭💗💗
Lili y Yona las mejoresssss, supervivientes y maravillosas!
Y las risas como siempre aseguradas pase lo que pase.
Y ese final? ESE FINAAAAAAL! Me arranco los pelos.
Profile Image for Chantaal.
1,163 reviews171 followers
November 9, 2022
SO MUCH IS HAPPENING! SO MANY MEETINGS! I’M IN A GLASS CAGE OF EMOTION!!!

God, the writing for all the characters is so damn good, and I especially love Yona and Riri for being inspired to save EACH OTHER. So much of what drives this story and all the friendships is their trust and respect and love for one another and it’s. SO. GOOD.
Profile Image for Emily Grace.
Author 1 book5 followers
March 10, 2024
"This guy is a weakling...who can't feel important...unless he's crushing someone."

"No! Don't cross the river styx! You can't!"

"Even if Lord Hak's calling you from the other side, don't go!"

"He's a littler Hak."

The moment where Hak realized Su-Won was there, talking to him from the other side of the fort, agh it was so intense. Like last time, Hak nearly snapped or fell apart. Maybe a bit of both.

I don't want Riri to die. I don't think she will, since she's the water tribe's daughter and all, but still. That cliffhanger has me a little worried...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for changeableLandscape.
2,185 reviews27 followers
January 9, 2024
Things are getting exciting again! I loved getting
Profile Image for Jenny Clark.
3,114 reviews117 followers
July 20, 2023
We get a whole lot of politics here, and a confrontation! Still want to know why King Il killed his brother, if he even did.

Su- Won is very mysterious still, amd deep.
"I do not desire the power of gods. What I want is the power of our people."
He is a strong king, and even says he doesn't care about the throne, just wants to make Kohka strong enough to not be invaded.
Still not sure Il had to die...

Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!
Profile Image for Shaya.
475 reviews28 followers
April 7, 2020
Seguimos con la historia de Yona y Lili que han sido secuestradas y me está gustando ver un poco más de la fortaleza de Yona y como va creciendo, a la vez que me está gustando la evolución de Hak y la verdad que las cosas se están poniendo interesantes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews

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