Mizuho Kusanagi announced on X (formerly Twitter) that her beloved manga, Yona of the Dawn (Akatsuki no Yona), is entering its final arc. This news comes as the series just received an award in the Long Seller Comics Division at the Rakuten Kobo e-Book Award 2024.
Known for her work on Mugen Spiral, Game X Rush, and NG Life, Kusanagi started Yona of the Dawn in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine in 2009. Fans can look forward to the release of the 44th volume in Japan on June 20.
Viz Media, which licensed the manga, describes the story of a red-haired princess named Yona who loses her family and kingdom, compelling her to fight for her throne.
Sheltered by her father, the king, and protected by her loyal guard, Hak, Yona’s life takes a drastic turn on her 16th birthday when she witnesses a loved one’s murder. With Hak’s help, she escapes the palace and heads on a journey for survival and revenge.
The 42nd volume of Yona of the Dawn is slated for an English release by Viz Media on September 3. The manga has also inspired a 24-episode anime series in 2014, and three original anime DVDs released between 2015 and 2016, all of which were distributed by Funimation.
Additionally, the series has been adapted into stage plays multiple times: the first in March 2016, followed by productions in November 2018 and November 2019. A musical adaptation is scheduled to run in Tokyo this July.
