To begin with the first and most important point, in my opinion is the anime Akatsuki no Yona, criminally underrated and undeservedly not as known as it should be, with what I have possibly tackled one of the major aspects, why it still doesn't have a second season. (Which is disappointing and a big shame)
How the introduction already implicates, I liked the anime very much. If I regard all the aspects that a review of an anime usually contains, from the categories of the Plot, Setting and Worldbuilding, over the Animation, Visuals and Atmosphere, the Characters and finally to the Music, I can state that not even one of them were not to my liking in this anime. Now we'll continue chronological with the first category "Plot, Setting and Worldbuilding".
#Plot, Setting and Worldbuilding
From my perspective the anime possesses a very interesting setting, that can be assigned to the fantasy genre. This particlar setting surrounds royal families, the constitution of a kingdom, for example out of different tribes, old legends and tales, historically enframed in style of a monarchistic system in old asia, as well as distinct orientalistic flair and the implementation of personal motives, like unrestraint lust for revenge, ambitions, finding your sense of purpose and a reawaken will to live.
By the start of the story we found ourselfs in Hiryuu Castle, located as the centre of power in the kingdom of Kouka. In this regard it begans to tell the story of Princess Yona, who's the first and only child of Il, who reigns as the present king. He's a gentle soul, who loves peace and harmony above all and has an aversion against weapons. Because of this he's seen as a coward and a weakling in the eyes of many of his subjects. In this environment Yona grows up in a world of peace and prosperity, without worries or problems, always with her friends, in person of Su-Won (Her cousin) and Son Hak (Her bodyguard, one of the generals of the kingdom, and heir to the wind tribe) by her side. Apart from Hiryuu Castle she knows nothing of the world outside, which is going to change in the aftermath of a fateful day...
Spoiler, click to viewAfter her cousin Su-Won, who in truth always held a grudge against her father, because he thinks that he was responsible for the death of his father, the king's older brother, murdered her father in cold blood, during the night of her 16th birthday and abducted the throne, she was forced to flee the castle, with her loyal friend Hak. This journey that initially first had the target of ensuring her safety, soon becomes a search for the new purpose in live for the young princess. Later we learn that she's the reincarnation of the first king of Kouka, and she's destined to find the offsprings of the four dragon warriors, who once pledged to serve King Hiryuu. With this the plot is set for the rest of the story and in this context successively more and more characters are appearing in the anime, joining the group of Yona, who create and stabilise a high level of comedy and entertainment, while our princess learns more about her kingdom and experiences a remarkable character development.
The story kept me engaged from the beginning to the end. Especially after the fast start and the twist in the beginning, I was curious to know how it would proceed. Later the course of the plot was predictable and followed a mostly unchanged pattern, but that didn't made it less entertaining :)
The worlbuilding of Akatsuki no Yona has a solid foundation and is expanded every time our group visits a new place in the kingdom. Though it's limited to this point and many places and groups remain unknown till the end of the show. Many places were interesting and diversified and radiated an individual atmosphere and charme. My favorites are probably Hiryuu Castle, the capital city of the wind tribe Fuuga, Chi'Shin the capital city of the earth tribe and Awa Port.
#Animation, Visuals and Atmosphere
The anime has a pleasant drawing style and the animation is appropriate for an anime with a release date of 2014. Especially during fighting scenes, the anime presents good animations, which are looking clear and deliver good transitions.
Concering the visuals I can state that I would classify them from passable to good. This already implicates that there weren't any outstanding images or compositions, for which you would pause the episode. But that also excludes the other extreme, that I didn't like any visuals or that I found them bad at all. Most of the time I was satisified with the visuals that were presented, and the thing I prefered the most about them, was the asian architectural style which is in line with the basic theme of the anime.
In terms of the atmosphere it was my impression that the anime has a pleasant exotic, orientalic and enchanting atmosphere, supplemented by fun and humorous moments. (Similar to the atmosphere you can find in Magi). The atmosphere in general is very much supported by the visuals, the setting and the presented characters, in which the last of them will form the category I'll talk about next.
#Characters
In combination with the story and the setting, the characters, individual and as a group, are probably one of the best aspects of Akatsuki no Yona. For this review I'll focus myself predominantly on the main characters, and I'll dedicate just one paragraph for mentionable side characters.
Yona:
Our female lead and the princess of the kingdom of Kouka. In the course of the story, she goes through an excellent character development. Confronted by the hard truth of reality and out of her love for her friends and colleagues, she changes her principles, her behaviour, as well is her view on the world automatically changed. This transformation of her personality, isn't just noticable for us as viewers, the characters in the anime recognize it also, and in particular her old friend Hak, has more than one time difficulties to deal with this new princess.
Spoiler, click to viewTo take a look at the initiation of her development, we must begin with the start of the story. After the incident in the castle at the beginning of the series, she's dismayed, shocked and in a state of powerlessness. In the course of the following events, she realizes that she want's to live, to honor the wish of her father and to stand for her herself and to protect the lives of her and her friends. Because of this she adapts and gains strength, mentally and physically. She trained dedicated and hard-working with the bow day in and day out, and developed more and more courage. She accepts the task that fate has given to her, but not out of the motivation to subdue the dragons, instead she want's to gather companions to have a stronger force to defend her small group.
In regard of her characteristics she has the traits of empathy, charisma, determination, kindness, self-reflection and curiousity.
Hak:
Now I'll thematize a character who's most likely my favorite one in the show. There is less to none, I don't like about the badass and personification of coolness, that is Son Hak.
He shares many traits with Zoro from One Piece, which could also be a reason for this sympathy (The only thing Hak is missing, is Zoros passion for work-out). Particularly his sarcasm and his relationship and interactions with other characters make the show worth watching. With Yona he has the typical childhood friend dynamic, with a nuanced romantic undertone, a large mutual sympathy. To tease her (in a comedic way) is also one of his favorite hobbies. Speaking of his favorite hobbies, his extended use of sarcasm is also one of it, which inclusively also plays a major part in the show. His relationships to Jehea and Gija, are as well largely comedy related, because of their contrary characters and habits. (His fights, gags and discussions resemble those of Sanji and Zoro very much). Furthermore the thunder beast has extraordinary good fighting skills and is a friend you can always count on.
Yun:
Our allround genius and handsome boy, who can do literally everything except of fighting. He's got a healthy relationship to most of the characters, and it's difficult for him to accept compliments.
Ki-Ja:
A loyal and dutiful fellow (because of his background) who is distinguished by his excellent fighting abilities, and the comedy that his character represent, including insects and his difficult relationship to Hak.
Shin-Ah:
If I would describe him in three words I would choose, friendly, reserved and reliable. He doesn't talk much and instead uses gestures and his actions to express himself. His animal compagnon and him are appealing figures of the show. He's also not to be underestimated in battle.
Jae-Ha:
A womanizer and smooth talker, who is also obsessed with his own beauty. However the most important thing to him is his personal freedom.
Side Characters:
There are also many fantastic and good side characters, with Mun-Deok being my favorite of them, cause I have a soft spot for the elderly, badass characters in anime, that have the aura of life-experience and wisdom, as well as act as a caring grandfather.
Spoiler, click to viewWhat I liked especially about the characters of the four dragons is, that they all differ in regard of her character, backgrounds and personalities. They all have their own struggles and problems. In this relation I'm happy about the fact that they are portrayed very individual, which can also be seen in their recruitment, since two of them first reject the idea of following the princess, out of their personal reasons, what defines them as different characters.
Another aspect that I additionally enjoyed during the anime, was an obversation I already saw and liked in One Piece, and that's the process of different and enormously individual people joining one after another the protagonist during his journey. They have all diverse motivations, strengths, weaknesses, characteristics and backgrounds, and this reflects in their relationships, how they treat each other, produces comedic moments and creates a special group feeling.
#Music
Akatsuki no Yona possesses a wonderful, memorable and nice-sounding score. The adaption of the main theme which plays in the opening, in different versions of ost's, were the ones who personally stood out for me the most. Examples of that would be
But none of the pieces of music in the anime could match the original Akatsuki no Yona Theme played in the first opening. It captures the feeling and atmosphere of the anime to the full extent, and it easily took one of the places on my list of my favorite openings of all time.
And honestly, the second opening was in comparison to it, a huge letdown for me ^^
#In Summary
With Akatsuki no Yona we have an anime that tells a fascinating story, has interesting and likeable characters, presents great comedy and is accompanied by an extraordinary good music.
The only critique points I have, are an incomplete worldbuilding, and a pacing that doesn't flesh out all the characters, which are both points that can be explained with the limit of 24 Episodes.
I agree on the description that @emojisister had on the anime and wrote in her review, this anime isn't typical for a shoujo anime. It contains also many shonen elements, the anime is a mix of different genres and responsive for diverse target groups, which is what makes it great after all. So if you're skeptical or scared off because of the shoujo genre, there is no need to be, because I'm certain for almost any one, there is something about Akatsuki no Yona you will like.
