It’s surprising that being a critically-acclaimed anime series, Akatsuki no Yona never got the chance to return. Over the years, the demand for Yona Of The Dawn Season 2 seems to be only increasing. The author of the original manga and its anime adaptation’s creators went through a lot of difficulties. However, as of the current circumstances, this could be the best time to renew a sequel. What’s in the future of the adventurous anime? Will it ever return to the screens? Here are all the details you’d want to know about the fan-favorite show.
Yona Of The Dawn, also known as Akatsuki no Yona, started off as an epic fantasy manga series written and illustrated by well-known author Mizuho Kusanagi. It began serialization in Hakusensha’s shoujo manga, Hana to Yume, in August 2009. The series opened up to much praise from viewers and critics alike. As of today, Mizuho has already published a total of 34 manga volumes. Well, based on the looks, the popular series is not ending anytime soon.
When the manga reached the peak of its popularity back in 2013-14, Studio Pierrot decided to pick up its anime adaptation. The television show debuted in Japan in October 2014 and aired for 24 episodes until March 2015. Well, while it was broadcasting, the popularity of the series surged up, and everyone started talking about it. The adventure-romance anime gained much more acclaim upon reaching the international audience. Both fans and critics were sure that Akatsuki no Yona is worthy enough to get a sequel. However, even after all these years, we are all still waiting to watch some new Yona Of The Dawn episodes.
Is Studio Pierrot Planning To Renew Yona Of The Dawn Season 2?
Akatsuki no Yona will soon be celebrating its seventh anniversary, yet, Studio Pierrot still isn’t sure about the anime’s future. Back in the day, the epic fantasy series was quite a deal when it was released. Its popularity reached new heights after Funimation distributed it to audiences out of Japan. In fact, it was also reviewed well on almost all major rating platforms. This includes an 8.1 out of 10 ratings on IMDb and a solid 8/10 on MyAnimeList. Hence, fans assumed that the series would soon be renewed for a second round. However, Yona Of The Dawn Season 2 never made it to the screens.
Neither Pierrot nor any other producers of the anime are planning to work on the much-awaited sequel anytime soon. However, even if the renewal has not arrived yet, chances for the anime’s return are still high. For a series as popular as Akatsuki no Yona, it wouldn’t be a good financial decision to cancel it at this point. The first season was profitable for its creators. If not a lot, the series was successful enough to be given another shot at the screens. Hence, if a sequel is greenlit, it would not be a disaster for its studio. In fact, it might earn as much revenue as Season 1.
Hiatus Due To Kumamoto Earthquakes
In April 2016, a tragic event took the lives of more than 270 people and injured around 3000. Whereas, approximately 44,000 people had to be evacuated due to the Kumamoto Earthquakes. The heartbreaking incident left severe damages in Kumamoto. Sadly, mangaka Mizuho Kusanagi was one of the injured victims in the disaster. While the author took her time to recover, her manga series went on a hiatus. It also created uncertainty for the manga’s future, which would eventually affect the anime as well. Within that time, speculations started to bloom that the event could affect.
However, fortunately, the Akatsuki no Yona author has fully recovered now and has resumed writing her manga series. She got much support from her fans since the event. In fact, some of her recent manga volumes have gained much more critical acclaim and praises from fans than ever before. Given the series is still in the run and is quite popular, this could be the best time to renew the Yona Of The Dawn Season 2 anime.
Mangaka Mizuho Kusanagi Says Akatsuki no Yona Season 2 Isn’t Likely
The author of the original Akatsuki no Yona manga series is quite active on her social media, especially Twitter. Hence, she often interacts with her manga’s fans. The anime also has quite a large fanbase that frequently approaches the mangaka, expecting to know about the future of the TV anime series. Mizuho recently replied to some of the followers, implying that she isn’t in charge of the anime adaptation.
She went ahead and hinted that the likelihood of Yona Of The Dawn Season 2 is relatively low. Reports say that she also mentioned that the Blu-Ray/DVD sales of the first season were also lesser than expected. Also, recently, Mizuho retweeted a post from Cindy Yamauchi that further implied that the future of any anime depends more upon the fans than the anime’s staff. The tweet continued to say that an anime might not return if the first season’s sales weren’t up to the mark. Well, while neither of these confirms the cancelation of AkaYona Season 2, there might be a chance for fans to save the show.
Is There Any Hope For A Sequel? Can Fans Save The Anime?
Mangaka Mizuho Kusanagi hinted at the possibility of Akatsuki no Yona Season 2 if fans support it. Well, unlike how it was before, the growth of social media has brought a change in the industry. In recent times, by using social media platforms and online petitions, fans have saved a lot of shows from cancelation. Today, their voices have enough impact and power that could easily change the fate of any series.
Hence, if enough fans are in support of the anime’s renewal, the producers are more likely to notice and acknowledge it. Well, given that Yona Season 2 has quite a lot of supporters and a loyal fanbase, there is still hope for its return. However, nothing can be assured until the studio announces an official renewal.
Is Akatsuki no Yona Manga Still In The Run?
After a brief hiatus in 2016-17, the fan-favorite Akatsuki no Yona manga series is thriving again. Its popularity had been constant during its initial release in 2009. However, the series has gained new heights of fame in the last few years. In fact, the manga’s sales have also slightly increased. As of now, author Mizuho Kusanagi has already released a total of thirty-four manga volumes between August 2009 and December 2020.
According to the pattern of the manga’s release, Volume 35 might launch sometime around April 2020. Well, given that the series is running well, the mangaka might not introduce the last arc anytime soon. Moreover, the current arc of the story doesn’t seem to be near the show’s end. As of the recent storyline, the series might continue for at least a few more years.
Well, unlike US TV shows, the future of an anime adaptation highly depends upon its source material. These adaptations often act as advertisements of their source material. Hence, their primary source of revenue also comes from these respective light novels or manga volumes. As a result, once the source material ends, the studios abandon such anime adaptations. Fortunately, since the Akatsuki no Yona manga is not ending anytime soon, there will be chances for a sequel.
Is There Enough Source Material For A New Season?
Well, anime adaptations are dependant on their source materials for many factors. The availability of content to adapt plays one of the most important roles in the survival of an adaptation. Many studios have previously canceled a lot of anime series due to the lack of enough source material. Fortunately, the Akatsuki no Yona anime’s debut season only covered the first eight manga volumes in its 24 episodes.
The manga is already at its 34th volume and thrives even after a decade of its launch. Thus, a lack of content won’t be the reason for its anime adaptation’s cancelation. In fact, given the amount of source material available, the studio can easily fit the content in a few more anime installments. Hence, Studio Pierrot has more than enough source material for Yona Of The Dawn Season 2 and the coming seasons of the anime (if they are renewed).
What Were The Akatsuki no Yona OVA Episodes About?
The first season of the anime concluded airing with the twenty-fourth episode back in March 2015. Later that year, in September, Pierrot released an OVA episode featuring a side story of the series. The studio later launched the second and third OVA episodes in August and December 2016, respectively. As per reports, the three episodes altogether covered the plot of Volume 18 of the original manga. The story begins as Yona and the gang reach a hot springs hotel. Moreover, they continue their travels later on.
Will There Be More OVA Episodes Or A Movie Adaptation?
Anime adaptations rarely get the chance to return for a second round. However, many of such anime at least get to return in the form of OVA episodes or movie adaptations. Creators usually produce OVA episodes in order to complete the story of an incomplete series or curb the fan demands until a sequel comes out. Well, given that the AkaYona storyline is far from over now, an OVA episode won’t be enough to give us a proper conclusion. The previous three OVA episodes of Yona Of The Dawn were launched due to heavy demands from fans. Hence, there is a possibility that the studio might pick up some more OVA episodes or an anime movie adaptation if the demand surges again.
What Will Be The Plot Of Yona Of The Dawn Season 2?
The story of the popular anime centers around the titular character Princess Yona of the Kouka Kingdom. Her prestigious life changes after her father, the King, is murder by her cousin Soo-Won. Hence, she is chased out of the castle alongside her bodyguard Son Hak. Together, the two of them embark on a long journey to look for the legendary four dragons. With their aid, the princess could reclaim her kingdom.
Towards the end of AkaYona’s first season, Yona and the group finally find the yellow dragon warrior. To their surprise, introduced as Zeno, the yellow dragon did not sense an awakening when he met the red-haired princess. In fact, he wasn’t hesitant to join the group. However, he does not seem to have any special ability either. Later on, Yona, Hak, and the gang prepare for their journey back to Yona’s the Kouka Kingdom. Hence, the upcoming season is expected to continue the story ahead of the last episode. Since Season 1 adapted the plot of Akatsuki no Yona manga’s Volume 1 through 8, the upcoming season will pick up from the next volume.
Hence, Yona Of The Dawn Season 2 is likely to cover the plot of the next eight volumes from Volume 9. Now that Zeno, the Yellow Dragon, has joined Yona’s group, her goal to assemble the four dragons is now complete. Thus, the princess and her friend now return back to Yun’s birthplace. In the land of the Fire Tribe, the people in the area are forced into poverty by heavy taxes and have to deal with famine. In the upcoming season, fans will get to see Yona and her friends take action to protect the town from its oppressive government.
Akatsuki no Yona Season 2 will likely conclude alongside the plot of Volume 16 or 17 of its source material. The studio already adapted the eighteenth volume in the OVA episodes. Hence, if ever the studio renews the third season, it will begin its story from Volume 19.
Is There A Trailer For Yona Season 2?
Neither Studio Pierrot nor any other producers of the show have confirmed its return. However, for more than six years now, fans of the anime have been dying to know what will happen next. Well, a trailer or teaser of the much-awaited Yona Of The dawn Season 2 isn’t likely to arrive before its official renewal. Hence, we might have to wait for a while until the studio greenlights the sequel. Until then, here’s a glimpse of things that happened in the first installment. We promise to update the production video (PV) here as early as it arrives.
Yona Of The Dawn Season 2 Release Date: When Will The New Episodes Come Out?
Studio Pierrot has produced some of the best anime of all time. While a lot of its anime series has only had one season, the studio has previously allowed some of its popular shows to return for another round. Hence, there is still a chance that the company might renew Yona Of The Dawn Season 2 in the near future. Once the green flag arrives, the sequel might not take more than a year to complete productions. As of the current situation, no episodes of the much-awaited second installment might premiere anytime before late 2022 or early 2023. We will update the Akatsuki no Yona Season 2 release date as soon as it is announced.
What were the best moments of the anime, according to you? Should there be another season of Akatsuki no Yona? What are your expectations from Yona Of The Dawn Season 2? Please share your views with us in the comments below.
