A review by livinliterary
Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 12 by Mizuho Kusanagi

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 The Happy Hungry Bunch is back, and things are getting tense between the Fire Tribe and Sen Province! This volume leans more into the political side of things rather than the usual running around solving problems, which made for a really interesting shift in focus. We get an even deeper look at the Fire Tribe—not just their leadership but their people and how they operate, which adds another layer to the worldbuilding.

Tae-Jun’s growth continues to be one of the highlights of this arc, and despite the serious political tensions and the slow build-up to war, the Happy Hungry Bunch still brings their signature banter and chaos to balance it all out. I also adored the two bonus chapters in this volume! Seeing these characters’ relationships grow even more was such a treat, and Gija’s backstory? Cue the tears. It made me appreciate and love his character even more.

While none of the political moves or battles in this volume particularly surprised me, they’re all pushing the story forward at a steady and engaging pace. I cannot wait to see Suwon’s side of this conflict as the lead-up to the battle intensifies!