Yona of the Dawn OVA
Synopsis
Sono Se ni wa At a remote hot springs lodge, Yona and the team rest. The boys are taking a bath with the exception of Ki-ja, who looks troubled. Jae-ha takes this chance to tease him, unwittingly finding a mark linked to the previous White Dragon—whom coincidentally is also Ki-ja's father—prompting Ki-ja to recall their complicated relationship. Kou Ryuu Zeno Kako-hen In another time and place, Son Hak and the dragons banter as they hold a drinking contest. As they start to doze off one-by-one, Zeno dreams of his past, where his abilities and experiences, both as a person and as the Yellow Dragon, are revealed. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
The Akatsuki no Yona OVA is overwhelmingly praised for its expansion of character backstories, particularly for Zeno and the original dragons, addressing plot gaps from the first season. While the first episode is considered a lighthearted bonus, the following episodes are regarded as essential to understanding the characters and lore, leaving the audience deeply moved. The OVA serves as a satisfying, albeit bittersweet, continuation of the story in animated form.
Strengths
- Provides crucial backstory for Zeno and the original dragons.
- Fleshes out characters and deepens understanding of their origins.
- Maintains the series' humor and writing quality.
Weaknesses
- First episode is considered filler/fanservice.
- OVA format limits the exploration of the story compared to a full season.
- Some manga content was left out or reordered, disappointing some fans.