Why Was Yona of the Dawn Canceled? Unraveling the Mystery
The burning question on many anime fans’ minds, especially those who fell in love with the captivating world of Kouka and its spirited princess, is: Why was there never a season two of Yona of the Dawn? The straightforward answer, and one that can be disheartening for loyal fans, is that the anime’s Blu-ray and DVD sales in Japan were insufficient to warrant a second season. Despite the series’ popularity outside of Japan and its compelling storyline, its financial performance in its home country did not meet the necessary benchmarks for continued production. This lack of domestic financial success, coupled with limited merchandise revenue, effectively sealed the fate of the anime adaptation. Studio Pierrot, the animation studio behind the series, didn’t see enough of a profit incentive to justify producing a second season. In short, it comes down to economics, not lack of popularity.
The Importance of Blu-ray and DVD Sales in Japan
In the Japanese anime industry, physical media sales (Blu-rays and DVDs) are crucial for determining an anime’s success and, by extension, whether a series will get a second season or other adaptations. While streaming has become a significant source of revenue, physical sales remain a key indicator of audience support and willingness to invest in the franchise. If a series doesn’t perform well in this regard, it often faces cancellation. This is due to the fact that the physical media market often generates a larger upfront profit compared to streaming services. Therefore, the lack of strong Blu-ray and DVD sales is why Yona of the Dawn didn’t receive a season two.
Merchandise and Limited Revenue Streams
Furthermore, the lack of diverse merchandise for Yona of the Dawn also played a role. While there may have been some collectibles available, the merchandise line was not as extensive as some of its more successful counterparts, limiting its financial potential. The anime industry relies heavily on merchandise sales, so not being able to capitalize on the characters and the world of Yona of the Dawn made it difficult to justify its production costs for a follow-up.
The Manga’s Continued Success
While the anime adaptation ended with the first season, the manga continues to be a success. The Yona of the Dawn manga, created by Mizuho Kusanagi, is still ongoing and has a devoted fan base. While the anime served as a gateway for many viewers into the world of Kouka, the lack of a second season has often left fans craving a continuation of the story they began with the anime. This disparity highlights the different revenue models and priorities between manga and anime production. Anime, as it is often used, is a form of advertisement to garner manga sales. As such, with no second season and no end in sight for the manga, the lack of anime is likely due to the already steady sales of the manga.
A Bleak Outlook
Mizuho Kusanagi herself has stated that the likelihood of Studio Pierrot animating a second season is bleak due to the poor Blu-ray and DVD sales. Unfortunately, this means that fans may have to continue relying on the manga to follow Yona’s adventures, or they may never receive any new content in the form of a second anime season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Yona of the Dawn
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Yona of the Dawn, to provide additional information to the readers.
1. Is Yona of the Dawn season 2 canceled?
Yes, while never officially announced, the lack of a second season after eight years, combined with poor Blu-ray sales and Kusanagi’s statement, implies a defacto cancellation.
2. Is Yona of the Dawn done?
The anime adaptation is considered complete, but the manga is still ongoing and nearing its conclusion.
3. When is the manga going to end?
According to the creator, Kusanagi Mizuho, the manga was estimated to be roughly 70% finished around 2019. The manga might conclude around 2023 or 2024, possibly around 260 chapters.
4. Does Yona of the Dawn have a harem?
Yona of the Dawn features reverse-harem elements, where multiple male characters have romantic feelings for Yona. These characters include Hak, Jae-Ha, Shin-Ah, Kija, and Su-won. It is important to note that only Hak is the romantic interest.
5. How many OVAs does Yona of the Dawn have?
There are three OVA episodes that mainly focus on the backstories of Kija, the Hakuryuu (White Dragon), and Zeno, the Ouryuu (Yellow Dragon).
6. Why is Yona of the Dawn considered underrated?
The series is highly regarded for its complex characters, engaging storyline, and strong female lead, yet it has not gained the widespread recognition it deserves, which is why it’s often seen as underrated.
7. Does Yona fall in love with Hak?
Yes, Yona does fall in love with Hak, acknowledging her feelings and confessing them to Lili. She’s even too embarrassed to start over with him due to their long friendship.
8. What is the age gap between Yona and Hak?
At the start of the series, Yona is sixteen years old, while Hak is nineteen years old, creating a three-year age difference. Su-Won is 18.
9. Do Yona and Hak sleep together?
Yes, on occasion, they have slept in the same bed and Yona has openly expressed how much she values Hak’s presence by her side.
10. Who does Yona end up with?
The manga confirms that Yona and Hak end up as a couple. They share a kiss and express their love for each other.
11. Is Suwon in love with Yona?
Suwon initially viewed Yona as a younger sister, unaware of her romantic feelings for him. Although his feelings are not entirely romantic, he has been shown to harbor some feelings toward Yona.
12. Is Yona of the Dawn about to end?
The manga is still ongoing and is in its final arc, so while an end is foreseeable it is not imminent. A new season of the anime is not anticipated despite there being enough content. The show may be considered a form of advertising for the manga, and therefore no longer needs a show.
13. Is Jae Ha in love with Yona?
Jae-Ha has romantic feelings for Yona, however, he often tries to brush those feelings off.
14. Will Hak and Yona kiss?
Yes, Hak and Yona share multiple kisses throughout the series, including a significant one in chapter 137 when they are preparing to go separate ways.
15. Why didn’t the Yellow Dragon react to Yona?
The Yellow Dragon, Zeno, did not initially react to Yona because he likely recognized she is not the true reincarnation of King Hiryuu. It is believed that the yellow dragon understood the red dragons wants the most and chose to create a warrior to protect him until he reaches his goals.
Final Thoughts
While the lack of a second season of Yona of the Dawn is disappointing, understanding the economic factors that contribute to such decisions helps to contextualize the situation. Fans of Yona of the Dawn may be consoled to know that the story lives on in the manga. Whether the series will ever be adapted again for the screen remains to be seen but until then we have an amazing manga to keep us in the world of Yona and her Dragon Warriors.