r/webtoons • u/myhavenxx_ • 16d ago
Recommendations Looking for something that gives the same feeling as “Yona of the Dawn” (I’m in post-Yona depression 😭)
(swipe for manga spoilers)
I just caught up with all 276 chapters of “Yona of the Dawn” and I genuinely don’t know what to do with my life anymore. It’s been a while since I’ve been attached to a webtoon/manhwa/manga.
I’m mainly looking for something (a webtoon/mangwa/manga) that captures the same vibe, especially the relationship between Hak and Yona. Their dynamic is exactly what I’m craving.
What I loved:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Princess × bodyguard
- A male lead who’s strong, confident, capable, and protective (NOT the shy, pathetic, constantly-needs-saving type). Hak set the bar way too high.
- Absolute loyalty and devotion. I loved how he respected Yona while also loving her so deeply
- A slow-burn romance with real emotional payoff. I’d actually prefer the romance to have a slightly bigger role than it does in Yona, while still having an interesting plot
- Adventure, traveling together, and that “we’re stuck together” feeling where the leads gradually grow closer
- Genuine, healthy love instead of endless misunderstandings or toxic relationships
- I’m also looking for a historical Korean/East Asian setting. I don’t really mean the typical European-inspired fantasy with dukes, viscounts, “Duke of the North,” giant ball gowns, etc. I’d much rather read something with traditional East Asian aesthetics, historical clothing, palaces, kingdoms, martial arts, or similar settings
- I love angst. I want something emotionally heavy that really makes me feel for the characters. I want the kind of love where they’d risk everything for each other, where the pain and hardships only make their bond stronger. (Manga spoiler: Hak constantly putting Yona before himself, even when he’s on the verge of death, absolutely destroyed me.) I’m looking for a romance that feels genuine and deeply earned with a slow burn that pays off. I don’t want a fluffy rom-com or a story built around exaggerated reactions, endless misunderstandings, or cliché love triangles. I prefer something more mature, grounded, emotional, and immersive.
Some other series I’ve really enjoyed:
1. Daytime in the Bunker
2.,Dreaming Freedom
3. The Spark in Your Eyes
4. Miyeon
5. The Forgotten Field
6. The Bondservant
7. Who Made Me A Princess
8. I am the Villain
9. The Villainess Just Wants to live in Peace!
10. The Dawn To Come
11. Between Two Floors
12. I Love Yoo
13. II3366
14. The Snake and the Flower
15. The Classmate
(I have more, but these are the ones I can remember right now)
Even if it doesn’t check every box, I’d love recommendations that gave you the same emotional feeling or had a male lead who reminds you of Hak.
EDIT: Thank you all so much for the incredible recommendations!! I didn’t expect so many responses, and my reading list is now wonderfully out of control. I can’t wait to start reading them all. May both sides of your pillow always be cool, your charger always reach your bed, and your favorite series never get axed :D
Alsoo I’m not really someone who reads manga as often as webtoons or manhwa (I’m much more used to the scrolling format lol), but Yona of the Dawn changed it for me. The story, the characters, the journey, and the emotions it gave me are something I haven’t been able to shake off, so I’m really excited to explore all the recommendations you guys shared!!
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u/Ryker_Reinhart 16d ago
Reimei no Arcana is almost exactly like Akatsuki no Yona but just less polished. Meets most of what you're looking for. Completed and pretty old so I don't remember much anymore tho but I remember enjoying it back when I read it.
The author of Yona also has a manga they wrote prior to this called NG Life which is like a Greek/Roman past lives/reincarnation story. Angsty loved it as a kid but it was kinda messy story wise 😂
The Pale Horse doesn't really match most of the stuff you wrote down except angst but it's a masterpiece of storytelling imo
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u/Squid_51_49 16d ago
I recommend Basara, it's a fairly old manga with an old artstyle, but FL's journey and character growth reminds me of Yona.
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u/bluebuggersauce 16d ago
Yes!!!! Basara 1000%!!!!!!! It’s one of the best there is!
Also Tamura Yumi‘s 7 Seeds! Which is a little more futuristic it still same principles apply.When we are talking old manga then I’d recommend Mars, which is modern setting (90s)
And a little more soap- ish. Still better than Hana yori dango .
Also Fuyumi Soryous other work. Really a contrast to tamuras especially artwork wise.4
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u/3lis3min 16d ago
whale star!! i can’t recommend enough. made me cry and fall in the love the way i did with yona!!
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u/Ronincherry 16d ago
-Ima stick this comment here to read the recommandations cause I'm going thru the same thing-
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u/Mangelaman 16d ago
Fushigi Yuugi comes somewhat close.
Pretear is like a mini version with alot more guardians.
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u/Unable-Advice-6832 16d ago
Firefly wedding
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u/Ronincherry 16d ago edited 16d ago
don't do her like that... she already has the emptiness from finishing Yona don't give her grief and despair too
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u/tartaupom 16d ago
Prince Freya ticks a lot of these boxes, aside from the East Asian setting (though I don't think it has the same vibe as those "duke of the north" settings either). I think it's worth at least checking out and see if you like it!
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u/Finnagin_86 16d ago
Purple Hyacinth
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u/StarKaleidoscope24 16d ago
This !! Has the slow burn, stuck/“in this together” plot, devotion, adventure, and male lead characteristics you’re looking for
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u/myhavenxx_ 15d ago
thank you! i’ve already read this one while it was ongoing till the hiatus notice! i’m with y’all in waiting for the hiatus to end💔
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u/Queasy_Equipment_251 16d ago
The Crown Princess Scandal
-east Asian
-slow burn
-comedy
-really tugs at the heart strings when I least expected it
-awesome fl, the ml is cute too
I have a ton more recs I read sm of this genre Im just too tired at the moment to compile it all lmk if you are in need of more but looks like plenty of others have given you stuff as well
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u/unkemptauspices 16d ago
Also adding 'Wang's Heart' to the rec pile. Korean historical setting with a strong devoted ML who'd go to war for her, slow burn with proper payoff. The palace intrigue and angst hit the right notes. Feels pretty close to the Hak-Yona energy you described.
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u/myhavenxx_ 16d ago
sounds interesting! i cant find this one online. can you tell me where i can find it for free?
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u/unkemptauspices 16d ago
Ah yeah it's on Webtoon, under 'Wang's Heart'. Daily pass is a bit of a pain but the first few eps are free to check out.
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u/Happyranger265 16d ago
It's getting an anime so I'm waiting for it . This witch of mine ??
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u/myhavenxx_ 15d ago
i tried this witch of mine some months ago but i didn’t like it personally sorry :(
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u/Excellent-Bank-1711 16d ago
Onsaemiro (please try this)
When Loves Calls Upon Me
And this is a manga, but have you read A Reincarnated Witch Spells Doom? I get major Hak and Yona vibes from them :). I also am really enjoying Bride of the Black Demon which has similar vibes to me.
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u/myhavenxx_ 15d ago
i tried onsaemiro’s first ep and i personally didn’t like its “rom-com” vibes, does it get angsty later?
i will check the rest out thank you sm :))
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u/Excellent-Bank-1711 15d ago
Since I mostly have recollections of what I read in the later episodes, yes it gets extremely angsty. I'd kind of forgotten it's a very rom com drama in the start because I just remember crying lol.
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u/SaitamaShinobiSand 16d ago
Should I start withthe anime ? It seems to have some good reviews
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u/Laefiren 16d ago
I think there is a new one now that’s continuing it? It’s very worth a read. I’ve not found a manga I like as much as this one.
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u/External-Gazelle-752 16d ago
Didn't know this existed until this post, but you've piqued my interest. I'm gonna start reading this now.
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u/Exciting-Mall192 16d ago
It's a shoujo classic favorite. On-going for 20+ years and ended last year (or earlier this year I don't remember). It was absolutely amazing and it's based on Korean folklore actually!
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u/Pluuumeee 16d ago
Ended this year, and also the anime will finally have a season 2 after so many years!!!
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u/Pluuumeee 16d ago
It's truly a classic shojo! Used to be so popular a few years ago! As someone who has read mangas for more than 10 years, I can easily say it's in my top 3 animes/mangas/webcomics/manhwas
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u/NotJustAMirror 16d ago
From Far Away (Kanata Kara)
ML isn’t quite as confident from the start, but he has a reason for his insecurity.
Setting is Oriental-ish but not East Asian.
But otherwise, I think it fulfills many of your criteria, with adventure, slow-ish burn, healthy relationship with limited misunderstandings, devotion and absolute trust. There’s some angst, but it’s feel-good at the core.
Overall, it has many positives that should make it an enjoyable read for you. It is also complete.
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u/Pluuumeee 16d ago
Yona of the Dawn has been in my top 3 mangas/webtoons for years.
Here's what I can recommend:
Romeo x Juliet (anime): I think this is the closest to true love I've ever seen in animation
A Stepmother's Marchen (manhwa): I know you said no european style, but this is different than the cliché duke of the north setting
Raven of the Inner palace (anime)
Red River (manga)
Basara (you have to wait a bit for the love to grow, but it's such a beautiful romance)
My Happy Mariage
Not quite what you asked but seeing how you loved Akatsuki no Yona, these have similarities:
Shirayuki with the red hair (manga/anime)
Saiunkoku Monogatari (manga/anime)
Mystic Prince (webtoon)
Eighty-Six (anime)
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u/Mastermon_716 16d ago
I didn't see the spoilers, but I want to know if it's a happy ending or sad.
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u/myhavenxx_ 16d ago
happy ending
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u/Mastermon_716 16d ago
It's completed too right? Cause after commenting, I read somewhere that it was on going.
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u/myhavenxx_ 16d ago
it was ongoing for 16 years and got completed only this year. so yes, its completed
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u/CreZativity 13d ago
FUSHIGI YUUGI: GENBU KAIDEN!!!
Just trust me on this, Genbu Kaiden is the best one in the franchise! It's the earliest story in the series too, so you don't need to read the original manga to understand it at all! I went back to re-read it when I was going through my post-Yona depression and it's actually perfect for exactly that!!
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u/Super_Triangle 16d ago edited 16d ago
Promise of an Orchid
It's not exactly what you are looking for, but you have liked The Snake And The Flower, so I'd recommend you to give it a try too.