A sequel to the Yona of the Dawn (Akatsuki no Yona) anime has officially entered production with a confirmed animation studio. The announcement ends years of speculation regarding the future of the adaptation, which first aired in 2014.
On October 20, 2026, the official X account for the anime confirmed that PIERROT FILMS will handle the animation production for the new project. This news coincides with the Japanese release of the 48th and final compiled volume of the original manga, marking a definitive transition for the franchise as the source material concludes.
What We Know
On October 20, 2026, the official X account for the anime announced that PIERROT FILMS is the boutique brand established by Studio Pierrot in 2024. The studio operates under the motto “Make Anime That Wows” and was rebranded from Pierrot’s second studio to focus on high-end productions. Yoshihiko Tominaga is serving as the Executive Producer for the sequel. Tominaga has a direct history with the franchise, having served as the animation producer for the original 2014 series and the subsequent OVAs.
The timing of the studio reveal aligns with the conclusion of Mizuho Kusanagi’s source material. The main Yona of the Dawn manga ended its serialization in Hana to Yume magazine on December 19, 2025. This was followed by a four-chapter “gaiden” spinoff that concluded on July 3, 2026. While the production confirmation first surfaced in late 2025, the specific studio assignment remained undisclosed until the final volume's release on October 20, 2026.
Why It Matters
This sequel marks the return of a legacy franchise after an 11-year gap between the first season and the new production. The original 24-episode run, directed by Kazuhiro Yoneda, covered only the beginning of Yona’s journey, leaving a significant portion of the now-completed 48-volume manga unadapted. By utilizing PIERROT FILMS—the division responsible for high-budget projects like Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War—the production indicates a high-end approach to the series' remaining story arcs.
Where to Watch or Read
The original 24-episode Yona of the Dawn TV series, which aired from October 2014 to March 2015, is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. For those looking to catch up on the source material, Viz Media publishes the manga in English. Volume 46 of the English translation was released on July 3, 2026.
What Happens Next
While the studio and production are confirmed, no premiere window or specific release date has been announced as of October 21, 2026. It remains unconfirmed whether the sequel will take the form of a second TV season, a film, or an OVA series. Further details regarding the returning voice cast and additional staff members have not yet been disclosed.