Written by Mizuho Kusanagi, Yona of the Dawn centers around the titular heroine Yona and her band of warriors as they attempt to save the kingdom of Kouka. With a 24-episode run and at least 226 enthralling chapters, the series has introduced a slew of memorable characters that have touched the hearts of fans.
Although the series has a large cast of characters, only a select few can be considered to be the strongest in the series. Be it the officials of the Kouka Kingdom or one of the fabled Dragon Warriors, these characters prove to be the most powerful the series has introduced so far.
10 Yona
Initially the sheltered and naive princess of Kouka Kingdom, Yona took up archery under Hak's tutelage in order to defend herself while on the run. Although her skill with a bow was poor at first, she gradually improved to the point of shooting an arrow at Yang Kum-Ji, killing him.
While that is where her skill ends in regard to the anime, the manga shows Yona learning swordplay as well. In Chapter 82, Yona is able to successfully defend An-Lili against the drug lord Hiyou's men, though not without sustaining injury.
9 Soo-Won
Although his gentle appearance may suggest otherwise, Soo-Won is a very merciless individual. One of the most defining moments in the series is when Soo-Won usurps the throne from Yona's father, Emperor Il, by driving a sword through his heart.
While his killing of Emperor Il is a notable moment, Soo-Won was briefly shown fighting on near-even grounds against the renowned General Hak, making him a very accomplished swordsman in his own right. Unfortunately, due to contracting a seemingly incurable illness, Soo-Won's current ability has yet to be determined.
8 Shin-Ah
The second Dragon Warrior to join Yona's party, Shin-Ah proves to be a capable combatant. He is a proficient swordsman capable of cutting down numerous enemies within a short amount of time, as shown during the conflict with Yan Kum-ji and his men.
However, Shin-Ah's Dragon Eyes are his most notable ability, one he possesses as the Blue Dragon's reincarnation. When used, victims are afflicted with horrifying hallucinations that are capable of ceasing bodily functions. However, the Dragon Eyes' main drawback is that Shin-Ah himself will be paralyzed due to his lack of mastery over them.
7 Zeno
Unlike the other three Dragon Warriors, Zeno is actually the original Yellow Dragon that served King Hiryuu. His young appearance stems from him becoming the Yellow Dragon's host, which subsequently granted him immortality. Naturally, Zeno cannot die by any conventional means.
In battle, Zeno is a fierce fighter; while he has been shown using a sword and a dagger, he prefers to fight unarmed. His real strength lies in his regenerative abilities, which manifest in scales that can patch up even the most egregious injuries. Combined with his endurance, Zeno makes for a truly long-lasting warrior.
6 Jae-Ha
The freedom-loving Jae-Ha is the third dragon to join Yona's party, albeit after much convincing. As the reincarnation of the Green Dragon, Jae-Ha possesses the power of the Dragon's Foot, which gives him the rudimentary ability to fly by jumping great distances. Fittingly enough, he is also a capable martial artist who specializes in kicks.
Aside from his Dragon's Foot abilities, Jae-Ha is skilled at throwing small daggers and knives; his preferred strategy is to rain projectiles on his opponents while soaring in the air. His powers have led people to give him the moniker "The Flying Pirate" during his time in Awa Port.
5 Kan Soo-Jin
Kan Soo-Jin served as one of the Five Generals that supported the Kouka Kingdom. Although he appeared to hold Soo-Won in high regard, this was revealed to be a farce, as he plotted to have Soo-Won killed in order to take the throne for himself, a plan that would ironically result in his own death.
In battle, Soo-Jin holds true to his title as General, fearlessly defending his position in the north alongside his army with utmost fervor. While he succeeded in securing an alliance with province leader Li Hazara as part of this plot against Soo-Won, he is ultimately executed by his own men as a result of Soo-Won's manipulations.
4 Son Hak
One of the first warriors to be introduced in the series, Son Hak is one of the Five Generals of the Kouka Kingdom as well as the one responsible for teaching Yona archery. As a child, he was trained by his similarly renowned adoptive grandfather, Son Mundok, alongside Soo-Won, making him a capable fighter that rivals even the legendary Dragon Warriors.
Although Hak is capable of wielding other weapons, such as a bow and arrow and a sword, his weapon of choice is his long Guandao, a bisento-like weapon with which he can blow away multiple opponents with ease. Even Soo-Won acknowledged Hak as a dangerous opponent during their brief clash at Hiryuu Castle.
3 Li Hazara
The Sen Province Leader, Li Hazara initially fought against Kan Soo-Jin and his army in the northern part of Kouka. True to his fearsome appearance, Hazara is extremely cunning, wishing to establish his dominion over the Fire Tribe once he bolsters his already powerful army.
Although he clashed with Soo-Jin at first, the two end up joining forces in an attempt to take over Hiryuu Castle and usurp Soo-Won. While Hazara agrees to reinforce Soo-Jin, he remains ignorant about the lore behind Hiryuu castle, focusing instead on what needs to be done.
2 Ki-Ja
As the first Dragon Warrior to join Yona, Hak, and Yoon, Ki-Ja proved to be not only the first powerhouse in the group, but also the first indication of the group taking their task of saving the kingdom of Kouka seriously. His main ability is the Dragon's Claw, the signature ability of the White Dragon.
When not in use, Ki-Ja's right hand is of normal size, albeit with claws and scales. But when in use, his right hand grows to a massive size, which can use to smite opponents with deadly results. At one point, Hak even comments that a smack with Ki-Ja's right hand is enough to kill someone.
1 Yu-Hon
Although Yu-Hon is deceased by the time the plot starts, the impact that Yu-Hon has on the story is undeniable. As Soo-Won's father and the late Emperor Il's brother, Yu-Hon was a renowned man of war who won numerous victories for Kouka and his late brother, his most notable victory being that over the Xing Kingdom.
Renowned as he was, Yu-Hon also had a very cruel streak; he continued to slaughter innocent civilians of the Xing Kingdom even after the other side had admitted defeat. He also developed a prejudicial attitude towards the legend of the Four Dragons and executed the High Priest that peddled it. It was ultimately Yu-Hon's death that spurred Soo-Won's decision to murder Emperor Il.