Akatsuki no Yona, King's Maker Recommendations
If you like Su-won and wish he were the main character of Akatsuki no Yona OR you want to read a story where the main character(s) overthrow a worthless ruler, consider reading King's Maker. In both stories, the nation suffers from the inactivity/carelessness of their respective ruler. If a rebellion does not happen, the people will continue to live with injustice and poverty.
Both stories incorporate magic/fantasy, but it's done differently. Unlike Akatsuki no Yona where the titular character is a reincarnation of the first red dragon and automatically gains the love of the other dragons, we have Wolfgang in King's Maker who lives with the
Golden Blessing. But people respect and follow Wolfgang for who he is as a person and his capabilities as a ruler. Like Su-won, Wolfgang grew up learning politics and honed his fighting skills, as well as waited for the right moment to overthrow the king. We could argue that Yona and Wolfgang resemble each other at being born with unique hair and eye colour and having special abilities. But the Golden Blessing does not make people automatically submit to Wolfgang, like how Yona met people who worshipped her because of her hair colour or got intimidated by Yona when she glared at them.
King's Maker also has Shin Soohyuk who guided Wolfgang throughout the years. So, Wolfgang does not miraculously learn and become the ruler his country needs in an instant. We witness the characters grow and learn, as well as see Wolfgang and Soohyuk develop together. Akatsuki no Yona gives a lonely vibe to Su-won as his friends (Yona and Hak) didn't know about his ambitions for the country and plan to rule, so that's one reason why they didn't stay with him.
King's Maker has a level-headed perspective on what kind of ruler their country needs. In Akatsuki no Yona, Su-won became the ruler the country needed. The difference is that Wolfgang gets acknowledged through his efforts and rapport-building skills. Su-won gained the trust of some people, but not everyone (e.g. some people associate him with his late father named Yu-Hon, Yona and Hak were heartbroken about the way he ascended the throne...). I could tell you, in King's Maker, no one grieved over that heinous king. Akatsuki no Yona has readers on different sides, as some can't forgive Su-won, while others approve of him being the ruler and doubt Yona could ever rule because she was never trained in diplomacy, economics, military strategies, governance, and so on. Yona grew up as the loved and carefree princess, while Wolfgang was a prince in blood and name but not treated affectionately by his father. Readers of Akatsuki no Yona question the purpose of Yona and her crew wandering the country, doing acts of service without Su-won's corporation (not thinking of long-term goals). Meanwhile, there is a clear goal in King's Maker and the characters work together.
King's Maker has you understand why rebellion is essential and no one would argue otherwise, while Akatsuki no Yona can give you mixed feelings because the titular character's father was caring towards her despite being a passive ruler. I especially highlight King's Maker for people who want to see or feel what it's like to be in Su-won's shoes, where you dedicate your life to a task for the sake of your country. But a note in advance that the ruler in King's Maker commits the unspeakable, while Yona's father King Il (the one Su-won overthrew) was inadequate so he failed to protect his people.
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