The anime "Kingdom" is based on the hugely popular manga by Yasuhisa Hara, which has surpassed 110 million copies in circulation. Set during China’s Warring States period, this epic drama depicts the story of Shin, a boy aiming to become the world’s greatest general, and the young king Ei Sei (voiced by Jun Fukuyama), the future Qin Shi Huang. The TV anime began airing its first season in 2012, and the fourth live-action film adaptation, "Kingdom: Daishōgun no Kikan" (The Return of the Great General), released in 2024, recorded a box office revenue of 8 billion yen.

Episode 1 "The Qin Barrier"
[Synopsis]
In the state of Qin (Shin-koku) in ancient China, Shin (Xin), captain of the "Hi Shin Unit" aspiring to become a "Great General under Heaven," has achieved numerous military successes and is now holding a rigorous recruitment selection to take his unit to greater heights. At the same time in the capital city of Kanyō, Zhao Prime Minister Ri Boku (Li Mu) is granted an audience with Qin King Ei Sei (Ying Zheng). Ri Boku criticizes Ei Sei's lifelong goal of "uniting China," and the two fiercely clash. History is on the verge of a major turning point—.

(C)原泰久／集英社・キングダム製作委員会

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