Kingdom

“Kingdom” is an epic historical anime set in ancient China during the Warring States period. The story follows the journey of a young slave named Xin, who aspires to become a great general and help bring an end to the era of war and chaos.

The anime begins with Xin and his friend Piao working as slaves in the state of Qin. Piao, who possesses a remarkable talent for martial arts, is chosen to serve the influential minister, Lord Changwenjun. However, tragedy strikes when Piao is killed by a group of assassins from the state of Zhao, who are seeking to prevent Qin’s rise to power. Heartbroken and determined to avenge his friend, Xin escapes from his captors and vows to become a formidable warrior.

Xin’s path crosses with a young boy named Ying Zheng, the future king of Qin. Impressed by Xin’s determination and strength, Ying Zheng takes him under his wing and grants him the rank of a military commander. Xin joins forces with Ying Zheng’s loyal childhood friend, the strategist Zheng Xiang, and together they embark on a mission to unify the warring states and create a unified China.

Throughout the series, Xin faces numerous challenges and participates in major historical events. He becomes involved in the Battle of Bayou, where he demonstrates his exceptional military skills and gains recognition as a rising star. Xin’s journey also takes him to the state of Wei, where he confronts a formidable enemy general named Rinko, known as the “One-Man Army.”

As the story progresses, Xin encounters various influential figures from Chinese history, such as the cunning strategist Li Mu of the state of Zhao and the legendary general Wang Qi of the state of Chu. Each encounter pushes Xin closer to his ultimate goal of unifying China and avenging his friend’s death.

The anime explores themes of war, politics, friendship, and the pursuit of justice. It showcases the brutal realities of the Warring States period, where warlords fight for power, alliances are forged and broken, and lives are lost on the battlefield. Xin’s character development is a central aspect of the story, as he evolves from a hot-headed youth into a respected leader and skilled general.

On December 12, 2012 the manga won a Guinness World Record for manga written by the most people. The record was made possible due to its “Social Kingdom” Campaign where artists, fans, and voice actors redrew the entire 26th volume. Each of them picked 1 frame and redrew it and the top 100 would be given a special edition of the manga. Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), Masashi Kimimoto (Naruto), Hirohiko Araki (JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken) and many others were among the participants.