Available on DNA, Kingdom is an uplifting series set in medieval China. This epic tale is a must-see!
WHAT IS IT ABOUT ?
Kingdom is set in the days of ancient China. The plot follows young Shin on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a Grand General. In this ancestral China, Shin is from the state of Qin, which is in the grip of many upheavals both inside the kingdom and outside.
Indeed, the story takes place during the Warring States period, when China was divided into seven kingdoms: Qin, Zhao, Han, Wei, Chu, Yan and Qi. The story of Shin also follows the story of Ei Sei, the man who would later be known as Qin Shi Huang, the unifier of China.
A HOMERIC EPIC
Now that the 3 seasons of this fabulous anime are available on DNA, it is high time to dive into the adventure! If the animation of the first season can be disconcerting, you absolutely have to ignore this somewhat disappointing aspect to be captivated by this epic story.
The series makes up for this graphical flaw with a gripping, very well-written story, focusing more on military strategies than epic battles. In addition, we do not see every day a Japanese anime whose action takes place in the heart of ancient China.
In addition, from season 2, a very clear improvement in graphics gives all its letters of nobility to a story of remarkable magnitude. Kingdom is taken from the manga written and drawn by Yasuhisa Hara, a real phenomenon in the Land of the Rising Sun since its publication in 2006.
QUALITY THAT GOES CRESCENDO
Season 1, which dates from 2011, was directed by Jun Kamiya (Blue Seed, Hikaru No Go) within the Pierrot studio (Bleach, Naruto). Akira Iwanaga (Bleach) took up the torch in 2013 for season 2 before giving way to Kenichi Imaizumi (Reborn) in 2020 for season 3.
For the latter, the Signpost studio, a subsidiary of Pierrot, took over the reins, bringing tremendous added value to the anime, catching up with the failing animation of previous seasons. With Season 3, the studio covered the Coalition arc, considered the best part of the manga.
Extremely awaited by the fans, this arc is a true apotheosis of all that makes the salt of the series, between political intrigues and epic battles. In addition to the fine team of seasoned directors, the anime was able to count on the participation of Hisashi Abe, experienced character designer of Psycho-Pass Sinners of the System and Berserk 2016.
A GAME OF THRONES IN CHINA?
Addictive and impactful, Kingdom recalls in some ways the raw violence of Ken the Survivor and Game of Thrones, as well as the latter’s political conspiracies. Between the purely politico-tactical stories and the sometimes frantic action, the anime will know how to rejoice the souls eager for grandiloquence and thrills.
It is a true war epic worthy of the stories of GRR Martin or Vikings. Kingdom author Yasuhisa Hara has also revealed that Game of Thrones is a major influence for him. He confided in this subject around a round table organized in Japan with the showrunners of the series, David Benioff and DB Weiss. This meeting took place for the theatrical release of the live adaptation of Kingdom.
Kingdom’s 3 seasons are available on DNA.
