Celebrating two decades of one of the most ambitious historical epics in manga, Yasuhisa Hara’s Kingdom marks its 20th anniversary with a special commemorative release: Kingdom Magazine, arriving August 19. Packed with exclusive artwork, a poster, the results of the third character popularity poll, and an in-depth interview with Hara himself, this anniversary issue is designed as both a fan tribute and a deep-dive retrospective into the series that redefined large-scale military storytelling in manga.
Table of Contents
What to expect inside Kingdom Magazine
New cover art and collectible poster
The centerpiece of this special edition is new cover art by Yasuhisa Hara, created specifically to commemorate the 20-year milestone. Readers will also receive a poster featuring the same artwork — a perfect collectible for longtime fans and newcomers who want a visually striking entry point into the series’ scope and tone.
Third character poll: fan favorites revealed
Kingdom’s character polls are always revealing — they highlight which generals, soldiers, and rulers have resonated the most with readers over the years. This third poll’s results will be printed in the issue, offering insight into how fan sentiment has shifted across two decades of storytelling and how secondary characters have grown in popularity alongside protagonists like Xin and Ying Zheng.
Long interview with Yasuhisa Hara
One of the magazine’s major draws is an extended interview with Hara, where readers can expect reflections on the creative process, the research behind the historical elements, and the challenges of sustaining an epic narrative for twenty years. These kinds of interviews often reveal behind-the-scenes development details, favorite arcs, and hints about the author’s future plans.
A 20-year retrospective
The magazine also offers a look back at Kingdom’s twenty-year run: key milestones, pivotal story arcs, and the series’ evolution from its early days to its current status as a multimedia franchise. For readers who want context on how Kingdom grew from a serialized manga into an anime and live-action phenomenon, this retrospective functions as a concise history and celebration.
Kingdom’s story and core themes
At its heart, Kingdom follows the slave-turned-warrior Shin (also known as Xin) and his unyielding dream to become a great general of Qin. Parallel to Shin’s rise is the coming-of-age of Ying Zheng, the young king who shares the ambition to unify the Warring States into a single nation. Kingdom is a story about ambition, leadership, camaraderie, and the brutal costs of war. Hara’s meticulous attention to military strategy, period detail, and character development gives the series both intellectual heft and emotional resonance.
The anime adaptation: a multi-season journey
Kingdom’s popularity extended beyond print with multiple anime adaptations. The first television anime debuted in 2012, followed by a second series in 2013. A third series began in April 2020 but was temporarily halted after four episodes due to the COVID-19 pandemic; it later resumed airing in April 2021 with a restart from episode one. The fourth series premiered in April 2022, and the franchise continued to expand with a fifth anime series that premiered on the NHK General channel in January 2024. Throughout these runs, international streaming services brought Kingdom to global audiences, helping the series gain recognition well beyond Japan.
Kingdom on film: live-action success and international reach
The franchise’s cinematic adaptations have also been commercially successful. The first live-action film (2019) earned an impressive cumulative total of 5.73 billion yen (about US$53.2 million) in Japan and later received screenings overseas. Kingdom II: Harukanaru Daichi e (To Distant Lands) followed in July 2022 and grossed 5.16 billion yen (about US$37.8 million), becoming the top-earning Japanese live-action film in Japan for 2022. Subsequent live-action entries continued the trend: Kingdom: Taishogun no Kikan (Return of the General) opened in July 2025 and was later made available on streaming platforms such as Netflix. A new live-action entry titled Kingdom: Tamashii no Kessen (Decisive Battle of the Soul) is scheduled to open in Japan on July 17, adding yet another chapter to the franchise’s cinematic saga.
Why the 20th anniversary matters
Reaching twenty years is a rare milestone for any serialized work, and for Kingdom it’s a testament to longevity, consistent storytelling, and cultural resonance. Over two decades, Hara has crafted a sprawling narrative that balances large-scale battlefield spectacle with human-scale character arcs. The anniversary edition isn’t just fanservice — it’s an institutional recognition of Kingdom’s place in contemporary manga and its influence on other creators who tackle historical and military themes.
Where to read and watch Kingdom
For readers looking to jump into Kingdom, official releases and licensed translations provide the best experience with accurate translation and high-quality publication. Viz Media holds English-language releases for many fans outside Japan and is a reliable starting point for collectors and new readers. For anime viewers, past streaming windows and home-video releases from major licensors have made multiple seasons available internationally. Additionally, several live-action films have seen international releases and streaming availability.
Viz Media — official English manga releases
Netflix — select Kingdom live-action titles
How fans can celebrate
Fans eager to celebrate the 20th anniversary can pick up Kingdom Magazine when it launches on August 19, collect the commemorative poster, and revisit key arcs that define the series. Community-driven events — such as discussion threads, watch parties for the anime, and translations of magazine interviews — typically crop up around anniversary releases, giving fans multiple ways to engage with the world of Qin.
Tips for new readers
- Start with the manga’s early volumes to appreciate Shin’s development and Hara’s worldbuilding.
- Watch the anime adaptations in release order to follow how the adaptation handled pacing and major arcs.
- Keep an eye out for anniversary releases and special issues — they often include creator insights and exclusive art.
Final thoughts
Kingdom’s 20th anniversary is both a celebration and a checkpoint: a moment to recognize Yasuhisa Hara’s remarkable achievement in sustaining an epic narrative and to welcome new readers into a vast, rigorously constructed world. Kingdom Magazine promises exclusive content that honors the series’ past while pointing toward its future — making August 19 a must-watch date for fans and a strong entry point for anyone ready to start the march with Shin and the dream of unifying China.
