Kingdom Season 6: Exciting New Developments in the Anime Series
The highly anticipated sixth season of the anime "Kingdom" has unveiled its first complete trailer, offering fans a glimpse into the upcoming storyline and introducing the theme songs that will accompany the new episodes. The production will once again be helmed by the renowned animation studios Pierrot and Signpost, with the series set to make its debut in October 2025. In a simultaneous release, VIZ Media has announced that it will begin publishing the English version of the manga in the fall of 2025, perfectly aligned with the new season of the anime.
Theme Songs for Kingdom Season 6
The opening theme song for this season will be titled "Ikite, Sansan," performed by the celebrated band Ikimono-gakari. The closing theme, "Hoko" (Howl), will be delivered by Sora Tomonari. Alongside the trailer, both artists have shared their thoughts on their contributions to the series.
Ikimono-gakari expressed their excitement, noting that both the manga and their musical journey began in 2006. They drew parallels between their evolution and the growth of "Kingdom," which has emerged as a significant work in the realm of Japanese manga. They conveyed their honor in being part of this iconic series, emphasizing the shared journey they’ve had with the story’s creator, Hara-sensei. They aimed to craft a song that resonates with the themes of resilience and strength that the main characters, Shin and Sei, embody.
Sora Tomonari also shared insights into the creative process behind the ending theme. He highlighted the intense battles depicted in "Kingdom," describing them as profound encounters between strong convictions. Sora mentioned that the recording process involved capturing various sounds, from the clashing of armor to the battle cries, to evoke the historical atmosphere of the series. His goal was to create a powerful composition that would resonate with viewers, drawing them into the world of "Kingdom" and making them feel the weight of the conflicts presented in the story.
Returning Staff for Season 6
The production team for Season 6 includes familiar faces, with Kenichi Imaizumi returning as director. Noboru Takagi will handle the series composition, while Hisashi Abe will be in charge of character design. The art direction will be managed by Junichi Higashi, with Miyuki Abe overseeing the color design. The photography direction will be led by Hiroki Takano, and the 3DCG production will be handled by Dandelion Animation Studio. Editing will be performed by Keisuke Yanagi, while the music will be composed by the talented duo KOHTA YAMAMOTO and Hiroyuki Sawano. Sound direction will be managed by Kazuzou Hamano, with sound production handled by Jinnan Studio. Both Studio Pierrot and Studio Signpost will contribute to the animation production.
New Teaser Visual for Kingdom Season 6
Alongside the trailer, a new teaser visual has been revealed, fueling excitement among fans. The artwork captures the essence of the series and hints at the thrilling battles and character developments that await in the upcoming season.
Returning Cast and Character Dynamics
As the story progresses, fans can expect to see familiar voices returning to the series. Jun Fukuyama will reprise his role as Ying Zheng, while Masakazu Morita will return as Li Xin, and Rie Kugimiya will once again voice He Liao Diao. Notably, Season 5 featured new cast members, including Toshiyuki Morikawa, Daisuke Hirakawa, and Koji Ishii, adding depth to the character roster.
A Brief Overview of Kingdom’s Narrative
"Kingdom" is a historical manga series crafted by Yasuhisa Hara, set during the tumultuous Warring States period of China, which lasted from 475 to 221 BCE. The narrative centers around Xin (Shin), a war orphan who aspires to rise through the ranks and become a general under Ying Zheng (Ei Sei), the individual destined to become the First Emperor of China. The manga has garnered immense popularity, boasting over 110 million copies in circulation and inspiring a variety of adaptations.
Anime Adaptation and Episode Count
The anime adaptation of "Kingdom" has been ongoing since its inception, with a total of 132 episodes released across five seasons to date. The breakdown of the seasons is as follows:
- Season 1 (2012): 38 episodes produced by Studio Pierrot, airing from April to December 2012.
- Season 2 (2013): A total of 39 episodes, also by Studio Pierrot, which aired from June 2013 to March 2014.
- Season 3 (2021): Comprising 26 episodes, this season was produced by both Studio Pierrot and Studio Signpost, airing from April to October 2021, although it faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Season 4 (2022): Another 26 episodes were released, maintaining the collaboration between the two studios and airing from April to October 2022.
- Season 5 (2024): The fifth season consists of 13 episodes, produced by the same studios, airing from January to March 2024.
Streaming Availability and Synopsis
For fans eager to catch up on the series, Crunchyroll is streaming "Kingdom," providing easy access to all episodes. The platform describes the plot, focusing on Shin and Hyou, two war orphans in the Qin kingdom. Their journey begins with dreams of valor on the battlefield, but fate takes a turn when Hyou is captured by a minister. Although he manages to escape and return home, he is gravely injured. It is during this tumultuous time that Shin encounters a mysterious boy who bears a striking resemblance to Hyou—a boy destined to become an emperor.
As the excitement builds for the sixth season, fans of "Kingdom" can anticipate thrilling battles, deep character development, and a continuation of the epic story that has captivated audiences for years. With a stellar production team and a returning cast, the upcoming season promises to deliver the intensity and emotion that fans have come to expect from this remarkable series.
