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A New Quest Delayed: ‘Kingdom’ Anime’s Fifth Season Premiere Postponed
Enthusiasts of Yasuhisa Hara’s acclaimed ‘Kingdom’ manga will have to hold their horses a bit longer. In recent news from the official anime website, the initial episode of the eagerly anticipated fifth season will face a delay. Originally scheduled to make its debut, fans will now mark their calendars for the new air date on January 14 at 12:15 a.m. JST (which converts to January 13, 10:15 a.m. EST).
A Fresh Ensemble Meets Familiar Faces
Hope looms on the horizon as this new chapter will introduce fresh voices alongside familiar favorites, crafting an impressive tapestry of talent. Kicking off with intensity, DeNeel is set to perform the rousing opening theme “Shirubebi,” creating an immersive experience from the start. Meanwhile, Novel Core will take the reins to conclude each episode with the ending theme “RULERS.”
Bracing for impact, the following ensemble joins the fray in the fifth season:
- Kentaro Ito as the wily strategist Kan Ki/Huan Yi
- Haruka Nagamine lending her voice to the fierce warrior Koku’ou
- Kenji Nomura as the robust Raido
- Motoki Sakuma portraying the cunning Ma Ron/Mo Lun
- Powerful portrayal by Katsuyuki Konishi as Na Ki
- Taku Yashiro delivering the character Rin Gyoku to life
- Takehiro Hasu embodying the formidable Zenou
- Kōji Ishii as the strategic mastermind Ki Sui/Ji Hui
- Kenta Miyake as the battle-hardened Ba Tei/Ma Cheng
- Yoshihisa Kawahara voicing the steadfast Ryuu Tou/Liu Dong
A Rich Tapestry of War and Dreams
Since its first television adaption in 2012, ‘Kingdom’ has captivated audiences with its blend of history and intense drama. A second series quickly followed in 2013, with Funimation providing streams across North America and subsequently releasing both on DVD in 2016. The third series saw a launch in April 2020 but faced a hiatus after just four episodes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately resuming in April 2021, starting over from the first episode. Unwavering in its popularity, the fourth series premiered on NHK General in April 2022, with Crunchyroll streaming the episodes in tandem with their Japanese release.
Hara’s storyline is deeply rooted in historical contexts; it weaves the tale of a slave boy, Xin, who aspires to ascend to the echelons of a great general within the state of Qin. The plot thickens as he aids Ying Zheng, the young king of Qin who has visions of a unified China, solidifying his rule in the process. The magnetic narrative of Xin’s relentless pursuit to become an elite commander against the backdrop of the Seven Warring States has kept readers hooked since its inception in 2006 within the pages of Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump magazine.
Additional insights and updates can be traced through coverage by Mainichi Shimbun’s Mantan Web, keeping fans abreast with the latest developments in the ‘Kingdom’ universe.
Final Thoughts
As the fifth season of ‘Kingdom’ prepares to unfold a new narrative arc, we stand poised on the cusp of further intrigue and sweeping battle scenes that have come to define this storied saga. While the slight delay serves as a test of patience for the anime’s dedicated fan base, it also heightens the anticipation for what promises to be another spellbinding addition to an already rich and storied series. Poignant in its portrayal of ambition and the human spirit, ‘Kingdom’ continues to be an enduring epic poised to captivate and inspire.
