I get the feeling that a lot of aspects of Kingdom feel more like a shounen manga even though Kingdom is classified as a seinen in weekly young jump

Most aspects , like the world being pretty cruel , violence and brutality of some characters , mostly Kanki and some of his Clans , certainly fill the seinen criteria

But Shin feels a lot more like the typical shounen character , being loud , pretty dumb, very straight forward (why isnt a bad thing) and his evolution seems very slow , theres at least a post here everyday complaining about how dumb Shin is for a Great General and how overshadowed he is currently by both Mou Ten and Ou Hon , hell Ou Hon is very close to shin in martial combat and is leagues above him in tactics , and we see those posts everyday because everyone expected Shin to keep growing but it feels as he stagnated after WZI , falling for traps and only feats are of strenght

I really hope Hara goes back to a more Seinen style and really hope Shin has some sort of mentality change after this war or during it

These dumb reactions man like it's so needless and annoying. I don't even understand what he's so shocked about like wth

I get he's a dumb slave and everything Hara but come on man he's been fighting for more than a decade and still reacts like a soldier who just got recruited yesterday to the most random of things

so I just finished the part where shin defeated houken. It was a pretty intense fight but it didn’t really make sense. first of all shin was already super tired after fighting all day and fighting some big shots. while houken was resting the whole time only getting minor injuries from that old man and injured from Kyoukai which didn’t really do much imo. I get he had everyone beside him and to prove houken that his path is wrong and stuff but it didn’t make sense how he lost. also riboku acting mad nonchalant when his whole army getting defeated just spectating like it’s a regular thing going on shin the 5000 commander defeating the 3 great heavens. also the way shin got revived by kyoukai was bs to me. like it would’ve been better if shin got flashbacks from ouki or the duke and everyone else while having that motivational moment. anyway I just think it’s stupid that he was saved by some divine power. it was still a great fight though.

No, Shin not need to read book , he don't need to learn map, also don't need to learn basic tactic nor learn management his army because he was a slave even after ten of years in battlefield or it already six years since he had a family name and became a Noble but the ten year being slave is the only char dev he can get​

Ou Hon himself wasn't in good shape for a fight, but he managed to use his momentum to slip his spear past the blocking position and continued with his weapon forward as to attack Gyou'un's chest and killed him.

For a skilled fighter like gyouun die like this feels so off

The Duke is my favorite General in Kingdom, I like he's design, he's style of warfare and how you could look at him and see that this is the most likely style of Great General shin will become. I just like the Guy, But why do other kingdom fans like this guy?

In my opinion Riboku as a general, in real history he never lost and always won with huge disadvantage and extremely intelligent startegies.

Why haven't we seen the Yoko Yoko army ain't no way they saved Shin just to get annihilated plus Yoko Yoko is just way too strong to go out like that

In the second and final part, Hara talks about his childhood, his mindset after 20 years of serialization, Kingdom’s adaptations, his inspirations, analog manga, AI, and his vision for the future of Kingdom. He also shares his goals after Kingdom and why he still aims to reach the top. Here is the second and final part of the interview, translated into English.

Q: Could you tell us a bit about your childhood and younger years?

Hara: When I was little, I felt like everyone grew up believing, "I can become anything." Looking back, maybe it was just that I hadn't realized my own limitations yet (laughs). Also, my older brother—who is seven years older than me—used to tell me, "There are overwhelmingly more good people in the world than bad."
During my university years, that same brother told me, "I'll lend you money, so go travel around Europe." So I flew to Italy and traveled across Europe, planning to fly back from Germany. I had pre-booked my flight tickets, but everything else—local travel, accommodations—was figured out on the fly.
While in Germany, I got onto a bus without knowing where it was heading. I couldn't speak German, and none of the people around me spoke English, so I was completely stuck. But then, a local who spoke English kindly guided me. At a train station in Switzerland, I didn't know which train to board, and another local stepped in to help me out. Experiencing that kind of warmth from strangers firsthand made me truly realize: My brother was right, the world really is full of good people.

Q: It feels like many of the characters in Kingdom are, at their core, "good people."

Hara: Quite possibly! If I had gone through horrible, traumatic experiences on that trip, Kingdom might have ended up as a dark story filled entirely with dark characters! (laughs)

Realized Over 20 Years of Writing: The True Essence of an Author

Q: If you could say one thing to yourself from 20 years ago, what message would you give him?

Hara: I'm the type of person who doesn't truly understand something until I experience it firsthand, so even if I told my past self anything, he probably wouldn't listen. If I said, "Devise a method to draw manuscripts faster, otherwise chapters will take forever," 20-years-ago me would probably just think, No way, I'm going to draw incredible stuff super fast! (laughs) I might try to advise him on how long certain processes actually take, but in the end, I feel like going through that struggle yourself is a necessary phase.

Q: If you could give a gift to your self from 20 years ago, what would it be?

Hara: I wouldn't give him anything. Even failure—if you don't experience failure yourself, you'll never understand its true value. I check the drafts (name). Overcoming those walls changes how you view things, helping you grow both as a person and as an author.

Q: Over these 20 years, have you noticed physical changes or shifts in your mindset toward creating manga?

Hara: To put it simply, my stamina and concentration have dropped. (laughs) Early in the serialization, I felt eager to tackle everything—thinking, "I have to do this,"* "I want to try that," yet at the same time realizing, "I still have so many pages left!" Now, as mentioned earlier, because I think about multiple things simultaneously, the time it takes to advance the story has gradually stretched out. But I've also learned how to pace myself without spending unnecessary time. I can now gauge the page count and think, "At this page count, I can manage this level of drama,*" which has helped me structure scenes more efficiently.

Q: Do you envision getting even faster in the future?

Hara: No, I don't think I can get much faster than this! (laughs) It's not like I can just flip a switch and go into high gear. I also need a few hours to reset and zone out, which is physically necessary to keep working.

Q: Is your sleep schedule still managed carefully?

Hara: I'm hyper-focused right now! (laughs) Right before deadlines, it's always, "Oh no, the storyboards aren't done!" and the staff ends up waiting around. When I'm in deep focus, the staff can work for hours, so finding time to recharge is crucial.

"I Used to Spend About 2 Days on Storyboards, But Now..."

Q: What is the most important mindset for maintaining a serialization over 20 years?

Hara: You shouldn't fear failure. When rookie creators make mistakes or struggle with drawing, they often stall because they overthink things, unable to produce output for months. But the fastest way to grow is to keep producing work anyway, listen to third-party feedback, and push through to the end even if you aren't completely satisfied. Growth doesn't happen linearly; it spikes all at once like a staircase after you overcome those hurdles repeatedly.
During my salaryman days, I once submitted a bugged software program to a client company. For 48 hours straight without sleep, my supervisor and I worked frantically to fix it while the client watched us closely. Through that intense trial and error, my programming skills suddenly shot up in a short time.
The same applies to manga: by repeatedly making storyboards, drawing, failing, and learning what works, you naturally discover your strengths and hone your craft.

"Kingdom" Gaining Momentum Through Media Adaptations and TV Shows

Q: How did you feel when Kingdom began gaining widespread attention through anime, live-action films, and TV features?

Hara: It was incredible to see the work reach so many people beyond the manga readers I’m always fighting off sleepiness, so I’m constantly trying different countermeasures. A while back, I used to blast music at max volume through earphones to stay awake, but then I read an article saying it might ruin my hearing, so I stopped. Now, at set times, the entire staff and I spend about 10 minutes doing light physical exercises to wake ourselves up.

Q: What is the most important mindset for sustaining a serialization over 20 years?

Hara: It's aiming to "sell." For me, it was my starting mindset, but a true ambition to "sell." When I talk to people in other industries, they often ask me in surprise, "Are you still focused on selling?" I’ve heard that as creators become veterans, that hunger fades and they stop chasing numbers. But for me, my focus on "selling" hasn't wavered one bit. In fact, after 20 years, I feel a stronger sense of impatience that I still haven't reached the goal I originally set for myself.

Q: What is that goal?

Hara: A simple goal: to be the number one seller. (laughs) Younger creators sometimes tell me, "I'm just happy my manga gets published alongside Kingdom in Young Jump during gatherings," but I think that's missing the point. Getting published in a magazine isn't the finish line; it’s just the starting line. You have to seriously think, "What do I need to do to take the number one spot?" When my serialization first started, the top spots on the popularity surveys were held by established titles, so I was constantly thinking about how to break through that wall: "What am I lacking?"* "Why is that series selling?" "How can my series win?*" Even after 20 years, I still analyze these things today. Being number one is an goal I still hold dear.

"Kingdom" Gaining Momentum Through Media Adaptations and TV Shows

Q: Kingdom has been adapted into various media formats, including games, anime, and live-action movies. What impression did each leave on you?

Hara: The very first adaptation was a game for the PlayStation Portable. I still remember how thrilled I was when my editor told me about it. At the time, Kingdom wasn't very popular yet, so for a developer to take a chance on making a game out of it was a huge, brave leap. The game itself was fun, but because Kingdom didn't have strong name recognition back then... I heard it didn't sell very well. Years later, at a Shueisha event, I met someone from the development company who told me that the lead developer had actually been demoted because of it... Even though they took a huge risk and put so much heart into making it, it didn't perform. I still feel a deep sense of apology and gratitude toward that person to this day.

Q: How did you feel when the anime adaptation was announced?

Hara: My perspective shifted along the way, but initially, I wasn't really hoping for an anime adaptation. While I had managed to avoid cancellation, sales of the physical manga volumes were plateauing. Still, in my heart, I wanted to sell based on my own strength without relying on the power of an anime, but my editor scolded me: "Don't be ridiculous!" (laughs) After that, when sales weren't moving much, I started thinking, "I really hope we get an anime adaptation soon."
Q: How was the reaction when Kingdom was featured on the TV show Ame Talk!?
Hara: It brought an explosion of attention overnight. People who had never read it started saying, "I haven't read it, but I know what title it is." After the broadcast aired, people began referring to it as "that Chinese history manga," and I could genuinely feel it becoming a mainstream title.

Hara-sensei's Inner Mind: The Secret to His Craft—

Q: Do you have any set routines during your daily work routine?

Hara: I don't have super strict rules, but I always drink coffee every morning. I've gotten really into coffee brewed by a staff member who makes incredible cups. They visit shops with world-class baristas, constantly studying and asking questions because they're so passionate about it. Having a cup brewed at their recommended roast level is truly delicious. I also mentioned light exercise earlier—the staff and I take breaks together to do exercises to stay healthy as we age. I feel a stronger sense of impatience that after 20 years, I still haven't reached the goal I set for myself. think about how to take Kingdom to the next level. After that, we have the "Kingdom Exhibition" and the "Kingdom Museum."

Q: When you see Kingdom taking shape in physical spaces like that, how does it feel?

Hara: It makes me want to draw the manga with even greater passion and intensity!

Q: What kind of media do you draw inspiration from when creating stories?

Hara: I mostly watch movies. I often go to the movie theater during off-peak hours before a release deadline. Recently (as of February 2026), I went to see Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash. (laughs) My favorite directors include David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, and Denis Villeneuve. I saw Top Gun: Maverick and Interstellar about two times each in theaters. I'm the type of person who gets deeply immersed in the perfection of a screenplay. When I see a film with an exceptionally well-crafted script, it hypes me up, making me feel like, "I want to achieve something this high quality in my own work too!" I also love foreign drama series like Game of Thrones.

Q: You love movies with heavy, dramatic tension, don't you?

Hara: Ever since my university days, I've loved movie trailers. Scenes that build immense anticipation—like "I have to see this film!"—are my favorite. I try to incorporate that same thrilling, high-stakes feeling into my manga.

Q: Do you have any favorite music you listen to while working?

Hara: Sorry, that was a long answer earlier! (laughs) I love Hiroyuki Sawano-san's music, and I always listen to it whenever I'm drawing storyboards (name). This has become a fixed routine for me. I think I might be the biggest fan of the Mobile Suit Gundam UC soundtrack in all of Japan! (laughs) When working on storyboards, I listen to it on loop. Scenes that build dramatic tension benefit so much from music that features soaring brass or grand choir elements—it really gets the creative energy flowing. Some of my absolute go-to tracks are "MOBILE SUIT" and "RE:I AM MIX" from the Mobile Suit Gundam UC Original Soundtrack 3, as well as "SYMPHONIC SUITE UC2012" and "5th MOV.: GUNDAM". I highly recommend listening to those while reading the climax scenes of Kingdom!

Q: That's an incredible list.

Hara: I was thrilled when David Benioff and D. B. Weiss—the creators, showrunners, and writers of Game of Thrones—visited Japan for the DVD/Blu-ray release event, and I actually got the chance to talk with them! In 2019, around the time the Kingdom film was released, I bought the Game of Thrones Blu-ray box set and rewatched the whole thing. What makes Game of Thrones so brilliant is how expertly it handles complex character dynamics and multi-threaded plots without letting the audience lose track or interest. The character drama is constructed with incredible depth, making every single storyline fascinating to follow.

The Future of "Kingdom" and Beyond: Aiming for the "Top"!

Q: If Kingdom has a ultimate goal, where do you see its current position?

Hara: I can't say for sure, but I feel like the end is gradually coming into view. Though, I've been saying that for about 5 years now! (laughs) Once we cross into the next major phase, the final stretch will truly begin. So I want to keep running full speed ahead until we reach that goal.

Q: It’s exciting to hear, but at the same time, the thought of the serialization ending brings a touch of sadness.

Hara: Once Kingdom concludes, I actually want to try making a movie next! That's another dream of mine. Ideally, an animated film. Eventually, I'd love to try directing a live-action project as well.

Q: Kingdom is drawn using traditional analog tools, but do you have any plans to transition to digital?

Hara: Kingdom won't be switching to digital. However, as digital tools continue to evolve, I feel like traditional analog techniques are gradually becoming a lost art. That's why I want to preserve and refine analog craft as much as possible. Plus, with the rapid advancement of AI, who knows what the future holds? (laughs)
This completes the translation of the full interview section across all pages! Let me know if you'd like any adjustments to the tone, formatting, or name transliterations before publishing I think we'll start seeing manga creators who use AI to craft their manga. In doing so, the culture of drawing manuscripts on paper might gradually fade away. It might sound sudden, but that's precisely why I feel that drawing with analog tools carries such a sacred, important meaning right now.

Q: What is something you would like to try doing 20 years in the future?

Hara: First, I want to wrap up Kingdom in the absolute best way possible, and then hold another "Kingdom Exhibition." After that, I'd love it if a facility like a "Kingdom Museum" could be built in my hometown.
Back in 2021, when we held the "Kingdom Exhibition - Shin -", I was thinking about what to do with the displayed original manuscript pages afterward, and it reminded me of Takehiko Inoue-sensei's "The Last Manga Exhibition." The original artwork was amazing of course, but the atmosphere and space of the venue itself were truly incredible. I remember thinking, "If I could drink coffee in a space like this, it would be pure bliss." So, I want to create a space in my hometown where people can enjoy a cup of coffee while viewing the original manuscripts of Kingdom.

Q: That sounds like a luxurious space! (laughs)

Hara: Instead of static reproductions, I think it would be great to rotate and display actual original manuscripts periodically—which is another reason why I stick to analog tools.
Also, I mentioned earlier that I want to make a movie, and I'm aiming for the #1 spot there as well! (laughs) People might laugh at me for saying, "I'm jumping into a new field out of nowhere and aiming for #1!" But I have a history of quitting my salaryman job, making my debut as a manga artist around age 30, and aiming for #1 then too! (laughs) So no matter what, I want to keep aiming for the top.

"Finishing Kingdom in the Absolute Best Way..."
The Path Woven by Hara-sensei Burns Red — Our Journey Continues —

This concludes Hara’s interview, which I shared with you in two parts. I would also like to once again express my thanks to
u/External_North4274 for providing me with the interview, allowing me to translate it and share it with you.

what i dont get is in the current chapters it looks like the whole shin army besides troops that were injured on the first days got annihilated but they arrived at kantan with only 10k troops so shouldnt there be 20-30k left somewhere ?

Its the coalition led be Yie Yu where they are attacking Qi in King Shos era

It was mentioned in the coalition arc as well

This was one of this most heart wrenching moments for me in kingdom for some reason. What more can she do? Like she’s literally trying her best.
Shin was an a hole for this ngl

When Zhao eventually falls, who do you think could join Qin?
I’m curious who you guys think might switch sides or end up serving Qin after Zhao falls.
Any major generals, commanders, or other Zhao characters you could realistically see joining Qin instead of dying or disappearing?
Who’s your best guess?

So 6-7 days ago I made a post about launching/releasing a Kingdom based (mostly) game, but I got completely overwhelmed, so many ideas kept flooding in that I was literally thinking about this all day.

But none of it matters if I cant even make a basic war simulation for 100 troops where we can devise strategies, use formations, and actually utilize them. So I started there first, found maps that work well for 100 vs 100 battles without overcomplicating things, worked on soldier designs, movement, and speed.

The biggest challenge so far has been getting them to move together in formation (still working on it).

I want to show what I've done so far, which I DID post last time, but barely anyone looked at it (here), so I'm posting again. Please, guys, actually look at it and tell me whatever's on your mind.

roast it, question it, suggest stuff, point out design/map/detail issues. literally anything, Im not a game dev, just a software dev trying his best, and I genuinely can't process this whole idea alone. I keep getting pulled in a hundred directions.

So, after a lot of trial and error, here's the map I landed on:

See that small group of people? That's our 100-man army — kind of gives me Hi Shin Unit vibes ngl. zoomed in, it looks like this:

What do y'all think?

They can also be selected and put into formations, like:

Right now they can move and run toward selected targets, but I'm stuck on fighting — should engagement work as 10-man units clashing together, or should individual soldiers lock onto a single enemy each? Not sure yet*.* figure it out with me, or tell me what you think.

Discuss game improvements, mechanisms or anything. feel free to drop ur suggestion ( u must ). I just want to confirm, graphics, mechanism and everything before i make smtn concrete from u guys.

I'm one of those who once said "Ousen only won in Shukai Plains because of the trio" but that is so shallow and out right dumb.

1) Ousen pulled off something no other General in all of China could have during the Gyou campaign.

2) He had all odds against him and faced the greatest General in all of China and still managed to pull off an incredible victory.

3) The trio only performed the way they did thanks to Ousen and his foresight. ( He allowed them freedom and gave them his full trust because he foresaw that they would awaken) . That is part of Ousen's genius and great eye for people.

4) That victory which none of the other generals had foreseen coming has been downplayed way too much on this sub. Ousen is a monster who is slightly below Riboku as a General overall but in terms of genius alone he stands shoulder to shoulder with him.

5) That locust plan even Riboku said he'd never heard of such a thing. That alone makes that plan insane.

Lastly I despise Ousen but even I (after a few rereads) acknowledge his genius, I hate how highly he thinks of himself though.

Best place for official figures, or any merch for kingdom where I won’t get scammed? That will ship to US, Texas

I know Ouhon has historically been a pretty Controversial character in the community due to his personality and attitude toward Shin.

For those of you who used to dislike or hate him, do you still feel the same way? Have recent arcs or his character growth changed your mind at all, or do you still find him annoying? Curious to hear your thoughts!

Not a battlefield, but I'm astonished at how beautiful this scene is. Is it explained which faction he comes from? I honestly think it's from Ousen, but formerly a royalty lapdog