Kingdom
**There are some spoilers here**
A review by
Robert K. Patterson
I’m somewhat of a history buff and this is the only anime that I’ve seen that parallels actual history. The names are all accurate, the list of places is accurate and the names of the battles are also accurate. Of course, that’s where the lines of history start to get blurred. In truth, the story is fictional and a lot events and occurrences are enhanced to sell the manga and later the anime.
The story takes place around 250 B.C.E. and revolves around two men, Xin (pronounced shin) and the rise of the first emperor of China, Ying Zheng (spelled a number of ways, for historical purposes known as Chin). However, the story mainly focuses on the rise of Xin.
Xin and Piao are war-orphans in the kingdom of Qin who dream of becoming “Great Generals of the Heavens” to rise from their lowly stations in life. One day, however, Piao is taken to the palace by a minister to be used for an unknown purpose, leaving Xin alone as a household slave in a peasant village. A few months later, Piao returns to the village on the verge of death, urging Xin to travel to another village. There he meets a boy who looks nearly identical to Piao, Ying Zheng, the current King of Qin. Xin learns that Piao served as a body double for Ying Zheng, and was mortally wounded in a power struggle for the throne. Though initially furious at Ying Zheng for causing Piao’s death, Xin decides to seize the opportunity and aid Ying Zheng in defeating his brother and reclaiming the Qin throne. Successful in this endeavor, Xin officially starts his life as a Qin commander on the battlefields of Warring States China with the goal of becoming the “Greatest General in the World”, and to help King Zheng of Qin achieve his dream of total unification, ending the incessant warfare once and for all.
It is unfortunate that only two seasons of Kingdom were ever made. To find a conclusion to this tale, you must pick it up in the manga. The second season ends with Xin becoming a 1,000 man commander and King/Emperor Ying Zheng consolidating his hold on power.
I am providing a link to look forward to when Xin becomes a general (5,000 man commander). You can compare the Xin of anime and manga fame to the actual historical figures by conducting a search under General Xin.
http://kingdom.wikia.com/wiki/Shin