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Historical Manga Kingdom Gets Live-Action Film Project
posted on by Egan Loo
Manga creator Yasuhisa Hara revealed in a message on Sunday that a live-action film adaptation of his Kingdom manga has been green-lit. Hara said that he took part in script meetings, and praised the "satisfying" screenplay, the "unprecedented" budget, and everyone in the "ultra-grand" cast. He also teased the upcoming start of filming, although more details about the project will be announced later.
Hara's historical manga centers around the slave boy Xin and his dream of becoming a great general for the state of Qin. Xin helps Ying Zheng, the young Qin king who shares his desire to unify China, rise to power within the state. Xin does all he can to become a superior commander of an army capable of defeating the Seven Warring States.
The record-setting manga launched in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine in 2006. Shueisha will publish the 50th volume on April 19, and Hara said he is considering writing up to 100 volumes. A television anime adaptation premiered in 2012, and a second season premiered in 2013. Funimation streamed the series in North America and released both anime on DVD in 2016.
The manga already inspired a 3-minute live-action short to celebrate the manga's 10th anniversary in 2016:
Full Short With Narration
Full Short Without Narration
The three-minute video stars Kento Yamazaki in the role of Xin (Shin), one of the manga's protagonists, and was filmed at Hengdian World Studios in China. Other cast members include Chihiro Yamamoto as Qiang Hui (Kyō Kai) and Kenji Gojō as Pang Nuan (Hōken). Kōichi Yoshinaga narrated the short. Hiroki Ono directed the video, Thomas Suess produced the music, and Robster Henke composed the music.
The manga also inspired a smartphone game last year.
Source: Comic Natalie
