Yasuhisa Hara's hit manga Kingdom isn't just a smash-hit anime and live-action movie franchise—it's also hitting a massive milestone this year: its 20th anniversary!
To mark the occasion, the official team has teamed up with Yasuhisa Hara's home turf, Saga Prefecture, for an epic collaboration:
"Kingdom × (Run, Run) Saga Prefecture ~Saga's Fire Must Not Die Out!~" This wild project is part of Saga Prefecture's "Saga Prize!" information campaign, transforming Saga Airport into a special exhibition space and even boasting an insane "seawall" where you can read all 77 volumes of the manga! The festivities kicked off on January 20.
This special collab is a double celebration: not only does it honor the manga's 20th anniversary, but it's also a homecoming project for creator Yasuhisa Hara, who hails from Saga. The goal? To spark new excitement and "make eyes light up and hearts race" by showcasing all the amazing things Saga has to offer.
Starting January 27, Saga Airport will temporarily be rebranded as "Saga Kingdom Airport." During the event, every nook and cranny—from the airport's exterior walls and staircases to its glass panels—will be decked out with massive decorations featuring Kingdom characters and iconic scenes. From the moment you step into Saga, it'll feel like you've walked straight into the world of Kingdom, offering fans from across Japan a truly immersive experience.
And that's not all! From February 27, Saga Airport's 3rd-floor "Space Park" will be revamped for the collaboration, hosting a limited-time "Saga Kingdom Airport Special Exhibition."
The exhibition, themed "The Inherited Flame," will highlight pivotal moments from the story. Think Shin inheriting the "dream" from his fallen friend Hyou, the "spear" passed down from General Ouki, and the "shield" left by General Hyoukou—showcasing the continuous passing of will and belief between characters.
The entire venue will be transformed with giant manga panel decorations and framed replica original drawings, creating an incredibly powerful and immersive display. With a whopping 34 replica original drawings on show, this is an absolute must-see for fans! Plus, you'll get to check out collaborative pieces featuring Saga Prefecture's renowned traditional craft, "Arita ware," alongside Kingdom, symbolizing the continuation of the "inherited flame."
But wait, there's more! Starting January 27, the seawall at "Higata & Saga Park," overlooking Kyushu's largest bay, the Ariake Sea, will host an outdoor exhibit called "Kingdom Read-Through Seawall."
This seawall stretches over 300 meters and features every single page from Kingdom Volumes 1 through 77, all free to explore! Imagine strolling along, surrounded by the vast sky and sea, as you revisit the entire journey of the series. It's an unprecedented, breathtaking outdoor exhibition!
What's more, in Saga Prefecture's Furutayu Onsen town—where Xu Fu, who legend says crossed to Japan on Emperor Qin Shi Huang's orders in search of an elixir of immortality, once left his mark—visitors to local accommodations, hot springs, or restaurants from January 27 will have a chance to snag original commemorative merchandise.
To celebrate this epic team-up, special collaborative buses adorned with Kingdom characters will start cruising through Saga City from January 28, letting Shin and the gang hit the streets! And from January 22, Tokyo's aerial gateway, Haneda Airport, will feature massive promotional billboards for "Saga Kingdom Airport."
For more details on the "Kingdom × (Run, Run) Saga Prefecture ~Saga's Fire Must Not Die Out!~" event, hit up the official special website!
The event runs from now until March 29, so if you're a fan of the series or curious about Saga Prefecture, it's definitely worth making the pilgrimage!