This year, "Kingdom" celebrates its 20th anniversary, kicking off a special project inviting various manga artists to create commemorative illustrations. Recently, Hirohiko Araki's stunning tribute to Ouki dropped, causing quite a stir.
Now, the official team has unveiled another incredible piece, this time by Takehiko Inoue, the legendary creator behind "Slam Dunk" & "Vagabond"! Featuring protagonists Shin and Ouki, the artwork radiates Inoue's signature style, brimming with raw power and igniting massive buzz online.
Inoue Takehiko himself reflected on the journey, stating that over 20 years have passed since he first saw Yasuhisa Hara's prototype storyboards, even before "Kingdom" officially began serialization. He expressed deep emotion about the milestone. He also urged Hara to take good care of himself and continue enjoying his creative path. "Congratulations on 20 years of serialization!"
Fun fact: Yasuhisa Hara was actually Takehiko Inoue's former assistant, and their shared dedication to artistic mastery is clearly evident in the incredible artwork they both produce.
The newly revealed illustration is a powerful homage to a scene from Yasuhisa Hara's "Kingdom" manga. It depicts Shin and General Ouki, battle-scarred and radiating an intense aura, showcasing overwhelming artistic prowess.
Here's the original scene from Yasuhisa Hara's "Kingdom" manga. 
Fans who saw it immediately erupted online with comments like: "This is insane, seriously!", "The art power is giving me goosebumps!", "Absolutely god-tier!!", "Inoue-sensei’s Shin and Ouki are just too fierce!", and "It totally has that 'Vagabond' vibe!"
It's a beautiful display of the bond between master and apprentice. And of course, the official "Kingdom" 20th anniversary special website features commemorative illustrations from other manga artists too, so definitely go check them out!
via： 《王者天下》20周年紀念官網