Yasuhisa Hara’s epic manga, "Kingdom," isn't just a hit anime; its live-action film adaptations have been absolutely massive. And get this – the manga itself just hit its 20th anniversary!
The fifth installment in the live-action saga, starring Kento Yamazaki, "Kingdom: The Battle of the Soul," has been on a rampage since its July 17 release. As of August 11, its 26th day in theaters, the film has raked in a staggering ¥5,164,755,800! This monumental success has officially cemented the "Kingdom" series in Japanese live-action film history, making it the first-ever franchise to have five consecutive films gross over ¥5 billion. Not only that, but it’s also crowned itself the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of 2026!
The "Kingdom" live-action film series kicked off in 2019 with its first movie, followed by "Kingdom 2: Far and Away" (2022), "Kingdom 3: Flame of Destiny" (2023), and "Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General" (2024). Before this latest triumph, the first four films had already amassed a colossal ¥24.5 billion at the box office, drawing in over 17.34 million moviegoers.
Thanks to its stellar production quality and spot-on casting, the series has become one of the most successful manga-to-live-action adaptations in recent memory.
The official box office numbers dropped on August 12, confirming that as of August 11 (day 26), "Kingdom: The Battle of the Soul" had hit ¥5,164,755,800 in cumulative box office revenue and attracted over 3,354,231 viewers. This incredible feat secures the "Kingdom" series’ place in Japanese live-action history as the first to have five consecutive films surpass ¥5 billion, while also claiming the top spot for Japanese live-action films released in 2026.
Kento Yamazaki, the star of the series, shared his excitement through Toho following this record-breaking achievement.
He expressed, "A massive thank you to everyone who came to see 'Kingdom: The Battle of the Soul' in theaters. For the series to have five consecutive films break the ¥5 billion mark, it's all thanks to every single fan who loves this work and has supported us by coming to the cinema again and again. The time I've spent walking alongside Shin has truly become an incredibly important part of my life."
Yamazaki also highlighted that this latest film is packed with "the power to believe in your comrades and charge forward," along with countless moments that will set your heart ablaze. He urged fans, "If you haven't experienced this battle firsthand yet, please, you absolutely have to go to the cinema and feel that burning passion that only 'Kingdom' can deliver! I would be absolutely thrilled if this film continues to reach even more people, and if we can all witness even more spectacular sights together!"
As of March this year, the "Kingdom" manga has sold over 120 million copies, making it the first Shueisha seinen manga to ever cross that 120 million mark. With the manga celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the live-action adaptations have naturally garnered even more attention.
Given the series' immense popularity and the production team's dedication, its critical acclaim and box office performance are truly outstanding for a Japanese live-action adaptation. It's safe to say we can look forward to more epic chapters hitting the big screen in the future!