The highly anticipated sixth season of the anime series Kingdom has revealed its theme song artists and a thrilling new trailer! Based on Yasuhisa Hara’s historical manga, the new season is set to premiere in October 2025 on Japan’s NHK network. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming season.
A New Chapter Begins
Kingdom Season 6 will delve into the intense war between the Qin and Zhao kingdoms, promising a new level of action, drama, and emotional depth. The protagonist, Xin (Shin), will be wielding Wang Yi’s legendary spear, signifying his readiness to take on greater responsibilities and power on the battlefield.
Theme Song Artists Announced
The opening theme song, “Ikite, Sansan,” will be performed by the music unit Ikimono Gakari, known for their work on Naruto Shippuden OP3. The ending theme, “Hoko” (Howl), will be sung by singer-songwriter Sora Tomonari.
Artists’ Comments
Ikimono Gakari shared their excitement, noting that Kingdom began serialization in 2006, the same year they debuted. They expressed admiration for the series’ growth and power, feeling honored to contribute to the anime with their theme song. They also mentioned conversations with Yasuhisa Hara, emphasizing their connection to the series.
Sora Tomonari commented on the intense battles in Kingdom, describing them as clashes of belief. To capture the heat of these confrontations, they incorporated sounds of armor and battle cries into the recording. The lyrics are filled with historical and world-building elements, creating a powerful image of armies charging into battle.
First Official Trailer
The first official trailer for Kingdom Season 6 has been released, showcasing the opening theme “Ikite, Sansan” by Ikimono Gakari. The trailer previews the all-out war between Qin and Zhao, with Xin leading the charge.
New Teaser Visual
A new teaser visual has also been released, featuring Xin bravely wielding Ouki’s spear. The tagline, “The Inheritor of Qi Wang’s Spear,” highlights Xin’s growing role and the challenges he will face in the upcoming season.
Production Details
Staff
- Director: Kenichi Imaizumi
- Series Composition: Noboru Takagi
- Character Design: Hisashi Abe
- Art Director: Junichi Higashi
- Color Design: Miyuki Abe
- Director of Photography: Hiroki Takano
- 3DCG Production: Dandelion Animation Studio
- Editing: Keisuke Yanagi
- Music: KOHTA YAMAMOTO / Hiroyuki Sawano
- Music Production: Avex Pictures
- Sound Director: Kazuzo Hamano
- Sound Production: Jinnan Studio
- Animation Production: Studio Pierrot / Studio Signpost
Cast
Returning cast members include:
- Masakazu Morita as Xin (Shin)
- Jun Fukuyama as Ying Zheng (Ei Sei)
- Rie Kugimiya as He Liao Diao
New cast members for the fifth season included Toshiyuki Morikawa, Daisuke Hirakawa, and Koji Ishii.
Story Synopsis
Kingdom is set during China’s Warring States period (475–221 BCE) and follows the story of Xin, a war orphan who dreams of becoming a great general. He joins forces with Ying Zheng, the future First Emperor of China, to unify the country and end the chaos of the warring states.
In Season 6, Xin continues his rise through the ranks, leading the Fei Xin Force onto the battlefield. King Ying Zheng, having reclaimed power, focuses on establishing a unified legal state with the help of key allies. As Qin launches a campaign against Zhao, they face challenges from the strategist Li Mu. Changping Jun devises a plan to bypass Zhao’s defenses and strike at the city of Gyou. A coalition army, led by experienced tacticians and the next generation of Qin commanders, is formed to carry out this risky maneuver.
Manga Release
VIZ Media will begin releasing the Kingdom manga in English in Fall 2025, coinciding with the new anime season. This will allow fans to experience the original story in English for the first time. The manga debuted in Weekly Young Jump in 2006 and has over 110 million copies in circulation as of March 2025.
Where to Watch
Crunchyroll has streamed the previous five seasons of Kingdom, and it is expected that Season 6 will also be available on the platform for international audiences.
Reception
Kingdom has received numerous accolades, including the 17th Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize. The series has a large following worldwide, particularly in Asia, and has inspired four live-action film adaptations as of 2024.
A Brief History of Kingdom
- Season 1 (2012): 38 episodes, Studio Pierrot, aired April–December 2012
- Season 2 (2013): 39 episodes, Studio Pierrot, aired June 2013–March 2014
- Season 3 (2021): 26 episodes, Studio Pierrot, Studio Signpost, aired April–October 2021 (delayed from 2020 due to COVID-19)
- Season 4 (2022): 26 episodes, Studio Pierrot, Studio Signpost, aired April–October 2022
- Season 5 (2024): 13 episodes, Studio Pierrot, Studio Signpost, aired January-March 2024
Anticipation
Fans of the epic historical anime have been eagerly awaiting updates, and the new announcements have generated considerable excitement. The combination of intense warfare, strategic depth, and character-driven stories makes Kingdom a standout series in the anime landscape. With the release of the trailer, theme songs, and the upcoming manga release, Kingdom Season 6 is poised to be a major hit in October 2025.
