u/Initial_Metal_9681

I really am in shock in how a relationship that has only been expanded on in a handful of chapters that feature background characters left me as emotional as it did. I had figured Shiryou didn't die but this interaction makes the Seika army even more interesting to me. I haven't read any further than this chapter but I really do hope that Sou'ou and Shiryou just retire lmao, I hate seeing people in relationships in these wars its the same thing with Bihei and honestly thats starting to become Riboku and Kaine as well for me. Hara has built up these relationships so well even if its within one chapter or hundreds. Im not ready for the heartbreak thats bound to come.

What a tease bro I actually hate Kakukai bruh wtf😭

Just reached chapter 701 and I'm literally ejaculating I've been waiting so long for this guy to come back. I'm assuming he doesn't last much longer in the story but I don't even care cause he's my fucking goat. The only general I wouldn't mind Qin losing to. I really wanted to see an interaction between Renpa and Ordo even though it doesn't make much sense geographically, I just feel like that would be a fun conversation. But seeing as Renpa is back now I assume we won't get to see that.

*edit* I finished the chapter after making this... I posted a follow up thread. Im so unhappy

So I started reading kingdom about a week and a half ago and I’m addicted to it. I’m about 270 chapters in, at the start of the kankoku pass battle and I’m loving this series. I haven’t been this invested in a manga since reading berserk for the first time five years ago. I wanted to share some of my thoughts on the series so far.

First off I need to address just the scale and scope of the story. To be able to capture a period like the warring states era is not an easy thing to do with all the moving parts and countless characters. Yet Hara is able to naturally enhance the scale of each story arc with the growth of xin and it makes for a very engaging read. The battles in this series are just ridiculous, I played a lot of Total War games growing up so this aspect of the manga spoke to me and is what motivated me to start reading in the first place.

The characters themselves too are so interesting and unique. As antagonizing as Ryofui is in the story so far, his introduction along with the four pillars is still one of my favorite moments from the story. Establishing early on that the politics and social dilemmas of this world are much more complicated than just two sides being against eachother. Each general, foot soldier, diplomat etc are fleshed out and given enough time for you to understand their motivations and why they think that way.

I didn’t love xin at first to be honest, I thought he was slightly bland at first but around the 80 chapter mark there was something about him that started to click for me. In a world such as this the lofty goal of being the greatest general under the heavens is one that’s bound to change and mold over time and you see this with his character especially during the battle of bayou. Bitou’s death is still the most emotionally impacting moment of the story for me (so far) because of how xin interprets what Bitou says before he passes. This idea of a general and the ethic behind their thoughts, how they must handle the weight of their fallen comrades while still having to willingly send more to their deaths is an important lesson that xin learns. It’s such a short moment that doesn’t last long, and we didn’t really even know Bitou before this moment and yet it still hits so hard.

I loved Renpa’s arrival during the fight with Ousen and Heki, I thought the panel of the “earth and heaven itself shaking” was chilling. Hara captures these moments of morale being boosted like an earthquake and you can almost hear a slow deep rumble through the pages as you read them. The art in general is just breathtaking, making these battlefields seem like holy grounds with light peeking through the clouds as swords clash and generals ride off. It really is like you’re reading one grand mythical story.

All in all I’m loving it so far and I can’t wait to keep reading. My favorite characters so far are Xin, Renpa, Kyoukai, shouheikun, and Ouki (rip). I also like Sei a lot he just hasn’t had the chance to be as prevalent in the story yet outside of the short bits in Kanyou. I’m very excited to read more and I could ramble on about things I like but I would end up typing all day. So far coalition is great and kankoku pass is shaping up to be a great arc!