The official website for the live-action film adaptation of Yasuhisa Hara’s Kingdom manga debuted a new trailer for the sequel film, Kingdom 2: Harukanaru Daichi e (Kingdom 2: To the Ends of the Earth). The trailer also confirmed that the film will open on July 15 in Japan.
The movie’s theme song “Live” (生きろ) is written and performed by Mr. Children. The band’s lead singer, Kazutoshi Sakurai commented it is a word that came to him as he was motivated by the scenario. This is a song that highlights the feeling of challenging yourself to beat your personal best.
Shinsuke Satō, who is known to direct a number of live-actions such as Gantz, Death Note Light up the NEW world, and Bleach, will return as the director. Manga creator Hara will again write the scripts. He also reveals plans to include original scenes in the movie like the previous live-action.
Kento Yamazaki, Ryō Yoshizawa, and Kanna Hashimoto are all returning from the previous film as their characters Shin, Ei Sei and Ka Ryō Ten. Yutaka Yamada (Tokyo Ghoul, Vinland Saga, live-action Bleach) is composing the music.
The previously announced new cast includes, from the left in the picture below, Tsutomu Takahashi as Kyū Gen, Yukiyoshi Ozawa as Go Kei, Etsushi Toyokawa as Duke Hyō, and Kiyohiko Shibukawa as Baku Koshin.
Other new cast members include, from the left in the picture below, Amane Okayama as Bi Hei, Takahiro Miura as Bitо̄, Takayuki Hamatsu as Taku Kei.
▍Kingdom Live-Action Film Sequel Trailer
▍About Kingdom Live-Action
Written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara, the Kingdom manga series has been published Weekly Young Jump since 2006. The story is set in the Warring States period of ancient China. Shin (Li Xin), an orphan in the kingdom of Qin, wishes to be one of the “Great Generals of the Heavens” so as to change his life for the better. Following the death of his dear friend, he decides to help Ei Sei claim his throne so that the cruel war can end once and for all.
The first Kingdom live-action film opened in Japan in April 2019 and earned over JP$690,219,500 (about US$6.17 million) in its first three days. The film eventually earned a cumulative total of JP$5.73 billion (about US$53.2 million).
