"Kingdom" movie sequel to be released in summer 2026; "Super teaser visual" of Kento Yamazaki in armor as "Shin" unveiled

It was revealed on July 11th that the sequel to the live-action film "Kingdom," based on the popular manga by Hara Yasuhisa and starring actor Kento Yamazaki, will be released in the summer of 2026. The exact release date and title will be announced in the future, but a "super teaser visual" of Yamazaki's character Shin standing in armor has been released, along with comments from the star Yamazaki, the original author Hara, and director Sato Shinsuke.

It has been two years since "Kingdom: The Return of the General" was released last summer as the final chapter of the series and recorded a huge hit. The sequel is set to be released next summer. The visual shows Shin, who achieved military success in the Battle of Mayang, the setting of the previous film, donning his new armor and gazing straight at the scenery that spreads out before him, with a strong sense of determination. The accompanying tagline conveys the feelings that reside in the spear he inherited from General Ou Ki in the previous film: "Accept your feelings and move forward."

On the 11th, at 7:56 pm, the uncut version of "Kingdom: Return of the General" will be broadcast on terrestrial TV for the first time on Nippon Television's "Friday Road Show" slot. After the broadcast ends, the main footage of the sequel will be shown for the first time.

"Kingdom" is a popular manga that has been serialized in the manga magazine "Weekly Young Jump" (Shueisha) since 2006. 75 volumes of the comics have been published, and the total number of copies published has exceeded 110 million (as of April 2025), the first time in the history of the company's seinen manga. Set in China's Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period, the story depicts the exploits of Shin, who aims to become the greatest general in the world, and King Ei Sei, who later becomes the "First Emperor of Qin."

The series has been adapted into four films: "Kingdom" (2019), "Kingdom 2: Faraway Lands" (2022), "Kingdom: Flames of Fate" (2023), and "Kingdom: Return of the General" (released in 2024), which have attracted a total of 17 million viewers and grossed over 24.5 billion yen.

Comments from the cast and staff are as follows.

◇Comment from the lead actor, Kento Yamazaki(playing Shin)

When I heard about the sequel, I was happy because there was still a lot of interesting episodes left in the original story. And I'm very happy to finally be able to announce this sequel to everyone. I'm really grateful and happy that so many people have told me they've watched Kingdom. I hope I can inherit the spirit left by Osawa-san and General Ouki and lead everyone along. Let's welcome another hot summer together with the even bigger Kingdom!

◇Comment from the original author, Yasuhisa Hara

It has been decided that a sequel to the movie "Kingdom" will be made!! The sequel to "The Return of the Great General" will return to the big screen next year!! The movie "Kingdom", which was said to be impossible to make into a live-action film, has finally been realized in the 13th year of serialization, and I never dreamed that it would become a long series that would be produced for such a long time. It is frustrating that there is still much I cannot tell you, but I believe that it will be more powerful, exciting and moving than the previous four films, so please look forward to it!!

◇Comment from Director Shinsuke Sato

"Kingdom" is returning. Five years after filming "The Return of the General," the same team has gathered again. We have continued to make footage that was always said to be impossible to film, and all the cast and staff have grown through challenges and training, just like Shin and the Hi Shin Unit, and have always faced numerous difficulties. We have taken on this long project with a single belief, just like Ei Sei. And that road continues. This project has been carried out in strict secrecy, even from those close to us. We would like to deliver an exceptional world that can only be experienced here. Please look forward to it.

◇Comment from Producer Matsuhashi Shinzo

The "Kingdom" production team poured everything they had into making "The Return of the Great General." Making the sequel is also a reckless challenge to surpass that height. However, together with Shin, who was entrusted with the spear by General Ou Ki, we must continue to move forward. This team has always challenged what seems impossible. We believe that many people are waiting for this challenge, and we would like to announce the production of the sequel with a visual of Shin, clad in armor for the first time and grown up to be strong. That's all I can say for now, but it's amazing, so please look forward to it!