It was announced on May 27th that singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu will be providing the theme song for the fifth installment of the "Kingdom" film series starring Kento Yamazaki, "Kingdom: The Soulful Showdown" (directed by Shinsuke Sato, opening July 17th). The song is titled "Yotaka" (Night Hawk), and Yonezu commented, "I am honored to be able to participate in the Kingdom movie."
This film, a live-action adaptation of the original manga's most popular episode, the "Coalition Army Arc," depicts a great battle for the very survival of the Qin state when it is attacked by the "Coalition Army," formed by the six states of Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qi.
A trailer set to the theme song has also been released, and it shows Shin (Yamazaki), who continues to fight with the promise he made to his deceased best friend Hyou to "become a great general of the world" in his heart, and Qin King Ei Sei (Ryo Yoshizawa Ryo), who aims to unify China, as their respective feelings, which have been passed down in a time of war, intertwine, resulting in a video that symbolizes the fierce battle for the survival of the Qin state.
The film "Kingdom" is based on the historical manga by Yasuhisa Hara (Shueisha), set in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods of ancient China. It depicts the exploits of Shin, who aims to become a great general, and Ei Sei, who would later become Qin Shi Huang. Shin is played by Kento Yamazaki and Ei Sei by Ryo Yoshizawa. The first film, "Kingdom," was released in 2019, followed by "Kingdom 2: To the Distant Land" in 2022, "Kingdom: Flames of Destiny" in 2023, and "Kingdom: The Return of the Great General" in 2024. The series has attracted approximately 17.34 million viewers and grossed over 24.5 billion yen at the box office.
◇Comment from Kenshi Yonezu
I had the honor of creating the song "Yotaka" (Night Hawk). I feel honored to have been a part of the Kingdom movie, which is vast and open to the world, and is like a festival that lifts everyone's spirits once a year. I wish good fortune to Shin, who moves forward with unwavering determination despite his clumsiness.
◇Comments from Director Shinsuke Sato
In "Kingdom: The Soul's Decisive Battle," amidst the vast chaos of war, the darkness of individual battles, which cannot be resolved by simple good and evil, casts its shadow. When I first heard "Night Hawk," completed at the end of the film, I was deeply moved by the poignant feeling of the same wounds and pains shared by those fighting against each other, a feeling that resonated within this somewhat melancholic song. It was as if the sorrow of war, where the cycle of resentment makes battle impossible to simply categorize, was embedded in the music. "Night Hawk" is the embodiment of a lonely soul. The cries of these lonely souls who hurt each other resonate in the lingering emotions of the film, and I think this is what makes this work special within the "Kingdom" series.
◇Comment from producer Shinzo Matsuhashi
I really wanted to ask Kenshi Yonezu to create the theme song that would open up a new worldview for "Kingdom," which is constantly evolving.
This time, I explained the setting—the largest battle in history between the Qin state and six other states—and shared my thoughts on the work. I also told Mr. Yonezu that I wanted him to watch the rushes and compose the music freely. I didn't want to restrict Mr. Yonezu's imagination with my own narrow-mindedness.
When I first heard the completed theme song, "Yotaka," I felt a simple yet strong human core at the heart of a grand, expansive world. Initially, I had planned to title the film "The Greatest Battle in History," but this song gave me the inspiration to change it to "The Battle of the Souls." It had that much of an impact on me.
The duel between Mangoku, who carries the "darkness" of his soul, and Shin, who accepts everything and becomes a symbol of the "light" of the soul, is sure to touch the hearts of our audience. And when you hear the theme song "Yotaka," you will be overwhelmed with emotion as you feel the brilliance and depth of the song on multiple levels. Stay tuned!
