The debut of the first episode of Season 5 of the show Kingdom was postponed by the network NHK General TV. Originally set to be shown on January 7th at midnight, the premiere has been pushed back tentatively to January 14th at 12:15 am.
This delay is due to the enormous 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on New Year’s Day. At 4:10 pm local time, the powerful quake with an epicenter just 7km north-northwest of Suzu on the Noto Peninsula shook Ishikawa Prefecture.
The tremors were incredibly strong, reaching the maximum intensity of Shindo 7 on the Japanese scale and Level 9 on the Modified Mercalli scale.
【第1話 放送予定のお知らせ】
TVアニメ「 #キングダム」第1話は、
1月13日（土）24時15分から放送予定です。
※放送日時は変更になる場合があります。— 【公式】TVアニメ「キングダム」第5シリーズ (@kingdom_animePR) January 6, 2024
The network decided to hold off airing the new season out of sensitivity to the damage and impact of the seismic event.
How Fans Are Reacting To This Delay
Fans were extremely eager to see the new season of this acclaimed anime series. However, they are also very understanding of the postponement in light of the devastating earthquake in Japan. The fans are displaying sympathy for what the people of Japan are enduring.
Some fans expressed sadness for the people impacted by the frequent earthquakes in the region. They hope everyone in Japan is alright and say an extra week of waiting is not too bad.
Others offered prayers and well wishes that everyone in Japan stay safe. They say they will patiently wait for the anime masterpiece while keeping those affected by the quake in their thoughts.
Many fans expressed concern for the animators, hoping they were not encountering hardship. Some noted the tough conditions faced by animators with other productions. The fans say the animators’ health and well-being should be the priority.
Overall, the fans are taking the delay in stride. They emphasize being patient and sympathetic given the valid reason involving such a damaging seismic event.
The fans convey understanding and are willing to wait the extra time for the new episodes.
What We Can Expect From Kingdom Season 5?
Koku You Campaign storyline from the manga source material. This narrative arc is set to be covered in the upcoming fifth season of the series.
Viewers are thrilled that the new season will pick up right where season 4 left off, starting from chapter 441. This follows the events after the major State of Ai arc that was featured in the previous season.
However, it is still uncertain whether this new season will also include the later Bureaucrats Job arc from the manga. That specific story arc begins in chapter 486, so it remains to be seen if the episode count for season 5 will be enough to progress the adaptation that far into the manga’s chronology.
Fans are hoping the pacing and direction of season 5 will allow the anime to reach and bring to life the Bureaucrat Job events.
But the Koku You Campaign is the centerpiece of what enthusiasts have long awaited to see animated in the acclaimed war epic.
Anticipation for Kingdom Season 5
The upcoming fifth season of the Kingdom anime adaptation will cover the hugely popular Koku You Campaign storyline from the manga source material. Fans have long been eager to see this narrative arc brought to life in animated form.
Viewers are excited that this new season will pick up right after the previous season’s climax, the major State of Ai arc. Starting from chapter 441, season 5 will depict the events following that arc.
However, it remains ambiguous if this season will also adapt the later Bureaucrats Job arc, which begins in chapter 486 of the manga. It is unclear if there will be enough episodes to progress that far into the story chronology.
Enthusiasts are hopeful that the pacing and direction of season 5 will allow the adaptation to reach the bureaucrat job events as well. But the main draw that fans have desperately awaited is the animated portrayal of the renowned Koku You Campaign, which is the centerpiece of this phase in the epic historical war drama.
The Tactics and Intense Battles of the Koku You Campaign
The battle opens with Ki Sui’s deputies, Ryuu Tou and Ba Tei, ambushing the Ha Shin unit to divert their advance—Kan Ki counters by dispatching Zenou and his clan to halt the Zhao troops.
One prominent character is Kyou Kai, a lieutenant of the Hi Shin unit. Her scouts find a village unaware of the warring armies. On her return, Kyou Kai engages Ryuu Tou in brutal combat where both are critically injured.
Kyou Kai’s horse carries her to the village for treatment. The mayor reveals the tragedy of Rigan, home of Ki Sui’s army.
On the fourth day, Shin finally kills Kei Sha as Kan Ki orders withdrawal. After interrogating captured Rigan soldiers, Kan Ki learns of Ki Sui’s Rigan ties. As Qin retreats, Zhao fortifies the central hill.
Kan Ki has troops scout Koku You, burn villages, and arrange for dead villagers to threaten to do the same to Rigan. To protect his home, Ki Sui abandons the hill and is followed by his soldiers, causing Zhao’s defeat.
