The latest film in the “Kingdom” series, “The Return of the Great General”, will finally be released on July 12. This work represents the climax of the “Battle of Mayang”, an all-out war for the survival of the country against the neighboring state of Zhao, which continues from the previous work.
The cumulative circulation of Yasuhisa Hara’s “Kingdom” manga has exceeded 100 million copies (as of November 2023), the first in the history of Shueisha’s youth manga. The film series began with “Kingdom” (2019), followed by “Kingdom 2: To the Distant Earth” (2022) and “An Ríocht: Flame of Destiny” (2023), which income arose from the box office. of 5 billion yen for the first three films in a row With a cumulative total of more than 10 million viewers for the series, “Kingdom” is a popular work, both the original work and the live-action film.
The live-action cast includes Kento Yamazaki as Nobu, the main character who aspires to become a great general, Ryo Yoshizawa as Ying Zheng, the young king of Qin who challenges the unification of China, Kanna Hashimoto and Hishin as He Lingdiao . , who works hard as an apprentice tactician. The fantastic cast includes Nana Seino, who plays the role of Qiang, his battles with Nobu as the squad’s deputy commander, and Takaori Osawa, who plays the role of Wang Ki, a great general who returns to the battlefield as a commander -in-chief of the Qin state. From this work onwards, he calls himself God of War.ZhaoKoji Yoshikawa will play the role of the army commander, Pang Chong, and Shun Oguri will play the role of the mysterious tactician Ri Boku.
This time, we interviewed the main actor, Kento Yamazaki. He played the “Kingdom Series” and what did he gain and what changed?
In the battle with the God of war, Pang Xi
— This work begins with a scene where Pang Xi, the commander of the super army, attacks the Hishin Corps. What was your impression of Mr. Yoshikawa, who played the role of Pang?
Mr. Yoshikawa really looks like Pang. He always faced the role of Pang Xi stoically.
Doesn’t Pang Xi have a spear?
I heard that he was aware of the sheathing and unsheathing movements of the Japanese swords, such as slashing, slashing, slashing, putting the spear here and taking it out like this, and that kind of approach is also interesting, I thought it was It’s great that you thought of it yourself.
— In the opening scene with Pang Xi, you said, “Everyone in Hishintai called out and acted as if they felt the passion and unity of the team to make the most of the faith and protect it.” please tell me how you felt when you cried at that time.
When I’m filming, I’m always there as Shin, so Obira, Oto, Minami, and the rest of the Hihintai can only see them. I think there are a lot of things going on so far. Since it’s a scene where he’s unconscious, there’s no need to do anything special. All I have to do is close my eyes and think, “That’s a nice sight,” or “Everyone is so kind.”
I don’t really cry, but I have a nagging feeling that I have to keep acting like I’m weakening. However, if I had been aware of Shin for a moment at that moment, you would have thought, “Am I really going to cry?” and I would have shed tears… There are scenes in the script where there should be tears , but perhaps not enough where it is not needed.
However, since I’ve been reading the original manga so much, I might have some relevant panels floating around in my mind. The atmosphere and filming of this scene was really nice, so I guess it’s both.
A look back at the “Kingdom Series”
— Looking back on the four series, what is the most impressive thing?
it is difficult. However, the relationship between Nobu and Nobu is the basis of the story, so even looking back now, I think the first movie was important. What really impressed me was how he built up the core of the “Kingdom Series” by showing how close he was to Yuki and how sad he was. he about his separation, and then meet Umasa.
In the first movie, Kingdom, the filming started with the final battle of the China part, so at first I was acting with Umasa without meeting Yuki, so I had to build up a relationship with Umasa before I started shooting. I was glad that I got to face the scene with Uki.
–I’m sure you are a fan of the original work yourself, but what do you think is the fun part of “Kingdom”?
After all, it’s about being human, dirty and hot. I think it’s built into the DNA of everyone who’s going to move at Kingdom (lol).
-I see (lol).
It is so heart-warming, and this is my fourth film, and it is very interesting to see how each film is shown in a different way, so much so that it feels like each film is a different film within the worldview “Kingdom. ” I think it’s a work of art.
There are many different characters, and they are all charming, and I think it is important that they all become stronger by carrying the different emotions of their deceased friends and others.
The more it goes on, the more the cast, the cast and everyone else gets excited about it, and of course, the audience that watches it gets more and more interested and I think so too.