Kingdom Season 1 Anime Review: Story, Animation, and Sound

When it comes to epic historical anime, very few series rival the scale and ambition of Kingdom. Adapted from Yasuhisa Hara’s manga, Kingdom Season 1 sets the stage for a massive saga of war, politics, and ambition in China’s Warring States period. Though it had a humble and somewhat controversial start in terms of animation, the series steadily grows into an addictive mix of storytelling, character development, and sweeping atmosphere.

In this blog, we’ll dive into three core elements of Season 1—story, animation, and sound design—showing what makes it a must-watch for fans of historical epics.

Anime Information –

Story: Dreams Amid War –

At its heart, Kingdom Season 1 tells the story of two war-orphaned boys: Xin (Shin), a servant with dreams of becoming the “Greatest General Under the Heavens,” and Piao, who shares the same ambition. Their bond and rivalry are suddenly tested when Piao is taken to the royal palace under mysterious circumstances, which in turn sets Shin on a path where personal ambition collides with the fate of an entire kingdom.

• The story balances personal drama with historical intrigue, showcasing Shin’s journey from a war orphan to a soldier striving for recognition.

• Unlike many shonen anime, battles in Kingdom draw on historical strategy, leadership, and large-scale warfare rather than purely fantastical abilities.

• Politics and human ambition play a central role, creating tension not only on the battlefield but also in palace halls where betrayals change the course of kingdoms.

This layered storytelling is what makes Season 1 so powerful—it combines battlefield excitement with dramatic stakes that feel grounded and real.

Animation: Ambition vs. Execution –

One of the most talked-about aspects of Kingdom Season 1 is its animation style. Instead of traditional 2D animation, much of the series used CGI to portray its battles and characters.

• The heavy reliance on CGI models for characters often felt stiff and awkward, especially compared to the fluid designs anime fans expect.

• Large-scale battles, while ambitious in scope, sometimes lost their dynamic energy due to repetitive CGI character movements.

• However, despite the technical shortcomings, the sheer scale of the war scenes carried a sense of epic grandeur—not many anime attempt to portray armies of thousands moving strategically across landscapes.

While Season 1’s animation was divisive, it set a foundation for later seasons, which gradually leaned into improved visual storytelling that better did justice to the epic narrative of the manga.

Sound: Power in Atmosphere –

If the animation faltered at times, the sound design helped compensate brilliantly.

• The soundtrack strikes a balance between historical atmosphere and emotional intensity, evoking both sorrow during tragedies and exhilarating fervor in battle.

• Voice acting was particularly strong—Shin’s fiery determination, Ying Zheng’s regal presence, and the villainous snarls of rival generals all breathe life into the era.

• The mix of percussion-heavy tracks during warfare and quieter, emotional scores in character moments created an engaging rhythm throughout the season.

In many ways, the music and sound design kept viewers immersed even when the visuals struggled, allowing the emotional core of the story to shine through.

Final Thoughts –

Kingdom Season 1 may not be remembered for flawless animation, but its epic storytelling, passionate characters, and powerful sound design make it a foundational season that fans of war epics should not skip. It is the kind of anime where the story itself rises above technical flaws, delivering a thrilling start to one of anime’s most expansive histories.

If you’re willing to look past rough CGI, you’ll discover that Kingdom rewards its viewers with a gripping journey of ambition, leadership, and the human spirit during one of history’s most turbulent ages.