"Kingdom" is a historical epic currently being serialized in Weekly Young Jump. With the third season of the anime set to air on April 5, 2020, the series is already attracting even more attention.
In this article, we'll be exploring the personality of "Shin," one of the series' main characters. Whether you've been watching the anime series so far or are just starting to watch "Kingdom," this article will help you get a better grasp of Shin's character!
A boy who goes from being a "servant" to becoming "the greatest general in the world"!
Shin was a war orphan, a boy of low social status known as a "servant."
He and his best friend, fellow servant Hyo, worked hard together toward their goal of becoming "the greatest general in the world." However, Hyo, who was appointed to the royal palace as Ying Zheng's double, died before Shin's very eyes.
Shin then met Ying Zheng, the man who caused Pyo's death. This encounter marked the beginning of Shin's journey to become "the greatest general in the world."
An indomitable spirit that overcomes adversity!
If I had to describe Shin's personality in one word, it would probably be "the protagonist of a shonen manga."
He's short-tempered, impulsive, and messy. While this is partly due to his social background, he doesn't know much about etiquette and, to put it bluntly, could be described as stupid.
However, at the same time, he has a strong sense of duty and friendship, and a strong will that never gives up, no matter the situation. Even in difficult situations that would normally falter, he is able to find a way out and push forward.
A Man of "Natural Gift for Martial Arts"!
Shin fights many formidable opponents throughout the story. While most of them are even more skilled than Shin, he somehow manages to hang on and ultimately emerge victorious.
His tendency to pull off such upsets is referred to in the story as "Natural Gift for Martial Arts."
He has a natural talent for matching his opponent's rank and ability to raise his own abilities beyond their normal limits. These giant-killing feats, based on such talent, are what make "Kingdom" so appealing.
An "instinctual general" who values intuition!
Shin is not the type to fight using well-crafted tactics; rather, he is an instinctive general who reads the flow of battle and fights based on his own intuition.
As the story progresses, more and more subordinates and colleagues admire Shin, but he does not content being confined to the rear. He is usually on the front lines, fighting while inspiring his subordinates.
While this may seem like questionable behavior for a commander, it's these thoughts and actions that make Shin so beloved.
A Rising Success!!
Through various battles, Shin rises from "servant" to "commoner." Then, through further military achievements, he steadily rises in status, becoming a "commander of 100 men," "commander of 300 men," and finally a "commander of 1,000 men." This success story of Shin's rise is also one of the charms of the series.
However, Shin's good character remains unchanged, no matter how successful he becomes. I believe it's this unchanging personality that makes him beloved throughout the series and why he's so popular with readers.
Did Shin exist in history?
Based on the opening description of the first episode of the original manga, it is reasonable to assume that Shin's historical identity is the Qin military commander Li Xin.
Li Xin was a member of the Qin unification project at a young age and is recorded as a person who was highly trusted by the Qin monarchy.
However, there are few records left of his character, and it appears that much of Shin's personality is fictionalized by Yasuhisa Hara.
Summary
"Kingdom" is a historical epic that depicts the turmoil of ancient China from both the battlefield and political strife.
The protagonist, "Shin," symbolizes the "battlefield" aspect of the story, and is a rare and fascinating protagonist of this type, combining passion and kindness.
He is the driving force behind "Kingdom." The long-awaited third season will finally begin airing on April 5, 2020!
