This time, we'll be discussing the characteristics and personality of the Qin generals from the popular anime "Kingdom."
Shin
Shin and Hyo, war orphans, trained through over a thousand battles to achieve their dream of becoming the greatest generals in the world. With Hyo's death and an encounter with Sei, Shin's path to becoming a great general began. While generally foolish and lacking the slightest bit of manners, Shin's courage and explosive power in times of adversity are remarkable when it comes to combat, defeating one formidable foe after another. She became the commander of the Hi Shin Unit, named by Ouki, and is steadily gaining strength.
Kyoukai
A woman from the Chiyou clan, a clan of assassins. She traveled from country to country seeking revenge for her sister's death, but after meeting Shin, she became the vice-commander of the Hi Shin Unit. Her attacks, performed through a unique dance known as Mibu, are superhuman in both speed and power, making her a stronger warrior than Shin.
Karyo Ten
During the assassination of the King, Shin encountered the mysteriously dressed Karyo Ten in Kokuhi Village. Originally from a mountain tribe, Karyo Ten met Shin and Masa, and after meeting them, she decided to become a military strategist so she could enter the battlefield despite her limited abilities. Under the guidance of Kyouhei, Karyo Ten studied military strategy under Shohei-kun. Now, she is officially serving as the Hi Shin Unit's military strategist.
Bihei and Bitou
Bihei, the older brother with a distinctive beard, and Bitou, the tall younger brother, are from the same village of Joto as Shin and Hyo. They reunited with Shin on the Dakan Plains, where Shin fought his first battle. Together with Corporal Takukei Sawa and Kyoujuro, Shin and his brothers, they formed a unit and fought bravely. After achieving success in this battle, they joined Shin's Hi Shin Unit, which he founded. Although they aren't particularly strong, these two characters are crucial to Shin and his troops.
Shobunkun
He supports King Ying Zheng of Qin. In the past, he was a military prodigy on par with a general, but he became a civil servant to assist Zheng. He was also the one who appointed Biao as Zheng's double, and he is working hard to seize power from the King's forces, who are at a disadvantage. Although he is a stubborn man, he values Zheng's qualities as a king more than anyone else, and his loyalty is unwavering. While his lieutenant is a wall (Heki), Ouki is in a position to lead in terms of martial arts.
Ouki
The last of the Six Great Generals of Qin. Ouki's distinctive features include his memorable "cocococo" laugh, his black horse named Ou, and his large spear that matches his massive physique. Known as the "Great General of the World," Ouki was feared even by other countries and had a great influence on Shin. His subordinates include his aide-de-camp, Tou, and military commanders Ryukoku, Rokuomi, and Kan'o. Each possesses the power of a general, and the soldiers they command are highly skilled.
Hyoukou
Hyoukou is distinguished by three long beards growing from his chin and wearing golden armor. He first appeared during Shin's first battle on the Hegan Plains, where he defeated Wei general Wu Qing with his overwhelming military might. He considered key battlefield positions to be "great flames" and excelled at instinctive attacks rather than strategic ones. He was also a heavy drinker, and reportedly had a stronger tolerance for alcohol than Wang Qi. He was consumed with war and had no interest in the Six Great Generals, so he reportedly declined King Zhao's invitation.
Lü Buwei
Although not a military commander, Lü Buwei was the leader of Ying Zheng's opposition. A former merchant, he gained a high position by using his business acumen to offer large bribes to Zheng's father. His large stature and striking smile make him a man of no avail, despite his desire to seize the country for himself. He was also known as an avid womanizer, and was depicted flirting with court ladies at court.
The Four Pillars of the Lü Family
Lü Buwei was of merchant origin, so he had people to assist him in battles and politics. These four were known as the "Four Pillars of the Lü Family," each talented in their own fields. In the early days, these four alone were a powerful force comparable to that of the King's camp led by Zheng.
Changping Jun (Shohei-kun)
Originating from Chu, he came to Qin and served as Lü Buwei's right-hand man. He possessed such a gifted military strategist that he even ran his own military school. While he now practices tactics as a civil servant, he also possesses talent in the military, making him a master of both the arts and the military. When Changwen Jun became Left Prime Minister, he became Right Prime Minister, and his power grew even more. He not only focused on the battlefield, but also looked ahead to the future, considering what to conquer on a national level. Changping Jun's talents have brought many military achievements to Qin.
Meng Wu
While Changping Jun excels in military strategy, Meng Wu excels as a military commander on the battlefield. He is characterized by his large physique and the fact that he carries a large weight instead of a sword. He specializes in fighting without strategy, charging headlong and crushing his opponents with sheer force. Apparently, he and Changping Jun are childhood friends, and although their personalities are polar opposites, they clearly respect each other.
Li Si
Li Si is so knowledgeable about law and politics that he is known as the "Guardian of the Law." Under Lü Buwei, he was active in politics, recruiting troops to Zheng's side. He continued to study law from a young age, and in the manga, there is a scene where Changwenjun asks Li Si for guidance. He is also known as a genius in history, and many anecdotes remain, including his innovative recruitment system.
Cai Ze (Saitaku)
He also served as prime minister during the reign of King Zhao, the God of War, three generations before Zheng. He has a long history as a central figure in politics and is well-connected. Currently serving as the Qin's leading diplomat, he wields diplomatic power, even meeting with kings of other countries.
Wang Ben
Wang Qi is also the eldest son of the royal family. His father, Wang Jian, seems to have a troubled relationship with his father. Wang Ben is the commander of the Gyokuhotai (Gyokuhotai), a unit primarily composed of cavalry, all of whose members are known for their expensive-looking armor. Wang Ben is also a skilled spearman and possesses a talent for military strategy that rivals even the most accomplished tacticians. He gained his strength by competing with fellow generals of his generation, such as Xin and Meng Tian.
Meng Tian
He wears a flowing red outfit and is known for his carefree personality. His grandfather was General Meng Ao, and his father was General Meng Wu, but he doesn't seem to care much about career advancement. Like Wang Ben, Meng Tian leads the Lehua Corps, a unit characterized by its strategy rather than force. Meng Tian also possesses the ability to neutralize and deflect attacks with the tip of his sword.
Meng Ao
He first appears in the early siege of Mayang, but his most memorable battle is against Wei general Lian Po at Shanyang. As the commander-in-chief of the Qin army, Meng Ao challenged Lian Po, a force he had never defeated. Nicknamed "Hakurou" (White Old Man), he was distinguished by his white hair and enormous stature. His fighting style was safe and unremarkable, but he never resorted to unconventional tactics, and thus always won against opponents with inferior military strength.
Kanki
He first appeared in the Battle of Shanyang as one of General Meng Ao's lieutenants. Originally the leader of the opposition, Kanki's army was composed of separate opposition groups. He specializes in unique and unconventional tactics that avoid conventional military strategies, catching his opponents off guard and achieving numerous military feats. Furthermore, Kanki's military leadership is largely driven by his own charisma, and he often appears to fight on the front lines.
Ousen
Ousen is Wang Ben's father and the current head of the Wang family. He is known for his distinctive black mask that hides his eyes. He is a military commander known for his military tactics, rivaling those of the Six Great Generals, as well as his fortress-building skills, reminiscent of Bai Qi, one of the Six Great Generals. Despite his talent, he has not yet distinguished himself. Apparently, this is due to his distorted desire to become king, making him a difficult character to distinguish between friend and foe. He has even said, "I'm only interested in battles I can absolutely win," and his ability to quickly retreat and slaughter his enemies with overwhelming strategy is striking.
Summary
So, what did you think? This article introduced the key generals of the Qin state. In addition to these quirky characters, you can imagine the intense and passionate men who lived during the Warring States period, when generals from six other states battled each other.
