The original work is a Sengoku battle manga by Yasuhisa Hara. Serialized in Weekly Young Jump since 2006, the first anime season began airing in 2012, the second in 2013, and the third in 2020. A PlayStation Portable game was released in 2010, and a live-action film was released in 2019, making it a popular work that has been adapted into various media. The story is set in China during the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period. The protagonist, Shin, a war orphan, and Sei, who would later become the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, strive to achieve something no one has ever accomplished before: unify China. While the story is based on historical facts, the personalities and appearances of the characters, as well as the battles between the various countries, have been adapted for an easy-to-follow and entertaining manga format. This article will provide a summary of Shin's first battle against the Wei Kingdom, based on the original work. Please note that this article contains spoilers, so if you haven't seen it yet, please be careful!
Shin's First Battle
After reclaiming the throne from Kyou, Sei prepares for the battle against Lü Buwei while ruling the country as King of Qin. The mountain people who helped him return to the mountains, and Sei and Yang Duanhe begin to exchange information regularly. Shin is given land and a home, and he waits for an opportunity to join the battlefield. Diao accompanies Shin without returning to the mountains. While hiding the fact that she is a woman... Shin trains hard while recovering, and when he sees a conscription sign in town, he eagerly heads off to the battlefield. On the battlefield, they fight in squads of five called "corps." These five are led by a corporal, but members who have been to battle many times are called upon by excellent corporals, and corps are made up of familiar faces. On his first battle, Shin is left behind, unaware of the existence of corporals... Corporal Sawa, who is unpopular among the corporals, gathers together Shin, who is left over, along with his fellow countrymen Ohira and Oto, and the taciturn child swordsman Kyoukai, to form a corps.
What is "Go"?
In 359 BC, Qin's Prime Minister, Shang Yang, implemented the "10-Go System." This system established groups of 10 and 5, requiring them to monitor each other and share collective responsibility. These groups of five were called "Go," and their leader was called a "Corporal." In the Qin army, the "Go" was the basic unit, a community of shared destiny that always worked together.
Emergency! The target castle has been captured?!
Shin and his companions, the remaining corps, introduce themselves and continue their march. Shin, on his first battle, is surprised to see so many troops in the army, and cannot hide his excitement. Shin and the rest of the 4th Army are about to enter Maru Castle, home to General Kogo, feared as the "Star-Eyed Black Dragon." General Kogo is a born warrior, and he always sends his troops to the hottest battlefields, preferring to fight in deadly situations, so everyone avoids him. Corporal Sawa is reluctant, but Shin, eager to achieve military success as soon as possible, is excited. Then, he receives urgent news. Maru Castle had fallen to the Wei Kingdom, and General Hekko had been killed in battle. The one who had taken Maru Castle was General Wu Qing, the chief guest of Lord Xinling, one of the Four Warring States. The soldiers were anxious about the arrival of this formidable enemy, but Shin showed no signs of intimidation.
Reunion with Heki
The infantrymen continued their march, chatting as they walked, but skirmishes also broke out. Shin and the other remaining group were mocked by those around him, and he became enraged, creating a tense situation... Then comes word that a cavalry commander of 1,000 men will be passing by. All the infantry line up and wait for the cavalry to pass. Corporal Sawa says that many of the commanders are hot-tempered, and that some have previously broken ranks and been slashed. As everyone lines up nervously, Shin sees the commander's face and jumps in front of the cavalry. The cavalry commander is none other than the big brother from the wall who fought alongside them to reclaim the throne! Even the infantry who had been making fun of Shin can't hide their surprise at seeing him talking so amicably with the commander. It's refreshing to watch something like this.
Kaibe painfully realizes his own powerlessness
Kaibe delivers a speech to the infantry, raising their morale. Shangroku, watching, believes that Kaibe has gained confidence from the rebellion of Sei. However, Kai says the opposite is true. The factors that put down the rebellion were Masa's drive, the overwhelming military might of the mountain people, and the efforts of his servant, Shin. He painfully feels powerless and insignificant as a direct subject of the king. After discussing this with Shobunkun, Shobunkun decided to become Prime Minister, the pinnacle of civil service, while Kabe decided to become General, the pinnacle of military service.
Shin Opens the Way
Shin and his men were stationed at the front of the Bakutoshin Corps. As the battle finally began, Ohei and Otoi were filled with fear. Meanwhile, Shin, who had been waiting for this day for a long time, remained calm. With the signal to charge, the Qin army charged simultaneously toward the Wei army. To counter this Qin army, the Wei army took up a defensive formation called a rock formation, equipped with shields and spears. This would have meant that the front line of the Qin army would have been impaled and wiped out. However, Shin dashed into the Wei army and scattered the rock formation. An opening had appeared where Shin had passed, allowing the Qin army to charge in all at once. Shin's suicide attack gave the Qin army the upper hand. Shin's fighting style amazed Corporal Sawa and the soldiers, who had been to the battlefield many times, and proved that Shin was more than just talk.
Kyou Kai's Barrier
Shin and his men were fending off the front lines when a Wei army armored tank unit appeared. Shin and his men managed to survive the first wave, but Corporal Sawa warned them that the second wave was the main body of the tank unit. If a second wave were to arrive, the infantry would be wiped out. Meanwhile, Kyou Kai comes up with a plan. They built a wall of corpses and used shields and spears to form a defensive formation. It resembled the rock formations used by the Wei army. Noticing that the chariot's speed had slowed due to the obstacle, Qiang Qi remarked, "Now's the time to aim." Hearing this, Shin seized his horse and aimed for the chariot itself.
Bakkoshin sacrifices himself to kill the enemy general
Shin and his men escaped the armored tank assault, but now they were attacked by a cavalry force of 10,000. Bakutoshin, the general to which Shin and his men belong, attempts to turn the tide of battle from this predicament. Bakutoshin declares that he will kill Miyamoto, the Wei deputy general, who is at the top of the hill. Naturally, the infantry are exhausted and morale is low. He promises honor and a reward ten times the usual amount to anyone who makes it to the top, boosting morale. He also says he needs at least one cavalryman, and asks Shin, who is on horseback, to join the cavalry. The Qin cavalry gallops to the top of the hill and arrives at Miyamoto's location. Miyamoto, blind and battered, stabs Bakutoshin with his sword, but Bakutoshin sacrifices his own life to kill Miyamoto, the Wei deputy general. The Qin army kills the deputy general, but the Wei garrison, located halfway up the hill, is closing in. Shin and his men are fewer than ten men against a garrison of over a thousand... The Qin army prepares to descend the hill with Miyamoto's head, but when he sees Bakutoshin, Shin declares he will stay and fight. Seeing this, Bakutoshin tells Shin, "Braveness is not the same as recklessness," and urges him to leave the hill. Hearing the dying words of the commander of a thousand men, Shin matures once again.
Meeting General Ou Ki
With Wei's general Wu Qing making his move, Shin and his men are trapped. If they flee after defeating Miyamoto and taking the hill, the Qin will have no chance of victory. Then, the Qin's great general Ou Ki, who was supposed to be retired, appears. While participating in a battle without permission is considered a crime, Ou Ki says he simply wants to cross the hill and advance. With the "Monster Bird of Qin" Ou Ki leading the charge, the Ou Ki forces transformed into demons, quickly dispatching the Wei soldiers. The Kabe and Shang Lu troops followed, and the Qin army successfully seized the hill. Shin was horrified by Ou Ki's sudden appearance. He had no idea whether he was friend or foe, or what kind of person he was, but he could sense Ou Ki's overwhelming presence. Ou Ki had heard that Lord Changwen was supporting Shin, but he declared, "This is a disappointment." Shin resisted, but Ou Ki's spear was aimed at his throat. Shin was helpless against Ou Ki's attitude, as if he could take his life at any moment, and Kabe intervened to resolve the situation.
Where is Ou Ki Heading?
Ou Ki said he simply wanted to cross the hill and advance, but where was he headed? This was under the command of General Lian Po, one of the Three Great Generals of Zhao. Unsatisfied with Zhao's methods, Lian Po rebelled in Zhao and fled to Wei. Wang Qi, with whom he had spoken many times during battles, was heading to Wei to express his gratitude.
Shin Learns What it Means to be a General from Wang Qi
Until now, Shin had only vaguely aspired to become a general. However, his conversation with Wang Qi gives him a glimpse into what it means to be a general. A general is not just someone who is strong, but also someone who uses their intelligence and has complete control over the battlefield. By speaking directly with Ou Ki, the greatest general in the world, Shin's perspective on the battlefield must have changed. Seeing the great general of the Wei army before him, Shin borrows Ou Ki's horse and rides off to the battlefield. Shin, who never used honorific language with anyone, uses honorific language when borrowing the horse because he is attracted not only by Ou Ki's strength or rank, but by his very existence. Even so, Shin's courage to converse normally with Ou Ki is incredible.
The clash at last!! Bai Gong and Wu Qing
After defeating Shu Oni and Ma Oni, nicknamed "General Hunters," the Qin army's general, Bai Gong, charges toward the enemy's main camp. The bloody battle between the two sides has finally reached its final stage. With over 10,000 soldiers facing off, this one-on-one duel between the two generals is a surefire way to defeat the wise general Wu Qing in battle. Everyone in the Qin army thought so. However, once the battle began, the two were evenly matched. With the backing of the Wei army's loud cheers, Wu Qing was able to go toe-to-toe with Bai Gong. However, only those who truly did not know Bai Gong thought this, and Bai Gong, who was trying to get to know Wu Qing, had not shown his full potential. After learning why the wise general Wu Qing had ultimately turned to military force, Bai Gong gave him his final words of encouragement as the Great General of Qin. The difference in strength between Bai Gong and Wu Qing when he was serious was clear. And so the battle came to an end with the victory of Qin.
Why Wu Qing Turned to Martial Arts
Wu Qing, a wise general, was by no means confident in his martial arts skills. Nevertheless, his determination to face Bai Gong in one-on-one combat was fueled by his hatred for the invaders. Wu Qing, a member of the royal family of the small country of Jia, had been exiled to the state of Wei after his country was destroyed by the state of Zhao. Even the cold-hearted Wu Qing could not back down from the invaders due to his resentment for losing his country. In the end, Wu Qing gave in to his passion and challenged Bai Gong. Even Bai Gong recognized his determination.
The End of the Battle and the Return Home
After defeating Wei General Wu Qing, the Qin army raised a victory cry, and the Wei army retreated. The infantrymen were worried that the Wei army would continue to attack Lingyang Castle, but Hyoko announced to the entire army that they were returning home. Hyoko explained that the victory had come at the cost of many casualties, and with such exhausted forces, it would be very difficult to achieve another victory so quickly. Hyoko is a skilled military commander, but as the supreme commander, he is not exactly a bully. Although Ou Ki only stopped by on an errand, his glaring gaze from the hilltop likely played a major role in the victory.
Shin Takes a Step Closer to His Dream
Shin excelled in the battle against Wei, but his age and appearance make it hard to believe he was a hero in battle. Shin tries to buy armor at a weapons shop, but they won't sell it to him. While he's yelling, Tan'yu, a hero of the Fourth Army, appears. Tan'yu tells the villagers about Shin's exploits as a cavalryman. The villagers were astonished when they heard Ta'ari's story. Shin had risen from infantry to the rank of Hundred-Man Commander, commanding a unit of 100 men, in just one battle. While this promotion is unthinkable, it's well-deserved given Shin's achievements! Thanks to Ta'ari, Shin was able to secure his armor. While he still has a long way to go before he becomes the greatest general in the world, he has come a little closer to his dream.
Summary of Season 1 Part 2: The Battle of Qin vs. Wei (Spoiler Alert!)
What did you think? Shin's first battle is against the Wei Kingdom. After meeting General Ou Ki and witnessing the battle between the commanding generals Bai Gong and Wu Qing, Shin learns a little about what it means to be a general. While Shin is still far from his dream, let's look forward to seeing what he does as a commander of 100 men! !!
