Hametuno Kingdom, scheduled for broadcast as an anime in the fall of 2023, is set in a world where humans with advanced scientific technology coexist with witches who can use magic. The protagonist, raised by witches and the only human who can use magic, seeks revenge on the humans who brutally murdered his beloved teacher before his very eyes. Despite its dark and cruel plot, it's a captivating story. Today, I'd like to introduce the story while explaining the contents of Volume 1 of the original Hametuno Kingdom manga!
Story Part 1: The Existence of Witches
In the world of this work, there are beings known as "witches," who, while appearing human, are a different species and possess the power of magic. Witches used their magic to protect humans from disasters and epidemics, remaining good neighbors. Thanks to their help, humans lived healthy lives and developed advanced science and technology.
Story Part 2: The Witch Hunt Begins!
And now, in the present day, advanced civilization has given humans the power to kill witches, who wield magical powers, and they have begun to hunt them. Emperor Goethe of the Lydian Empire has decided to demonstrate his power and hunt down witches, so that humans can become independent and free from the existence of witches. While witches haven't done anything particularly bad to humans, humans, armed with the power of science, sought to free themselves from the complexes they had developed over their dependence on witches by eradicating them.
Story Part 3: Chloe the Frozen Witch and Adonis the Witch's Apprentice
Amidst this global situation, Chloe, a renowned witch also known as the Frozen Witch, and Adonis, a human apprentice to a witch, continue their journey in search of a place to settle down. For witches, magic is so special that it's considered part of their soul, and teaching it to someone, especially a human, is unthinkable. Despite this, Chloe showered her love on Adonis, and Adonis loved her back.
Story Part 4: Chloe is killed right in front of Adonis...
One day, while continuing their wandering lives, the two are suddenly summoned to the Imperial Plaza. This is due to a summoning device developed by the Empire. Dragged before Emperor Goethe, the two attempt to escape with the power of magic, but for some reason, their spells fail to activate. Their magical powers are neutralized by the Empire's magical photon suppressor, leaving them unable to offer any resistance. Chloe is riddled with bullets, her head is cut off, and her head is displayed on display.
Story Part 5: Adonis Swears Revenge
Adonis could not forgive the humans who had seen his beloved mentor humiliated and brutally murdered before his very eyes, laughing at his death and trampling on Chloe's dignity. Despite this, Adonis was not killed but instead sealed away somewhere in the Empire. Because Adonis was human and capable of using magic, he was sealed away rather than killed in order to study its methods. Adonis, an extremely, extremely, extremely dangerous person to humans, was sealed away within the Empire for the next 10 years.
Story Part 6: Mayhem Prison Camp, Administrative District 7
A large number of slaves were held in a facility in the Empire. The Empire built a super-scientific civilization and destroyed their neighboring witches. However, the world was not at peace, and conflict continued. The gap between rich and poor also seemed to be widening, leading to a large number of slaves being held in the prison camp. A kind-hearted slave girl, Doroka, protects her friend and is about to be forced into service as a disposable sex slave, but just before that happens, she steals the warden's smartphone and escapes. Using voice authentication, she frees the slaves and arrives at the room where Adonis is sealed.
Story Part 7: Adonis, Released from Seal, Begins the Massacre!
Released from his seal by Doroka, Adonis mercilessly kills the guards before him and begins his quest to kill every citizen of the Empire. Adonis was sealed away by the Empire and designated as a threat level SS, subject to indefinite confinement. However, the reason he wasn't killed on the spot was because he possessed the technology to use magic while remaining human. He was a valuable research subject for the Empire, and further research could have potentially enabled humanity to use magic, but the Empire ultimately failed to uncover this technology.
Story Part 8: Attack of the Colossus Soldier! Massacre all the women and children!
Using a technique called "Descriptive Summoning Magic," Adonis activates the Colossus Soldiers and begins the massacre. He shows no mercy to the peaceful people of the Empire, slaughtering them without distinction, including women and children. Aaaah! This is unbearable! Adonis, who had been sealed away for 10 years, repeatedly conducted thought experiments on how to massacre people efficiently. He then repeated his massacres as if to vent his frustration. Though he knew that his master, Chloe, would not want him to do so, Adonis seemed unwilling to stop until he had slaughtered every last human.
Story Part 9: The Imperial Army's Resistance!
The Imperial Army did not stand by silently in the face of Adonis's massacre. Yamato, Director of the Security Bureau, requested the activation of the magic photon suppressor that had once killed Chloe. Furthermore, they attempted to counter Adonis with military aircraft, tanks, and other weapons representing the pinnacle of scientific civilization. While they succeeded in destroying the Colossus Soldier with an airstrike from their military aircraft, they were unable to kill Adonis.
Story 10: The Emperor Falls Sick with an Incurable Illness
Meanwhile, Emperor Goethe, the mastermind behind Chloe's death and the witch hunt, was bedridden with an incurable illness. Goethe believed that humanity would not progress as long as witches existed, and that humanity should not rely on magic to forge its own path. The emperor believed he was doing the right thing for the advancement of humanity. However, some may wonder, then, is there really no need for witch hunts? The queen named Andromeda next to him seems suspicious.
Story 11: Doroka, the Witch Survivor
As Adonis continues his merciless massacre, one person rushes to his aid. It's Doroka, the kind-hearted woman who unsealed Adonis at the concentration camp. Doroka convinces Adonis that Chloe doesn't want him to continue his slaughter. Adonis becomes enraged when Chloe's name is mentioned, but Doroka explains that she is the only surviving witch. The few witches who survived the witch hunt 10 years ago are working on a plan to rescue Adonis. Droka had infiltrated the Empire as a slave, waiting for an opportunity to rescue Adonis.
Story 12: Chloe Returns to Life!?
Adonis is enraged that his fellow witch, Chloe, was abandoned to her death, but the other witches were doing their best to escape. Adonis is angry that an apology won't bring Chloe back to life, but Droka says he can bring her back to life. However, to do so, he needs Chloe's memories, which Adonis possesses. After hearing the story, Adonis finally listens to Droka's story and sheds tears, realizing that Chloe can be brought back to life. It seems there really is a way to bring Chloe back to life!
Story 13: Doroka is Shot Dead
Adonis is filled with hope when he hears that Chloe will come back to life, but the next moment, Doroka is shot dead by an unknown assailant. Just as hope was born, Doroka is shot dead, as if to shatter it. Once again, Adonis can see nothing but despair. What will he do next?
[Kingdom of Hell] Volume 1 Story Summary
Here's a summary of the first volume of the comics for the upcoming anime, Kingdom of Hell, scheduled to air in the fall of 2023! While it's only the first volume, the intense content and fast-paced plot are seriously fascinating! It's a dark fantasy themed around revenge, and while it's violent and brutal, it also has some refreshing moments, making it well worth the watch! I'm sure it'll be a great anime, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out!
