"Ranking of Kings" is a manga posted on the manga sharing website "Manga Hack." It's a popular work with a cumulative circulation of over 1.5 million copies, and the anime that aired in 2021 also garnered a lot of attention. A new series is also scheduled to air in April, creating a buzz. While the illustrations are cute and picture-book-like, the story is profound, exploring the complexities of human relationships and the protagonist's struggles. A key aspect of the work is the relationship between the protagonists, Bojji and Kage. This time, we'll explore this relationship from various perspectives!
What kind of story is it?
Despite being born to giant parents, the protagonist Bojji is very small in stature. He is so weak that he can barely wield a dagger, let alone a stone. He is also mute and deaf. Despite his many handicaps, he aspires to be strong and dreams of becoming king, but those around him ridicule him, believing he is not cut out for the role. However, one day, he makes a friend named "Kage," and his life changes dramatically. Bojji and Kage's adventure is about to begin.
Are Bojji and Kage friends?
The answer to the question of whether Bojji and Kage are "friends" is simply yes. In the story, Kage is portrayed as Bojji's only friend. Kage was originally a pickpocket thief, and became interested in Bojji as he continued to steal his clothes. Bojji was treated coldly after coming home naked and cried in his room, and when Kage found out, he promised to be friends with him and the two became close. Bojji is not good at speaking, but for some reason Kage seems to understand what Bojji is saying and acts as his interpreter. Bojji is also deaf, but after learning lip reading from the giant snake Mitsumata, he is now able to understand the actions of others by their mouths, even without sign language. After his life was saved by Bojji and Hilling (Bojji's stepmother), Mitsumata began to teach him various techniques, and Bojji is able to acquire not only lip reading skills but also evasive skills to avoid enemy attacks.
The Secret of Kage's Body
Kage stole Bojji's clothes, but where exactly did he hide them? In fact, there's a storage compartment for stolen clothing on his body. When he followed Bojji to the castle, he stole not only Bojji's clothes, but also valuables and medicine. What's inside Kage's body as he crawls along the ground? If he can store anything without limit, his body must be like a black hole. While Kage's thievery isn't something to be praised for under normal circumstances, it can be useful in times of need. When Healing ran out of potions, Kage saved her by handing over some he had stolen. Depending on how it's used, this ability can prove extremely useful. Kage's body can be considered a convenient storage facility.
Was Kage the sole survivor of his clan?
Kage was originally a member of the Kage clan, and he'd always been involved in bad behavior. Kage grew up constantly being told by his mother that he had done bad things and would not have a good death. One day, the Clan of Light discovered that the Kage Clan was planning to assassinate the king of a certain country. The Clan of Light wiped out the entire Kage Clan, with the exception of Kage. Kage was the only one who survived thanks to a woman named Miss Poise. Kage was hidden by his mother, but when the Clan of Light caught up with him and it seemed like all was lost, Miss Poise hid Kage inside a stuffed animal. Thanks to this, Kage was able to escape.
Summary of Bojji and Kage's Relationship
Kage became good friends with Bojji and served as his interpreter, as he was deaf and speechless. Kage, who made a living as a thief, had a major life change when he met Bojji. Just as Kage changed Bojji's life, Bojji also had a major impact on Kage's. It will be interesting to see how the two continue to overcome obstacles together! I'm looking forward to the new series starting in April. That's all for now. Thank you for reading.
