Ranking of Kings | |
王様ランキング (Ōsama Rankingu) | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Manga | |
Written by | Sōsuke Tōka |
Published by |
|
English publisher |
|
Imprint | Beam Comix |
Magazine | Manga Hack |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Original run | May 20, 2017 – present |
Volumes | 18 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by |
|
Produced by |
|
Written by | Taku Kishimoto |
Music by | MAYUKO |
Studio | Wit Studio |
Licensed by | Crunchyroll |
Original network | Fuji TV (Noitamina) |
English network | |
Original run | October 15, 2021 – March 25, 2022 |
Episodes | 23 |
Anime television series | |
Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage | |
Directed by |
|
Produced by |
|
Written by | Taku Kishimoto |
Music by | MAYUKO |
Studio | Wit Studio |
Licensed by | Crunchyroll |
Original network | Fuji TV (Noitamina) |
Original run | April 14, 2023 – June 16, 2023 |
Episodes | 10 (19 segments) |
Ranking of Kings (王様ランキング, Ōsama Rankingu) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Sōsuke Tōka . It has been serialized online via Echoes' user-submitted Manga Hack website since May 2017 and has been collected in 18 tankōbon volumes by Enterbrain. The story follows the adventures of a little prince named Bojji, who was born deaf and tiny in size, and his friend Kage, a survivor of a wiped-out assassin clan, who understands Bojji's words despite him being unable to speak.
An anime television series adaptation produced by Wit Studio aired from October 2021 to March 2022 on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block. The spin-off series Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage aired from April to June 2023.
An anime film adaptation has been announced.
The title of the series refers to a same-named system by which a committee, acting in absentia for a race of powerful magical beings known as 'Gods', ranks the power and prosperity of the mortal world's many kings. The king that is bequeathed the number one ranking is entitled to a boon from the 'Divine Treasure Vault', a fabled stronghold brimming with untold riches and holy artifacts. While not all kings seek this power in earnest, the existence of the ranking and the ambitions of those who strive to sit atop it form the driving force of the narrative.
The story is about a little prince named Bojji who is deaf but above all naive, despite many criticisms from his people about his ascension to the throne, he does his best and dreams of becoming the greatest of kings. One day, he meets Kage (Shadow), a survivor of a wiped-out assassin clan, who understands his words despite Bojji being unable to speak due to his disability. The story follows the pair as they navigate the world and all of its adventures and darkness.
The inciting incident of the series' first arc is the death of Bojji's father, King Bosse, a legendary giant warrior who, in his prime, was widely renowned as the strongest man in the world. While Bojji's right to succession is affirmed by Bosse on his deathbed, there are those among the royal court that believe that Bojji's physical shortcomings make him unfit to rule and that his arrogant (but physically capable) younger half-brother, Prince Daida, is more suited for ascension. Chief among these dissenters is Bosse's widow and Daida's mother, Queen Hiling, who calls for a vote to circumvent Bosse's will and forgo Bojji's right to succession. The vote is passed and Daida is placed upon the throne.
Having been denied his birthright, Bojji requests he be allowed to undertake a journey so that he may gain experience and grow stronger. Hiling, who once had great affection for Bojji and regarded him as her own son, begrudgingly acquiesces. Unbeknownst to both of them, Daida, under the influence of an enigmatic figure, has set in motion a sinister plot to consolidate his power and achieve the position of number one in the Ranking of Kings.
Ranking of Kings is written and illustrated by Sōsuke Tōka . It has been serialized online via Echoes' user-submitted Manga Hack website since May 20, 2017, and has been collected in 18 tankōbon volumes by Enterbrain as of December 12, 2023.[10] The series is published in English digitally by BookLive on BookWalker.[11] In April 2023, it was announced that the manga has gone on hiatus.[12]
No. | Release date | ISBN |
---|---|---|
1 | February 12, 2019[13] | 978-4-04-735517-0 |
2 | February 12, 2019[14] | 978-4-04-735518-7 |
3 | April 12, 2019[15] | 978-4-04-735599-6 |
4 | June 12, 2019[16] | 978-4-04-735684-9 |
5 | August 10, 2019[17] | 978-4-04-735719-8 |
6 | December 12, 2019[18] | 978-4-04-735807-2 |
7 | April 11, 2020[19] | 978-4-04-735854-6 |
8 | August 12, 2020[20] | 978-4-04-736228-4 |
9 | December 11, 2020[21] | 978-4-04-736458-5 |
10 | April 12, 2021[22] | 978-4-04-736602-2 |
11 | August 12, 2021[23] | 978-4-04-736743-2 |
12 | December 10, 2021[24] | 978-4-04-736868-2 |
13 | April 12, 2022[25] | 978-4-04-737007-4 |
14 | August 12, 2022[26] | 978-4-04-737154-5 |
15 | December 12, 2022[27] | 978-4-04-737284-9 |
16 | April 12, 2023[28] | 978-4-04-737446-1 |
17 | August 12, 2023[29] | 978-4-04-737598-7 |
18 | December 12, 2023[10] | 978-4-04-737742-4 |
The anime television series adaptation was produced by Wit Studio and aired from October 15, 2021, to March 25, 2022, on Fuji TV's Noitamina block.[2][30][b] The series was directed by Yōsuke Hatta, with Taku Kishimoto supervising the series' scripts, Atsuko Nozaki designing the characters, and MAYUKO composing the series' music.[4] For cour 1, King Gnu performed the opening theme "Boy", while Yama performed the ending theme "Oz".[8][31] For the second cour, Vaundy performed the opening theme "Hadaka no Yūsha" ("Naked Hero"), while Milet performed the ending theme "Flare".[9] Funimation licensed the series for streaming outside of Asia.[32] Medialink licensed the series in Southeast Asia and streamed it on iQIYI and Netflix.[33][34] The Tokyo Federation for the Deaf supervises the sign language depicted in the show.[35] Funimation announced an English dub version of the show.[36]
In August 2022, a spin-off series, titled Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage (王様ランキング 勇気の宝箱, Ōsama Ranking: Yūki no Takarabako), was announced. The cast and staff from the anime series returned for the series.[37] It aired from April 14 to June 16, 2023, on Fuji TV's Noitamina block.[c] People 1 performed the opening theme "Gold", while Aimer performed the ending theme "Atemonaku" ("Aimlessly").[38] Crunchyroll licensed the series, and is streaming it along with an English dub.[39]
No. | Title [40][41] | Directed by [40] | Written by [40] | Storyboarded by [40] | Original air date [42] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "The Prince's New Clothes" Transliteration: "Hadaka no Ōji" (Japanese: 裸の王子) | Yōsuke Hatta | Taku Kishimoto | Yōsuke Hatta | October 15, 2021[d] |
2 | "The Prince and Kage" Transliteration: "Ōji to Kage" (Japanese: 王子とカゲ) | Makoto Fuchigami | Taku Kishimoto | Yōsuke Hatta | October 22, 2021 |
3 | "The New King" Transliteration: "Atarashii Kokuō" (Japanese: 新しい国王) | Kazuaki Imai | Taku Kishimoto | Kazuaki Imai | October 29, 2021[e] |
4 | "His First Journey" Transliteration: "Hajimete no Tabi" (Japanese: 初めての旅) | Makoto Fuchigami | Taku Kishimoto | Makoto Fuchigami | November 5, 2021 |
5 | "Intertwining Plots" Transliteration: "Karamiau Inbō" (Japanese: からみあう陰謀) | Masahiro Okamura | Taku Kishimoto | Shinobu Tagashira | November 12, 2021 |
6 | "The King of the Underworld" Transliteration: "Meifu no Ō" (Japanese: 冥府の王) | Hitomi Ezoe | Taku Kishimoto | Shintarō Nakazawa | November 19, 2021[e] |
7 | "The Prince's Apprenticeship" Transliteration: "Ōji no Deshiiri" (Japanese: 王子の弟子入り) | Shōta Goshozono | Taku Kishimoto | Shōta Goshozono | November 26, 2021[f] |
8 | "The Sacrifice of Dreams" Transliteration: "Yume no Ikenie" (Japanese: 夢のいけにえ) | Yumi Kamakura | Taku Kishimoto | Makoto Fuchigami | December 3, 2021[e] |
9 | "The Queen and the Shield" Transliteration: "Ōhi to Tate" (Japanese: 王妃と盾) | Arifumi Imai | Taku Kishimoto | Arifumi Imai | December 10, 2021 |
10 | "The Prince's Sword" Transliteration: "Ōji no Ken" (Japanese: 王子の剣) | Mai Teshima | Taku Kishimoto | Mai Teshima | December 17, 2021 |
11 | "Older and Younger Brothers" Transliteration: "Ani to Otōto" (Japanese: 兄と弟) | Ryōta Aikei | Taku Kishimoto | Ryōta Aikei | December 24, 2021[g] |
12 | "The Footsteps of War" Transliteration: "Tatakai no Ashioto" (Japanese: 戦いの足音) | Makoto Fuchigami | Taku Kishimoto | Shinsaku Sasaki | January 7, 2022 |
13 | "The Kingdom in Turmoil" Transliteration: "Ōkoku no Midare" (Japanese: 王国の乱れ) | Chihiro Kumano & Atsushi Nakagawa | Taku Kishimoto | Masayuki Miyaji | January 14, 2022[e] |
14 | "The Return of the Prince" Transliteration: "Ōji no Kikan" (Japanese: 王子の帰還) | Yumi Kamakura | Taku Kishimoto | Yumi Kamakura | January 21, 2022 |
15 | "The Order of the Underworld" Transliteration: "Meifu Kishidan" (Japanese: 冥府騎士団) | Hitomi Ezoe | Tomomi Kawaguchi | Shinsaku Sasaki | January 28, 2022 |
16 | "Royal Majesty" Transliteration: "Ō no Igen" (Japanese: 王の威厳) | Mai Teshima | Tomomi Kawaguchi | Yoshiki Kitai, Yōko Kanemori & Mai Teshima | February 4, 2022[h] |
17 | "The Curse of Immortality" Transliteration: "Fushi no Noroi" (Japanese: 不死の呪い) | Tomoko Hiramuki, Mitsutoshi Satō & Atsushi Nakagawa | Fūka Ishii | Hiroaki Shimura | February 11, 2022[h] |
18 | "Battle with the Gods" Transliteration: "Kamigami to no Arasoi" (Japanese: 神々との争い) | Makoto Fuchigami, Mitsutoshi Satō & Hitomi Ezoe | Fūka Ishii | Shintarō Nakazawa | February 18, 2022[h] |
19 | "The Last Bastion" Transliteration: "Saigo no Toride" (Japanese: 最後の砦) | Arifumi Imai | Taku Kishimoto | Atsushi Takahashi | February 25, 2022 |
20 | "Immortal vs. Invincible" Transliteration: "“Fujimi” tai ”Muteki”" (Japanese: “不死身” 対 ”無敵”) | Yumi Kamakura | Taku Kishimoto | Yumi Kamakura | March 4, 2022 |
21 | "The Swordsmanship of a King" Transliteration: "Ō no Ken" (Japanese: 王の剣) | Shōta Goshozono | Taku Kishimoto | Shōta Goshozono | March 11, 2022 |
22 | "A Promise to the Demon" Transliteration: "Majin to no Yakusoku" (Japanese: 魔神との約束) | Hitomi Ezoe | Taku Kishimoto | Yoshiki Kitai | March 18, 2022[g] |
23 | "The King and the Sun" Transliteration: "Ōsama to Taiyō" (Japanese: 王様と太陽) | Se Jun Kim & Yōsuke Hatta | Taku Kishimoto | Se Jun Kim & Yōsuke Hatta | March 25, 2022[i] |
No. | Title [43] | Directed by [43] | Written by [43] | Storyboarded by [43] | Original air date [44] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Kage's Errand" Transliteration: "Kage no Ōtsukai" (Japanese: カゲのおつかい) | Makoto Fuchigami | Tomomi Kawaguchi | Makoto Fuchigami | April 14, 2023[j] |
"The Prince and Money" Transliteration: "Ōji to Okane" (Japanese: 王子とお金) | |||||
2 | "Beasts of the Wilderness" Transliteration: "Arano no Shishi" (Japanese: 荒野の獣) | Yoshitane Hosogawa | Fūka Ishii | Atsushi Takahashi | April 21, 2023[e] |
"A Mysterious Desert" Transliteration: "Fushigina Sabaku" (Japanese: ふしぎな砂漠) | Tomoko Hiramuki | ||||
3 | "Hiling's Old Friend" Transliteration: "Hiringu no Kyūyū" (Japanese: ヒリングの旧友) | Makoto Fuchigami | Tomomi Kawaguchi | Shinsaku Sasaki | April 28, 2023 |
"Daida and Magic" Transliteration: "Daida to Mahō" (Japanese: ダイダと魔法) | Atsuko Nozaki | Atsuko Nozaki | |||
4 | "Immortality and the Three Brothers" Transliteration: "Fushi to Sankyōdai" (Japanese: 不死と三兄弟) | Yōsuke Hatta | Fūka Ishii | Yōsuke Hatta | May 5, 2023[i] |
5 | "The Laws of the Underworld" Transliteration: "Meifu no Okite" (Japanese: 冥府の掟) | Tagashira Shinobu | Fūka Ishii | Tagashira Shinobu | May 12, 2023[k] |
"A White Horse in Love" Transliteration: "Koisuru Hakuba" (Japanese: 恋する白馬) | |||||
"The Gentle Soldier, Hokuro" Transliteration: "Yasashiki Heishi Hokuro" (Japanese: 優しき兵士ホクロ) | |||||
6 | "Bojji the King" Transliteration: "Oni natta Bojji" (Japanese: 王になったボッジ) | Yoshiyuki Kaneko | Tomomi Kawaguchi | Yoshiyuki Kaneko | May 19, 2023[e] |
"The Melancholy of King Daida" Transliteration: "Daida O no Yūutsu" (Japanese: ダイダ王の憂鬱) | |||||
7 | "The Snake Charmer with the Crooked Smile" Transliteration: "Susukira Warai no Hebizukai" (Japanese: 薄ら笑いの蛇使い) | Yoshimichi Kameda | Tomomi Kawaguchi | Atsushi Takahashi | May 26, 2023[g] |
"The Big Four's Banquet" Transliteration: "Shitennō no Utage" (Japanese: 四天王の宴) | Yoshimichi Kameda | ||||
8 | "Kage's Yearning" Transliteration: "Kage no Akogare" (Japanese: カゲのあこがれ) | Makoto Fuchigami & Yoshitane Hosogawa | Fūka Ishii | Hikaru Saito | June 2, 2023 |
"A Great Mother" Transliteration: "Idaina Haha" (Japanese: 偉大な母) | Kaga Ryouya | Kaga Ryouya | |||
9 | "Miranjo and the Demon" Transliteration: "Miranjo to Majin" (Japanese: ミランジョと魔神) | Akino Fukuji | Fūka Ishii | Akino Fukuji | June 9, 2023 |
"The Prince and His Treasures" Transliteration: "Oji to Hōmotsu" (Japanese: 王子と宝物) | Makoto Fuchigami & Yoshitane Hosogawa | Makoto Fuchigami | |||
10 | "Return of the Sword King" Transliteration: "Kenō no Fukkatsu" (Japanese: 剣王の復活) | Yōsuke Hatta | Taku Kishimoto | Yōsuke Hatta | June 16, 2023[j] |
An anime film adaptation was announced on June 22, 2023.[45]
By December 2021, the manga had over 1.5 million copies in circulation.[24]
Ranking of Kings ranked sixth place on the Tsutaya Comic Awards 2019.[46] It ranked fifth on Manga Shimbun Taishō 2019.[47] The 2020 edition of Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi!, which surveys professionals in the manga and publishing industry, named Ranking of Kings the seventh best manga series for male readers.[48] The characters Bojji and Kage were nominated in the Best lead male actor and Best supporting male actor respectively, in the Magademy Award 2022.[49][50] Ranking of Kings was nominated in the Youth Selections category at the 50th Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2023.[51]
In China, the anime received acclaim from viewers for its heartwarming story. The show received nearly 48 million views on Bilibili with only 4 episodes available.[52]
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 6th Crunchyroll Anime Awards | Anime of the Year | Ranking of Kings | Nominated | [53][54] |
Best Boy | Bojji | Won | |||
Best Protagonist | Nominated | ||||
Best Character Design | Ranking of Kings | Nominated | |||
Best Fantasy | Nominated | ||||
Best VA Performance (FR) | Alexis Tomassian as Kage | Nominated | |||
Galaxy Awards | Monthly Galaxy Awards | Ranking of Kings | Won | [55] | |
12th Newtype Anime Awards | Best Mascot Character | Kage | 4th place | [56] | |
IGN Awards | Best Anime Series | Ranking of Kings | Nominated | [57] | |
2023 | 7th Crunchyroll Anime Awards | Anime of the Year | Nominated | [58] | |
Best Fantasy | Nominated | ||||
Best Animation | Nominated | ||||
Best Character Design | Atsuko Nozaki | Nominated | |||
Best Main Character | Bojji | Nominated | |||
Best Supporting Character | Kage | Nominated | |||
"Must Protect At All Costs" Character | Bojji | Nominated | |||
Kage | Nominated | ||||
Best Director | Yōsuke Hatta | Nominated | |||
Best Opening Sequence | "Hadaka no Yūsha" by Vaundy | Nominated | |||
Best VA Performance (English) | SungWon Cho as Kage | Nominated | |||
Best VA Performance (Arabic) | Adel Abo Hassoon as Kage | Nominated | |||
Best VA Performance (Castilian) | Marc Gómez as Daida | Nominated | |||
Mónica Padrós as Hiling | Nominated | ||||
Best VA Performance (French) | Alexis Tomassian as Kage | Nominated | |||
Brigitte Lecordier as Bojji | Won | ||||
Best VA Performance (Italian) | Andrea Oldani as Daida | Nominated | |||
2024 | 8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards | Best Fantasy | Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage | Nominated | [59] |
"Must Protect At All Costs" Character | Bojji | Nominated |