Kingdom presents a live-action take on Yasuhisa Hara’s manga, unfolding within China's era of conflict and featuring recognizable historical figures—resulting in an interesting narrative. Transforming manga into film is inherently difficult because fans have such specific ideas about how it should look, but this production demonstrates considerable care and work. This assessment considers only the movie itself, as I haven’t experienced the original manga material. The plot explores ambition, devotion, and bonds of kinship, primarily following Shin and Eisei's efforts to restore Eisei's rightful position. Problems emerge swiftly, both from within and outside their circle, creating suspense through battles and political maneuvering. The film concludes with noticeable development in the characters’ arcs, although certain combat sequences don’t quite generate enough excitement. The performances are a strong point, particularly Ryo Yoshizawa’s portrayal of two different characters and Kento Yamazaki's energetic action work, which suits Shin’s difficult past. Production quality is noteworthy, featuring realistic environments, clothing, and skillful camerawork that elevates important moments. Kingdom should be seen by those who enjoy manga adaptations or war-based action movies; it delivers a lot of exciting sequences.

Source on TMDB