Yasuhisa Hara’s Kingdom turns 20 today — and the manga world’s biggest names have shown up to celebrate. A special Kingdom Magazine, published by Shueisha on 19 August 2026, marks two decades of Kingdom‘s serialisation with new art from Hara, an extended interview, and tribute illustrations from some of the most celebrated mangaka alive.
Twenty Years of War in the Warring States
Serialised in Weekly Young Jump since 26 January 2006, Kingdom follows Xin (Shin in Japanese) — a war orphan who rises through the ranks of Qin’s army alongside the future First Emperor of China, Ying Zheng. It is a sweeping, historically grounded epic set during ancient China’s Warring States period (475–221 BCE), now stretching across 79 volumes and over 120 million copies in circulation worldwide.
English-speaking readers got official access relatively recently: Viz Media launched the English translation in November 2025, with volumes available digitally on the Shonen Jump app and Manga Plus by Shueisha — both accessible to Singapore fans. All six anime seasons are also streaming on Crunchyroll.
Legends Pick Up the Brush
Throughout 2026, Kingdom‘s anniversary has drawn tribute artworks from mangaka who rarely pick up a pen for anyone outside their own series. Among those confirmed by multiple outlets:
- Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) drew Kingdom‘s protagonist Xin
- Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto) contributed a commemorative illustration
- Yoshihiro Togashi (Hunter x Hunter) drew a tribute piece for the anniversary
- Hirohiko Araki (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) recreated Ou Ki — the “Wyvern of Qin” Great General — in his unmistakable style, revealed in March 2026
- Takehiko Inoue (Slam Dunk, Vagabond) sent congratulations alongside a tribute illustration — a pointed gesture, given that Hara spent years as Inoue’s own assistant before creating Kingdom
- Sui Ishida (Tokyo Ghoul, Choujin X) recreated the panel in which Shin eliminates Rin Ko from Chapter 231
This kind of industry crossover — Jump, seinen, and independent voices all contributing — is a quiet acknowledgement that Kingdom belongs in the same conversation as manga’s most enduring epics.
What’s Inside Today’s Kingdom Magazine
The Kingdom Magazine — out today, 19 August — is the centrepiece of the anniversary campaign. The special issue carries new cover art and a collectible poster illustrated by Hara, making it a direct collectible for longtime fans. Inside, readers will find the results of the series’ third character popularity poll, which reveals how two decades of storytelling have shifted which generals and soldiers resonate most. An extended interview with Hara and a 20-year retrospective round out the issue.
Hara has been open about his intentions for the series going forward. “Thanks to all of our readers, we have been able to reach the 20th anniversary of serialisation,” he said at the start of the year. “However, the journey is not over yet. The story will continue to build even more momentum as it moves toward the unification of China.”
Where Singapore Fans Can Jump In
If you have been waiting for a reason to start Kingdom, this anniversary is it. The manga’s English volumes are available through major retailers and digitally via Manga Plus (free to read in Singapore). Crunchyroll streams all six anime seasons, with a seventh season sequel confirmed and already in production. The live-action film series, now at five entries, is also available on streaming.
If you enjoy the scale and historical grounding of series like Vinland Saga or the craft of Vagabond — and the fact that Oda, Kishimoto and Togashi all stopped their own work long enough to draw tribute art should tell you something — Kingdom at 20 remains one of manga’s most rewarding long reads. Explore more in our manga anime section.