Kingdom Season 1 – 4 Endings Recap

Kingdom is the perfect anime for Vinland Saga’s fans as it’s a historical anime with the Warring States period of China as the backdrop.

It has aptly depicted its era, which will make you feel as though you have slipped in the past, in 476 BC, with the wars and politics to engage your mind.

Since, Kingdom Season 5 has started airing on January 6, 2024, it’s a good time to have a recap of the previous seasons and how they ended to revive your memory.

1. Kingdom Season 1 Ending Explained

Kingdom Season 1 sets the stage for the plot, as Shin and Ei Sei develop a strong friendship as they both need each other to fulfill their aspirations and take a stance against corrupt politics.

With the tragic death of Ri Hyou, Shin’s sworn brother, due to politics, a fire of revenge and determination was lit in him to fulfill his shared goal with Hyou of becoming the “Greatest General under the Heavens”.

Shin became a close friend of Ei Sei, the young king of the State of Qin, in exile, as Ei Sei aspired to reclaim his throne and unite China, ushering in a new era to light.

In this sense, they both shared similar aspirations and developed mutual respect.

Shin and Ei Sei allied with the astute strategist, Ka Ryo Ten to fight against the corrupt politics and the forces working against Ei Sei.

2. Kingdom Season 2 Ending Explained

Kingdom Season 2 ends with Shin taking up conquests to get stronger, meanwhile Ei Sei faces challenges in the state of Qin.

It had been a year since the Battle of Bayou, and Shin had made notable progress as he was the commander of a 300-man unit, the Hi Shin Unit.

However, he still hadn’t reached his complete potential and so he went on various conquests to raise his rank.

In the conquest of Wei, Shin met two people who had skilled battle prowess that matched his.

Meanwhile, Ei Sei was facing new enemies in the state of Qin. Both, Ei Sei and Shin had their hands full.

3. Kingdom Season 3 Ending Explained

Kingdom Season 3 ends with the retreat of the coalition army and Pang Nuan, which was a huge relief for Ei Sei and the Qin army.

This season had started off with the sudden and heated invasion of the Coalition army including the states of Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qi.

This was no easy task for the Qin army, to face the armies of 6 states, however, they were able to fight valiantly and hold them off.

In the end, there was a duel between Shin and Pang Luan, the Supreme Commander of the state of Zhao.

Shin was able to face Pang Luan this time, even though he faced some serious injuries, however, Shin was able to scar Pang Luan. 

Things were resolved when the Allied forces convinced Pang Luan to retreat because if the duel went on it would lead to more chaos.

4. Kingdom Season 4 Ending Explained

Kingdom Season 3 ends with Ei Sei trying to maintain order in the state of Qin after the invasion by the Coalition army.

Due to the events of the battle with the Coalition army, China was thrown into a whirlwind state of economic recovery.

Within Qin, there was political conflict brewing with parties led by Ei Sei and Ryo Fui.

On top of that, some people wanted to take advantage of the economic and political instability to start a civil war.

Ryo Fui had sly plans for Ei Sei’s upcoming crowning ceremony.

Meanwhile, the Zhao army was approaching Qin to attack again, since Shin was abroad fighting in the state of Wei and successfully subduing Ai’s rebellion.

Ryo Fui suggested that Ei Sei take command of the troops to fight back.

However, Ei Sei’s half-brother, Sei Kyou took the lead and this fostered a deeper connection between the two brothers.

Fortunately, the Zhao army retreated within merely half a day of battling the army led by Sei Kyou.

The next season will be an explosive one as the bubbling political conflict will erupt and set the Koku You Campaign arc in motion.

5. About Kingdom

Kingdom is a Japanese seinen manga series written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara.

The manga provides a fictionalised account of the Warring States period primarily through the experiences of the war orphan Xin and his comrades.

In the story, Xin fights to become the most significant general under the heavens, and in doing so, unifying China for the first time in history.