Exciting news awaits fans of manga, as the highly acclaimed series Kingdom may soon be making its official debut in the United States. This historical epic has captivated audiences for years but has been absent from U. S.distribution due to licensing hurdles. A recent report indicates that this might soon change, offering hope to shonen enthusiasts eager to explore this rich narrative.
Earlier this week, reports emerged suggesting that retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, had briefly listed the first two volumes of Kingdom in e-book format. Although these listings were promptly removed, they signal a potential release this year. The publisher cited in these listings is Viz Media, the renowned company behind successful titles like Naruto, One Piece, and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Interestingly, these listings hinted at a release date of December 16, 2025, although official confirmation is still pending. Nonetheless, there are several compelling reasons to support Kingdom’s entrance into the U. S.market.
A Long-Awaited Licensing Opportunity
Shin’s Journey to North America in 2025?
Created by the talented Yasuhisa Hara, Kingdom is recognized as one of the best-selling manga series worldwide, boasting over 100 million copies sold globally. However, U. S.audiences have been left in the dark due to licensing restrictions. Its thrilling large-scale battles have garnered immense global popularity, leading to persistent requests from American fans for its release.
The prolonged wait for an English translation has puzzled many, especially given that less popular titles from Shueisha have already made their way to English-speaking audiences. While the reasons for this delay remain unclear, fans speculate that the manga’s extensive length—having started its journey in 2006 and amassing nearly two decades of content—may have raised concerns among publishers about the commitment required for production. Nevertheless, the significant global growth of the manga industry could now encourage a shift in perspective.
According to Amazon, the anticipated licensing indicates that the English version will retain the original Chinese names of the characters, a move that could preserve the manga’s authenticity and appeal to die-hard fans.
Furthermore, Viz Media has a track record of successfully licensing popular manga series, recently acquiring titles like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run. The hint about future licensing announcements scheduled for January 31 could present a golden opportunity to unveil Kingdom to its eager audience. Notably, January 2025 marks the manga’s 19th anniversary—a fitting occasion to introduce this beloved series to English readers.
Kingdom’s Long-Overdue English Licensing
Kingdom is not just recognized as one of the most significant seinen mangas; it is also lauded as one of the finest manga titles ever created. Providing an engaging glimpse into a captivating historical era, the series skillfully blends fictional elements with historical events, offering readers both entertainment and education. If a publisher steps forward to license Kingdom for the U. S.market, the dedicated fanbase will undoubtedly welcome it with open arms.
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