Amid a strong theatrical run in Japan, Funimation Films, the theatrical division of Sony Pictures Television’s Funimation, today announced its acquisition of the new live-action epic “Kingdom.” Produced on a grand scale by Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan, “Kingdom” is a major motion picture based on the bestselling adventure-historical manga series of the same name and presents a fictionalized account of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) of ancient China through the eyes of Li Xin, one-time orphan and future great general, who helps unify the country under the Qin dynasty and its emperor. Directed by Shinsuke Sato, the highly-anticipated film premiered on April 19 in Japan, where it has grossed more than $31 Million to date. Funimation Films plans to release “Kingdom” this summer in both the U.S. and Canada.
“We’re thrilled to bring this incredible adaptation of ‘Kingdom’ by director Shinsuke Sato to the U.S. and Canada this summer,” said Mitchel Berger, vice president of sales and distribution for Funimation. “This film is a truly epic and sets a new bar for anime and manga live-action adaptations on the same scale as a major Hollywood production. Audiences everywhere will be wowed by ‘Kingdom.’”
Laine Kline, head of Sony Pictures International Productions, said, “Now, with our sister company, Funimation, we are able to leverage the power of “One Sony” and truly maximize the potential of Japanese language pictures like “Kingdom” in the United States and Canada.”
Ranked as one of the Top 10 best-selling manga of 2018, “Kingdom” is written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara and first debuted in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in January 2006. To date, there are a total of 54 volumes in the manga series with an estimated 40+ Million copies in print around the world. A two-season “Kingdom” anime series was produced by Studio Pierrot and premiered in 2012.
The complete episodes from Season 1 & 2 are available in ad-free, HD streaming on FunimationNow. Both seasons are also available on DVD viafunimation.com or from select retailers. The film’s director Shinsuke Sato is well known for other live-action adaptations including “GANTZ,” ‘Bleach,” “I Am a Hero” and “Death Note: Light Up the New World.”
