The highly anticipated Japanese historical blockbuster “Kingdom: Tamashī no Kessen” (Soul Battle) is set for a nationwide release on July 17, 2026, featuring one of Japan’s most star-studded casts. The highlight is the appearance of acclaimed actor Oguri Shun as the infamous villain Riboku.
“Kingdom: Tamashī no Kessen” marks the fifth installment in the acclaimed live-action series adapted from Yasuhisa Hara’s manga of the same name, serialized continuously in Weekly Young Jump (Shueisha) since 2006. Although set during China’s Warring States period, Kingdom is a purely Japanese production with an all-Japanese cast, director, and crew.
The new chapter continues from the Battle of Mayang in part four: after inheriting the weapons and spirit of the great General Ouki, Li Xin (Shin), played by Yamazaki Kento, embarks on a series of battles driven by his dream to be remembered in history. Meanwhile, a coalition of six vassal states launches a massive attack on Qin, led by the brilliant strategist Riboku (Oguri Shun). King Ei Sei (Yoshizawa Ryo) and his generals must find a way to turn the tide against their most formidable enemy yet.
The screenplay is co-written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa (known for Black Butler and Golden Kamuy) and Yasuhisa Hara himself. The score is composed by Yutaka Yamada, famed for his work on Bleach and Golden Kamuy. Director Satō Shinsuke returns for his fifth consecutive film in the series, maintaining the consistent vision that has defined the franchise, having previously directed the live-action adaptations of Bleach, Gantz, and Death Note: Light Up the NEW World.
A Cast Worth Hundreds of Millions
One of the biggest draws of Kingdom 5 is its all-star cast. The series gathers some of Japan’s most valuable actors, each reportedly earning tens of millions of yen per project.
Yamazaki Kento continues to be the heart of the series as Li Xin (Shin), the orphaned warrior aspiring to become a great general. After four consecutive films, Kento has turned this character into one of modern Japanese cinema’s most beloved war heroes. Beyond Kingdom, he is widely recognized across Asia for his roles in hit dramas like Alice in Borderland and Death Note.
Yoshizawa Ryo returns as King Ei Sei (Doanh Chính), the young monarch determined to unify the land. Across five films, Yoshizawa has convincingly portrayed the king’s journey from an uncertain youth to a commanding emperor.
The most eagerly awaited performance is Oguri Shun as Riboku, the genius strategist of Zhao leading the six-state alliance against Qin. Born in 1982, Oguri is one of Japan’s top actors with a career spanning over 30 years. He rose to fame as Hanazawa Rui in the drama Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers, 2005), showcased his range in films like Crows Zero and Gintama, and even appeared in Hollywood’s Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). With over 100 films and dramas to his name, Oguri guarantees quality in any project. Though introduced in part four, part five finally positions Riboku as the central antagonist facing Qin’s forces head-on.
Alongside the core trio, part five features a host of major names: Hashimoto Kanna as Kyoukai, Shison Jun as Mouten, Kamio Fuju as Ouhon, Sakaguchi Kenji as Kanki, Yamada Yuki, Toyokawa Etsushi, and veterans like Tamaki Hiroshi, Sato Koichi, and Takashima Masahiro. The film also introduces 10 new actors, including Katsuya as Kanmei, a fierce general known for his formidable strength and battlefield prowess.
Aiming to Break Box Office Records
The Kingdom live-action series is one of the most successful Japanese franchises of the Reiwa era (since 2019). The first film (2019) earned 5.73 billion yen, the third (2023) set the highest opening weekend among the first three films, and the fourth (July 2024) became the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film opening ever, surpassing 8 billion yen in total revenue. It remains the only series with four consecutive films each earning over 5 billion yen, according to Kogyo Tsushinsha.
Riding on this momentum, Toho aims for a 10 billion yen milestone with “Kingdom: Tamashī no Kessen,” fueled by its star-studded cast and an even more intense storyline. The official 90-second trailer released by TOHO Movies has already attracted millions of views within days.