Kingdom is a retelling of the events of the Warring States period based off various historical sources, including the Shiji amongst other sources. The Shiji was recorded in traditional Chinese 汉字 (Hanzi), and the text characters used can often be read as 漢字 (Kanji), albeit with a different reading.
The original Japanese texts often provided their own readings for the names of characters and locations that differs from how the original characters would be pronounced in Mandarin, and the romanization of these Japanese pronunciations were what fans adopted up until the series received an official English translation in 2025. Sometimes, a particular Hanzi was not adopted into the set of Kanji used in Japanese, and in those cases, the closest approximations were used.
The names of certain characters include their titles - For example Duke Hyou, or less obviously, Gaku Haku Kou. This is because the character "公" (jp: Kou; cn: Gōng) is also a title used by Chinese officials. This character is rarely used as part of names (e.g. Kou Son Ryuu), especially in a time when people were given titles like "Lord of Bu'an" and treated those titles as names.
Chinese titles are appended to the end of a name, unlike titles in English, which are appended to the front of one's name (e.g. Duke). It is important to note that not every "Kou" seen as part of a character's name necessarily translates to the "公" character, for example the character Kou.
Titles seen relatively frequently within Kingdom include:
- "公" (jp: Kou; cn: Gōng) - Duke,[1] as in Duke Hyou, Ko Haku Kou
- "君" (jp: Kun; cn: Jūn) - Lord,[1] as in Shou Hei Kun, Shun Shin Kun
- "子" (jp: Shi; cn: Zǐ) - Viscount,[1] as in Kan Pishi, Jun Shi
- "伯" (jp: Haku, cn: Bó) - Earl,[1] as in Earl Shi, Earl Rai, Kotsu Min Haku
The title of "王" (jp: Ou; cn: Wáng) is worth mentioning, which, as a standalone character, is the title of "King". 王 is also a family name; the Qin military is rife with members of the 王 family, most notably Ou Ki, Ou Sen, and Ou Hon. Since the 王 character is not at the end of their names, we can safely assume that it is not a salutation, and that the 王 refers to their family name.
Translation of Names[]
Locations[]
| States | ||
|---|---|---|
| English | Japanese (Romaji) | Chinese (Pinyin) |
| Qin | 秦 (Shin) | 秦 (Qín) |
| Zhao | 趙 (Chō) | 趙/赵 (Zhào) |
| Chu | 楚 (So) | 楚 (Chǔ) |
| Wei | 魏 (Gi) | 魏 (Wèi) |
| Han | 韓 (Kan) | 韓 (Hán) |
| Yan | 燕 (En) | 燕 (Yàn) |
| Qi | 齊 (Se) | 齊/齐 (Qí) |
| Nanyue (Mu Ta) | 南越 () | 南越 (Nán Yuè) |
| Cities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | State | Japanese (Romaji) | Chinese (Pinyin) | Note(s) |
| Heibei Village | Qin | 黑卑村 (Kokuhi Mura) | 黑卑村 (Hēibēi cūn) | Where He Liao Diao made her first appearance.[2] |
| Xianyang | Qin | 咸陽 | 咸阳 (Xiányáng)[note 1] | Capital of Qin.[3] |
| Changping | Zhao | 長平 (Chouhei) | 长平 (Chángpíng) | Location of the Battle of Changping |
Characters[]
| Characters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Japanese (Romaji) | Chinese (Pinyin) | Note(s) | |
| Li Xin | 李信 (Ri Shin) | 李信 (Lǐ Xìn) | ||
| Li Piao | 李漂 (Ri Hyou) | 李漂 (Lǐ Piāo) | ||
| Lidian | 里典 (Ri Ten) | 里典 (Lǐ diǎn) | Lǐ diǎn is the title of village leader, not a name. | |
| Lord Changwen | 昌文君 (Shou Bun Kun) | 昌文君 (Chāng Wén Jūn)[note 2] | ||
| Minister Lü | 呂不韋 (Ryo Fu I) | 吕不韦 (Lǚ Bù Wéi)[note 1] | ||
| Cheng Jiao | 成蟜 (Sei Kyou) | 成蟜 (Chéng Jiǎo) | ||
| He Liao Diao | 河了貂 | 河了貂 (Hé Liǎo Diāo) | ||
| Ying Zheng | 嬴政 (Ei Sei) | 嬴政 (Yíng Zhèng) | Also known as 秦始皇 (Qín Shǐ Huáng), the first king to unify China | |
| Meng Ao | 蒙驁 (Mou Gou) | 蒙驁 (Méng Ào) | ||
| Zhuxiong | 朱凶 (Shukyou) | 朱凶 (Zhū Xiōng) | (Group) Clan of assassins | |
| Jie Shi | 竭氏 (Ketsu Shi) | 竭氏 (Jié Shì)[note 3] | ||
| Xiaowen | Grandfather of Ying Zheng[4] | |||
| Zhuangxiang | 莊襄 (Sou Jou) | 莊襄 (Zhuāng Xiāng) | Father of Ying Zheng[4] | |
| Wang Yi | 王騎 (Ou Ki) | 王騎 (Wáng Qí) | The character 騎 has no "Yi" pronunciation | |
| Si Shi | 肆氏 (Shi Shi) | 肆氏 (Sì Shì)[note 3] | ||
Female[]
| Japanese | Chinese | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ga Kyou | Eh Jing | ||
| Hi Sui | Fei Cui | ||
| Ka Rin | Wa Lin | ||
| Kaine | Hai Yin | ||
| Kou | Xiang | ||
| Kyou | Liao | ||
| Kyou Kai | Qiang Lei | ||
| Kyou Mei | Qiang Ming | ||
| Kyou Shou | Qiang Xiang | ||
| Shi Kika | Zi Jige | ||
| Shi Ka | Zhi Xia | ||
| Shun | Chun | ||
| Tou Bi | Dong Mei | ||
| Yuu Ri | You Li | ||
| Yo Tan Wa | Yang Duan He | ||
| You | Yang | ||
| Yuu Ren | Yuu Lian |
Male[]
| Japanese | Chinese | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anko Kukun | Anguojun | ||
| A Mon | Ya Men | ||
| Ba Kan | Ma Guan | ||
| Bako Ku | Ma Gao | ||
| Baku Koshin | Fu Hushen | ||
| Ban You | Pan Yang | ||
| Batsu Ken | Fa Jian | ||
| Bi Hei | Wei Ping | ||
| Bi Shi | Bi Zhi | ||
| Bi Tou | Wei Dao | ||
| Bi Kyuu | Wei Jiu | ||
| Boku Kou | Mu Gong | ||
| Bun Ketsu | Wen Xue | ||
| Bu Rei | Wu Ling | ||
| Chi Ei | Mao Ying | ||
| Chou Kaku | Zhao Jue | ||
| Chou Katsu | Zhao Kuo | ||
| Chou Koku | Zhao Gao | ||
| Chou Kou | Zhao Gao | ||
| Chou Sou | Zhao Zhuang | ||
| Chou Sha | Zhao She | ||
| Chou Tou | Zhang Tang | ||
| Chu Tetsu | Zhong Tie | ||
| Chuu Ki | Zhong Gui | ||
| Den Ei | Tian Yong | ||
| Den Kou | Tian Ang | ||
| Den Yuu | Tian You | ||
| Do Mon | Tu Men | ||
| Dou Ken | Dao Jian | ||
| Dou Kin | Tong Jin | ||
| Dou Sei | Dao Qing | ||
| Duke Hyou | Biao Gong | ||
| Earl Shi | Zi Bo | ||
| Ei | Ying | ||
| Ei Bi | Rong Bei | ||
| Ei Kun | Xie Jun | ||
| En | Yuan | ||
| En Bi | Ting BI | ||
| Fu Tei | Fu Di | ||
| Fuji | Fuuji | ||
| Fuu Haku | Feng Bo | ||
| Fuu Ki | Feng Ji | ||
| Ga Ro | Wo Lue | ||
| Gai Mou | Kai Meng | ||
| Gaku Jou | Yue Chang | ||
| Gaku Ka | Yue Hua | ||
| Gaku Ki | Yue Yi | ||
| Gaku Rai | Yue Lei | ||
| Geki Shin | Ju Xin | ||
| Gen Bou | Xuan Feng | ||
| Ge Ni | Xuan Wei | ||
| Gi Ka | Wei Jia | ||
| Gi Kou | Wei Xing | ||
| Gi Ryou | Wei Liang | ||
| Go Hou | Wu Fang | ||
| Go Hou Mei | Wu Feng Ming | ||
| Go Kei | Wu Qing | ||
| Gou Ran | Gang Luan | ||
| Gou Tan | Gang Tan | ||
| Gyo Haku | Yubo Shi | ||
| Gyoku Hou | Yu Feng | ||
| Hai Rou | Pei Lang | ||
| Haku Ki | Bai Qi | ||
| Haku Ki Sai | Bai Gui Xi | ||
| Haku Rei | Bai Li | ||
| Haku Rou | Bai Lao | ||
| Haku Shun | Bai Cun | ||
| Han | Fan | ||
| Han O Ki | Fán Yú Qī | ||
| Han Ro Ki | Fán Liú Qī | ||
| Hei To | Ping Du | ||
| Heki | Bi | ||
| Hika | Si Xia | ||
| Hou | Pang | ||
| Hou Ken | Pang Nuan | ||
| Hyou Ki | Bing Gui | ||
| Jo Kan | Zhu Xing | ||
| Jou Han | Chang Fan | ||
| Kai | Jie | ||
| Kai Shi Bou | Jie Zifang | ||
| Kai Shin | Jie Shen | ||
| Kaku Bi | Guo Bei | ||
| Kan Ki | Huan Ji | ||
| Kan Mei | Han Ming | ||
| Kan Ou | Gan Yang | ||
| Kei | Qing | ||
| Kei Bin | Jing Min | ||
| Kei Sha | Qing She | ||
| Kitou Sai | Chin Genxi | ||
| Ko Shou | Hu Shang | ||
| Kogan | Hu Wan | ||
| Koku Gou | Hei Gang | ||
| Koku Rai | Hei Li | ||
| Koku Rei | Hei Ling | ||
| Kou | Mao | ||
| Kou Ri | Gao Li | ||
| Kou Ri Gen | Huang Li Xian | ||
| Kou Rou | Huang Nou | ||
| Kou Shou | Jiang Zhang | ||
| Kou Son Ryuu | Gong Sun Long | ||
| Kou Yoku | Xiang Yi | ||
| Kyo Gai | Qu Hai | ||
| Kyou En | Jiang Yan | ||
| Kyou Ji | Zie Ci | ||
| Kyuu Gen | Gong Yuan | ||
| Ma Ki | Ma Gui | ||
| Man Goku | Wan Ji | ||
| Mou Bu | Meng Wu | ||
| Mou Ki | Meng Yi | ||
| Mou Ten | Meng Tian | ||
| Ou Hon | Wang Ben | ||
| Ordo | Wu Lu Duo | ||
| Ou Kotsu | Wang He | ||
| Ou Sen | Wang Jian | ||
| Ra Gen | Luo Yan | ||
| Rai Do | Lei Tu | ||
| Raku Taku | Yue Zhuo | ||
| Ran Dou | Luan Tong | ||
| Rei Ou | Ling Huang | ||
| Ren Pa | Lian Po | ||
| Retsu | Lie | ||
| Ri Boku | Li Mu | ||
| Ri Haku | Li Bai | ||
| Ri Shi | Li Shi | ||
| Riku | Lu | ||
| Riku Sen | Lu Xian | ||
| Rin | Lin | ||
| Rin Bou | Lin Fang | ||
| Rin Bu Kun | Lin Wu Jun | ||
| Rin Ko | Lun Hu | ||
| Rin Shou Jo | Ling Xiang Ru | ||
| Ro En | Lu Yan | ||
| Roku O Mi | Lu Wu Wei | ||
| Rou | Liao | ||
| Rou Ai | Lao Ai | ||
| Ryo Kusui | Lu Sui | ||
| Ryou | Liu | ||
| Ryuu | Long | ||
| Ryuu Kai | Li Hai | ||
| Ryuu Koku | Long Guo | ||
| Ryuu Sen | Long Chuan | ||
| Ryuu Shi | Long Zhi | ||
| Ryuu Tai | Long Dai | ||
| Ryuu Yuu | Long You | ||
| Sa Ji | Zuo Ci | ||
| Sai Taku | Ce Zuo | ||
| San Ka | Shan He | ||
| Sei Kai | Cheng Hui | ||
| Sei U | Qing Yu | ||
| Seki | Shi | ||
| Shi Ba Saku | Si Ma Cuo | ||
| Shin Ryou Kun | Xin Ling Jun | ||
| Shin Sei Jou | Jin Cheng Chang | ||
| Sho | Zhao | ||
| Sho | Zhao | ||
| Shou Hei Kun | Chang Ping Jun | ||
| Shou Kaku | Shang Lu | ||
| Shou Mou | She Meng | ||
| Shou Sa | Song Zuo | ||
| Shu Ki | Zhu Gui | ||
| Shun Shin Kun | Chun Shen Jun | ||
| Shuu | Xiu | ||
| Shuu | Shou | ||
| Shuu Ou | Zhou Yang | ||
| So Sui | Chu Sui | ||
| Son Kan | Sun Gan | ||
| Son Sen | Sun Xian | ||
| Suu Gen | Chong Yuan | ||
| Tai Roji | Tai Luci | ||
| Tai Un | Tai Yun | ||
| Taku Kei | Ze Gui | ||
| Tan Gen | Dan Yuan | ||
| Tei Koku | Tei Guo | ||
| Ten Bu | Tian Bu | ||
| Ten Ji | Tian Ci | ||
| Toji | Totch | ||
| Tou | Teng | ||
| Tou Gan | Dong Yan | ||
| Tou Jou | Dao Xiang | ||
| Yi | Yi | ||
| Yuu Gi | Yuu Yi | ||
| Zen | Shan |
Group[]
| Japanese | Chinese | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donghu | Donghu | ||
| Ga | Eh | ||
| Gaku Ka | Le Hua | Joyful Magnificence | |
| Gyoku Hou | Yu Feng | ||
| Hi Hyou | Fei Biao | Flying Biao, as in Duke Biao's surname | |
| Hi Shin | Fei Xin | Flying Trust/Arrow | |
| Kyou | Qiang | ||
| Shiyuu | Chiyou | ||
| Yueshi | Yueshi | ||
| Yuu | Yuu | ||
| Xiongnu | Xiongnu | ? |
Location[]
| Japanese | Chinese | Kanji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anken | Anjian | ||
| Asui | Yashui | 亜水 | |
| Bayou | Mayang | 馬陽 | |
| Dakan | Shegan Plains | 蛇甘平原 | |
| Enshi | Yan Shi | ||
| Fan | Shi | ||
| Gan | Wan | 丸城 | |
| Jyouto | Chenghu | ||
| Kanyou | Xianyang | 咸阳 | |
| Kankoku Pass | Hangu Pass | 函谷関 | |
| Bu Pass | Wu Pass | 武関 | |
| Kantan | Handan | 邯郸 | |
| Keiyou | Rongyang | 荥阳 | |
| Kyou | Jing | ||
| Sanyou | Shanyang | 山陽 | |
| Shiyou | Xi | ||
| Dairyou | Daliang | 大梁 | |
| Shintei | Xinzheng | 新郑 | |
| Chin | Chen | 陳 | |
| Kei | Ji | 蓟 | |
| Rinshi | Linzi | 臨淄 | |
| Suu | Song | ||
| Huang He | 黄河 | Yellow River | |
| You | Yong | 雍 |