Kingdom Season 2
Synopsis
A year after the devastating battle against the formidable Zhao, the State of Qin has returned its focus to pursuing King Ying Zheng's ambition of conquering the other six states and unifying China. Their next target is Wei, a smaller state which stands as a geographic stepping stone for the sake of conquest. Xin, now a three hundred man commander of the swiftly rising Fei Xin Unit, continues to seek out lofty achievements in order to garner recognition for himself and his soldiers, motivated by those previously lost in battle. In the preliminary battles ahead of Qin's invasion of Wei, Xin finds competition in other young commanders who are of a higher social status than him. Back in Qin, the royal palace faces turmoil as opposing factions begin to make their move against Ying Zheng's regime. With their hands full both abroad and at home, Zheng and Xin must lead the way in this era of unending war, resolved to etch their names in history by creating a unified China. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
The second season of Kingdom is generally seen as an improvement over the first, particularly in animation quality and plot development. Viewers praise the intricate war strategies and character development but note some shortcomings in fighting animation and character consistency. While the show is appreciated for its unique story and political intrigue, some find the reliance on shonen tropes and inconsistent characterization to be detrimental.
Strengths
- Improved animation quality compared to Season 1, with more 2D art and less CG.
- Intriguing war strategies and tactics are well-formulated and executed.
- Good character development for many characters, fostering rivalry and friendship.
- Engaging plot with interesting political power struggles in addition to physical warfare.
Weaknesses
- Fighting animation is sometimes poor, lacking intensity and impact.
- Some viewers find the main character, Xin, to be lacking in intelligence and overly reliant on plot armor.
- Pacing issues in action scenes, with slow dialogue interrupting the flow.
- Inconsistent characterization compared to the manga, with some characters becoming one-dimensional and annoying.