r/Kingdom • u/Ok-Athlete6234 • 6h ago
News The Latest Interview with Yasuhisa Hara — Celebrating 20 Years of Kingdom [English Translation] part 2
In the second and final part, Hara talks about his childhood, his mindset after 20 years of serialization, Kingdom’s adaptations, his inspirations, analog manga, AI, and his vision for the future of Kingdom. He also shares his goals after Kingdom and why he still aims to reach the top. Here is the second and final part of the interview, translated into English.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your childhood and younger years?
Hara: When I was little, I felt like everyone grew up believing, "I can become anything." Looking back, maybe it was just that I hadn't realized my own limitations yet (laughs). Also, my older brother—who is seven years older than me—used to tell me, "There are overwhelmingly more good people in the world than bad."
During my university years, that same brother told me, "I'll lend you money, so go travel around Europe." So I flew to Italy and traveled across Europe, planning to fly back from Germany. I had pre-booked my flight tickets, but everything else—local travel, accommodations—was figured out on the fly.
While in Germany, I got onto a bus without knowing where it was heading. I couldn't speak German, and none of the people around me spoke English, so I was completely stuck. But then, a local who spoke English kindly guided me. At a train station in Switzerland, I didn't know which train to board, and another local stepped in to help me out. Experiencing that kind of warmth from strangers firsthand made me truly realize: My brother was right, the world really is full of good people.
Q: It feels like many of the characters in Kingdom are, at their core, "good people."
Hara: Quite possibly! If I had gone through horrible, traumatic experiences on that trip, Kingdom might have ended up as a dark story filled entirely with dark characters! (laughs)
Realized Over 20 Years of Writing: The True Essence of an Author
Q: If you could say one thing to yourself from 20 years ago, what message would you give him?
Hara: I'm the type of person who doesn't truly understand something until I experience it firsthand, so even if I told my past self anything, he probably wouldn't listen. If I said, "Devise a method to draw manuscripts faster, otherwise chapters will take forever," 20-years-ago me would probably just think, No way, I'm going to draw incredible stuff super fast! (laughs) I might try to advise him on how long certain processes actually take, but in the end, I feel like going through that struggle yourself is a necessary phase.
Q: If you could give a gift to your self from 20 years ago, what would it be?
Hara: I wouldn't give him anything. Even failure—if you don't experience failure yourself, you'll never understand its true value. I check the drafts (name). Overcoming those walls changes how you view things, helping you grow both as a person and as an author.
Q: Over these 20 years, have you noticed physical changes or shifts in your mindset toward creating manga?
Hara: To put it simply, my stamina and concentration have dropped. (laughs) Early in the serialization, I felt eager to tackle everything—thinking, "I have to do this,"* "I want to try that," yet at the same time realizing, "I still have so many pages left!" Now, as mentioned earlier, because I think about multiple things simultaneously, the time it takes to advance the story has gradually stretched out. But I've also learned how to pace myself without spending unnecessary time. I can now gauge the page count and think, "At this page count, I can manage this level of drama,*" which has helped me structure scenes more efficiently.
Q: Do you envision getting even faster in the future?
Hara: No, I don't think I can get much faster than this! (laughs) It's not like I can just flip a switch and go into high gear. I also need a few hours to reset and zone out, which is physically necessary to keep working.
Q: Is your sleep schedule still managed carefully?
Hara: I'm hyper-focused right now! (laughs) Right before deadlines, it's always, "Oh no, the storyboards aren't done!" and the staff ends up waiting around. When I'm in deep focus, the staff can work for hours, so finding time to recharge is crucial.
"I Used to Spend About 2 Days on Storyboards, But Now..."
Q: What is the most important mindset for maintaining a serialization over 20 years?
Hara: You shouldn't fear failure. When rookie creators make mistakes or struggle with drawing, they often stall because they overthink things, unable to produce output for months. But the fastest way to grow is to keep producing work anyway, listen to third-party feedback, and push through to the end even if you aren't completely satisfied. Growth doesn't happen linearly; it spikes all at once like a staircase after you overcome those hurdles repeatedly.
During my salaryman days, I once submitted a bugged software program to a client company. For 48 hours straight without sleep, my supervisor and I worked frantically to fix it while the client watched us closely. Through that intense trial and error, my programming skills suddenly shot up in a short time.
The same applies to manga: by repeatedly making storyboards, drawing, failing, and learning what works, you naturally discover your strengths and hone your craft.
"Kingdom" Gaining Momentum Through Media Adaptations and TV Shows
Q: How did you feel when Kingdom began gaining widespread attention through anime, live-action films, and TV features?
Hara: It was incredible to see the work reach so many people beyond the manga readers I’m always fighting off sleepiness, so I’m constantly trying different countermeasures. A while back, I used to blast music at max volume through earphones to stay awake, but then I read an article saying it might ruin my hearing, so I stopped. Now, at set times, the entire staff and I spend about 10 minutes doing light physical exercises to wake ourselves up.
Q: What is the most important mindset for sustaining a serialization over 20 years?
Hara: It's aiming to "sell." For me, it was my starting mindset, but a true ambition to "sell." When I talk to people in other industries, they often ask me in surprise, "Are you still focused on selling?" I’ve heard that as creators become veterans, that hunger fades and they stop chasing numbers. But for me, my focus on "selling" hasn't wavered one bit. In fact, after 20 years, I feel a stronger sense of impatience that I still haven't reached the goal I originally set for myself.
Q: What is that goal?
Hara: A simple goal: to be the number one seller. (laughs) Younger creators sometimes tell me, "I'm just happy my manga gets published alongside Kingdom in Young Jump during gatherings," but I think that's missing the point. Getting published in a magazine isn't the finish line; it’s just the starting line. You have to seriously think, "What do I need to do to take the number one spot?" When my serialization first started, the top spots on the popularity surveys were held by established titles, so I was constantly thinking about how to break through that wall: "What am I lacking?"* "Why is that series selling?" "How can my series win?*" Even after 20 years, I still analyze these things today. Being number one is an goal I still hold dear.
"Kingdom" Gaining Momentum Through Media Adaptations and TV Shows
Q: Kingdom has been adapted into various media formats, including games, anime, and live-action movies. What impression did each leave on you?
Hara: The very first adaptation was a game for the PlayStation Portable. I still remember how thrilled I was when my editor told me about it. At the time, Kingdom wasn't very popular yet, so for a developer to take a chance on making a game out of it was a huge, brave leap. The game itself was fun, but because Kingdom didn't have strong name recognition back then... I heard it didn't sell very well. Years later, at a Shueisha event, I met someone from the development company who told me that the lead developer had actually been demoted because of it... Even though they took a huge risk and put so much heart into making it, it didn't perform. I still feel a deep sense of apology and gratitude toward that person to this day.
Q: How did you feel when the anime adaptation was announced?
Hara: My perspective shifted along the way, but initially, I wasn't really hoping for an anime adaptation. While I had managed to avoid cancellation, sales of the physical manga volumes were plateauing. Still, in my heart, I wanted to sell based on my own strength without relying on the power of an anime, but my editor scolded me: "Don't be ridiculous!" (laughs) After that, when sales weren't moving much, I started thinking, "I really hope we get an anime adaptation soon."
Q: How was the reaction when Kingdom was featured on the TV show Ame Talk!?
Hara: It brought an explosion of attention overnight. People who had never read it started saying, "I haven't read it, but I know what title it is." After the broadcast aired, people began referring to it as "that Chinese history manga," and I could genuinely feel it becoming a mainstream title.
Hara-sensei's Inner Mind: The Secret to His Craft—
Q: Do you have any set routines during your daily work routine?
Hara: I don't have super strict rules, but I always drink coffee every morning. I've gotten really into coffee brewed by a staff member who makes incredible cups. They visit shops with world-class baristas, constantly studying and asking questions because they're so passionate about it. Having a cup brewed at their recommended roast level is truly delicious. I also mentioned light exercise earlier—the staff and I take breaks together to do exercises to stay healthy as we age. I feel a stronger sense of impatience that after 20 years, I still haven't reached the goal I set for myself. think about how to take Kingdom to the next level. After that, we have the "Kingdom Exhibition" and the "Kingdom Museum."
Q: When you see Kingdom taking shape in physical spaces like that, how does it feel?
Hara: It makes me want to draw the manga with even greater passion and intensity!
Q: What kind of media do you draw inspiration from when creating stories?
Hara: I mostly watch movies. I often go to the movie theater during off-peak hours before a release deadline. Recently (as of February 2026), I went to see Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash. (laughs) My favorite directors include David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, and Denis Villeneuve. I saw Top Gun: Maverick and Interstellar about two times each in theaters. I'm the type of person who gets deeply immersed in the perfection of a screenplay. When I see a film with an exceptionally well-crafted script, it hypes me up, making me feel like, "I want to achieve something this high quality in my own work too!" I also love foreign drama series like Game of Thrones.
Q: You love movies with heavy, dramatic tension, don't you?
Hara: Ever since my university days, I've loved movie trailers. Scenes that build immense anticipation—like "I have to see this film!"—are my favorite. I try to incorporate that same thrilling, high-stakes feeling into my manga.
Q: Do you have any favorite music you listen to while working?
Hara: Sorry, that was a long answer earlier! (laughs) I love Hiroyuki Sawano-san's music, and I always listen to it whenever I'm drawing storyboards (name). This has become a fixed routine for me. I think I might be the biggest fan of the Mobile Suit Gundam UC soundtrack in all of Japan! (laughs) When working on storyboards, I listen to it on loop. Scenes that build dramatic tension benefit so much from music that features soaring brass or grand choir elements—it really gets the creative energy flowing. Some of my absolute go-to tracks are "MOBILE SUIT" and "RE:I AM MIX" from the Mobile Suit Gundam UC Original Soundtrack 3, as well as "SYMPHONIC SUITE UC2012" and "5th MOV.: GUNDAM". I highly recommend listening to those while reading the climax scenes of Kingdom!
Q: That's an incredible list.
Hara: I was thrilled when David Benioff and D. B. Weiss—the creators, showrunners, and writers of Game of Thrones—visited Japan for the DVD/Blu-ray release event, and I actually got the chance to talk with them! In 2019, around the time the Kingdom film was released, I bought the Game of Thrones Blu-ray box set and rewatched the whole thing. What makes Game of Thrones so brilliant is how expertly it handles complex character dynamics and multi-threaded plots without letting the audience lose track or interest. The character drama is constructed with incredible depth, making every single storyline fascinating to follow.
The Future of "Kingdom" and Beyond: Aiming for the "Top"!
Q: If Kingdom has a ultimate goal, where do you see its current position?
Hara: I can't say for sure, but I feel like the end is gradually coming into view. Though, I've been saying that for about 5 years now! (laughs) Once we cross into the next major phase, the final stretch will truly begin. So I want to keep running full speed ahead until we reach that goal.
Q: It’s exciting to hear, but at the same time, the thought of the serialization ending brings a touch of sadness.
Hara: Once Kingdom concludes, I actually want to try making a movie next! That's another dream of mine. Ideally, an animated film. Eventually, I'd love to try directing a live-action project as well.
Q: Kingdom is drawn using traditional analog tools, but do you have any plans to transition to digital?
Hara: Kingdom won't be switching to digital. However, as digital tools continue to evolve, I feel like traditional analog techniques are gradually becoming a lost art. That's why I want to preserve and refine analog craft as much as possible. Plus, with the rapid advancement of AI, who knows what the future holds? (laughs)
This completes the translation of the full interview section across all pages! Let me know if you'd like any adjustments to the tone, formatting, or name transliterations before publishing I think we'll start seeing manga creators who use AI to craft their manga. In doing so, the culture of drawing manuscripts on paper might gradually fade away. It might sound sudden, but that's precisely why I feel that drawing with analog tools carries such a sacred, important meaning right now.
Q: What is something you would like to try doing 20 years in the future?
Hara: First, I want to wrap up Kingdom in the absolute best way possible, and then hold another "Kingdom Exhibition." After that, I'd love it if a facility like a "Kingdom Museum" could be built in my hometown.
Back in 2021, when we held the "Kingdom Exhibition - Shin -", I was thinking about what to do with the displayed original manuscript pages afterward, and it reminded me of Takehiko Inoue-sensei's "The Last Manga Exhibition." The original artwork was amazing of course, but the atmosphere and space of the venue itself were truly incredible. I remember thinking, "If I could drink coffee in a space like this, it would be pure bliss." So, I want to create a space in my hometown where people can enjoy a cup of coffee while viewing the original manuscripts of Kingdom.
Q: That sounds like a luxurious space! (laughs)
Hara: Instead of static reproductions, I think it would be great to rotate and display actual original manuscripts periodically—which is another reason why I stick to analog tools.
Also, I mentioned earlier that I want to make a movie, and I'm aiming for the #1 spot there as well! (laughs) People might laugh at me for saying, "I'm jumping into a new field out of nowhere and aiming for #1!" But I have a history of quitting my salaryman job, making my debut as a manga artist around age 30, and aiming for #1 then too! (laughs) So no matter what, I want to keep aiming for the top.
"Finishing Kingdom in the Absolute Best Way..."
The Path Woven by Hara-sensei Burns Red — Our Journey Continues —
This concludes Hara’s interview, which I shared with you in two parts. I would also like to once again express my thanks to
u/External_North4274 for providing me with the interview, allowing me to translate it and share it with you.
