Kingdom: Return of the Great General

2024 2h 26m JA

👍

6.8

SOLID

★6.8TMDB · 678

ActionAdventure

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Depicts a continuation of the "Battle of Mayang", an all-out war against the neighboring country Zhao that Shin and Wang Ki fought in in the previous work "Flame of Fate".

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

NetflixSubscription

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Cast

Kento Yamazaki
Ri Shin (Li Xin)
Takao Osawa
Ou Ki (Wang Qi)
Ryo Yoshizawa
Ei Sei (Yin Zheng)
Kanna Hashimoto
Ka Ryo Ten (He Liao Diao)
Nana Seino
Kyou Kai (Qiang Lei)
Shinnosuke Mitsushima
Heki (Bi)
Amane Okayama
Bi Hei (Wei Ping)
Takahiro Miura
Bi Tou (Wei Dao)

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Shinsuke Sato
Writers: Hara Yasuhisa, Tsutomu Kuroiwa, Hara Yasuhisa
Languages: Japanese
Countries: Japan

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 2 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Kingdom Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Shinsuke Sato, shot by Akira Sako. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Yutaka Yamada. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Tsuyoshi Imai shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Kento Yamazaki and Takao Osawa and Ryo Yoshizawa carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt31457736 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Shinsuke Sato directs. Akira Sako behind the camera. Yutaka Yamada scores. Tsuyoshi Imai cuts. Produced in Japan. Dialogue in Japanese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 2 years ago.
2Part of the "Kingdom Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
3Directed by Shinsuke Sato, shot by Akira Sako. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Yutaka Yamada. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Tsuyoshi Imai shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Kento Yamazaki and Takao Osawa and Ryo Yoshizawa carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt31457736 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Akira Sako
Original score: Yutaka Yamada
Editing: Tsuyoshi Imai
Production design: Hidetaka Ozawa
Sound: Kensuke Matsui
Runtime: 146 min · 2h 26m
Status: Released
Box office: $54,114,815
Original language: JA
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Kingdom: Return of the Great General (2024)

Part of

Kingdom Collection

The films portray the life of Li Xin, a general of Qin, from his childhood as an orphan through his military career during the Warring States period of ancient China.

Also by

Shinsuke Sato

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Alunauwie2025-08-31
★ 10/10
Kingdom 4: Return of The Great General continues the story from Kingdom 3, focusing less on Shin and more on General Ouki and his past, which is closely tied to Shin’s dream of becoming a great general. The film opens with a helpful recap and uses a clear narrative structure, including flashbacks, to introduce Houken, the main antagonist. Despite the less frequent large-scale battles, the intense duel between Ouki and Houken delivers powerful tension. The conflict builds gradually as strategic decisions lead Qin’s forces into a trap, culminating in the climactic battle between the two generals. The film’s resolution is emotionally impactful, especially scenes where Ouki encourages Shin to see things from a general’s perspective, symbolizing Shin’s future role as Ouki’s successor. These heartfelt moments, combined with a strong closing message to Eisei and Shin’s rallying of the troops, create a perfect ending—though a fifth sequel is planned for 2026. Performances are strong, with Takao Osawa standing out through expressive acting and convincing fight scenes. The cinematography, sound effects, and music effectively enhance the mood, from tension to sorrow and inspiration. Minor editing flaws, such as some artificial backgrounds, do not detract from the overall experience, making this the most emotionally resonant installment so far and a must-watch for fans. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)

Production companies