Manga fans in the United States have access to a vast library of series, from timeless classics to the latest bestsellers, but are surprisingly missingKingdom.One of Japan’s most critically acclaimed and longest-running manga,Kingdom, remains notably absent in English print. Despite its immense popularity in Japan, where it consistently ranks among the top-selling series,Kingdomhas yet to receive an official English release. While this might seem surprising, the reasons behind its absence are more complex than they appear.
According to u/Frostiz123 on Reddit, the main obstacle lies with publishers themselves.Kingdom’s Japanese publisher, Shueisha, has previously offered English licensing rights to major manga publishers,yet no company has taken on the challenge. The hesitation largely boils down to two major concerns. One is sales potential and the other is resource investment. Given its length and niche historical setting, publishers remain uncertain whether an English adaptation would be worth the significant financial and logistical commitment.
Is Kingdom Too Big of a Gamble?
Sales Uncertainty Is The Biggest Barrier to Kingdom’s English Release
One of the biggest concerns for English publishers is whetherKingdomwould sell well enough to justify the investment. While the series is a massive hit in Japan, its appeal in Western markets is less certain.Kingdomfocuses on historical warfare in ancient China, a setting that, while intriguing, does not have the same built-in audience as fantasy-driven hits likeOne PieceorAttack on Titan. This uncertainty makes publishers hesitant to take the risk, fearing that low sales could result in a financial loss.
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Manga publishers in the U.S. prioritize series that have proven international appeal or strong anime adaptations to boost their popularity. WhileKingdomhas a successful anime, it has not reached the mainstream heights of other major shonen franchises. Without an established Western fanbase, publishers would have to work harder to market the series, adding another layer of financial risk to an already costly endeavor.
The Publishing Hurdles Keeping Kingdom Out of the U.S.
Kingdom is a Potential Resource Problem and a Massive Undertaking
Beyond sales concerns,the sheer scale ofKingdomis another challenge. With over 70 volumes and still ongoing, committing to an English release would require extensive resources. Translating, editing, printing, and distributing such a long series is a major undertaking, one that many publishers simply do not have the bandwidth for. This issue becomes even more complicated when considering the need for a faithful adaptation that preserves the series' historical and cultural depth.
According to industry insiders, Dark Horse, a well-respected manga publisher, was once given the option to licenseKingdombut ultimately declined due to these very concerns. If a publisher with Dark Horse’s experience found the project too daunting, it is likely that other companies share the same reservations. Until a publisher is willing to take on the challenge,Kingdom’sabsence in the United States will likely continue, leaving English-speaking fans with few options beyond unofficial translations.
