A Big Return in the Kingdom Stage Play: Chihiro Yamamoto Takes the Stage as Kyou Kai!
We have great news for Kingdom fans! Preparations are in full swing for Kingdom II -Keisho- (Succession), the second stage play adaptation of Yasuhisa Hara's manga series that has taken the world by storm. According to the official announcement, the role of Kyou Kai, one of the series' most beloved characters, will be played by famous actress and martial artist Chihiro Yamamoto.
This casting is no coincidence; Chihiro Yamamoto also brought the character of Kyou Kai to life in a special live-action video produced for the manga's 10th anniversary in 2016. After a decade, Yamamoto's return to this iconic role has created great excitement among fans. Having won world championships in Wushu (Chinese martial arts), it is already a matter of curiosity how Yamamoto will reflect the character's unique and acrobatic fighting style on stage.
The Kingdom series has become a modern classic since it began in Weekly Young Jump magazine in 2006. As of January 2026, the manga has reached over 120 million copies in circulation worldwide, telling the epic story of China's Warring States period and young Shin's journey to becoming a great general. Following the massive success of the first stage play performed at the Imperial Theatre in 2023, this second production is expected to raise the bar even higher.
The new play, Kingdom II -Keisho-, will meet audiences in various cities across Japan between August and October. Along with the announcement, the first poster image of Chihiro Yamamoto in costume was shared, and the actress's resemblance to the character received full marks. The stage production promises to present the manga's deep strategic battles and emotional depth in a live atmosphere. The rest of the cast and ticket sales details are expected to be clarified in the coming months.
