The appeal and reviews of "The Hidden King": A thorough analysis of the profound story and the appeal of the characters

"King of the Hidden": A tale of the world of ninjas and secret arts

"King of the Hidden" is a TV anime series that aired on TV Tokyo in 2008, and is based on a manga by Yuki Kamatani that was published in the monthly magazine "G Fantasy." The story is set in the modern-day world of ninjas, "The Hidden World," and depicts a battle over the forbidden secret art "Shinra Bansho." Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as recommended points.

Broadcast information

"King of the Hidden" aired a total of 26 episodes from April 7 to September 29, 2008. It was broadcast on TV Tokyo, AT-X, and Kids Station, and the broadcast times for each station are as follows:

• TV Tokyo: April 6, 2008 to September 28, 2008, every Sunday from 25:30 to 26:00
• TV Aichi: April 7, 2008 to September 29, 2008, every Monday from 25:35 to 26:05
• TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting: April 7, 2008 to September 29, 2008, every Monday from 26:53 to 27:23
• TV Osaka: April 8, 2008 to September 30, 2008, every Tuesday from 27:10 to 27:40
• TV Setouchi: April 10, 2008 to October 2, 2008, every Thursday 25:58 to 26:28
• TV Hokkaido: April 11, 2008 to October 3, 2008, every Friday from 26:00 to 26:30
• AT-X: May 22, 2008 to November 13, 2008, every Thursday from 9:30 to 10:00
• Kids Station: July 18, 2008 to January 16, 2009, every Friday from 24:00 to 24:30

Production information

The director is Kunihisa Sugishima, and the animation is by JCSTAFF. It is produced by the King of the Hidden World Project (Square Enix, Geneon Entertainment, D-Rights, JCSTAFF, Movic, Kinyosha, Kids Station). The copyright belongs to Yuki Kamatani/Square Enix/King of the Hidden World Project.

story

The story takes place in the present day, and there is an ancient world of ninjas called the "Hidden World." The story follows the battle between Rokujou Miharu, who has the forbidden secret art "Shinra Bansho" born from the Hidden World engraved in his body, those who seek to obtain it, and the ninjas who try to protect him.

Commentary

Become the king of the hidden world

Shinra Bansho is the greatest secret art born from the world of ninjas, the Hidden World. A battle between modern ninjas is about to begin over Rokujou Miharu, a boy who has this mysterious art engraved on his body, and who holds great powers...!

cast

• Mitsuharu Rokujo: Rie Kugimiya
• Evening Breeze: Mitsuki Saiga
• Unpei, Kabira, Durandal: Daisuke Namikawa
• Rainbow Aizawa: Satoshi Hino
• Thunder of Shimizu: Ayumi Fujimura
• Kazuhiko Yukimi: Kenjiro Tsuda
• Yae Oda: May Yukino
• Fuma Kotaro: Okiayu Ryutaro
• Farewell: Akino Watanabe
• Southern Cross: Kimiko Koyama
• Lord Kato: Tetsuya Kakihara
• Kurookano Silence: Shindo Kei
• The Universe: Yukari Tamura
• Thundering Shimizu: Junichi Suwabe
• Meguro Sudden Rain: Nobuhiko Okamoto
• Shimizu halo: Shoko Tsuda
• Rokujo Rising Sun: Maya Okamoto
• Akatsuki Rokujo: Atsushi Imaruoka
• Black Durandal: Katsuyuki Hori
• Shujuro Hattori: Joji Nakata

Main Staff

• Original author: Yuki Kamatani (Monthly "G Fantasy" / Square Enix)
• Director: Kunihisa Sugishima
• Planning: Koji Taguchi, Akihiro Kawamura
• Executive producers: Daizo Suzuki, Ken Asano, Michihisa Abe, Naohiro Otobu, Yusuke Numao
• Producers: Mie Ide, Yuji Matsukura
• Series Composition: Michiko Yokote
• Character design: Kazunori Iwakura
• Prop design: Shigeki Kimoto
• Chief animation director: Yumi Nakayama
• Art director: Shichiro Kobayashi
• Color setting: Mayumi Tanahashi
• Director of photography: Yoshio Okochi
• Edited by: Shigeru Nishiyama
• Sound Director: Tomohiro Yoshida
• Music: Michiru Oshima
• Sound production: Rakuonsha
• Music Production: Geneon Entertainment
• Music cooperation: TV Tokyo Music
• Production manager: Jiro Nakagawa
• Setting production: Takahiro Ishikawa
• Animation Producer: Shinichiro Kashiwada
• Animation production: JCSTAFF
• Produced by: The King of Hidden Project (Square Enix, Geneon Entertainment, D-Rights, JCSTAFF, Movic, Kinyosha, Kids Station)

Main Characters

• Rokujou Miharu: A boy who has the power of all things within him. He gets caught up in the battles of the hidden world.
• Yoikaze: A user of the forbidden technique "Kira" that costs one's life. A member of the Grey Wolves who are in conflict with Manten.
• Unpei, Kabira, Durandal: A teacher at the junior high school that Miharu attends, and the leader of the Mantennin. He protects Miharu, the host of Shinra Bansho.
• Shimizu Raimei: A girl from the Shimizu family, who are the masters of the "Hidden World". She travels to Manten to determine the owner of all things in the universe.
• Aizawa Kouichi: One of the Manten ninjas who tries to protect Miharu. He's a playful guy with glasses, but he has the face of a cold-hearted ninja.
• Kazuhiko Yukimi: He belongs to the Grey Wolves along with his sister Kazuho. He acts as the execution force. In the real world, he is a freelance magazine writer.
• Shimizu Raikou: Raimei's older brother. He left the Shimizu family and joined the Grey Wolves. He serves as the "Bunto", who disposes of rebellious people.
• Meguro Gamu: A member of the Grey Wolves. He always acts as Raiko's "Bunto" and supports him.
• Hattori Shujuro: Leader of the Grey Wolves. He seeks to obtain the power of all things in order to change the world.
• Fuuma Kotaro: Leader of the Fuuma ninja. He believes that all things in the universe should be sealed away. He is a master of transformation techniques.

subtitle

• Episode 1: The Awakening (2008/04/06)
• Episode 2: Thunder is Coming (2008/04/13)
• Episode 3: Attack (2008/04/20)
• Episode 4: Mission handed down (2008/04/27)
• Episode 5: Desire (2008/05/04)
• Episode 6: Choice (2008/05/11)
• Episode 7: Decisive Mind (2008/05/18)
• Episode 8: Communicating the Heart (2008/05/25)
• Episode 9: Prelude (2008/06/01)
• Episode 10: Polka - Thunder and Lightning (2008/06/08)
• Episode 11: Curtain Call (2008/06/15)
• Episode 12: Will (2008/06/22)
• Episode 13: The Sleepless School (2008/06/29)
• Episode 14: The Bottom of the Night (2008/07/06)
• Episode 15: The Morning of Farewell (2008/07/13)
• Episode 16: A distant visitor (2008/07/20)
• Episode 17: The Time of Breakthrough (2008/07/27)
• Episode 18: The Calling Voice (2008/08/03)
• Episode 19: Profile of Death (2008/08/10)
• Episode 20: To Togakushi (2008/08/17)
• Episode 21: Ambition (2008/08/24)
• Episode 22: Chaos (2008/08/31)
• Episode 23: Activation (2008/09/07)
• Episode 24: Engetsurin (2008/09/14)
• Episode 25: Two people (2008/09/21)
• Episode 26: Weaving Hearts (2008/09/28)

Theme songs and music

• OP1: CRAWL
  • Lyricist: Hidenori Naganuma
  • Composer: Hidenori Naganuma
  • Arrangement: VELTPUNCH
  • Sung by: VELTPUNCH
• ED1: HIKARI
  • Lyricist: Emi Nishida
  • Composer: Mai Sugimori
  • Arrangement: Wataru Maeguchi
  • Sung by: ELISA
• ED2: As it is
  • Lyricist: Maki Honda
  • Composer: Maki Honda
  • Arrangement: Anam & Maki
  • Vocals: Anam & Maki

Evaluation and Impressions

"King of the Hidden World" is a fusion of action and drama set in the world of ninjas. In particular, the setting in which the protagonist, Rokujou Miharu, possesses within his body a forbidden secret art called "Shinra Bansho" is an attractive element that draws viewers in. The animation produced by JCSTAFF is of high quality, with the battle scenes and character expressions carefully drawn down to the smallest detail.

The story revolves around the battle between the ninjas over Miharu, and the tension grows with each episode. In particular, the psychological portrayal of Unpei and Aizawa, who struggle to protect Miharu, and the members of the Grey Wolves who are after Miharu, is deep and has the power to make viewers empathize. Also, the setting where the world of the ninjas and modern society intersect is interesting, and the contrast between the two worlds adds depth to the story.

The cast is also impressive, with Rie Kugimiya's voice as Miharu exuding a boyish purity and strength. Veteran voice actors such as Daisuke Namikawa and Satoshi Hino also deliver superb performances, bringing out the individuality of the characters. The music, also by Michiru Oshima, is memorable for the sound effects and background music that liven up the battle scenes and moving scenes.

Recommended points

"King of the Hidden World" is recommended for those who like action and drama set in the world of ninjas. In particular, the following points are appealing:

• A tense story about the forbidden secret art of "Shinra Bansho"
• High quality animation by JCSTAFF
• Deep portrayal of characters by a star-studded cast of voice actors
• A moving scene with music by Michiru Oshima
• An interesting setting that contrasts the world of ninjas with modern society

This is a must-watch for anyone interested in the world of ninjas or who wants to enjoy a story that combines action and drama. The 26 episodes in total are just the right volume, making it easy to watch. Be sure to experience the world of "King of the Hidden World."