Ranking of Kings

Ranking of Kings

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, Anime
Founded	May 20, 2017 (2017-05-20)
Founder	Sōsuke Tōka
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga, Anime television series, Anime film

is a Japanese manga series crafted and illustrated by . It has been serialized online since May 2017 through Echoes' user-driven platform Manga Hack and compiled into 19 volumes published by Enterbrain. The storyline focuses on Bojji, a small and deaf prince, alongside his companion Kage, the last survivor of a destroyed assassin clan who comprehends Bojji despite his muteness.

An anime adaptation produced by Wit Studio aired from October 2021 until March 2022 on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block. A spin-off titled Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage was broadcast between April and June 2023.

Additionally, an anime feature film adaptation has been announced.

Setting

The title alludes to a hierarchical system where a council composed of powerful magical beings known as 'Gods' ranks mortal monarchs based on their strength and prosperity. The king who attains the highest rank is granted a blessing from the legendary 'Divine Treasure Vault,' a source of immense wealth and mystical artifacts. While not every ruler pursues this honor, the quest for supremacy and recognition propels the narrative forward.

Plot

The narrative follows Bojji, a deaf and innocent prince often criticized for his claim to the throne yet resolute in his ambition to become a distinguished king. He forms a bond with Kage, the sole survivor of an assassin clan who understands him despite his silence. Following the death of Bojji’s father, King Bosse—a famed giant warrior—contention over succession erupts. Although Bosse endorses Bojji’s right to rule, many support his physically stronger half-brother Daida, who is backed by Queen Hiling. She calls for a vote that ultimately places Daida on the throne.

Deprived of his rightful position, Bojji embarks on a quest to build his strength and gain experience, with Hiling reluctantly granting her consent. Meanwhile, Daida, influenced by an enigmatic figure, initiates a dark scheme aimed at consolidating his power and securing the top rank in the Ranking of Kings.

Characters

The central figure and eldest prince of Bosse Kingdom. Despite his small stature and deafness, he is compassionate, hardworking, and perceptive—capable of lip-reading—and displays an agility uncommon among monarchs. After Daida's coronation, Bojji begins his journey accompanied by Kage.

The sole remaining member of the shadow assassin clan and Bojji's faithful ally. Having survived hardship and exploitation, Kage employs his clan’s stealth skills for thievery but is deeply moved by Bojji’s kindness and vows to protect him.

Bojji’s younger half-brother who currently reigns as king. Though diligent, he is arrogant and secretly harbors jealousy toward Bojji’s popularity. Under the influence of a Magic Mirror, Daida becomes the vessel for King Bosse’s reincarnation.

Queen Hiling, mother to Daida and stepmother to Bojji. Once caring toward Bojji, she now questions his capability to rule but remains genuinely concerned for him. She permits Bojji’s journey under her parents’ guardianship.

A famed swordmaster embodying King Bosse’s fighting style. Initially serving as Bojji’s tutor who loses confidence in him, he later pledges allegiance to Daida and attempts to assassinate Bojji but regrets his actions and seeks redemption.

Daida’s dedicated instructor who counters the Magic Mirror’s control. Proficient with daggers and snakes, he dispatches Kage to accompany Bojji.

Known as the "Spear of the King," fiercely loyal to Bosse. Trained under Miranjo’s guidance, he assists in transferring Bosse's consciousness into Daida.

Referred to as the "Shield of the Queen," originally King Bosse’s spear before becoming Queen Hiling’s protector. He chooses voluntarily to defend her.

A low-ranking knight devoted to Bojji after receiving comfort from him. He travels with Bojji on his quest and later trains to increase his strength following Domas’ betrayal.

Former monarch and father of both Bojji and Daida. A giant warrior who sought ultimate power through a pact with a demon before ascending the throne to secure Bojji’s future. His consciousness is reincarnated within Daida.

Bosse's first wife and mother of Bojji; she dies early in the story.

A mysterious advisor sealed inside a mirror who manipulates Daida. Once close to Bosse and involved in dark plots including creating elixirs for reincarnation, this figure is eventually consumed by a devil but forgiven by Daida.

King of the Underworld commanding its legion against demons. Maintains complex relationships with his brothers but cooperates when necessary.

The youngest brother of Desha and Despa; formerly known as 'Sword King of The Underworld.' After gaining immortality that stripped away his humanity, he became a merciless monster imprisoned until released to conquer Bosse Kingdom.

The middle brother focused more on wealth and vanity than strength. Oversees training for Bojji—for compensation.

Devil

A mysterious entity that appears after Bosse’s death granting wishes at great cost. Once childlike and benevolent, it has become monstrous and nearly immortal. Prophecies claim Bojji is destined to slay this devil, though its true identity remains unclear.

Manga

Ranking of Kings, both written and illustrated by 'Sōsuke Tōka, has been serialized online on Echoes' user-driven Manga Hack platform since May 20, 2017. Enterbrain has compiled the series into 19 volumes as of June 12, 2025. After a hiatus beginning in April 2023, the manga resumed publication in December 2024.

The English digital edition is available through BookLive on BookWalker. In November 2023, BookLive and translator Dragon Digital Japan issued apologies due to the use of "translations plagiarized from pirated copies" in volumes 1 through 7 of the English release.

Anime

The anime adaptation, produced by Wit Studio, was broadcast from October 15, 2021, to March 25, 2022, on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block. Yōsuke Hatta directed the series, with script supervision by Taku Kishimoto, character designs by Atsuko Nozaki, and music composed by MAYUKO. The opening and ending themes featured renowned artists: King Gnu ("Boy") and Yama ("Oz") for the first half, followed by Vaundy ("Hadaka no Yūsha") and Milet ("Flare") for the latter half. Outside Asia, Funimation streamed the show, while Medialink licensed it for Southeast Asia on platforms such as iQIYI and Netflix. The Tokyo Federation for the Deaf provided oversight on the representation of sign language within the series. Funimation also announced an English dub version.

In August 2022, a spin-off titled Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage (王様ランキング 勇気の宝箱) was revealed, with the original cast and crew returning. This spin-off aired from April 14 to June 16, 2023, again on Fuji TV's Noitamina block. Its opening and closing themes were performed by People 1 ("Gold") and Aimer ("Atemonaku"), respectively. The series was streamed by Crunchyroll.

Film

On June 22, 2023, an anime film adaptation was officially announced.

Manga

By December 2021, over 1.5 million copies of the manga had been circulated.

Ranking of Kings placed sixth in the Tsutaya Comic Awards of 2019 and secured fifth place in the Manga Shimbun Taishō that same year. The 2020 edition of Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! ranked it as the seventh best manga series targeted at male readers. At the Magademy Award in 2022, characters Bojji and Kage received nominations for Best Lead Male Actor and Best Supporting Male Actor respectively. Additionally, the series was shortlisted in the Youth Selections category at the 50th Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2023.

Anime

In China, the anime was praised for its touching narrative and accumulated nearly 48 million views on Bilibili despite only four episodes being available.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Result	References
2022	6th Crunchyroll Anime Awards	Anime of the Year	Ranking of Kings	Template:Nom
		Best Protagonist	Bojji	Template:Won
		Best Boy		Template:Nom
		Best Fantasy	Ranking of Kings	Template:Nom
		Best Character Design		Template:Nom
		Best VA Performance (French)	Alexis Tomassian as Kage	Template:Nom
	Galaxy Awards	Monthly Galaxy Awards	Ranking of Kings	Template:Won
	12th Newtype Anime Awards	Best Mascot Character	Kage	Template:Draw
	IGN Awards	Best Anime Series	Ranking of Kings	Template:Nom

|- | rowspan="17" align="center"| 2023 | rowspan="17" align="center"| 7th Crunchyroll Anime Awards | Anime of the Year | | rowspan="17" style="text-align:center;" | |- | Best Main Character | Bojji | |- | Best Supporting Character | Kage | |- |- rowspan="2"| "Must Protect At All Costs" Character |- Bojji |- |- Kage |- |- |- Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best Animation |- Ranking of Kings |- |- |- Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best Director |- Yōsuke Hatta |- |- |- Best Character Design |- Atsuko Nozaki |- |- |- Best Fantasy |- Ranking of Kings |- |- |- Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best Opening Sequence |- "Hadaka no Yūsha" |- |- |- Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best VA Performance#English |- SungWon Cho |- |- |- Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best VA Performance#Arabic |- Adel Abo Hassoon |- |- |- rowspan="2"| Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best VA Performance#Castilian Spanish |- Marc Gómez |- |- Mónica Padrós |- | |- rowspan="2"| Best VA Performance (French) | |- Alexis Tomassian |

|- Brigitte Lecordier |  
|- 

Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best VA Performance#Italian | Andrea Oldani |

|- 

rowspan="2" align="center" | 2024 | rowspan="2" align="center" | 8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards | "Must Protect At All Costs" Character | Bojji |

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |  |- Best Fantasy | Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage |  

|}