Kingdom 4 Return Of The Great General Plot Summary Ending Review

The overwhelming scale, breathtaking intensity, and a war narrative that transcends the limits of live-action filmmaking—these features have captivated the Japanese film industry with the sensational blockbuster, “Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General.” The film brings the grandeur of the original manga to near perfection, marking a cinematic high point.

Acclaimed director Shinsuke Sato returns once again, deepening Yasuhisa Hara’s robust world-building and delivering a gripping experience for both fans of the series and the general audience. Pushing the action and war genres to their extremes, the film is hailed as setting a new benchmark for live-action adaptations.

Set in China’s Warring States period, the story follows Shin (played by Kento Yamazaki), a young general of Qin. The fourth installment of the series, it features the largest scale and the most tension-filled battle scenes to date. After the Ma Yang War, the Hi Shin Unit faces a desperate plight upon the arrival of Commander Ban Nan, launching a solemn journey of escape and counterattack driven by each character’s courage and loyalty.

At the moment when the empire’s future and each character’s beliefs dramatically collide, the commanding presence of General Ouki, portrayed by Takao Osawa, leads the film as both a powerful historical epic and a profound ensemble drama. The fourth film rewrote the history of Japanese live-action box office hits, debuting at number one and achieving the highest gross of the series.

Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General

Korean 킹덤4: 대장군의 귀환
Japanese キングダム大将軍の帰還
Genre Action, War
Director Shinsuke Sato | Screenplay Tsutomu Kuroiwa, Yasuhisa Hara | Adaptation –
Producers Shinjo Matsuhashi, Ryosuke Mori, Naoaki Kitajima, Takahide Nancho, Yuya Satoyoshi, Makoto Oyoshi (Executive Producer), Nobuyuki Iinuma (Executive Producer)
Cast Kento Yamazaki, Ryo Yoshizawa, Kanna Hashimoto, Nana Seino, Yuki Yamada, Amane Okayama, Takahiro Miura, Yuko Araki, Koji Kikkawa, Masahiro Takashima, Jun Kaname, Koji Yamamoto, Masami Nagasawa, Hiroshi Tamaki, Koichi Sato, Shun Oguri, Takao Osawa
Cinematography Akira Sako | Music Yutaka Yamada | Martial Arts Yuji Shimomura
Production CREDEUS, Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General Film Committee | Distributor TOHO, Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan
Release Date Japan July 12, 2024, Korea November 20, 2024
Running Time 146 minutes
Box Office 8.03 billion yen (Korean audience 4,500)
Rating All ages (Japan), 15+ (Korea)

Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% (audience score)
IMDb: 8.5/10
MyDramaList: 8.5/10
Naver Audience Rating

Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General Cast

Kingdom Movie Character Relationship Chart
Shin (Kento Yamazaki): Young general of Qin.
Ei Sei / Hyou (Ryo Yoshizawa): King of Qin.
Karyo Ten (Kanna Hashimoto): Military strategist.
Ban Nan (Koji Kikkawa): General-in-chief of Zhao, military god.
Ouki (Takao Osawa): Great General of Qin.

Kingdom 4: The Return of the Great General Plot Summary

After defeating the enemy commander Fung Qi, the Hi Shin Unit shares the joy of victory. In the thick pre-dawn fog at the Mayang battlefield, a dark presence appears in the weary Qin camp. Zhao’s Martial God Pang Nuan, with his spear over his shoulder, makes his appearance. With every step he takes, dust rises, and the Qin soldiers inside the camp either withdraw in fear or exchange anxious glances. Pang Nuan silently stares down the Qin army, the tragedy and blood of eternity heavy on his back.

As he sweeps through like a whirlwind, each swing of Pang Nuan’s spear brings down several Qin soldiers. The commotion in the Hi Shin Unit’s camp awakens Shin, who grips his sword and runs in, only to be overpowered by the godlike strength and speed of Pang Nuan. Shin is thrown back against a wall and wounded. Before his eyes, his comrades are struck down, bleeding in an instant.

Pang Nuan declares himself the Martial God, and his overwhelming might causes Shin’s comrades to fall one by one. Shin and Kyoukai desperately put up a fight, but both sustain serious injuries and become unable to fight further. The situation worsens as the Hi Shin Unit is ambushed by the Zhao general Mangoku. The unit risks their lives to save the gravely wounded Shin and attempts to escape. Memories of childhood dreams, vows with comrades, and an indomitable will flash through Shin’s mind.

Meanwhile, in Qin’s court, King Ying Zheng learns of Pang Nuan’s appearance on the battlefield. The reappearance of Pang Nuan, who once killed Kyu—lover of one of the Six Great Generals, Ouki—puts Ying Zheng in deep contemplation.

While retreating through the foggy grass, the captains carry Shin. As Shin lies unconscious, the dawn slowly begins to break. The Mi siblings, painfully wounded, carry Shin away with the help of their comrades. Fearing pursuit by blood traces, Mi-hyung decides to split into two groups. Shin awakens in the grass with only Mido and himself nearby. Worrying about the others, Mido tries to lighten the mood, but soon succumbs to his wounds and passes away.

The next morning, the Hi Shin Unit regroups, but due to the night assault, they have lost more than half their strength, with only 36 members remaining. Meanwhile, Mou Bu penetrates the enemy lines in search of Pang Nuan but encounters a decoy and Mou Bu’s army is surrounded. General Ouki, observing from afar, senses the early presence of another “monster” asleep in Zhao.

Around this time, the mountain tribe leader Yang Dan-hwa arrives at the palace with key news: after reclaiming the throne, the mountain kingdom has expanded its power to the point of clashing with the northern Xiongnu. Upon arrival, they found over 100,000 Xiongnu corpses, allegedly slain by Zhao troops. This surprising event was kept secret from the court, as Zhao intends to bring this fearsome army into the current Qin-Zhao war. Yang Dan-hwa reveals the strategist’s name heard among surviving Xiongnu: “Li Mu,” who is surveying the entire situation from a hilltop.

At the royal capital of Hanyang, Lord Changwen tells Zheng about Kyu’s hidden past: as a child, Kyu was a servant girl in Ouki’s household and turned out to be the natural daughter of King Sho. After proving herself in battle, Kyu became the sixth Great General. When Changwen asked Kyu why she fought, she replied that she made a childhood promise to Ouki: if she could conquer 100 castles, he would marry her. Just as Kyu is assigned to lead the final, 100th siege at Mayang, she is slain by Pang Nuan, who is then defeated by Ouki in a rage.

Meanwhile, Mou Bu’s vanguard, on the verge of collapse, is saved at the last moment by the arrival of Ouki’s main force. The signal to attack is given by cavalry led by Tou, who charges at Zhao’s left army, with the Hi Shin Unit joining the fray. Just as victory seems near, hundreds of Zhao cavalry approach, quickly surrounding Ouki’s army. Li Mu’s calculations were far superior, and Ouki’s forces are encircled. The first wave of Li Mu’s cavalry charges, and a sense of defeat sweeps Ouki’s ranks.

Ouki appears in Qin’s main camp, his imposing shadow cast across the soldiers, who fall silent at his roar. Ouki gives a short speech, rousing the men. He is haunted by his past: battles with Kyu, and the fateful encounter with Pang Nuan.

The staff quickly analyze Zhao’s unusual tactics and Li Mu’s maneuvers as Zhao’s troops close in. Ouki leads a furious charge through the battered defenses. In the chaos, Pang Nuan emerges at the front again.

Kingdom 4: The Return of the Great General Ending spoiler

In the heart of the battlefield, the duel between Martial God Pang Nuan and Great General Ouki begins. At first, the fight is evenly matched, but when Pang Nuan mentions Kyu’s name, Ouki’s demeanor changes. The surrounding clamor dies down as the two’s movements dominate the battlefield. Their weapons clash, horse hooves thunder—a rhythm all their own. No soldier dares approach.

To ensure his army’s escape, Ouki holds off Pang Nuan, but the battle drags on and Li Mu’s strategist Wei Jia makes his move. As Ouki overwhelms Pang Nuan and prepares to deliver the final blow, Wei Jia’s arrow pierces Ouki’s back, throwing off his sword swing and allowing Pang Nuan’s spear to deeply wound Ouki’s chest.

Wei Jia is struck down by Shin, but Ouki’s wound demoralizes his troops. Shin intervenes, ending the duel, and escapes on horseback with Ouki on his back. During their escape, Ouki imparts advice about the “view from a general’s perspective.”

Barely escaping Zhao’s encirclement, Ouki’s and Mou Bu’s armies regroup. Facing death, Ouki passes his command to Tou and urges Mou Bu to become the face of Qin’s army. His final words to Shin are an acknowledgment of his potential and the gift of his spear. Ouki dies peacefully.

News of Ouki’s death reaches the capital. Zheng shares the King Sho’s final words, revealed to him by Ouki, with Lord Changwen. Both grieve for Ouki.

Ouki’s corpse is brought back to Hanyang with the Hi Shin Unit in mourning. At this, Shin encourages everyone not to hang their heads, having protected Mayang. He rallies them to lift their heads high and return to the city with pride and Ouki’s memory. The soldiers cheer as Shin raises Ouki’s spear and orders them forward.

Ying Zheng opens the city gates and commands that Great General Ouki is returning. Shin signals to move forward, and the entire army begins the march home.

Box Office and Success

In 2024, the film opened at No. 1 in Japan, ultimately earning a total box office gross of 8.03 billion yen. It became the highest-grossing live-action film of the Reiwa era in Japan. Domestically, it set a new franchise record and surpassed Godzilla to become a phenomenal box office hit.

Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General Reviews

Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General concluded the series with the highest level of quality. The film received favorable reviews for its overwhelming large-scale battle scenes, detailed sets, strong character development, original soundtrack, special effects, screenplay, and acting. By faithfully capturing the essence of the original manga, it is regarded as an epic drama truly worth watching in theaters.

Kingdom 5 Release Date

According to multiple Japanese film media outlets such as CinemaCafe, the fifth installment of the “Kingdom” series starring Kento Yamazaki (official title TBD) is confirmed to be released in Japan in the summer of 2026, with July 11, 2025, announced as a key date.

The production and cast were officially announced, confirming that this will be the direct sequel following “Kingdom: Return of the Great General.” The film will be directed by Shinsuke Sato, with a screenplay by Tsutomu Kuroiwa and original creator Yasuhisa Hara. Lead cast members Kento Yamazaki (as Shin) and Ryo Yoshizawa (as Eisei) will return.

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