When you think of a phenomenal Anime, you think of Attack on Titan, Kimetsu no Yaiba or even One Piece. While they are exceptional shows, 2021 belongs to the Ranking of Kings (Ousama Ranking).
Don’t let this Ghibli-Esque show fool you (not that that’s any disrespect). Ranking of Kings may look cartoony with cartoony and childish characters, Ranking of Kings is a product of Studio Wit which was responsible for producing some of the most stunning and gripping shows like Attack on Titan and the upcoming international bestseller Spy x Family.
The show follows a mute and deaf Prince Bojji, who, despite his lofty dreams of becoming a strong and capable king, is severely undermined by his people, his aides, his brother and even his stepmother, the current Queen. However, Bojji’s life changes due to a chance encounter with Kage, a member of the extinct assassin shadow clan. Together, they embark on an unlikely journey to overcome the odds stacked against Bojji and make him a king worthy of his dreams and aspirations. Unknown to Bojji himself, his journey for betterment might be the thing that saves his country from a certain threat that is waiting to pounce on his kingdom.
Despite the childish and simple aesthetics, Ranking of Kings is deceptively mature and complex. The show smartly navigates in a way that makes you think you know what’s happening and who is siding with who, only to completely overturn your expectations with reveals that are sometimes planted so early in advance. The dynamics of Bojji’s kingdom is both frustrating and deeply engrossing, keeping your eyes glued to find out the latest revelation.
As for the main character, Bojji is completely endearing. For a character who cannot even speak, his expressions and sheer emotion are enough to overwhelm you with a desire to protect him at all cost. Bojji and Kage’s friendship is a strong anchor to the ship, and watching them bond and improve is something to behold.
As it stands, the show has a little under half to finish, with 16 of 23 episodes already aired. However, with the way the show has handled itself (splendidly), I’m certain Ranking of Kings will end up as a gem to be remembered for many years to come. It is, without a doubt, the best Anime of 2021.
Hartwick is a content writer under Headliner by Newswav, a programme where content creators get to tell their unique stories through articles and at the same time monetize their content within the Newswav app.
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