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Characters / Kingdom

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Characters of the Kingdom manga series. As a retelling of the Chinese Warring States period, it is of course filled with numerous characters from all sides.

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State of Qin

Qin is the home state of our protagonists, located in the northwestern corner of the seven warring states.

    State of Ai 

The State of Ai is a rebel faction of Qin led by Lao Ai and Zhao Ji, the Queen Mother. In reality is the "ultimate weapon" of Lü Buwei and his last chance of dethroning Zheng as King of Qin. At the king's coming of age ceremony, they launch an ambush of the capital Xianyang with the goal of taking the city and murdering the royal family.

Fan Yuqi

Japanese Pronunciation: Han Oki

A military leader of the rebel state of Ai.

* Outliving One's Offspring: Watches Liuqi’s execution in anguish as a disguised fugitive.

Fan Liuqi

Japanese Pronunciation: Han Roki

A military commander under his father Fan Yuqi, tasked with finding and killing the royal family.

  • An Arm and a Leg: Xin cuts off his hand before he even gets a word in. It's all downhill for him from that point on.
  • Big Bad Wannabe: His arrogance far exceeds his actual martial ability.
  • Off with His Head!: His eventual fate.
  • Oh, Crap!: When he realized he's been severely outclassed by the very, very angry Xin...
  • Psychopathic Manchild: Takes glee in massacring defenseless citizens on his way to the royal harem.
  • Smug Smiler: Has a self-assured grin the entire time up until he realizes how deep of a shit he is in.
  • Stupid Evil: His seeming compulsion to kill every civilian he comes across is not only cruel, but actively hurts his efforts. More than a few times his own allies tell him to cut that shit out during a battle because that's not what they're here to do. Of course, this bites him hard during the raid on Xianyang. Xin is able to catch up with him and beat him bloody before he can kill the royal heir because he wasted his time killing every person he came across, and that left a trail of bodies Xin was able to use to track him easily even through the maze like structure of the harem.

Wa Tieji

Japanese Pronunciation: Wa Tegi

State of Zhao

Bordering Qin to the east, Zhao is a perennial rival and thorn in the side of the state of Qin.

  • Decadent Court: The current ruling body of Zhao is ultimately negligent to the state's affairs and proves itself to be as much of a threat to the kingdom as its enemies.

    Three Great Heavens of Zhao 

Li Mu

Japanese Pronunciation: Ri Boku

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ri_boku_anime.png
The Great Blaze, Strongest of the Three Great Heavens
Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa (Japanese), Chris Hackney (English, Season 3 onwards)

A legendary general that never lost a battle in his life. In this manga he was the man that out-thought and defeated Wang Yi, the greatest and last of the Six Great Generals in battle. He's the main antagonist of the story, and it's one of Xin's goals to defeat him and avenge Wang Yi's death.

Stats: Strength |91|, Leadership |98|, Knowledge |100!!!|
  • The Ace: So far, it's shown that he's to be AT LEAST stronger than Xin's 'default state', superior to Wang Yi in strategems and tactics, and the equal of Ju Xin, a man who replicated the Military God Yue Yi's warefare through years of careful study. More recently (as of chapter 750) his martial strength has been eclipsed by other fighters around him, and he has lost to Wang Jian at the battle of Zhu Hai Plains, but Qin still rightfully considers him a monster beyond compare.
  • Anti-Villain: In the end, he is only an antagonist because he serves the "wrong" side of history. If anything, the story points out and acknowledges that Qin is technically more villainous than him for their warmongering tactics, despite their long-term ambitions for peace, as Li Mu points out diplomatic alternatives to unifying the 7 states. Zheng shoots those down under the argument that it wouldn't truly erase the borders and cultural identities that cause the states to see each other as enemies to be fought, and since Li Mu cannot stomach the idea of a cultural Loss of Identity on such a massive scale like what Zheng envisions, he becomes determined to fight him to the bitter end to preserve as much life as he possibly can.
  • Asskicking Leads to Leadership: Defeating Wang Yi earns him such status that he becomes the number one general in Zhao, the Head of Military Affairs, and the prime minister.
  • Badass Boast: He tells Ying Zheng straight to his face that he alone is stronger than all of Qin's military combined and if Qin goes too far, he'll personally level Qin's capital.
  • Badass Bookworm/Genius Bruiser: He was able to push back Xin's strength and have Xin on the defensive in their early spar with ease. His arms were shown to have several hideous and long scars and were also extremely muscular.
  • Badass Bureaucrat: Besides being the head of Zhao's military, he's also its Prime Minister, meaning he holds the most political power as well after the king.
  • Big Bad: Somewhat. He's the closest thing to the primary antagonist of the series and decides to make himself the main obstacle to the fulfillment of Zheng's dream after failing to peacefully dissuade him from his path, but he's hardly a monster or a bad man for doing so, and there are numerous other forces in the various states who are portrayed as being threats or significant obstacles to Zheng's overall goals. Nonetheless, Li Mu fits this most because he's the most personal opponent for both Zheng and Xin for different reasons.
  • Beleaguered Assistant: To the Zhao king.
  • Beware the Nice Ones: For someone not being as menacing as most generals and who tries to look for a peaceful solution first, when it comes to warfare all gloves are off.
  • Call to Agriculture: Admits he would much prefer to be a simple farmer than the general he is but continues to fight because he acts as one of the pillars that uphold Zhao in its entirety.
  • Clark Kent Outfit: He has a pretty muscular build under his baggy clothing.
  • Combat Pragmatist: He believes in minimizing loss of life, and if that means fighting dirty or dishonorably to end conflict in the fastest means possible, then he'll use whatever dirty trick he has to in order to do that. On the other hand, if he can't end the fighting with the fewest number of lives lost on both sides, then he'll set up his tactics accordingly so that the enemy is overwhelmingly crushed with zero loses on his side, so that they don't have the manpower or the spirit to rise up against Zhao in the future.
  • Crazy-Prepared: His main shtick. He will create schemes years in advance and meticulously plans and stacks the deck in his favor. If he happens to be Out-Gambitted and cornered at his HQ, he will always have Pang Nuan by his side to ensure he still wins anyway.
  • Covered in Scars: Xin needs only one look at his arm under the sleeve to realize that he's not just a strategist.
  • Didn't See That Coming: He's not infallible or capable of 100% accurately predicting the future, but what he does predict usually comes to pass in some form. It's notable in that the few times he doesn't correctly predict the outcome, Xin is involved in some manner. It takes some extreme outside-the-box thinking and months-long preparations from Lord Changping and Wang Jian to get their armed forces to successfully invade Zhao thanks to his crafted defenses, and even then it was an all-or-nothing gamble that risked destroying Zheng's dreams of unification and the Qin military's entire might in one go, and it's made clear that if it didn't work, nothing they could pull off in the future would, because Li Mu would learn from the experience and prepare further defenses appropriately.
  • Dirty Coward: Played with. Li Mu's willing admission that he is this trope has never been portrayed as an indication of weakness; in fact, it only further emphasizes just how dangerous an enemy he is. After all, it is exactly because he is willing to use underhanded tactics that he is able to slay Wang Yi.
  • Hero Killer: The most feared opponent of Qin who has been responsible one way of another for virtually all of their major war casualties.
  • Historical Badass Upgrade: Inverted. The historical Li Mu remained undefeated all the way till his execution, successfully defeating or fending off any enemy no matter the odds, hence becoming considered one of the four greatest generals of the warring states. Kingdom's Li Mu has already been defeated in the battle of Zui and faces defeat in Ye which comes to pass despite his best efforts, in part due to the king of Zhao being a petty shit.
  • Hope Crusher: A sympathetic example. In order to end conflict with minimal lives lost, he'll try to reason with the enemy and convince them of the folly of fighting, trying to dampen their fighting spirits to avoid needless bloodshed. Naturally, this makes him something of an ideological opposition to both Zheng and Xin.
  • Keystone Army: Is believed to be the keystone to not only the Zhao military, but also the kingdom as a whole and his death would spell the end for the state.
  • My Country, Right or Wrong: Is despised by the current king Daoxiang and is refused many assets that could lead to Zhao's success, but he ultimately stays as the main commander due to his love for his people.
  • Reasonable Authority Figure: To the Zhao people. A related one-shot reveal that he personally helps the Zhao rebuild their village—as in, personally teaching them how to evacuate during the Xiongnu's raid and lifting woods to help the villagers rebuild their houses afterward—despite being a Great General.
  • The Unfettered: He will do everything to keep his homeland safe.
  • What Could Have Been: He was meant to be the main character instead of Xin in the original version of the manga. Sadly, the author wants to follow the main history — the tragic ending to Li Mu's story was too horrible to put in.
  • Worthy Opponent: Played with. He respects Xin and recognizes his potential, but also tells him it is far too early for Xin to challenge him. If anything, it's implied that he sees Xin in a similar capacity to Hai Yin and would very much prefer to have him on his side rather than an enemy, but with their differing loyalties he's reluctantly forced to mark Xin out as a notable target for his deputies to focus on in large-scale involvements when his attention is being diverted towards the opposing army commanders.
    • He also praises Duke Biao for surpassing his understanding of instinctual generals when the Duke manages to crack his Liudong flow.
    • He is hated by all of Qin for leading the operation that killed Wang Yi and leading the Coalition War, but also respected for his sheer talent.
  • Xanatos Speed Chess: While there's always a Plan C to his Plan B, he rarely has the actual information on the enemy, which results in him swapping tactics on the spot before the opponent recovers from his previous maneuvers. The fact that he's so good at this makes it hard to get the drop on him, which often means his opponents have to resort to extremely illogical moves to catch him off-guard, if ever.

Pang Nuan

Japanese Pronunciation: Hou Ken

Voiced by: Masaya Takatsuka (Japanese), Kamran Nikhad (English, Season 3 onwards)

The warrior that appeared out of nowhere and killed one of the Six Great Generals of Qin, Liao, in the past. Wang Yi avenged Liao and killed him by slashing his face, his falling body getting skewed by nearly a dozen arrows before falling into the depths below. He miraculously survived and joined Zhao six years later.

Stats: Strength |100!!!|(superior to Wang Yi's 'default state')
  • All for Nothing: As he dies, the flashback to his childhood paints his actions and attitude as a desperate subconscious attempt to avert this, as he was kidnapped as a baby from his parents and presumably forced into undergoing Training from Hell to become a Wushen without any say in the matter. Deciding to seek out opponents to fight was his way of proving his existence as the World's Strongest Man and validating the hell he'd been forced into, and men like Xin and Wang Yi being able to equal his level of martial prowess without undergoing the same intense training defined all that he'd done and rendered it all meaningless, hence why he was determined to beat them in combat to prove 'his way' was the correct one, heedless of any greater causes the other men might be fighting for.
  • Bad Boss:
    • He kills any subordinate he doesn't like. While it's not uncommon in the Kingdom universe, the thing about Pang Nuan is that most of the subordinates he kills are actually trying to protect him.
    • He has no interest in leading troops or winning wars for his country, all he cares about are fights. Li Mu recruited him solely because he is a human wrecking ball.
  • Diabolus ex Machina: Li Mu announces all his commanders when the series switches to his point of view... except for this guy. More than once when Li Mu is about to bite the dust it's revealed that Pang Nuan was by his side the entire time. It's more or less his entire purpose on the battlefield, since he refuses to follow orders or lead anybody anywhere— hanging by Li Mu will ultimately mean that the strong opponents he seeks will come towards him seeking Li Mu's head, or Li Mu will set up a situation where he can duel them to demonstrate his strength, which is basically a death sentence for the opposing party.
  • Desperately Looking for a Purpose in Life: After being beaten a few times by Wang Yi, he's been Walking the Earth looking for strong opponents to find what he is lacking. Even after finally killing Wang Yi he still isn't satisfied. Li Mu has to remind him that he will find enlightenment in battle.
  • Half the Man He Used to Be: Xin eventually cuts him in two.
  • Hero Killer: This is kinda his job. Stick close to Li Mu and kill any notable combatant that makes their way through his schemes and forces in hopes of taking his head, which in turn greats him the fights he seeks as validation. He kills Wang Yi (thought he was given the opening via Wei Jia's interference), and later Duke Biao. Technically, Xin nearly perished in the act of killing him for good, and it was only through Qiang Lei using a Dangerous Forbidden Technique that rendered her a Handicapped Badass in combat that saved Xin from fully passing on.
  • Jerkass: He went into Xin's camp and attempted to kill him merely because he sensed potential in him, believing that it was better to nip it in the bud early so he wouldn't be considered an equal in the future.
  • Karmic Death: He gets sliced in half by Xin, a move he frequently delivers to his opponents. Furthermore, once Xin broke his podao's blade in half, he attempted to counter-attack with the same move he used to knock Xin out in their first 'fight', only for Xin to anticipate that from the same experience, allowing him to counter that and set up for the killing blow.
  • Knight of Cerebus: Not that this series is light or so, but things get very dark whenever Pang Nuan gets to appear. The Fei Xin Unit's numbers get ravaged when he first turns up, mistaking Xin and Qiang Lei's presence for Wang Yi's and leading to the deaths of several members who looked like they would be mainstays in the unit moving forward, fresh off their first victory on the field, including Wei Dao, who looked to be a main character up until that point.
  • One-Man Army: He was able to single handily get to Liao — a Great General — in spite of her camp by defended by 2,000 elite soldiers. He singles handily destroyed nearly several hundred and would've finished them all off if not for Liao and later Wang Yi's interference.
    • He got classified as a B level threat 'general', which is a well above average for a general, just by himself alone with no army.
  • Made of Iron: Suffers multiple wounds during the Fei Xin Force's first Qin vs Zhao battle and still survives.
  • Metronomic Man Mashing: Puts Qiang Lei through a particularly brutal example of one. His size and strength combined with his target's small stature and generally weak constitution brings to mind someone trying to smash a doll apart, and she survives only because he got interrupted mid-swing.
  • Older Than They Look: His age is never mentioned in the manga, though he appears to be between 30-40. However, going by historical records Pang Nuan would be already in his 70s.
  • Seeker Archetype: He is a "path-seeker". They look for answers to "evolve" in some way and end all conflicts: Pang Nuan's "evolution" is becoming a martial god, or Wushen.
  • Smug Super: His constant constipated face aside, he is by and large the most arrogant antagonist in the story. His arrogance is best exemplified when he loses a duel of strength from Xin. Rather than admit defeat, he pulls back to his cadre of Zhao bodyguards while claiming he'll let Xin to live this day.
  • Tragic Villain: In his dying moments, Pang Nuan's past is revealed: his parents were healers. As a baby his parents were brutally killed by a Wushen who took the baby for himself. That is why we see Pang Nuan as he is today. What's worse, he dies realizing that his ideal of elevating humanity would impossible because humanity cannot transcend itself.
  • War God: He is described by Li Mu as a "divine embodiment of humanity", the personification of physical strength. Considering he can solo an entire army it's hard to disagree.
  • World's Strongest Man: The strongest in strength according to the author notes.

Lian Ponote 

Japanese Pronunciation: Ren Pa

See: State of Wei

Lin Xiangru

Japanese Pronunciation: Rin Shoujo

One of the late Three Great Heavens. Lin Xiangru was the equal and friend of Lian Po, being a grand strategist of great courage but of little martial might due to persistent illness, which he compensated with powerful martial vassals, the Lin Family Heroes. His illness cut him down in the prime of his might near the eve of the golden age.

  • Animal Motifs: The snake, which carries on to his personal soldiers.
  • Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Zhao E Long remembered him as idiosyncratic and difficult, prone to changing his strategies on the spot, but his might as a general could not be doubted.
  • The Chessmaster: Highly adept at manipulating both ally and enemy alike to achieve victory.
  • Four-Star Badass
  • Non-Action Guy: Due to his illness, but his strategic acumen more than makes up for it.

Zhao She

Japanese Pronunciation: Chou Sha

    Li Mu's Personal Army 

Hai Yin

Japanese Pronunciation: Kai Ne

Voiced by: Misato Murai (Japanese), Apphia Yu (English, Season 3 onwards)

A 3000-Man Commander under Li Mu who supports him throughout the series.

1st Stats: Strength |84|, Leadership |85|, Knowledge |82|
2nd Stats: Strength |84|, Leadership |86|, Knowledge |83|
  • Action Girl: She personally acts as one of Li Mu's personal commanders ever since their first meeting and is shown to fight on the frontlines.
  • Cavalry Officer: Is shown to mostly fight on the battlefield with a cavalry unit which possesses some of China's best horses bred to fight the Xiongnu, though she has fought with infantry in some scenes.
  • The Confidant: Acts as one to Li Mu. While neither her military skill nor rank is the highest among Li Mu's men, she's the one He's personally most willing to open up to.
  • Dual Wielding: Her weapons of choice are a pair of swords.
  • Friendly Enemy: Downplayed. She and He Liao Diao act friendly towards one another despite being on opposing sides, but ultimately they are more loyal to their respective states than each other. During the Siege of Zui, she tries to kidnap Diao to spare her from Li Mu's army but accepts after Diao refuses to come along that she needs to die given her importance as the Fei Xin Unit's main strategist.
  • Number Two: To Li Mu. She acts as an intermediary towards other generals when it comes to disclosing strategy and is his most prominent officer despite not being a general.
  • Sweet Polly Oliver: Discussed. Though she herself doesn't need to disguise herself as a man given Li Mu being more egalitarian than most men in the era, Hai Yin does recognize it to be a common occurance and quickly realizes Diao is one herself after getting a better look.
  • The Strategist: She has a keen eye for tactics, though this is less pronounced given her commanding general is Li Mu, meaning she rarely is required to determine a plan herself.
  • Those Two Guys: Is commonly seen with Fu Di after his first appearance.
  • Undying Loyalty: Obviously, to Li Mu.

Wei Jia

Japanese Pronunciation: Gi Ka

An archer under the command of Li Mu in the Battle of Mayang.

Stats: Strength |90|, Leadership |80|, Knowledge |80|
  • Combat Pragmatist: Has no qualms shooting a general busy dueling from behind.
  • Half the Man He Used to Be: Is given this treatment by Xin for shooting Wang Yi.
  • Hero Killer: Discussed. Many believe it was his arrow rather than Pang Nuan's glaive that finished off Wang Yi, and Pang Nuan himself seems to be unsatisfied with his victory because of this.
  • Honor Before Reason: Subverted. He has little issue with interrupting Wang Yi and Pang Nuan's duel upon recognizing that Pang Nuan was going to lose, and so willingly shot Wang Yi despite knowing his own name would go down in infamy.
  • Improbable Aiming Skills: Is one of the best archers in China.

Fu Di

Japanese Pronunciation: Fu Tei

Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae (Japanese), Paul Dateh (English, Season 3 onwards)

A 3000-Man Commander who aims to become one of Zhao's Three Great Heavens.

Stats: Strength |90|, Leadership |85|, Knowledge |87|
  • Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Refers to himself with "-sama", and looks down on everybody.
  • Dual Wielding: He fights with two swords while in combat.
  • Foil: The "hot-blooded idiot" of Zhao, similar to Qin's Xin and Chu's Xiang Yi.
  • Fragile Speedster: Once Xin outplays his speed, he's easily defeated.
  • Hot-Blooded: Is more prone to violence compared to Hai Yin, and becomes angered after being ignored and having Hai Yin nearly killed via a fall from the city walls.
  • Love Confession: Brazenly declares he will wed Hai Yin, in the middle of a battlefield.
  • To Be a Master: Is one of the current generations aiming for the title of Great General, with Fu Di specifically desiring the seat of one of the Three Great Heavens.
  • Those Two Guys: Is commonly seen with Hai Yin after his first appearance.
  • Underequipped Charge: Makes an attempt at Wang Jian's HQ through the center with only a small unit at hand. It works out, however, when Ma Nan Ci manages to flank the army, giving his unit the ability to head directly for Wang Jian.

Jin Chengchang

Japanese Pronunciation: Shin Seijou

Shun Shui Shu

Japanese Pronunciation: Shun Sui Ju

One of the generals in Li Mu's army, Shun Shui Shu is a mysterious youth with a history with the Xiongnu tribe. Li Mu places him in charge of the hundred thousand strong Liaoyang army to combat Yang Duanhe.

  • Awesomeness by Analysis: Manages to deduce the true nature of Qin's supply line through information he receives from his spy network.
  • Born in the Saddle: Is hinted at being a member of the Xiongnu, which is a tribe of mounted warriors.
  • Child Prodigy: Is only a youth probably not older than Xin, but already a fully-fledged general capable of commanding armies hundreds of thousands strong.
  • Genius Bruiser: His strategic ability was obvious, but most people were surprised when he was shown to be a capable fighter (as they were when Ma Nan Ci proved a skilled tactician).
  • Pint-Sized Powerhouse: One of the smallest guys in the series but able to easily slay Yang Duan He's superhuman mountain tribesmen.
  • The Stoic: Even more so than Qing She.
    • Not So Stoic : When he heard that the king of Zhao was planning to execute Li Mu, he flipped his shit.

Ma Nan Ci

Japanese Pronunciation: Ba Nan Ji

Another of Li Mu's vassals who fought alongside him against the Xiongnu, "Iron Hammer" Ma Nan Ci is a ferocious warrior and an adept tactician, proving to be one of his most valuable assets in the battle for Ye.

  • Boisterous Bruiser: Prone to boisterous laughter when excited.
  • The Brute: Thus far, he appears martially the strongest of Li Mu's personal army and the most drawn to engaging his foes personally.
  • Charles Atlas Superpower: Can crack rock with his bare fist, which he claims to have shattered the skulls of countless Xiongnu leaders with.
  • The Cavalry: Attacks Wang Jian's army and nearly destroys the HQ, though the attempt is in vain as the battle is lost.
  • Genius Bruiser: in the first day of the battle for Ye, he fights equally with both Ya Guang and Wang Ben while spectacularly outplaying them.
  • Punch-Clock Villain: A jolly, friendly fellow who comes to respect Ya Guang and Wang Ben, but this being war he shows no mercy.
  • Rugged Scar: Has deep scars across his face that betray his grueling battles with the Xiongnu.
  • Signature Move: His 'Iron Hammer', a powerful blow capable of smashing skulls.
  • Sensitive Guy and Manly Man: The Manly Man to the more sentimental Zhao E Long in Zhao's right wing during the battle of Ye.
  • Worthy Opponent: Comes to consider Ya Guang and Wang Ben this after battling them, praising their calibre as commanders.

    Lords of Liyan 

Ji Hui

Japanese Pronunciation: Ki Sui

The general in charge of the army of Liyan who is said to hold incredible potential as a commander.

Stats: Strength |86|, Leadership |90|, Knowledge |90|
  • Anti-Villain: Similar to Li Mu, the only reason he is an antagonist is due to being a citizen of an enemy state.
  • Authority Equals Asskicking: Is shown to be proficient with a glaive and is hailed as one of Zhao's more promising generals.
  • Bash Brothers: With Ma Cheng and Liu Dong.
  • Friend to All Children: Is shown to be caring towards the younger generation and is highly protective of them
  • Reasonable Authority Figure: Is widely beloved by the people of Liyan and his army for being both competent and loving towards his subjects. This is exploited by Huan Yi during the Heiyang Campaign by threatening to sack Liyan like he did to the local populace, forcing Ji Hui to withdrawal out of fear for his subjects.
  • Tears of Blood: Shedded them while watching his father burn alive.

Ma Cheng

Japanese Pronunciation: Ba Tei

One of Ji Hui's deputies who acts as his main commander in terms of aggression.

Stats: Strength |90|, Leadership |85|, Knowledge |80|
  • Bash Brothers: With Ji Hui and Liu Dong.
  • Dumb Muscle: Downplayed. He may be the weakest of the trio in terms of intellect, but he is still a capable general.
  • The Big Guy: Is this to Ji Hui and Liu Dong, being taller than the two of them and focusing more on martial strength than strategic thinking.

Liu Dong

Japanese Pronunciation: Ryuu Tou

One of Ji Hui's deputies who grew up alongside him in childhood.

Stats: Strength |84|, Leadership |88|, Knowledge |92|
  • Badass Bookworm: Despite being less capable in combat, he is nonetheless skilled in swordplay and proves to be a capable opponent for Qiang Lei.
  • Bash Brothers: With Ji Hui and Ma Cheng.
  • Curb-Stomp Battle: Delivers one to Qiang Lei by setting up a wire trap upon recognizing that he could be assassinated at night.
  • Fingore: Has part of his hand cut off in his fight against Qiang Lei, though he doesn't waver and continues fighting.
  • Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Is killed by Qiang Lei after losing their duel.
  • The Smart Guy: Is this to the other members of the trio, being more skilled in tactics than with a sword.

Ji Chang

Japanese Pronunciation: Ki Shou

Ji Hui's father who perished while protecting the city of Liyan.

  • Made of Iron: Gave no indication of pain while burning alive and instead spent the time entrusting his son to protect Liyan.
  • Man on Fire: Died via burning alive to save the citizens of Liyan.

    Legacy of Lin Xiangru 

Yao Yun

Japanese Pronunciation: Gyou'un

The most powerful vassal of the late Great Heaven Lin Xiangru, Yao Yun returns after a 20 year absence to defend Ye in the Battle of Zhuhai Plains. An adept instinctual general in addition to his tremendous martial prowess, he proves to be an incredibly formidable opponent for Xin and the Fei Xin Unit.

  • Animal Motifs: The snake.
  • Badass Army: Pound for pound, his men and cavalry are even stronger than those of the Fei Xin Unit.
  • Cool Helmet: An incredibly detailed helmet made to look as if a serpent is coiling around it.
  • The Dragon: Although he is not part of Li Mu's personal army, he is given the most important position and holds the most general authority in their meetings besides Li Mu himself, as well as being the most powerful.
  • Genius Bruiser: He is both a great strategist and an instinctual savant, and also more than powerful enough to absolutely beat the crap out of Xin in their first duel.
  • Gut Feeling: A formidable instinctual General in addition to having great strategic understanding, allowing him to completely outplay and confound Diao. Even when Xin steps up to command, he stays one step ahead. It takes Qiang Lei's awakening to force a stalemate.
  • The Stoic
  • Undying Loyalty: His defining character trait, which in this case is literal.

Zhao E Long

Japanese Pronunciation: Chou Ga Ryuu

    Qing She Army 

Qing She

Japanese Pronunciation: Kei Sha

Voiced by: Daisuke Hirakawa (Japanese), Nicholas Andrew Louie (English, Season 3 onwards)

One of Li Mu's most trusted vassals and considered the closest man to the seat of the Third Great Heaven. Qing She leads Zhao's army in the Coalition War.

Stats: Strength |88|, Leadership |88|, Knowledge |90|
  • Animal Motifs: The spider. His warfare involves setting a web of loose formations, where any army that treads upon will be quickly trapped as he instinctively counters their movements and corners them.
  • Arc Villain: Of the Heiyang arc, though an unusual case as he's killed well before the end of the arc.
  • Chess Motifs: Of the actual chessboard, which adorns his...bonbons, as well as his horses and elites.
  • Child Prodigy: Even as a child he was capable of defeating military strategists, which was what piqued Li Mu's attention.
  • The Dragon: Li Mu's most powerful vassal to whom he entrusts the most difficult tasks.
  • Dude Looks Like a Lady: One could be forgiven for thinking him a chick with his appearance and his name.
  • Fatal Flaw: Within his 'web', Qing She is nearly unstoppable, even capable of defeating Li Mu and trapping the Duke. However, if lured out, he becomes highly vulnerable.
  • Gut Feeling: Is an instinctual general not unlike Duke Biao. A rare type that isn't a fighter general but that doesn't mean he can't defend himself.
  • Hidden Depths: He holds a deep gratitude to Li Mu for adopting him he seeks to repay through helping him in his conquests.
  • Jerkass: A cold, arrogant sadist whose primary goal in war is to see his enemies suffer.
  • Killed Off for Real: Is slain by Xin.
  • Oh, Crap!: He is almost catatonic when he is cornered by Ze Nuo once Huan Yi lures him out of his web.
  • Out-Gambitted: Huan Yi seizes upon his weakness and plays him like a fiddle, and he only survives Huan Yi's retribution because Ji Hui saves his ass. Ultimately, he is still slain by the Fei Xin Unit.
  • Soft-Spoken Sadist: Despite his stoic appearance, he is a twisted individual who considers the writhing and suffering of enemy soldiers the 'best part' of a battle, describing how Wan Ji will slaughter Duke Biao's soldiers in major detail.
  • The Stoic: Shows very little emotion, even when apparently relishing in his enemies' suffering.
    • Not So Stoic: Starts cracking when Huan Yi effectively trolls him in the battle of Heiyang Hills.
  • The Strategist: Bizarrely, despite being an 'instinctual General', he's actually more prone to elaborate complex tactical maneuvers.
  • Stronger Than They Look: He doesn't look the type with his build and stature, but he is quite a capable warrior. This doesn't save him against Xin in the end.
  • Underestimating Badassery: He underestimates just how much the Fei Xin Unit has grown, which leads to his death.
  • Undying Loyalty: An orphan, he was adopted by Li Mu after winning a strategic competition in his village, leading him to hold a deep debt of gratitude.

Jin Mao

Japanese Pronunciation: Kin Mou

Yue Ying

Japanese Pronunciation: Gaku’Ei

    Zhao Generals 

Zhao Zhuang

Japanese Pronunciation: Chou Sou

A strategist in charge of Pang Nuan's army during the first Qin-Zhao conflict.

Stats: Strength |65|, Leadership |87|, Knowledge |91|

  • Dragon-in-Chief: While Pang Nuan is formally head of the army, it is Zhao Zhuang who actually controls most of the forces.
  • Go Out with a Smile: He dies in the knowledge that he contributed to Wang Yi's downfall, and is thus happy.
  • The Stoic: He is very focused on his task.
  • The Strategist
  • Tactical Withdrawal: Withdraws into the mountains, thus splitting up the various Qin armies.

Gong Sun Long

Japanese Pronunciation: Kou Son Ryuu

A veteran general of Zhao who's famed mostly for his balance.

Stats: Strength |83|, Leadership |86|, Knowledge |87|, Balance |90|

Wan Ji

Japanese Pronunciation: Man Goku

A general of Zhao bearing a deep grudge against Qin.

Stats: Strength |88|, Leadership |80|, Knowledge |70|, Hatred |100|
Voiced by: Tadashi Mutou (Japanese)
  • Creepy Monotone: He talks slowly with Bold Inflation, which scares everyone around him.
  • Creepy Shadowed Undereyes
  • Cycle of Revenge: Discussed with Xin, who brings up the possibility that there may already be a survivor of Wan Ji's genocide who may become just like him, to which Wan Ji says that neverending conflict is only natural to humans. Xin promises there will be no more wars once he helps to unify China.
  • The Dreaded: Both Zhao and Qin thought his hatred would be one of the trump cards for the invasion, and considering his goal to exterminate every citizen of Qin, they have the right to be afraid of him.
  • Full-Frontal Assault: While ravaging the Qin villages, he is often seen wearing nothing but his cape.
  • Hero Killer: He is responsible for the death of Wei Dao.
  • Killed Off for Real: He is slain by Xin during the battle of Hangu Pass.
  • Rape, Pillage, and Burn: His specialty.
  • Roaring Rampage of Revenge
  • The Power of Hate: He literally wears the curses of Changping's killed citizens on him, which makes Xin get distracted by ghosts. He also uses hate in his army, which is almost exclusively made of war orphans.
  • Would Hurt a Child: He has no qualms about his soldiers slaying women and children; in fact, he encourages them to do so.

Li Bai

Japanese Pronunciation: Ri Haku

Voiced by: Yuto Uemura (Japanese), Allen Chan (English, Season 3 onwards)

A general of Zhao who is said to be a master of defense.

Stats: Strength |88|, Leadership |85|, Knowledge |86|

She Meng

Japanese Pronunciation: Shou Mou

A huge Zhao general who excels at charges.

Stats: Strength |93|, Leadership |80|, Knowledge |78|
  • Not-So-Harmless Villain: He may look like a moving mountain of fat. Turns out all of that fat is muscle mass, and he is far quicker than you'd expect.
  • Smug Super: He is a genuine threat to Qin, but tends to overestimate himself. Charging Wang Yi head-on because of this proves to be his downfall.

Feng Ji

Japanese Pronunciation: Fuu Ki

A general of Zhao who is best at deploying strategic formations.

Stats: Strength |70|, Leadership |88|, Knowledge |90|

Hu Zhe

Japanese Pronunciation: Ko Chou

A higher ranking general of Zhao who's known as "The Guardian Deity of the Capital". He was one of Zhao's leaders during the invasion of Ye and later appointed as the supreme commander of Zhao's forces later following Li Mu's incarceration and subsequent flight from Zhao.

    Zhao Royalty 

King Daoxiang

Japanese Pronunciation: King Toujou

  • 0% Approval Rating: His only (possible) allies are the prime minister and family, besides that he is despised in both Zhao and in most other states.
  • The Caligula: He's a depraved king who doesn't give one whit about his country and subjects.
  • Depraved Bisexual: He's mostly seen in the bathhouse with a bunch of young boys and he is definitely not in the right mind.
  • Evil Is Petty: He arrests Li Mu in the middle of defending the capital's land for failing the battle he himself was also responsible for by keeping the royal army to himself, and tries to publicly execute him and his allies. He also bites an ear off his own son for speaking up about it.
  • It's All About Me: Flat out says that he doesn't care if his kingdom is destroyed. His entertainment is more important to him than anything else.
  • Spiteful Will: Disinherits his capable older son in favor of the depraved younger son seemingly out of spite.
  • Undignified Death: He dies from poison in his bath, naked, coughing blood and defecating, with his harem of young boys only watching in amusement.

Crown Prince Jia

Japanese Pronunciation: Crown Prince Ka

Prince Qian/King Youmiu

Japanese Pronunciation: Prince Sen/King Yuuboku

Earl Zhao Ji

Japanese Pronunciation: Chou Ki

State of Wei

    Lian Po and the Four Heavenly Kings 

Lian Po

Japanese Pronunciation: Ren Pa

Voiced by: Unshō Ishizuka (Japanese), Keith Silverstein (English, Season 03 onwards)

A former member of Zhao's Three Great Heavens and rival of Wang Yi. Lian Po is a legendary general and the last of Zhao's original Three Great Heavens. After King Daoxiang removed him from his post out of pettiness, Lian Po decided he was not worth serving and departed for Wei, where he reemerged three years later to defend the Shanyang/Sanyou region.

Stats: Strength |97|, Leadership |98|, Knowledge |96| Great General Factor |100!|
  • Arc Villain: Of the Shanyang Invasion.
  • Antagonist in Mourning: Admits to crying upon receiving news of the deaths of every member of the Qin Six, despite them being his greatest enemies. Justified in that they were really only enemies in the field, and had nothing but respect for each other.
  • Blood Knight
  • Charles Atlas Superpower: Shatters a falling boulder with a single swipe of his glaive.
  • Chekhov's Gunman: Had a passing mention about his defection during the Han invasion. His actual appearance comes more than 80 chapters later.
  • Cool Old Guy: Starts off any war by giving his subordinates an energizing hug which heightens their performance, and advises Xin and Meng Tian how to surpass him and the Qin Six.
  • Covered in Scars: At least his face is.
  • Four-Star Badass: One of the biggest, if not the biggest in the series.
    • Lian Po defeats an army of 50,000 led by another Great General with only 8,000 himself, while declaring the experience still did not fully satisfy him.
    • Simply by turning up he rouses Wei soldiers on the verge of defeat into a frenzied mania, inciting Wang Jian, who held the terrain advantage to retreat back to his fort.
  • A Father to His Men
  • Friendly Enemy: He will kill Wang Yi and the other five generals on the battlefield, but outside that they are good drinking buddies. For Lian Po, war is basically his form of athletics.
  • Genius Bruiser: He's noteworthy in that he's both a strategic general and an instinctual general. Lian Po's strategic acumen allows him to match wits with Wang Jian and his instinctual abilities allow him to navigate through a mountain fort Meng Ao spent 40 years devising to defeat him.
  • The Juggernaut
  • Keystone Army: However powerfully he leads his soldiers, he is still, after all, a foreigner general, not a true Wei-born fighter. When the official Wei Commander-in-Chief is slain by Huan Yi, the Wei army practically collapses.
  • Know When to Fold 'Em
  • Master of All: Perhaps the series' embodiment of this. A warrior capable of fighting on par with Wang Yi, a strategist capable of matching wits with Wang Jian, with instincts which allow him to easily outmaneuver a mountain trap Meng Ao spent 40 years planning and leadership to turn foreign soldiers into demons with his mere presence. To top it off, each of his vassals are renowned generals in their own right.
  • Large and in Charge
  • No Challenge Equals No Satisfaction: He finds being the last of the Six Great Generals and Three Great Heavens hardly an enviable position, finding life boring without the thrill of warfare.
  • Punch-Clock Villain: A noble, charismatic, and valiant leader capable of mercy and swallowing his pride for the greater good...yet still one of Qin's greatest adversaries
  • War God: He is the strongest general in Kingdom's universe. Even Li Mu says that no one, not even himself, can defeat Lian Po in a direct battle 9/10 times.
  • Worthy Opponent: How he views the Six Great Generals of Qin.

Lun Hu

Japanese Pronunciation: Rin Ko

Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai (Japanese)

The youngest and most dangerous of Lian Po's Four Heavenly Kings, Lun Hu is Lian Po's "Flying Spear", adopted and personally trained by the Great General since he was a toddler. He leads Wei's centre army in the battle of Shanyang, where he inevitably butts heads with Qin's new generation officers.

Stats: Strength |93|, Leadership |88|, Knowledge |87|, Break through ability |98|
  • Angst? What Angst?: When bringing up his backstory with Xin, he considers the death of his sister more of an afterthought to being adopted by Lian Po. Justified due to likely having very few memories at the time of his adoption.
  • Anti-Villain: Dies protecting Wei from invasion while loyally serving his noble master.
  • Curb-Stomp Battle: He easily dominates Tu Men and Rong Bei (slaying the latter in a single blow), and decimates Wang Ben twice without difficulty.
  • Determinator: To an extent which shocks even Xin himself. Even after taking a fatal blow and down an arm, he still gives Xin the fight of his life.
  • The Dragon: While Jie Zi Fang is technically the leader of the Heavenly Kings, it is Lun Hu to whom Lian Po always dispenses the most difficult and important tasks.
  • Dual Wielding: Two sabers granted to him by Lian Po in his youth.
  • Elite Mook: His personal soldiers are noted to be of great strength and skill, and a large reason for his breakthrough might.
  • Fingore: Loses a few fingers in his third confrontation with Xin.
  • Genius Bruiser: Is pretty proficient at tactical maneuvers, most notably in his use of the Rindou.
  • Genre Savvy: However badass he is, even Lun Hu alone can't penetrate fortified positions. Once Meng Tian saps his personal army's manpower, Lun Hu switches his fighting to direct assault.
  • The Heavy: While Lian Po is the Big Bad and ultimate Chessmaster of the Shanyang invasion, it is Lun Hu who is the most visible adversary and ultimately the main opponent for our protagonists. In this instance Lian Po was clearly out of Xin's league (and still is) and far too strong to be his rival of the arc.
  • Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Is ultimately skewered on Xin's sword.
  • Implausible Fencing Powers: Despite wielding two short swords, obviously disadvantageous and impractical on a horse where reach is so important, he effortlessly overwhelms a spear master in Wang Ben.
  • Killed Off for Real: Is slain by Xin.
  • Older Than They Look: He is in his late thirties but looks like a teen.
  • Undying Loyalty: To Lian Po for adopting and training him in the ways of war.
  • Wake-Up Call Boss: The first truly Great General Xin battles directly.
  • Worthy Opponent: He and Xin gain a great deal of respect for each other over the course of Shanyang, with Xin respecting his countless struggles and viewing him as a milestone who must be surpassed, while Lun Hu comes to accept Xin's strength and considers him blessed by the heavens.

Xuan Feng

Japanese Pronunciation: Gen Bou

The eldest member of Lian Po's Four Heavenly Kings and The Strategist.

Stats: Strength |5|, Leadership |84|, Knowledge |96|
  • Evil Old Folks: He certainly looks one to the eyes of Xin.
  • Killed Off for Real: He is beheaded by Huan Yi.
  • Off with His Head!
  • Out-Gambitted: By Huan Yi. Xuan Feng sends the bulk of Jie Zi Fang's forces to raid Huan Yi's HQ, only to find too late that Huan Yi has never stayed in his HQ and instead seizes the lack of security on Xuan Feng's to take him out.
  • Smug Snake: Is quite smug about the 'superiority' of proper tactics. Despite being outwitted by Huan Yi, he throws a fit about it not being 'proper tactics' before trying to recruit him into being his disciple.
  • The Strategist
  • Tactical Withdrawal: As soon as Qin's forces comes too close to him, he simply withdraws his troops.

Jie Zi Fang

Japanese Pronunciation: Kai Shi Bou

Voiced by: Nobuyuki Hiyama (Japanese)

The leader of the Four Heavenly Kings, specialized in offense.

Stats: Strength |91|, Leadership |90|, Knowledge |88|

Jiang Yan

Japanese Pronunciation: Kyou En

An extremely proficient archer and one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

Stats: Strength |90|, Leadership |90|, Knowledge |88|, Bow |97|

    Fire Dragons of Wei 

Wu Qing

Japanese Pronunciation: Go Kei

The father of Wu Fengming and the highest ranking Wei General at the start of the story.

Stats: Strength |89|, Leadership |92|, Knowledge |97|

Ling Huang

Japanese Pronunciation: Rei Ou

Stats: Strength |38|, Leadership |90|, Knowledge |97|, Weakness: His student's trap.

Kai Meng

Japanese Pronunciation: Gai Mou

Stats: Strength |97|, Leadership |85|, Knowledge |80|, Lust |99|
  • Affably Evil: Considering what his soldiers were planning to do with He Liao Diao, her kidnapping spelled the worst case scenario for her, Xin, and Qin's entire campaign in the region. However, after hearing why such a girl would support Xin on the frontlines, he agrees to a POW exchange and she gets away with just "The Reason You Suck" Speech.
  • General Failure: Without his lieutenant, Kai Meng's decisions are quite unfit for a general. He missed an entire explanation about Xin and somehow assumed he killed Wang Yi, challenges Xin to a duel thus throwing away his tactical advantage, and decides to exchange He Liao Diao unharmed on said lieutenant despite having an upper hand on Xin.
  • Kavorka Man: He's doing a fuckin' fivesome the first time we meet him.

Earl Zi

Japanese Pronunciation: Earl Shi

Stats: Strength |96|, Leadership |90|, Knowledge |86|, Fury |99|
  • Cynicism Catalyst: The death of his sister turned him into a cold blooded killing machine.
  • Dying as Yourself: He silently thanks Wang Ben for reuniting him with his sister.
  • Glass Cannon: As Wang Ben points out, Zi lacks "self-preservation instincts", meaning his Attack! Attack! Attack! leaves his body completely open.
  • Kissing Cousins: He was in love with his step-sister and tried to marry her. Their father didn't like that, so he sent Zi to the frontlines and had Kika given to Tai Lüci, another Fire Dragon and the infamous "Wife Killer".
  • One-Man Army: Kai Meng puts extra faith in him, as before being imprisoned, Earl Zi single-handedly killed Tai Lüci, Ma Tong, and Jing Xian, without the help of Kai Meng or Wu Qing as it was believed. Unfortunately for them, Wang Ben proved himself to be the better spearman.

    Wei Generals 

Wu Fengming

Japanese Pronunciation: Go Houmei

Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa (Japanese), Caleb Yen (English, Season 3 onwards)

The son of Wu Qing, he became the leading general of Wei after Lian Po's exile. A master architect, he raises advanced weapons and structures against Qin in the battle of Hangu Pass.

Stats: Strength |60|, Leadership |89|, Knowledge |98|
  • Arrogant Strategist Guy: While he is truly capable, he is also quite full of himself.
  • Demoted to Dragon: Not him personally, but it happened to his whole family. Until his father Wu Qing's childhood, his family ruled a small kingdom that ended up being conquered and destroyed. They took refuge in Wei and have a military tradition of sorts there, as both Wu Qing and Fengming are highly ranked generals in the Wei military.
    • Inverted for him in the Zhuyong Campaign arc. He served as Ling Huang's Dragon for the duration of the arc, only to put a fast one on his mentor and become the highest ranked officer in the whole kingdom.
  • Dirty Coward: He sacrifices his mentor Ling Huang in order to escape after being defeated in Zhuyong. While he certainly wouldn't have tried to give his life to save his mentor, this was done out of pragmatism too: Ling Huang was already past his prime. He argues with one of the man's retainers afterwards that he, Wu Fengming, is Wei's last hope after losing so many of its generals, and he may as well be right.
  • Dude Looks Like a Lady: Fengming is quite the bishie.
  • Improbable Age: Does he look old enough to be the highest ranked general in Wei?
    • Justified. He's a recognized genius whose father went from prince to general, so he probably received a high-quality military education from the cradle. Also, as it's even lampshaded in-story, Wei suffered the loss of several of its older, more experienced commanding officers. It's not that Fengming gained the title by being better than everyone else (don't tell him that though), but by outliving them.
  • Like Father, Like Son: Both of them excel at using Wei's various specialties (chariots, siege weaponry) to their full extent.
  • Like Father, Unlike Son: What they share in intellect, they differ basically everywhere else. Wu Qing was a towering, intimidating man with war paint, a fierce warrior and a policy to never retreat before an enemy no matter what. Wu Fengming is a scrawny, effeminate fellow with no fighting capabilities, and a pragmatist who will do anything to survive.
  • Gadgeteer Genius: His greatest talent. He designs siege towers and ballistas which allow his Wei army to be the first to reach the top of Hangu Pass. Li Mu even comments that the things Fengming designs are far beyond himself.
  • Kick the Dog: The aforementioned sacrifice under Dirty Coward. Not that Ling Huang is any saint.
  • Mistaken for Servant: How he survives the Battle of Zhuyong, and largely perpetrated by himself. When he and Ling Huang are cornered by Xin, he pretends to be his own servant, telling 'Fengming' to make an escape, hence baiting Xin to cut down his mentor while he makes a break for it.
  • Non-Action Guy: While his father Wu Qing was a powerful warrior, Wu Fengming is a non-combatant who wars purely through strategies.
  • Not-So-Harmless Villain: You would think that with Lian Po and Wu Qing gone, Wei, being the Jobber among the kingdoms, wouldn't have any men of talent left. Turns out Wu Fengming is more than capable. It's even acknowledged in-universe.
  • Smug Super: He considers himself to be Wei's greatest gift under the sun - and he may as well not be wrong. He's undeniably talented. Time will tell if his opinions of himself are higher than reality.
  • The Strategist: He's smart enough to fight using only his brains.

Bai Guixi

Japanese Pronunciation: Haku Kisai

A general of Wei. Serves as a figurehead leader for the Wei army during the battle of Shanyang.

State of Chu

The largest of the seven warring states, comprising the entire southern half of the Middle Kingdom and bordering five other states. Everybody keeps a wary eye on Chu and must calculate its response before taking any action.

  • The Empire: Currently, Chu is the largest and strongest of the seven states.

    Chu Leadership 

Lord Chunshen (Chunshen Jun)

Japanese Pronunciation: Lord Shunshin (Shunshin Kun)

Voiced by: Yūya Uchida (Japanese), Yinan Shentu (English, Season 3 onwards)

The prime minister of Chu.

  • Chekhov's Gun: He shows up at the Coalition Invasion arc and doesn't do much. A few dozen chapters later, his death (and the king's) receives an arc of its own.
  • Killed Offscreen: Was assassinated.
  • Sir Swears-a-Lot: Nearly every sentence he says contains an insult or complaint. Quite the far cry from the refined prime minister he's supposed to be.
  • The Strategist: He's Chu's Chief of the Military. He's no Li Mu, but seems to understand quite a bit of warfare.

Li Yuan

Japanese Pronunciation: Ri En

  • Big Brother Instinct : Claimed that his reason to assassinate Lord Chunshen is to protect his sister, the wife of the previous king who was impregnated by Lord Chunshen. How true this is is still up in the air however, as many people suspect that he did it out of naked ambition.
  • Brutal Honesty : Admitted that he dislikes "warmongering brutes from the bottom of his heart", in the presence of Lian Po, Wa Lin and others.
  • We Can Rule Together : Offer Wa Lin the position of Prime minister.

Wa Lin

Japanese Pronunciation: Ka Rin

Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka (Japanese), Melissa Medina (English, Season 3 onwards)

A tall female general who took over after Lord Linwu's death, Wa Lin proves to be a master tactician and a far greater threat than Linwu ever was.

Stats: Strength |94|, Leadership |92|, Knowledge |98|
  • Asskicking Leads to Leadership: Her feats in the Coalition War afford her great prestige and recognition, eventually winning her the position of Prime Minister under Li Yuan’s regime.
  • Bad Boss: Not afraid to turn her men into mincemeat, or send them to the battlefield with no instructions whatsoever. She also kills subordinates when she feels like it; according to Bai Li, her army has a reputation for being dangerous even to allies. She's not the exception to the setting, though.
  • Berserk Button:
    • She threatens to kill anyone who comments on her height.
    • She also hates being reminded of her past. When Li Yuan mentioned how she used to travel to various battlefields in search of her brother, she threatened to kill him.
  • Bunny-Ears Lawyer: When asked to describe her, Lord Chunshen says that the best way to do it is by saying "There is a problem with [her] personality". Wa Lin's skill at warfare is unquestionable, though; if it hadn't been for Wang Jian's timely arrival, her elite troops would have taken Hangu Pass.
  • The Chessmaster: Arguably equal to Li Mu, she plays Teng like a fiddle and comes closest to outright defeating Qin in Hangu Pass.
  • Dark and Troubled Past: Implied to have had one by Li Yuan. According to him, she spent her youth roaming the dangerous southern Chu looking for her younger brother. Given the face she makes when he mentions it, those must not be her brightest memories.
  • Elite Mook: Her personal elites are considered possibly the best in all of Chu, easily dominating Teng's Wang Yi elites.
  • Four-Star Badass: She deserves a special mention for this. After Han Ming kicked the bucket, she became the number two of the whole of the Chu military, and has the sum of 300,000 men under her direct command. That's as much as all the Qin soldiers that fought at Hangu Pass. Let that sink in.
  • Jerkass: She has a habit of threatening and insulting others. And killing them when she feels like it.
  • Kick the Dog: Insults Linwu after his death and belittles and threatens his demoralized army with death if they fail to right his failure. She also kills his lieutenant, for no reason at all - and right when he's in the middle of swearing her fealty.
  • Large and in Charge: Almost as tall as Han Ming himself, and one of Chu's highest ranking generals. Played even straighter after she ascended to become Chu's co-Chancellor.
  • Opportunistic Bastard: Oh, she is, very much. And doesn't bother hiding it - at all. She instructed her younger brother in taking Meng Wu's head while he was busy dealing with Han Ming. Li Mu even lampshades it: should Qin and Zhao ever get embroiled in some large scale war over western Zhao, Wa Lin will march her men north and take everything in her path. Chu can be argued to be far more dangerous now that she and Li Yuan are in control than it ever was.
  • Out-Gambitted: Her plans ultimately collapse due to Wang Jian foreseeing an army might circle around and attack Hangu Pass from a blindspot and already having made preparations.
  • Smug Super: Wa Lin is very aware of her own talents. She's also not wrong about them. She was minutes away from conquering Hangu Pass for good when her plans were foiled. Not a single general in any of the other states can claim to have done half as much.
  • Statuesque Stunner: Very tall. It's not a good idea to comment on it.
  • Xanatos Gambit: Her strategy in the battle of Hangu Pass. Her strategies are designed to be too dangerous to be ignored, but designed such that taking it on will cause the opponent to be distracted and unable to respond to an even deeper plan.

    Chu Generals 

Han Ming

Japanese Pronunciation: Kan Mei

Voiced by: Miou Tanaka (Japanese), Kaiji Tang (English, Season 03 onwards)

A gigantic Chu general, also known as the "Giant of Chu". He is a Great General of Chu, and in charge of the Chu army during the coalition's attack on Xianyang.

Stats: Strength |99|, Leadership |91|, Knowledge |88|
  • Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy
  • BFS: Wields a giant saber as his main weapon.
    • Carry a Big Stick: However, his most potent weapon is his mace, he is just so strong he rarely requires it.
  • The Brute: Of the Coalition army's Great Generals, being the most reliant and proficient in the use of brute force.
  • Curbstomp Battle: Inflicts this on one of the Six Great Generals, Wang He.
  • The Dreaded: Feared across all states except Qin. Who covered up the defeat of one of their Great Generals at his hands.
  • Four-Star Badass: At the time of his death, he held the most decorated service record in all of China and was undefeated throughout his career, even defeating one of the Six Great Generals. His achievements and pride lend him immense weight which he uses to dominate Meng Wu until the latter's Heroic Second Wind.
  • Gentle Giant: While he is on the antagonists' side, he does have many features of this trope.
  • Historical Badass Upgrade: While most characters in the series got hit with this, Han Ming is especially notable as he's only mentioned a grand total of once in the entire Shiji and wasn't even mentioned to be a soldier, much less a giant who was also Chu's highest-ranking general. In fact, the historical Han Ming was likely to be a scholar instead.
  • Large and in Charge: Is perhaps the largest character in the series. He's even bigger than Meng Wu.
  • Large Ham
    • Badass Boast: His battle speech before the coalition force's attack is this. Too bad it's cut short.
  • Killed Off for Real: Gets his head turned into paste courtesy of an angry father named Meng Wu.
  • World's Strongest Man: Believes himself to be this, and with good reason. However, he is ultimately slain by Meng Wu in single combat after a grueling battle.
  • Your Head Asplode: Meng Wu obliterates his head under his mace.

Lord Linwu (Linwu Jun)

Japanese Pronunciation: Lord Rinbu (Rinbu Kun)

A general in charge of one of Chu's armies during the war on Qin.

Stats: Strength |93|, Leadership |85|, Knowledge |85|
Voiced by: Hiroki Yasumoto (Japanese), Michael Sorich (English, Season 3 onwards)
  • Asskicking Leads to Leadership: The trials to become a general in Chu are more grueling than those of any other state—Linwu clawed his way to the top by slaying hundreds to enemy leaders.
  • My Girl Back Home: Bai Li's sister.
  • The Worf Effect: Is stated to be a monster that rivals the Six Great Generals of Qin. Easily defeats most of Wang Yi's vassals. Gets completely curb stomped by Teng.

Xiang Yan

Japanese Pronunciation: Kou En

A Great General and one of Chu's finest military commanders, he is famed as the "Tiger of Chu" and mostly campaigns in the east.

  • Ambiguously Related: Is most like a senior member of Xiang Yi's house, being his father or grandfather.
  • Four-Star Badass: Most likely is Chu's equivalent to Qin's Six Generals or Zhao's Three Heavens.
  • The Ghost: We have yet to meet him in the story despite his importance.

    Chu Commanders 

Xiang Yi

Japanese Pronunciation: Kou Yoku

Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Japanese), Alex Mai (English, Season 3 onwards)

A 1000-man commander of Chu. Eerily similar to Xin in various ways.

Stats: Strength |90|, Leadership |84|, Knowledge |78|
  • Batman Gambit: While Wa Lin gives him a 5000-man unit in recognition of his skills, he is far too inexperienced to properly command one. Interestingly, Xiang Yi recognises this and his limitations, and his planning around this allows him to successfully stall Teng for the entire day.
  • Cool Sword: The Mo Ye sword, a real blade of Chinese mythology that is said to inflict cuts that cannot be healed.
  • Evil Counterpart: He's Chu's version of Xin.
  • Heroic Resolve: Teng fucks him up, but he just keeps kicking and coming back across an entire day, preventing Teng from doing anything about Wa Lin.
  • Manly Tears: Cries greatly for his master's death, swearing to avenge him.
  • Not-So-Harmless Villain: He initially comes off as an arrogant blowhard. Meng Tian and Wang Ben foil him and Bai Li on the first day of the Battle for Hangu Pass, leading to their army's decisive defeat. Then his Heroic Resolve kicks in and he fights on par with Teng...
  • Unstoppable Rage: Linwu's death sends him into a rage and amps him to the point he manages to fight on par with Teng.

Bai Li

Japanese Pronunciation: Haku Rei

Voiced by: Yuto Uemura (Japanese), Alan Lee (English, Season 3 onwards)

A young, talented archer and 1000-man commander. Friends with Xiang Yi.

Ba Miu

Japanese Pronunciation: Bam Yuu

  • Butt-Monkey: Wa Lin mostly keeps him around so she can abuse him.
  • Gonk: Jesus.

State of Han

    Han Commanders 

Cheng Hui

Japanese Pronunciation: Sei Kai

A specialist of poisons and the general of Han for the Coalition Army.

Stats: Strength |50|, Leadership |86|, Knowledge |88|
Voiced by: Kosuke Toriumi (Japanese)
  • Badass Bookworm: Zigzagged. He is completely useless in physical fighting, but his poison is so deadly that no one it hits can survive. No one doubts the "bookworm" part. The "badass" part... not so much.
  • I Was Quite a Looker: Not of age but from too much exposure to poison.
  • Killed Off for Real: He is killed after Zhang Teng splits his skull.
  • Poisonous Person: Has spent so much time creating new toxins that his body has deteriorated.

Zhang Yin

Japanese Pronunciation: Chou In

Stand-in commander of the Han Army.

  • Butt-Monkey: To Wa Lin. She uses the latter both as an arm support and as a scapegoat for her mockery of other generals.

State of Yan

    Yan Commanders 

Wu Lu Duo

Japanese Pronunciation: Ordo

Voiced by: Kinoshita Hiroyuki (Japanese), Tom Schalk (English, Season 3 onwards)

A specialist of mountainous grounds and the general of Yan for the Coalition Army.

Stats: Strength |93|, Leadership |95|, Knowledge |85|
  • Big Fun: If in a somewhat malicious way, but yes, he's this. The first thing he says when he sees Han Ming is that it had been quite a while since he had last seen someone bigger than himself. He laughs a lot, and his first interaction with Wu Fengming consists of him needling him for the center place among the chairs placed for the coalition generals. Even if competitive, the atmosphere of his army seems to be quite relaxed, as one of his aides even stops to pull a prank in the middle of the battle (and Lu Duo, being Lu Duo, laughs).
  • Opportunistic Bastard: And proud of it. As soon as he hears word of Qin's Ye invasion, he immediately invades Zhao's eastern border, knowing full well that Li Mu would have too much on his hands already.
  • Royals Who Actually Do Something: He conquered fifty mountain tribes that in turn consider him, and not the King of Yan, to be their rightful king.
  • Unwitting Pawn: Wang Jian had him dancing to his tune during the whole battle of Hangu Pass.

Ju Xin

Japanese Pronunciation: Geki Shin

The former number one general of Yan, Ju Xin left Zhao for Yan at the promise of riches around the same time as the "War God" Yue Yi/Gaku Ki. While he was believed to have had the potential to become one of the Three Great Heavens, Ju Xin is a completely mercenary commander lacking loyalty to anything but wealth.

Stats: Strength |90|, Leadership |95|, Knowledge |92|
  • Badass Army: His army consists of elite Quanrong tribesmen, who overthrew the King of Shang hundreds of years before.
  • Doomed by Canon: More accurately, doomed by history. He is slain by Pang Nuan after underestimating him as his historical counterpart was.
  • Fatal Flaw: Because he slew them regularly in his youth, he assumes all Wushen are all talk. Then he meets Pang Nuan...
  • Half the Man He Used to Be: Pang Nuan slices him into half diagonally.
  • Only in It for the Money: His defining trait, and why lacks the 'weight' of a true general.
  • Sincerest Form of Flattery: He spent much of his career observing Yue Yi's warfare so he could become able to imitate it, and for the most part, he succeeded.
  • Smug Snake: Is a very clever and talented general, but greatly underestimating both Li Mu and Pang Nuan costs him his life.
  • The Worf Effect: Existed largely to place another notch on Li Mu's belt and reestablish Pang Nuan's monstrous strength.

State of Qi

    Qi Leadership 

King Wangjian

Japanese Pronunciation: King Ouken

Voiced by: Kenyū Horiuchi (Japanese), Chris Guerrero (English)

  • Big Eater: He's always seen with a snake in his mouth, but he really enjoys Qin's cuisine and later boasts about Qi's.
  • Bunny-Ears Lawyer: A man with a very odd way of thinking. Cai Ze even described him as "a peculiar fellow".
  • Creepy Good: For someone with a Snakes Are Sinister motif and crushing aura, he almost unconditionally helped Qin on two occasions. First he withdrew from the coalition, thus creating pressure on their backs and then he made an alliance with Qin with a promise to surrender Qi without a fight if Ying Zheng upholds his ideals about unification.
  • Old Friend: With Cai Ze.
  • Trademark Favorite Food: He's usually seen snacking on snakes, even though he complained about the horrible taste on his first appearance.

Non-State Actors

    The Mountain Tribes 

Yang Duanhe

Japanese Pronunciation: Yo Tanwa

Voiced by: Mie Sonozaki (Japanese), Marissa Lenti (English, Season 03 onwards)

The king of the mountain tribes that lives far into the western territories of China.

Stats: Strength |95|, Leadership |99|, Knowledge |95|, Beauty |100|
  • A Friend in Need: She throws away her own expansion campaign to save Zui from the Zhao.
  • Action Girl
  • Authority Equals Asskicking: The king of the ferocious mountain tribes, and the strongest of them all.
  • The Cavalry: Arrives with Zui in extremis, after 7 days of holding out in a siege, with her army to save Qin during the siege of Zui.
  • Cool Mask: Everyone in her tribe wears one.
  • Gender Flip: Was a man in Real Life.
  • Genius Bruiser: Strong, eloquent, cultured.
  • Lady of War: One of the strongest, if not the strongest woman in the series.
  • Mukokuseki: She has light brown hair and her eyes are sometimes colored blue. Made some sense, considering she came from the further west to China's heartland though.
  • Neutral No Longer: Qin allows mountain tribes a lot of autonomy, but they were not interested in "plains people" politics, until Ying Zheng manages to restore a 400 year old alliance. Later because Yang Duanhe joins Qin's military, they practically get integrated into Qin.
  • Reasonable Authority Figure: Is a reasonable ruler despite what the savage reputation of the mountain tribes might lead you to believe. She truly wishes for peace and coexistence between her people and the 'plains-dwellers'.
  • Samus Is a Girl: Thanks to her mask and her title being "King", the other characters and many of the readers think that she's a guy at first.
  • She Is the King: Apparently the mountain tribes never bothered to invent different titles for their reigning monarch.
  • The Smurfette Principle: The only female of the current Six Great Generals of Qin.

Bajio

Stats: Strength |88+a|, Leadership |70|, Knowledge |72|

Tajifu

Stats: Strength |80|, Leadership |80|, Knowledge |68|

The Elders

    Assassins 

Qiang Lei

See the Fei Xin Unit

Qiang Xiang

Japanese Pronunciation: Kyou Shou

Qiang Lei's childhood friend who was killed by You Lian during the Chiyou ritual.

You Lian

Japanese Pronunciation: Yuu Ren

Voiced by: Eimi Okada (Japanese), Jenn Wong (English)

The candidate and eventual winner of Qiang Lei's Chiyou ritual.

  • Arc Villainess: She was Qiang Lei's Arch-Enemy who faced her sister during Deadly Graduation, though Qiang Lei spent most of the time looking for her.
  • Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Unlike Qiang Lei, she completed her Chiyou training, and really likes to remind everyone about it.
  • Dirty Coward: Afraid to lose to Qiang Xiang, she persuaded other Chiyou ritual participants to gang up on her, then got rid of them and got her title. Nowadays, despite being the strongest assassin, she tends to wait in the background while her subordinates exhaust the target.
  • Silly Rabbit, Cynicism Is for Losers!: She's a firm believer that the core of her power is Emotion Suppression. Qiang Lei finds that she can use her friends and Xiang as an emotional anchor that lets her dive “deeper” into the Priestess Dance, allowing her to slay You Lian..
  • Skilled And Strong: As the true Chiyou, she learned the superior version of Qiang Lei's Priestess Dance that doesn't turn it into a Dangerous Forbidden Technique. She's good enough with the sword to not rely on it until being pushed.
  • With Great Power Comes Great Insanity: Having loved her own sister as much as Qiang Lei, the stress of murdering her pushed her over the edge and increased her power. This was how the Chiyou gained power until Qiang Lei found another way.

Muta

An assassin sent to chase down Zheng while on the run from the coup.

  • Blow Gun: His weapon of choice.
  • Made of Iron: Played With. His corpse was left for dead, but turned out to still be alive when Diao wanted to take his blowgun. However he himself admits this is only delaying the inevitable.

Xu Wan

Japanese Pronunciation: Jo Kan

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