Ranking of Kings

## Ranking of Kings **Ranking of Kings** (王様ランキング, *Ōsama Rankingu*) is a 2021 anime television series produced by Wit Studio, adapted from Sosuke Toka's manga. One of the most pleasant surprises in recent anime history, the series presents itself initially as a cheerful storybook fairy tale — simple character designs, bright colors, a gentle tone — before revealing itself to be an intricate, emotionally devastating drama about family betrayal, loneliness, and the nature of true strength. It became an unexpected breakout hit and earned widespread acclaim for its storytelling depth. Prince Bojji is the firstborn son of the giant King Bosse, but he is tiny and cannot speak or hear. The kingdom's ranking system judges him last among princes, and everyone — courtiers, knights, even family — dismisses him as useless. Then Bojji meets Kage, a small shadow creature who is the last survivor of an assassinated clan and who has been lurking in the palace shadows. Kage is the first being who treats Bojji simply as a person. Their unlikely friendship gives Bojji the courage to begin training seriously, even as conspiracies swirl around the king's succession and long-buried family secrets begin to surface. What begins as a simple underdog story unfolds into a rich, multi-perspective epic in which almost every character — hero and villain alike — is revealed to have a heartbreaking story of their own.