| The Twelve Kingdoms | |
 Cover of the first book (first volume) of the Kodansha edition, featuring Yoko Nakajima | |
| 十二国記 (Jūni Kokuki) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Novel series | |
| Written by | Fuyumi Ono |
| Illustrated by | Akihiro Yamada |
| Published by | |
| English publisher |
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| Imprint |
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| Demographic | Female |
| Original run | 1992 – present |
| Volumes | 9 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by |
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| Produced by | Ken Suegawa |
| Written by |
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| Music by | Kunihiko Ryo |
| Studio | Pierrot |
| Licensed by |
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| Original network | NHK |
| English network | |
| Original run | April 9, 2002 – August 30, 2003 |
| Episodes | 45 |
The Twelve Kingdoms (Japanese: 十二国記, Hepburn: Jūni Kokuki, also known as "Record of 12 Countries" or "Jūni Kokki") is a series of fantasy novels written by Japanese author Fuyumi Ono and illustrated by Akihiro Yamada. The first entry in the series called The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow was published by Kodansha in Japan in 1992; the last Kodansha volume was released in 2001. In 2012, the series was resumed under the Shinchō Bunko line from Shinchosha. Shinchosha has also begun reprinting the older volumes with new cover and interior art from Akihiro Yamada.[4] The first new publication of the series in six years was released in 2019.[5]
An English-language translation was produced and distributed by Tokyopop. The first four volumes were released between March 2007 and November 2010, before the license reverted back to Kodansha.
On November 20, 2024, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they had acquired the license to publish a new translation of the series in English, with the first volume scheduled for release in July 2025.[6]
It was adapted into an anime television series by Pierrot in 2002, which aired on Japan's NHK from April 2002 to August 2003. The series was licensed and distributed by Media Blasters in the United States at the time of its initial Japanese broadcast. As of 2019, Discotek Media held the license to the series.
- ^ "Tokyopop Proudly Presents the Hit Japanese Fantasy Fiction Series - The Twelve Kingdoms". Anime News Network. January 17, 2007. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
Rife with civil and political upheaval, The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow, the first volume of this epic seven-volume novel series, is set in a world reminiscent of ancient Chinese mythology, taking fans on a wild ride that will leave readers questioning the boundaries of reality and fantasy.
- ^ Rafael Antonio Pineda (January 1, 2016). "Fuyumi Ono Aiming to Publish New Twelve Kingdoms Book in 2016". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
- ^ Ambalina, Limarc (March 11, 2020). "'Isekai' anime: 5 must-see fantasy anime set in a 'different world'". Japan Today. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- ^ "Shinchosha Official 12K Site". Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
- ^ "1st New Twelve Kingdoms Novel Story in 6 Years Slated for 2019". Anime News Network. December 12, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- ^ "Seven Seas Licenses THE TWELVE KINGDOMS Novel Series". Seven Seas Entertainment. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.