Thrown into the mysterious kingdom of Kou, high schooler Youko Nakajima faces a world brimming with mythical beasts, political turmoil, and unrelenting trials. Yet, in this land where trust is scarce, an unexpected ally—a scholarly half-beast named Rakushun—refuses to abandon her. Together, they journey toward the kingdom of En and the powerful ruler who may hold answers to her purpose in these strange realms. As the shadows of her fate come into focus, will Youko confront her own fears and accept the throne she never wanted? The acclaimed novel series that inspired the hit anime returns with an all-new translation and captivating illustrations!
Despite ascending to the throne of the kingdom of Kei, Youko Nakajima’s troubles are still not at an end. As queen, she relies on her many advisors to make up for her lack of experience, but when all they do is squabble with each other, the only thing left to do is descend the mountain and come face-to-face with her subjects themselves. Meanwhile, the king of Hou has been killed by insurgents, and his daughter, Shoukei, is forced to live as a peasant to survive. At the same time, Suzu, a girl from Japan, suddenly finds herself whisked away to the kingdom of Sai. Hardships await all three women, but will their trials be rewarded with happiness at the end?
A queen blind to the hardships of her subjects, a princess ashamed to discover her father’s corrupt deeds, and a girl seeking vengeance for the loss of a new friend. Youko, Shoukei, and Suzu continue following their separate paths toward a fairer and more peaceful world. But with a province under Youko’s rule suffering under hard labor and heavy taxes, will Shoukei and Suzu be able to trust this young ruler who came from another world? The destinies of these three women are wound far tighter than they know, and their meeting will define the future of the kingdom of Kei.
The Twelve Kingdoms are often defined by the destinies of kings, queens, and beasts beyond imagination. However, there are many people whose lives are shaken by these decisions who never seek the spotlight. In The Birds of Hisho, a potter struggles with the weight of responsibility that comes with creating a ceramic bird for a ritual as part of Youko’s coronation. But with his grievous past plaguing his mind, can the artist bring himself to create a bird that truly represents hope? Four short stories detail the lives of everyday people within The Twelve Kingdoms and their struggles to fulfill their places in the world.