Youko Nakajima
main character
TV
7.7
My TrackerPLANNING
Episode: 0 / 45
My Score:
Anime DetailsFINISHED
Estimated watch time
18h 45m
⚡ 9 days at 5 eps/day
Tags & Tropes
Isekai96%Female Protagonist92%Coming of Age88%Politics82%Language Barrier80%Conspiracy80%War80%Kingdom Management79%Youkai75%Swordplay71%
TVFINISHED2002 SPRING7.7 / 10 AniList score
The Twelve Kingdoms
十二国記• Juuni Kokuki
Synopsis & Story
Nakajima Youko is your average somewhat timid high school student. One day, a strange man named Keiki appears before her, swearing allegiance. Before she could properly register what was happening, demon-like creatures attack Youko and her friends, after which they are pulled into a different world. A world unlike what she has ever known. Separated from Keiki, Youko and her friends must do whatever they can if they wish to survive in this new world.
Trailer
Watch on YouTubeSource Material Continuity
Continue in Manga at Chapter 495 (Volume 46)
Seasons 1-5 adapted Chapters 1 through 494 (Koku You Hills Campaign concluded). Season 3 to 5 evolved into a spectacular historical military drama.
Where to Watch Officially
Availability, audio and subtitles vary by region and service.
Featured Cast & Voice Actors
Franchise Universe & Related Entries
Aniphoria guide
The Twelve Kingdoms: should you watch it?
At a glance
The Twelve Kingdoms has been well received, with an average AniList score of 77/100 — 65% of 7,337 ratings are 8/10 or higher.
It ranks #7 highest-rated anime of 2002, and #9 most popular anime of 2002, and #2 highest-rated anime of Spring 2002 on AniList.
Of the 14.9K AniList users who started it, 9.0% dropped it, so it is dropped at a typical rate; 9.3K have finished it.
At roughly 18 h 45 min in total, it is a long commitment — about 3 weeks at an hour a day.
Best for viewers who enjoy Action, Adventure, Fantasy — especially isekai, female protagonist, coming of age, politics.
Episodes
45 episodes are listed.
Main cast & creators
- Original creator
- Fuyumi Ono
- Director
- Tsuneo Kobayashi
- Character design
- Yuuko Kusumoto
- Character design
- Hiroto Tanaka
- Music
- Ryou Kunihiko
Opening & ending themes
Openings
- OP1“Juuni Genmukyoku” by Ryou Kunihiko
Endings
Theme data from AnimeThemes.moe.
The Twelve Kingdoms FAQ
- How many episodes does The Twelve Kingdoms have?
- The Twelve Kingdoms has 45 episodes of about 25 minutes each, roughly 18 h 45 min in total.
- How long does it take to watch The Twelve Kingdoms?
- About 18 h 45 min back to back. At two episodes a day it takes 23 days; at one hour a day, about 19 days.
- Is The Twelve Kingdoms finished?
- Yes. The Twelve Kingdoms has finished airing — the final episode aired August 30, 2003.
- Is there a season 2 of The Twelve Kingdoms?
- No sequel is listed for The Twelve Kingdoms as of October 2026. You can continue the story in the original light novel.
- Is The Twelve Kingdoms based on a light novel?
- Yes. The Twelve Kingdoms adapts the light novel by Fuyumi Ono. See the continuation guide on this page for where the anime ends in the source.
- Who animated The Twelve Kingdoms?
- The Twelve Kingdoms was animated by Studio Pierrot and directed by Tsuneo Kobayashi.
- Who sings the opening of The Twelve Kingdoms?
- The opening, "Juuni Genmukyoku", is performed by Ryou Kunihiko.
- Where can I watch The Twelve Kingdoms?
- The Twelve Kingdoms is listed on Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, RetroCrush, Tubi TV, Bilibili TV. Availability varies by region — check the streaming links on this page.