Souten Kouro (2009) — Story, Release Date, Rating

Synopsis:

Set against the backdrop of the turbulent Three Kingdoms period in China, this anime offers a nuanced exploration of Cao Cao, the influential Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Departing from traditional portrayals, the series presents Cao Cao not as a villain, but as a complex figure driven by a desire for pragmatic reform and societal progress. Drawing heavily from historical records, the narrative prioritizes factual accounts over romanticized narratives, resulting in a distinct perspective on the era's key players. While familiar figures like Diao Chan appear, their roles are shaped by historical context rather than legendary embellishment. The story examines Cao Cao’s ongoing struggle against entrenched Confucian ideals and traditional customs as he attempts to reshape the political landscape, navigating a world steeped in established beliefs and power structures. The series presents an introspective look at ambition, legacy, and the challenges of enacting meaningful change.

Episodes:

Episode 1: The Boy Sou Sou (Aired: 04/08/2009)
Episode 2: Amore (Aired: 04/15/2009)
Episode 3: Demon of the North Gate (Aired: 04/22/2009)
Episode 4: Feast of Flame (Aired: 04/29/2009)
Episode 5: Vessel of the World (Aired: 05/06/2009)
... and 21 more episodes

Characters:

Cao, Cao (Main) - Voice Actors: Miyano, Mamoru
Liu, Bei (Main) - Voice Actors: Seki, Tomokazu
Sun, Quan (Main) - Voice Actors: Horanai, Ai
Bu, Lü (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Koyama, Rikiya
Cao, Hong (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Egawa, Hisao
Cao, Ren (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Chiba, Isshin
Dong, Zhuo (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Ootsuka, Houchuu
Guan, Yu (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Morozumi, Kenichi
Hua, Xiong (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Shimada, Bin
Ling, Emperor (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Sasaki, Nozomu
Lu, Meng (Supporting)
Sun, Jian (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Aizawa, Masaki
Xiahou, Dun (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Kusao, Takeshi
Xiahou, Yuan (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Inada, Tetsu
Xu, Chu (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Sakurai, Toshiharu
Xun, Yu (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Yoshino, Hiroyuki
Yuan, Shao (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Terasoma, Masaki
Zhang, Jiao (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Seki, Toshihiko
Zhang, Fei (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Seki, Takaaki

Staff:

Morosawa, Masao (Producer)
Nakatani, Toshio (Producer)
Tamura, Manabu (Producer)
Shindou, Tomohiro (Assistant Producer)
Tominaga, Tsuneo (Director)
Honda, Yasunori (Sound Director)
Iwata, Yoshihiko (Episode Director)
Matano, Hiromichi (Episode Director)
Nakagawa, Satoshi (Episode Director, Storyboard)
Nakamura, Chikayo (Episode Director)
Ooba, Hideaki (Episode Director)
Oono, Kazuhisa (Episode Director)
Uchida, Yuuji (Episode Director)
Takayashiki, Hideo (Script, Series Composition)
Fujisawa, Toshiyuki (Storyboard)
Hayashi, Yuuichirou (Storyboard, Key Animation, Character Design, Animation Director)
Takabayashi, Hisaya (Storyboard)
Yanase, Yuuji (Storyboard)
Yoshikawa, Hiroaki (Storyboard)
Ogre you asshole (Theme Song Performance)
TRIBAL CHAIR (Theme Song Performance)
Aohachi, Yoshinobu (Key Animation)
Awai, Shigeki (Key Animation)
Cho, Hye-jung (Key Animation, 2nd Key Animation)
Fudeyasu, Kazuyuki (Screenplay)
Fujimoto, Suzuko (Planning)
Fukuyo, Takaaki (Animation Director)
Hakata, Masatoshi (Screenplay)
Ichino, Maria (Key Animation)
Inoue, Yoshikatsu (Key Animation, Animation Director)
Ishii, Mai (Key Animation)
Itou, Mina (Key Animation)
Jang, Hee-kyu (Animation Director)
Jang, Kil-yong (Animation Director)
Jung, Young-hee (Animation Check)
Kano, Akira (Animation Director, Chief Animation Director, Character Design)
Kim, Yong Sun (2nd Key Animation)
Kim, Tae-Jeong (Key Animation)
Kimura, Satoshi (Key Animation)
King, Gonta (Original Character Design)
Koyama, Tomohiro (Animation Director)
Kumagai, Yuuya (Animation Check)
Maehara, Kaoru (Key Animation)
Maruyama, Masao (Planning)
Min, Hong Yi (In-Between Animation)
Morita, Hiromitsu (Key Animation)
Murai, Shusei (Music)
Mutou, Nobuhiro (Key Animation)
Narita, Hideyasu (Background Art)
Noji, Kiyoshi (Animation Director)
... and 13 more staff

Reviews:

User qazplmwsxedc (Score: 8/10):
Most adaptations of the Romance of Three Kingdoms portray Cao Cao as a power-hungry villain. Souten Kouro is a little different -- he is the hero in this version, and it makes for an interesting take on this ancient tale. The animation is really, really cheap at times but if you're willing to look past that, it's a great show. The other thing that makes this show interesting is that it talks about a few things that most ROTK adaptations skip over or condense -- namely, Cao Cao's childhood, the fall of the Ten Attendants and the Yellow Turban Rebellion. I wouldn't recommend this show as anentry point into ROTK because it is very different from a typical adaptation of the novel -- see John Woo's live-action film Red Cliff and if you like that, give this show a shot.
User algoPotaku (Score: 8/10):
A war anime with death and destruction so that alone I recommend it. It tells more or less how China was formed, it is a historical anime about China but I misunderstood. The only bad thing is that I get complicated with Chinese names, I couldn't learn the names, the only CRACK is CAO CAO. The best character in very good anime a beast like leluch and light. I did not like the design of the beards and mustaches, there are some very very ugly as if they did not grow their beards taking that anime very entertaining with blood and destruction. En español: Un anime bélicocon muerte y destrucción así que solo con eso lo recomiendo. Cuenta mas o menos como se formo china, es un anime historico sobre china sino entendí mal. Lo único malo es que se me complica con los nombres chinos tipo no me salia aprenderme los nombres el único CRACK es CAO CAO. El mejor personaje del anime muy bueno una bestia como leluch y light. No me gusto el diseño de las barba y bigotes hay algunos muy muy feo como sino les crecieran la barba sacando eso anime muy entretenido con sangre y destrucción.
User Mindrican (Score: 8/10):
Good Points: -A pretty strong medieval type anime -One of the few animes about ancient China -Full of battles and wars -Interesting historical characters -I love every time when Lu Bu appears, he is so dynamic and full of rage -Decent animation Bad points: -The ending feels rushed- We dont see the conclusion of the war between Cao Cao and Yuan Shaon- Some scenes are CGI and its bad CGIn-It has a lot of gore and mature content so If you dont like this kind of stuff be aware nnAll in all this is a pretty good anime to watch If you are into historical animes or if you want an anime similar to Kingdom.

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External Links:

Related Anime/Manga:

Souten Kouro (manga - Adaptation)

Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical
Themes: Historical
Studios: Madhouse
Producers: Arts Pro, VAP
Rating: 7.19 / 10
Rank: #3503
Popularity: #5294
Users Listed: 19,970
Users Scored: 4,591
NSFW: No
Last Updated: 06/11/2025
Aired: April 8, 2009 – September 30, 2009 (Spring)
Type: tv
Source: manga
Age Rating: R
Episodes: 26
Broadcast: Wednesday at 00:59 (JST)

Souten Kouro