The Overwhelming Victory of “Kindness” Proven by “Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom” — The Promise for 50 Years in the Future Spun by Unconventional Protagonists

Produced by Madhouse, this film is set in two nations locked in a geopolitical conflict: the “Gold Kingdom,” which suffers from a severe water shortage, and the “Water Kingdom,” which remains impoverished despite its natural resources.

The story follows a man and a woman who become a “fake married couple” and struggle to prevent an all-out war. The greatest appeal lies in its approach to seeking peaceful resolutions through economic mechanisms and dialogue rather than military force. With masterful visual techniques that capture the contrasting atmospheres of both nations and a heartwarming romance between two clumsy souls, this gem of an animated film fills the viewer’s heart with pure euphoria.

Two nations have been severed from each other for 100 years.

Sara, a gentle princess from the Gold Kingdom who is often overlooked by others, and Naranbayar, a poor but family-oriented architect from the Water Kingdom. Despite being from enemy nations, they find themselves entangled in their countries’ schemes and are forced to play the role of a “fake married couple.”

Concerned for Sara’s future amidst a deepening water crisis, Naranbayar resolves to open diplomatic relations between the two countries on the brink of war. As they hide their true feelings for one another, will the “gentle lies” of these two clumsy souls—unable to speak the truth—change the future of their nations?

“Two hostile nations head towards peace through the encounter of a single man and woman.” Hearing just the synopsis, it might sound like a classic, royal-road story often found in picture books or fairy tales. Indeed, Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom (Kin no Kuni Mizu no Kuni) is a very simple work with a gentle touch.

However, you must not underestimate this work as “just a fairy tale for children.” The original work is the manga of the same name by Nao Iwamoto, which proudly won first place in the Female category of “This Manga is Amazing! 2017” (Kono Manga ga Sugoi!). And the animation production was handled by the renowned studio Madhouse.

The protagonists are Sarah, a chubby and clumsy princess of the “Gold Kingdom,” and Naranbayar, a seemingly frivolous and easygoing architect of the “Water Kingdom.” They are by no means stereotypical beauties. Yet, watching these two struggle for the future of their countries and each other’s happiness intensely shakes our hearts, even without flashy action or messy dramas of love and hate.

In today’s world, where the global situation is chaotic and news of conspiracies and conflicts are reported daily, the existential value of this work, which makes us believe in “a world where everyone becomes happy” without any complex logic, is immeasurable. Today, we will unravel from three perspectives why this work wraps many viewers in gentle tears and is handed down as a masterpiece.

What is noteworthy about this movie is that not a single “complete villain” or “incompetent character” who messes up the story appears.

Two hostile nations. The “Gold Kingdom,” which has a sense of crisis that its water resources are depleting and the country will perish in 50 years. The “Water Kingdom,” which has abundant nature but is poor. Even the King of the Gold Kingdom and the pro-war Minister of the Right, Piripappa, are not simply acting out of self-interest. At their core is a desperate desire to “protect my country” and “leave the country for future generations,” as well as loyalty to the King.

Then there’s the Minister of the Left, Saladin, and the First Princess, Leopoldine, of the Gold Kingdom, whom Naranbayar approaches as allies for peace. At first glance, they might look like the common “figurehead handsome guy” and “cold-hearted villainess,” but in reality, they are sharp minds capable of moving the country and possess firm beliefs. The protagonist Naranbayar himself, while usually acting like an unreliable goofball, proves to be an “incredibly interesting man” who displays high insight and quick wit reminiscent of Yang Wen-li (from Legend of the Galactic Heroes) when the time comes.

Every character is wise and holds their own justice. That is exactly why the story does not fall into opportunism and does not make you feel any irritating stress. Watching competent characters advance the drama with good pacing is extremely pleasant.

It is not uncommon for anime films to generate mixed reactions when live-action actors are cast as voice actors. However, when it comes to this work, I can assert that the casting was the “absolute right answer.”

Kento Kaku, playing Naranbayar, brilliantly performs the difficult role of hiding solid intelligence and strong will beneath frivolous banter. And Minami Hamabe, playing Sarah. Her voice, which makes you feel a strong core within a placid demeanor, breathed overwhelming vitality into the character of Sarah. Especially towards the end, the single word “Eh!?” at the moment Sarah realizes a certain “misunderstanding.” The explosive power of emotion packed into that short line was a goosebump-inducing, masterful performance that is in no way inferior to professional voice actors.

Furthermore, the profound acting of the veteran voice actors supporting them (Hiroshi Kamiya, Keiko Toda, Chafurin, Banjo Ginga, etc.) further tightens the worldview of the work. And we must not forget the assassination squad member Lailala (CV: Miyuki Sawashiro) and the dog and cat serving as bridges between the two countries (CV: Anna Mugiho). Their charming and elusive presence provided the ultimate healing and humor to a story that could easily become too serious.

The core of the story is the grand peace proposal suggested by Naranbayar: “Build a waterway between the two countries to supply water to the Gold Kingdom.” What is surprising is that the estimated construction period is “50 years.” It might not be completed while they are alive. Even so, they make the decision to build a bridge now for the children of the future and for the ones they love.

A love story and diplomatic issues between nations. The composition where these two elements of entirely different scales are beautifully linked by the single emotion of “caring for the other” is truly masterful. The two are drawn not to the “external appearance” or “specs” like beauty or intelligence, but to the “true beauty” within the other person. Their pure love ultimately saves the two countries. You could look at it cynically and say, “Such idealism could never exist in reality.” However, the overwhelming “gravitational pull of kindness” that this work possesses melts away even such cynical emotions.

Coupled with the exotic and beautiful background art created by Madhouse, reminiscent of Western or Central Asia (the gimmicks of the secret passages and the direction of the aerial corridor are must-sees), we are enveloped in a euphoria by the end of the film, as if we ourselves have become residents of those countries.

Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom is not the type of work that overwhelms the audience with flashy battles or shocking plot twists. However, the “gradual warmth” and “hymn to humanity” that remain in your heart after viewing possess a charm irreplaceable by any other work.

Hurting no one, sacrificing no one. Just caring for each other, believing in the future, and pooling their wisdom. Their figures act as a refreshing breeze for us living in modern society, and at the same time, an ideal image of how we “wish to be.”

If you feel exhausted by daily news and find your heart becoming frayed. Please, watch this movie. The clumsy yet straightforward love story spun by Naranbayar and Sarah will surely fill your heart with rich and beautiful “water.”

• Sara: Voiced by Minami Hamabe
• Naranbayar: Voiced by Kento Kaku
• Baaya: Voiced by Miru  Hitotsuyanagi
• Moonlight Saladin: Voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya
• Lailala: Voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro
• Jauhara: Voiced by Subaru Kimura

• Original Creator: Nao Iwamoto
• Director: Kotono Watanabe
• Screenplay: Fumi Tsubota
• Character Design: Mizuka Takahashi
• Music: Evan Call
• Animation Production: Madhouse