Bojji
The first prince who dreams of becoming a strong king despite being born deaf and tiny.
Prince Bojji is the first prince of the Kingdom of Bosse and the main protagonist of the story. Born deaf and tiny in size, he was ridiculed and scorned openly by many within the palace and kingdom. Despite his disability, Bojji dreams of becoming a strong king like his father and always tries to maintain a smile in front of others. He is known for his kindness, diligence, and intuition, which allows him to read lips and know what people are saying. He also possesses extreme agility and dodging ability unconventional for kings that tend to rely on strength, and like all members of his race is impervious to poison.
Quick Facts
- Title
- First Prince
- Affiliation
- Kingdom of Bosse
Lore & Background
Bojji is the first prince of the Kingdom of Bosse, born to King Bosse and his first wife, Queen Shiina. He was born deaf and tiny in size, leading to open ridicule and scorn from many within the palace and kingdom. Despite this, Bojji dreams of becoming a strong king like his father and always tries to maintain a smile in front of others. He is known for his kindness, which has earned him many unexpected allies, his diligence, and his intuition, which allows him to read lips and understand what people are saying. Following his half-brother Daida's coronation, he and Kage set off on a journey. His name is a portmanteau of two Japanese words 'Bocchi' (lonely) and 'Ōji' (prince).
The Deaf Prince's Unconventional Journey
Bojji serves as the heart of a narrative that redefines what it means to be a ruler in a world obsessed with physical might. Born deaf and possessing a stature far smaller than his giant father, King Bosse, he faces immediate ridicule from courtiers who deem him unfit for the throne. Despite these harsh judgments and his inability to speak audibly, Bojji maintains an unwavering optimism and dreams of becoming the greatest king in history. His disability forces him to develop unique survival skills; he possesses exceptional lip-reading abilities that allow him to understand others without sound, granting him a keen intuition often lacking in those who rely solely on hearing. Furthermore, while traditional kings depend on brute strength, Bojji compensates with extraordinary agility and dodging prowess, alongside an innate immunity to poison shared by his royal lineage. His journey begins not as a coronation, but as an exile after his half-brother Daida usurps the throne through political maneuvering. This forced departure allows Bojji to grow beyond the palace walls, proving that kindness and resilience are just as vital as raw power in the quest for true leadership.
The Bond Between Prince and Shadow
The emotional core of the story is anchored by the profound friendship between Bojji and Kage, a dynamic that transcends their vastly different origins. Kage, the sole survivor of an exterminated assassin clan known as the Shadows, grew up in a world defined by betrayal and violence after witnessing his family's murder. Initially hardened by exploitation and theft to survive, he meets Bojji and is deeply moved by the prince's genuine kindness despite his own vulnerability. Unlike others who mock or pity the deaf prince, Kage possesses the unique ability to understand Bojji's silent gestures and expressions, becoming his voice in a world that refuses to listen. Their partnership is formalized when Bebin tasks Kage with protecting Bojji during his journey of self-discovery. This alliance represents a fusion of contrasting worlds: the naive, hopeful royalty and the cynical, battle-hardened survivor. Through their adventures, Kage finds redemption for his past life of crime, while Bojji gains a loyal protector who understands him completely, illustrating how empathy can bridge even the deepest divides between social classes and personal histories.
Royal Intrigue and the Struggle for Succession
The narrative is driven by intense political conflict within the Kingdom of Bosse following the death of the legendary King Bosse. Although the dying king explicitly affirmed Bojji's right to rule, his physical shortcomings sparked a rebellion led by Queen Hiling and her own son, Prince Daida. Hiling, who once doted on Bojji, adopts a pragmatic stance after Daida's birth, ultimately supporting a vote that strips Bojji of the throne in favor of his physically capable half-brother. This decision is fueled by courtiers who believe strength alone dictates leadership, ignoring Bojji's potential for growth. However, the situation darkens as Daida, driven by deep-seated jealousy and manipulated by an enigmatic Magic Mirror, becomes a vessel for his father's reincarnation to secure the number one ranking in the divine system. Meanwhile, Domas, the kingdom's greatest swordsman who initially gave up on Bojji, attempts to assassinate him out of misplaced loyalty before being consumed by regret. These betrayals and manipulations create a complex web of ambition where the true nature of kingship is tested against greed, envy, and the corrupting influence of power.
Adaptation History and Global Reception
Originally conceived as a web manga by Sōsuke Tōka in May 2017 on the Manga Hack platform, the story has since evolved into a multimedia phenomenon. The series, which explores themes of disability, friendship, and destiny, was collected into twenty-two tankōbon volumes published by Enterbrain. Its popularity surged with the anime adaptation produced by Wit Studio, which aired from October 2021 to March 2022 on Fuji TV's Noitamina block, bringing Bojji's silent world to life through vibrant animation and a dedicated voice cast including Minami Hinata in Japanese and Emily Fajardo in English. The success of the television series prompted further expansion, including a spin-off titled Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage that aired in 2023, delving deeper into the lore surrounding the magical beings who rank kings. With an anime film adaptation already announced, the franchise continues to grow, cementing its status as a modern classic that resonates with audiences worldwide through its unique storytelling and emotional depth.
Elsewhere in Ranking of Kings
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