Kings

A series of murals in the Desert Castle depicting Kings of old.

Kings are among the most powerful and well-respected Friends in Kingdom, the titular setting of the Kemono Friends Kingdom mobile game. Wise, mighty, and benevolent, these Friends do not govern so much as protect; while they do have royal duties, their exact nature is unclear.

Overview

The process by which a King is chosen is inconclusive. Upon questioning, even Friends celebrating the arrival of a new King have found themselves to be unsure of how the process works, claiming to have never given the matter any thought. It is known that the process is not by bloodline, as with conventional monarchy, nor is it by a democratic vote or a contest of skills or traits; that being said, a Friend's strength, kindness, and conviction seem to be relevant factors. A serving King has the authority to assign a successor when they step down, as seen in the case of a past King bestowing their title upon King Cobra.

Kings do not tend to see themselves as being above other Friends due to their status; they enjoy partaking in the same festivities and eating the same Kingdom Buns as anyone else does, and they are more than willing to get down and dirty to assist with physical labor in and around their dominions.

Kings tend to reside in notable buildings called Castles, which they fiercely defend alongside their loyal Guards.

History

Kings have existed for a long stretch of Kingdom's history. Murals within Desert Castle depict Kings who held their titles unknown spans of years prior to the events of Kemono Friends Kingdom, their reigns long since forgotten by modern Friends. As these Kings had their portraits featured in a grand pyramid- a structure often associated with pharaohs- and appeared to dress in regalia, it is possible- though ultimately unconfirmed- that these ancient Kings ruled as monarchy, unlike contemporary Kings who seem to lack governing authority or, indeed, much of any desire to govern rather than to act as defenders, counsel, and companions to their fellow Friends.

Known Kings

Contemporary, as of the Main Story of Kemono Friends Kingdom

• African Bush Elephant, the roaming King of Jungle Castle
• King Cobra, the selfless King of Desert Castle
• King Penguin, the reclusive King of Churaumi Castle
• An unknown Friend who serves as King of Ice Castle
• An unknown Friend who recently became a King, prompting a celebration at the beginning of Kemono Friends Kingdom; this may be the aforementioned King of Ice Castle

Historical

• An ancient, unknown King resembling the contemporary King African Bush Elephant
• An ancient, unknown King resembling Woolly Mammoth
• An ancient, unknown King allegedly resembling the King of Ice Castle
• The previous King of Desert Castle, who passed their title on to King Cobra some time before the events of Kemono Friends Kingdom