Jing: King of Bandits
"The King of Bandits steals stars from the sky."
A NHK BS1 Original
Jing looks like a kid but his skills put him at the top of the world's most notorious thieves. He travels with Kir, a feathered partner who stays close and helps pull off daring jobs. From town to town they pick off valuables, using wit and speed to outsmart locks and guards. When the moment... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: February 24, 2026
About Jing: King of Bandits
Jing looks like a kid but his skills put him at the top of the world's most notorious thieves. He travels with Kir, a feathered partner who stays close and helps pull off daring jobs. From town to town they pick off valuables, using wit and speed to outsmart locks and guards. When the moment calls for it, Kir bonds with Jing's right arm to unleash a signature move that ends in a sudden, dramatic finish. Because of such bold feats and a cheeky grin, Jing earns the moniker King of Bandits, a title he wears with confidence and a hint of mischief. Their adventures take them across cities, deserts, and floating markets, where cunning meets chaos. Yet beneath the thefts, there is a sense of code between Jing and Kir, a mutual respect that keeps them aligned even when the risks climb.
Released in 2002, this animated series is credited to creators Yuuichi Kumakura and Reiko Yoshida. Available production details do not list a single director in standard references. Its tone remains brisk and family friendly.
Despite its niche appeal, Jing: King of Bandits has no major awards listed in standard databases. The show seems to attract a small but devoted fan base rather than broad recognition, and it doesn't sit high on typical award tallies against peers from the era.
Among fans the pairing of Jing and Kir has a small but steady presence in discussions and fan art, with the Kir Royale gimmick recalled as a standout visual beat. The title is often cited by collectors of 2000s animation.
Reception appears mixed, reflected in a modest 5.3 out of 10 average from a small audience. The show blends light humor with heist energy, focusing on clever schemes, teamwork, and the thrill of outsmarting security while keeping the tone brisk and playful.
What Viewers Are Saying
Jing: King of Bandits is a nostalgia heavy episodic ride about Jing the kid thief and his flashy capers, all wrapped in a bold retro art style. Some viewers think the OVA improves the experience with sharper visuals and mood, while the TV run feels like a string of standalone tales that lack a strong through line. People remember the mood, the whimsy and the fun heists, even if some episodes feel thin on backstory and pacing wobbles in spots.
Details
- Release Date
- May 15, 2002
- Episode Length
- 25m
- Rating
- TV-PG
- User Ratings
- 6 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Episodes
- 13
- Network
- NHK BS1, NHK BS2
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Comedy
- Country
- Japan
- Animation Studio
- Studio DEEN
- Based On
- Manga by Yuuichi Kumakura
- Format
- TV
Official Trailer
Voice Cast
Mitsuki Saiga
Ryusei Nakao
Masaki Kusumi
Shin-ichiro Miki
Daisuke Gori
Fumiko Osaka
Hekiru Shiina
Hidekatsu Shibata
Hidenari Ugaki
Hiroshi Naka
Director: Charles Campbell
Original Creator: Yuuichi Kumakura