Souten Kouro follows the life of Cao Cao, the last Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty (155–220 CE), set against the backdrop of the Three Kingdoms period in China. Though the Three Kingdoms era has long been a popular theme in Japanese manga, Souten Kouro distinguishes itself in several respects. The series presents a highly positive depiction of Cao Cao, who is traditionally portrayed as an antagonist in Japanese manga and most novelizations of the period, including the 14th‑century classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. Another significant difference is...