Beyond the Heavens

Souten Kouro is a historical anime series based on the life of Cao Cao, the last Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty in late 2nd century China. Unlike many other Three Kingdoms period adaptations, this series deviates from the traditional portrayal of Cao Cao as an antagonist, instead presenting him in a relatively positive light. The storyline primarily draws from the historical account of Records of Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, which differs from the more well-known novel version, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In this adaptation, Cao Cao's focus on pragmatism over idealism drives the plot and often puts him at odds with Confucianist customs and values.