Kings

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
Kings are extremely powerful Friends, known to excel in one or more areas which make them fit for special recognition. They are not exactly rulers, as Kingdom has little need for such governance; rather, they serve as guardians and advisors to the Friends who live within their dominions, which earns them a great amount of respect across Kingdom. Friends will even seek the assistance of Kings from Areas other than their own, if it is believed their particular abilities or thoughts are needed.

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, frequently fraternise with other Friends, and are more than willing to get down and dirty to assist with physical labor. The most royalty-evoking mannerism Kings share is their tendency to reside in notable buildings called Castles, which they fiercely defend from intruders alongside their loyal Guards.

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.

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.

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

Trivia

 * Though its veracity is unclear, dialogue occurring between African Rock Python and King Cheetah, in tandem with corresponding later dialogue between African Rock Python and King Cobra, carries the implication that African Rock Python may have been the former King of Desert Castle before passing the title down to King Cobra and adopting the position of Guard.