I watch the first movie, and based on my brother information there's manga about this movie but i haven't read it yet, but this sequel really do justice for first instalment and if i can say, it had good improvement which is kinda tricky for sequel to achieve such kind of thing, really remind me many old chinese war movie that i used to love when i watch in my childhood, like red cliff, three kingdoms, the warlords, hero etc you named it, it's had good storytelling, atmosphere, and epic battle scene that keep you in the edge of you sheet, all actor do the good job and had good chemistry, i really looking forward to watch the next squel, it's really bring you to feel nostalgic about epic chinese movie war that you used to love in early 2000, but surprisingly came from japan production. Just watch it, you'll thank me later.