Kinnikuman: 40 years of galactic showdowns!
Panem et circenses (Bread and circuses).
With this phrase, the Latin poet Juvenal intended that to get approval from the masses, a ruler must satisfy the immediate needs of the population food and fun. Becoming a universal rule, this way of conduct has been used through the centuries by a vast number of kings, prime ministers, presidents, and it has come to us without significant changes.
And this was valid also in post-WWII Japan when to raise the morale of the nation, the judoka Masahiko Kimura and the sumo wrestler Rikidozan helped by their friend Nick Zapetti established the Nihon Puroresu Kyokai (JWA) in 1953. Calling the wrestlers from the U.S.A.; the matches became extremely popular in no time, giving them the opportunity to the founders to live a very opulent life. Names like Toyonobori, Cowboy Cassidy & “Killer” Buddy Austin were popular during the whole Showa period. Together with actual legends Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba helped to distract millions of people from the suffering of their daily hard life.
Obviously, so popular icons could not be confined between the ring ropes. A large number of manga series focused on this sport started appearing on the magazines’ pages, giving the athletes an additional boost. Tiger Mask, Metal Fighter Miku, Plawres Sanshiro… all of them are set on our planet. But only one series could give us a unique intergalactic level of epicness, the one and only Kinnikuman!
Never give up!
Eccentric fighters, legendary battles, and intense drama all of this and much more can be found in the fighting sci-fi opera created by the dynamic duo known as Yudetamago, and broadcasted for the first time on Nippon Television exactly 40 years ago!
Starring Suguru Kinniku -the prince of the planet Kinniku- and Meat Alexandria -his sidekick and trainer- this adventurous story is a real formation journey to adulthood. Along the 137 episodes, we can experience how match by match Kinnikuman must defeat not only the evil Chojin wrestlers, but also the five contenders for the throne: Kinnikuman Big Body, Zebra, Mariposa, Super Phoenix, and Soldier. More flamboyant and humorous than Tiger Mask’s anime; the series has different layers of reading.
As mentioned before we can watch it as a sort of journey tale to adulthood. Watching it the young generations can learn how to not give up on the challenges of life, how – with commitment and perseverance- a common person can become a superstar, or how we can better understand their role in society… without forgetting the main rule: all the world’s a stage!
Kinnikuman GO FIGHT!
Thanks to its extreme style, especially in fighting and action sequences. Kinnikuman reached also the digital world in 1984 when “Kinnikuman – New type no Simulation Game” appeared on the NEC PC-8801. By the way, a hero like him can’t stop, and we’re sure that a lot of people still remember the good old M.U.S.C.L.E. collectible erasers who literary invaded the US market in 1985 selling millions of units in an outrageously fast time!
Quick like the wind!! Silent like the forest!! Conquer like the fire… Immovable like the mountain!!
With these [almost] divine characteristics it’s not surprising why Kinnikuman is a galaxy-wide big hit for 40 years. True power knows no limit, so join us to celebrate this important anniversary by shouting loudly キン肉マンよ永遠に!! (Kinnikuman is Forever!!)
Join our Playasia Loyalty Program and earn Playasia coins for every purchase.
Also, you can rank up to get even better Loyalty Program perks!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW US ON IG
© 2023 Playasia. OK to reproduce if the copyright note stays intact.
Collectible erasers??
smdh