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Kinnikuman is my favorite manga, and Suguru is my favorite protagonist of all time. Suguru's character development is truly exceptional and well-crafted.  

The series is incredible. The fights, the story, the wide variety of characters, and the expansive universe are all so fascinating. Kinnikuman originally started as a gag and parody (of Ultraman) manga. However, after chapter 28, it evolves significantly. So, don't give up on the manga too early. At least read up to around 50 chapters, and I'm confident you'll enjoy it.  

Lastly, any fellow Kinnikuman fans can send me a friend request. I love discussing Kinnikuman! I hope you all appreciate the series just as much as I do. :)

If Dragon Ball, Fist of the North Star, and Saint Seiya are considered the grandfathers of fighting shonen, Kinnikuman can be regarded as the great-grandfather. Not only did it come before them, but it also established many standards for an action-packed show. In fact, it inspired numerous popular shonen series like One Piece.

Kinnikuman initially started as a gag manga parodying Ultraman at the time, but over the course of the series, the Ultraman elements were gradually dropped. Techniques that were parody versions of the main characters, the ability to turn into a giant, and even the kaijus stopped appearing. Instead, it evolved into a wrestling-based fighting shonen where Chojin (basically Supermen) battle each other for glory or the sake of the universe.

There is a vast selection of Chojin types, each with their own belief systems. For instance, Justice Chojin fight for the safety of those without powers, while Devil Chojin aim to rule over everyone and aren't afraid to fight dirty.

Similar to One Piece, there is a wide variety of characters submitted by fans who read Shonen Jump at the time. Some designs get merged into more fitting characters, but the authors, the duo Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada known as Yudetamago, do credit the kids or adults who sent in the designs. Some of these characters become protagonists or even major antagonists; for example, Robin Mask, one of the fan favorites.

What makes Kinnikuman stand out is that the character designs aren't just for show but actually influence the fighting style of each Chojin. Each uses their body shape and size to full effect, coming with unique strengths and weaknesses. An example is Prisman, a Chojin made of glass, who uses his sharp edges to cut. His opponents can hurt themselves when they attack him with karate chops. And he can absorb sunlight, releasing a dangerous beam of light.

Another example is Planetman, who is made of all the planets in our Solar System and has the ring of Saturn as a saucer to cut things or freeze opponents with his legs, which represent the planets furthest from the sun.

Kinnikuman is also one of the few shonen that grew up with its audience. After the main run concluded, its sequel Kinnikuman Nisei and its 2011 continuation were released in a mature-oriented magazine, allowing them to depict content inappropriate for younger audiences.

There is also the theme of friendship in the show, using what is often associated with "random power out of nowhere" or "deus ex machina," basically nonsense powers. However, Kinnikuman is one of the few shows that uses friendship power appropriately, as it has conditions, weaknesses, and can even be harvested by the enemy.

The 2011 continuation of Kinnikuman came with improvements addressing many issues of the original run. Examples include enhancing the art quality, showing a few of the improvements and changes that will appear in the sequel, adding advancements made by shonen that came after, such as visually highlighting a power-up called Burning Inner Strength, giving more screen time to characters who didn't get much previously, and getting even more out of the designs of older characters. It also expanded on the lore of the world, such as the good gods who only appeared as faces instead of characters unlike the evil gods. This means, unlike many other shonen that continued longer than needed, Kinnikuman's 2011 continuation doesn't devalue what came before it nor does it feel like a cash grab, as one can see the love and care previously put into the series.

As for the characters, Kinnikuman, also known as Prince Suguru Kinniku, is one of the few corruptible main characters. He doesn't have an evil demon or anything but is a selfish adult. At first, he appears very unbearable and unreliable, but from time to time, he shows some signs of humanity needed for a shonen protagonist you look up to. Over the course of the series, while he is scared and doesn't want to participate in certain events like fighting major villains, he makes up his mind and fights for those he loves, developing courage and discovering the hidden power, Burning Inner Strength. He would cast aside his old techniques for ones taught by the former Hawaiian Champion Prince Kameha and eventually develop his own. Over time, he gains the respect of all the people who hated him, which is... pretty much every living soul but his parents.

Meat is Kinnikuman's sidekick or rather servant. He will be his closest friend. While not the most powerful fighter and rarely participates in combat, he is often involved in some way in Kinnikuman's affairs.

Terryman is a Chojin from America, Texas, who, thanks to Kinnikuman, changed his worldview and saw the greater things in life over the things he felt he needed to do. Often, he is the person Suguru can rely on the most.

Robin Mask was the Chojin Champion at the start of the story and one of the most respected characters, a real role model. Over the course of the series, he went through significant character arcs and is one of the most well-developed characters in the show.

There are many other characters, but listing them all and explaining something about them would take forever.

A criticism could be seen in the shift from parody to a completely different product. So if you don't like both of those and the shift isn't something you enjoy, it can be a turn off. But the tonal shift happens gradually enough to feel natural.

Another issue is that this manga is a victim of changes in how things are viewed now. What used to be for kids back in the day is even intolerable for some adults, as there are some very random and insanely brutal scenes or a character based on the history of something said country doesn't want to be reminded of.

Continuing Kinnikuman despite having a concluded sequel can be off-putting for some people who know that the characters they saw around a decade ago in the latest story are fine. But the 2011 continuation fills a few plot holes and creates a setup to better transition to the new generation.

Death can appear meaningless since, like in Dragon Ball, characters can come back to life. The 2011 version fixes that issue by expanding on the story of the Chojin Graveyard and its mechanics as well as a way to remove it. Meaning after that and in the new Generation continuation, death will be permanent. But even before that, there were very strict conditions that made it impossible for any character to come back at any point. It wasn't as easy as in more modern shonen.

And the character designs, especially the main character, can be off-putting.

The manga is also ongoing, meaning the show may not end great like the original run, which ended during the Scramble for the Throne arc.

In conclusion, Kinnikuman is a great shonen and a must-read for shonen fans, especially those who love wrestling.

The initial vibe of the manga feels like a Rocky-style story—a loser proving himself to the world. However, the later chapters do drag on quite a bit. Not to mention the plotholes that become overwhelming.

Kinnikuman in its early stages appears to be a kids' comedy, but once the tournament arc kicks off, it's as if the story took on a new creator. Two words: Blood Baths. This is where the art reaches its peak, and the narrative starts gaining momentum, delivering some solid fight scenes.

It's not for everyone, but if you're looking for good fight scenes and vibrant characters, it's worth checking out.

Kinnikuman stands as perhaps the most outrageous shonen series you'll ever encounter, boasting wacky character designs and absurd battles. Yet beneath its chaotic exterior lies a core of heroism that shines through its characters, often overshadowing its flawed writing.

To begin with, Kinnikuman is an extensive series often likened to Dragon Ball due to shared elements like tournaments and a diverse cast of morally complex characters, both heroes, and villains. The standout feature of Kinnikuman is undoubtedly its characters, though the series is notorious for being excessively over-the-top, which might deter some from fully enjoying it.

Initially, Kinnikuman was conceived as a superhero gag manga, chronicling the misadventures of Kinnikuman, a rather pathetic superhero representing Japan. The early chapters focus on comedy, featuring the occasional giant monster-of-the-week. This isn't a bad start, but it doesn't truly capture what Kinnikuman is all about. As the story progresses, the series transitions into its iconic superhero wrestling theme, allowing Kinnikuman to prove himself as a true hero of justice. These wrestling matches are typically centered around tournaments where villains occasionally face off against heroes.

What surprises many about Kinnikuman (and surely shocks everyone) is that a significant number of characters were submitted by readers of the manga. These submissions often result in wildly unbelievable creations, such as Urinalman, a wrestler who is essentially a walking urinal. Readers must be prepared for some extremely outlandish concepts, as the series can take itself seriously when necessary but frequently pokes fun at itself. Characters like Teapackman, who meets his demise after having his tea drunk by an opposing wrestler, exemplify this humor. The list of quirky names goes on with Ramenman, Buffaloman, Snegator, Sunshine, Planetman, Bikeman, Motor Man, Junk Man, and more. This ramble highlights why someone might either detest or adore the series; a key appeal of Kinnikuman lies in its unbelievable characters and bizarre fighting styles. I admire the creativity of this series, which rivals any modern over-the-top series despite its age.

Setting aside the eccentric character designs, many of the main characters are genuinely cool and incredibly likable. Heroes such as Robin Mask, Terry Man, and Ramenman are all worthy of being the series' main protagonist, yet the manga provides equal screen time to each hero. This allows fans to develop personal favorite wrestlers ranging from the lead, Kinnikuman, to more minor roles like Warsman and Brocken Jr., among others. Despite using the term "minor role," I do not mean to belittle any of the justice chojin, as each has moments of valor, sacrifice, and emotional depth. You may find yourself liking almost every character in the cast due to their endearing qualities.

As mentioned earlier, Kinnikuman shares similarities with Dragon Ball, particularly in its portrayal of villains, who are surprisingly violent and evil. In a series featuring characters like Urinalman, it's striking how genuinely threatening the main villains can be, such as Ashuraman and Sunshine, who are essentially devils or better referred to as Devil Chojin/Devil Supermen. Many wrestling matches are filled with gruesome violence, often depicting dead characters and an odd satanic undertone. As the series delves deeper into its longer story arcs, you'll notice that most villains range from animals, cyborgs, and others, all serving demonic entities, clearly indicating Satan as their leader. The series can become grim, especially during arcs like the Dream Tag arc, which best represents its more "serious" moments. In short, the villains are very menacing, though some may lack depth in terms of characterization and goals.

While I have praised Kinnikuman, there are undeniable issues with its writing, well-known to any fan. Again, drawing parallels with Dragon Ball, Kinnikuman has a habit of reviving characters, often resolved by Deus Ex Machina. Other problems include various inconsistencies in continuity, noticeable in its final arc, where multiple characters receive backstory retcons mid-story, leading to perplexing experiences. Essentially, Kinnikuman can disregard logic, viewing itself more as a cartoon than a realistic setting, such as people emerging from TVs. In a way, this adds to the fun of Kinnikuman, as it's one of the few series that can get away with almost anything ridiculous.

Returning to character deaths, while most heroes are revived, their death scenes still evoke heartfelt emotions, emphasizing the series' strong themes of friendship. This might sound a bit foolish, but Kinnikuman heavily relies on the concept of "Friendship Power," promoting world peace among its multi-ethnic cast of characters. This mindset stems from two factors: the era of the 1980s and the collaboration of the author and artist, who have been friends since childhood and remain so today.

Kinnikuman isn't perfect in terms of writing structure, but its emotional scenes deeply impacted me as a reader, turning me into a devoted fan. Personally, I appreciate its simple theme of friendship, which, though seemingly laughable and silly, I'm confident the authors genuinely hold dear. I believe their intention with Kinnikuman is to advocate for world peace, as people from different countries unite to overcome their struggles. Much of the series reinforces that friendship can achieve extraordinary feats, with the biggest proof being the partnership of Yudetamago, the artist and writer. Through their love of wrestling and teamwork, they've managed to keep this series running for over 30 years, with new material still being published. Kinnikuman even has its own holiday, celebrated every Friday the 29th as Kinnikuman Day. Kinnikuman is a legendary battle shonen that helped pave the way for nearly every battle shonen series, influencing modern works like One Piece and Toriko. Hopefully, in the future, Kinnikuman will gain the respect it deserves.

Kinnikuman manga review: Kinnikuman stands as one of the most outrageous shonen series I've ever encountered. It's excessively over-the-top, and remarkably, it's still ongoing to this day. This series serves as an early example of a gag manga transitioning into an action-packed series. The plot is chaotic, filled with numerous retcons, yet its sheer masculinity overshadows any inconsistencies. While the series isn't without flaws, its absurdity is precisely what makes it work so effectively. The series continues to thrive, and it's exciting to hear that we'll be getting a new anime adaptation next year. The characters are wildly eccentric, making it even more astonishing that this series predates One Piece. That concludes my review of Kinnikuman; the art may start off rough but improves significantly over the chapters. Ultimately, it's the characters that make this series truly exceptional.  

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It's definitely worth the time to read. I really enjoyed this story. I read it straight through.  I couldn't put it down.