Following on from a few teases, it has been confirmed that Kinnikuman, also known as Ultimate Muscle, will be receiving an anime adaptation, with further details to be revealed later this year. The iconic shonen manga series will find a new life with a modern TV anime project, which does not have a release window date as of yet.
Despite the absence of information about the cast and staff, fans began asking about the involvement of Toei Animation, the studio that created the franchise’s first anime adaptation all the way back in 1983. Since Kinnikuman (Tatakae!! Ramenman) is one of the most popular manga series ever written, the announcement of the anime project has fans excited, with many expressing their admiration for characters and story-telling.
There’s also curiosity amongst fans as to whether or not the upcoming adaptation will be a reboot or remake, with another group of fans assuming it will be a spin-off that will tell a different story from the classic shonen manga.
The Kinnikuman manga inspired several anime series, all of which were created by Toei Animation. The first anime adaptation aired on Nippon TV between 1983 and 1986, while the second series premiered in 1988. Afterwards, Toei Animation released a short anime film the same year, followed by the Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy TV anime in 2002. After years of waiting, Kinnikuman fans will finally get their turn, as the manga series will be adapted into a new TV anime.
Kinnikuman is an action-comedy manga series written by Yudetamago, the pen name of the Japanese artists consisting of Takashi Shimada and Yoshinori Nakai. It follows the story of a superhero, named Suguru Kinnuku, who must retain his title in a wrestling tournament. He is a clumsy, foolish, and comical superhero that aims to prove himself worthy of the throne. After entering wrestling competitions, Suguru takes on evil Chojin and other pretenders, including Mariposa, Zebra, Soldier, and Big Body.
Though its regular publication goes back to 1978, the original manga was first serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump between 1979-1987. It is still one of the best-selling manga series of all time in Japan. Further details about its anime adaptation will likely be revealed later this year.
