TV-Series
Description
Iwao is a supporting character from the Kinnikuman series, known primarily as the rocky, dim-witted sidekick to the villain-turned-ally Kinkotsuman. Classified as a rock kaiju, his origins trace back to Planet Dokuro, and at twenty-one years old, he stands at 166 centimeters tall, weighing 214 kilograms.
Initially, Iwao appears as a minor antagonist, attacking Kinnikuman at an amusement park where he is swiftly and easily defeated. Following this humiliating loss, he continues to scheme against the hero, once attempting to kidnap the reporter Natsuko to ruin Kinnikuman’s image during an interview, only to be thwarted once again. After these repeated failures, he adopts the role of Kinkotsuman’s loyal henchman, assisting in various comedic plots to destroy or humiliate Kinnikuman.
Personality-wise, Iwao is not particularly intelligent and serves as a primary source of comic relief. He is deeply loyal to Kinkotsuman, whom he refers to as Sensei, and tries his best to follow orders despite his continuous defeats at the hands of the justice superheroes. A notable quirk is his habit of mimicking his master’s speech patterns, frequently repeating the verbal tic dawasa as a way of showing agreement, an act that usually annoys Kinkotsuman and results in him being struck on the head.
His relationship with Kinkotsuman is the central dynamic of his character. He exists as the classic "master and underling" comedic duo, where Kinkotsuman devises the often flawed schemes and Iwao reluctantly or enthusiastically participates. While he starts as a villain, his allegiance shifts over time. After the Choujin Olympics, the pair seemingly turn good, though they briefly return to their villainous ways during the American Tag Tournament. In the anime adaptation, their redemption arc solidifies as they eventually join forces with Detective Gobugari, becoming part of Kinnikuman’s main cheering squad.
Throughout the series, Iwao experiences a gradual development from a nuisance villain to a comedic ally. He is frequently seen supporting Kinnikuman from the sidelines in later story arcs rather than actively fighting against him. He participates in the American Chojin Tag Team Tournament, forming the Rugged Brothers tag team with a robot partner named Black Shadow, though they do not achieve notable success. Despite his ineffectiveness in combat, Iwao remains a persistent presence, even appearing at major events such as the battle for the Kinniku Throne and Kinnikuman’s wedding to offer support.
In terms of abilities, Iwao possesses a superhuman strength level of 150,000 Power. His signature move is the Rocky Attack, a straightforward offensive technique that reflects his stone-like physique. However, despite these attributes, he is consistently portrayed as one of the weakest characters in the series, rarely posing a genuine threat to any hero and serving primarily as a punching bag for gags.
Initially, Iwao appears as a minor antagonist, attacking Kinnikuman at an amusement park where he is swiftly and easily defeated. Following this humiliating loss, he continues to scheme against the hero, once attempting to kidnap the reporter Natsuko to ruin Kinnikuman’s image during an interview, only to be thwarted once again. After these repeated failures, he adopts the role of Kinkotsuman’s loyal henchman, assisting in various comedic plots to destroy or humiliate Kinnikuman.
Personality-wise, Iwao is not particularly intelligent and serves as a primary source of comic relief. He is deeply loyal to Kinkotsuman, whom he refers to as Sensei, and tries his best to follow orders despite his continuous defeats at the hands of the justice superheroes. A notable quirk is his habit of mimicking his master’s speech patterns, frequently repeating the verbal tic dawasa as a way of showing agreement, an act that usually annoys Kinkotsuman and results in him being struck on the head.
His relationship with Kinkotsuman is the central dynamic of his character. He exists as the classic "master and underling" comedic duo, where Kinkotsuman devises the often flawed schemes and Iwao reluctantly or enthusiastically participates. While he starts as a villain, his allegiance shifts over time. After the Choujin Olympics, the pair seemingly turn good, though they briefly return to their villainous ways during the American Tag Tournament. In the anime adaptation, their redemption arc solidifies as they eventually join forces with Detective Gobugari, becoming part of Kinnikuman’s main cheering squad.
Throughout the series, Iwao experiences a gradual development from a nuisance villain to a comedic ally. He is frequently seen supporting Kinnikuman from the sidelines in later story arcs rather than actively fighting against him. He participates in the American Chojin Tag Team Tournament, forming the Rugged Brothers tag team with a robot partner named Black Shadow, though they do not achieve notable success. Despite his ineffectiveness in combat, Iwao remains a persistent presence, even appearing at major events such as the battle for the Kinniku Throne and Kinnikuman’s wedding to offer support.
In terms of abilities, Iwao possesses a superhuman strength level of 150,000 Power. His signature move is the Rocky Attack, a straightforward offensive technique that reflects his stone-like physique. However, despite these attributes, he is consistently portrayed as one of the weakest characters in the series, rarely posing a genuine threat to any hero and serving primarily as a punching bag for gags.