TV-Series
Description
Kinniku Mantarō is the main protagonist of his story and the 59th prince of Planet Kinniku, the son of the legendary hero Suguru Kinniku and his wife Bibinba. He is a teenage Chōjin, a superhuman being, and over the course of his journey, his age progresses from 14 to 16 years old. His physical statistics include a height of 176 centimeters and a weight of 83 kilograms, with a base Chōjin Power level of 930,000.
In terms of personality, Mantarō is initially presented as spoiled, lazy, and extremely cowardly, largely due to being raised during a time of peace and in the opulence of royal life. He is often lecherous, frequently showing interest in many girls, though his primary love interest is Rinko Nikaidō. He typically begins fights in a frightened state and often wins his early matches more through luck than skill. Despite these flaws, he possesses a strong sense of justice that emerges when his friends are in danger or when an opponent fights dishonorably. In these critical moments, he can access a hidden well of power called the Kajiba no Kuso Djikara, or Burning Inner Strength. When this happens, a symbol known as the Niku Mark appears on his forehead, and his strength, stamina, and fighting ability increase dramatically.
Mantarō’s primary motivation throughout the story is tied to his legacy. Because his father had all of his own legendary fight records annulled after becoming king, Mantarō grew up completely unaware of his father’s heroic past. This changes when he meets his trainer and friend, Alexandria Meat, who reveals the truth about his father's accomplishments. This discovery pushes Mantarō to forge his own path as a hero, distinct from the immense shadow cast by his father. His role in the story is that of a reluctant but ultimately brave successor, who must protect the Earth and the legacy of justice Chōjin from various evil organizations.
His key relationships are central to his development. His father, Suguru Kinniku, is a source of both legacy and encouragement, having personally trained Mantarō in his early childhood before becoming too busy with royal duties. The legendary fighter Ramenman completed Mantarō's basic training. Alexandria Meat acts as his primary mentor and strategist, grounding him and guiding him toward his potential. Among his peers, he shares a significant rivalry and eventual tag team partnership with Kevin Mask, the son of the legendary Robin Mask. Other friends and allies include Terry the Kid, Gazelleman, and Seiuchin, who are fellow graduates of the Hercules Factory training facility.
Mantarō's development is a gradual journey from a cowardly, luck-dependent fighter into a courageous and strategic warrior. He faces numerous arcs that test his resolve, including battles against the d.M.p, the Demon Seed, and a personal, crushing defeat by Kevin Mask at the Chōjin Olympics, which forces him to mature and become more introspective. He also faces ethical trials and learns the importance of teamwork during the Ultimate Tag Tournament, eventually growing into a leader capable of carrying on the Muscle name.
In terms of notable abilities, Mantarō initially relies on his father's signature techniques, most famously the Kinniku Buster, a powerful maneuver where he places an opponent's neck on his shoulder and drives them down onto the mat. As he grows stronger, he develops his own original finishing moves. One of his first unique techniques is the Muscle Millennium, which involves launching an opponent into the air and then rocketing himself into them from the ring ropes. His ultimate and most powerful technique is the Muscle Gravity, a devastating variation of the Kinniku Buster that, when combined with his Burning Inner Strength, creates an intense gravitational force that tears the opponent’s body apart upon impact. His fighting style also includes a variety of other holds and kicks, such as the Muscle Stretch and the Mantaro Air, and he is known for being quick to improvise new techniques on the spot during a battle.
In terms of personality, Mantarō is initially presented as spoiled, lazy, and extremely cowardly, largely due to being raised during a time of peace and in the opulence of royal life. He is often lecherous, frequently showing interest in many girls, though his primary love interest is Rinko Nikaidō. He typically begins fights in a frightened state and often wins his early matches more through luck than skill. Despite these flaws, he possesses a strong sense of justice that emerges when his friends are in danger or when an opponent fights dishonorably. In these critical moments, he can access a hidden well of power called the Kajiba no Kuso Djikara, or Burning Inner Strength. When this happens, a symbol known as the Niku Mark appears on his forehead, and his strength, stamina, and fighting ability increase dramatically.
Mantarō’s primary motivation throughout the story is tied to his legacy. Because his father had all of his own legendary fight records annulled after becoming king, Mantarō grew up completely unaware of his father’s heroic past. This changes when he meets his trainer and friend, Alexandria Meat, who reveals the truth about his father's accomplishments. This discovery pushes Mantarō to forge his own path as a hero, distinct from the immense shadow cast by his father. His role in the story is that of a reluctant but ultimately brave successor, who must protect the Earth and the legacy of justice Chōjin from various evil organizations.
His key relationships are central to his development. His father, Suguru Kinniku, is a source of both legacy and encouragement, having personally trained Mantarō in his early childhood before becoming too busy with royal duties. The legendary fighter Ramenman completed Mantarō's basic training. Alexandria Meat acts as his primary mentor and strategist, grounding him and guiding him toward his potential. Among his peers, he shares a significant rivalry and eventual tag team partnership with Kevin Mask, the son of the legendary Robin Mask. Other friends and allies include Terry the Kid, Gazelleman, and Seiuchin, who are fellow graduates of the Hercules Factory training facility.
Mantarō's development is a gradual journey from a cowardly, luck-dependent fighter into a courageous and strategic warrior. He faces numerous arcs that test his resolve, including battles against the d.M.p, the Demon Seed, and a personal, crushing defeat by Kevin Mask at the Chōjin Olympics, which forces him to mature and become more introspective. He also faces ethical trials and learns the importance of teamwork during the Ultimate Tag Tournament, eventually growing into a leader capable of carrying on the Muscle name.
In terms of notable abilities, Mantarō initially relies on his father's signature techniques, most famously the Kinniku Buster, a powerful maneuver where he places an opponent's neck on his shoulder and drives them down onto the mat. As he grows stronger, he develops his own original finishing moves. One of his first unique techniques is the Muscle Millennium, which involves launching an opponent into the air and then rocketing himself into them from the ring ropes. His ultimate and most powerful technique is the Muscle Gravity, a devastating variation of the Kinniku Buster that, when combined with his Burning Inner Strength, creates an intense gravitational force that tears the opponent’s body apart upon impact. His fighting style also includes a variety of other holds and kicks, such as the Muscle Stretch and the Mantaro Air, and he is known for being quick to improvise new techniques on the spot during a battle.