TV-Series
Description
Kinniku Mantarou serves as the 59th prince of Planet Kinniku, born to the 58th king, Suguru Kinniku, and Queen Bibimba. Raised in a peaceful era, he developed a spoiled, lazy, and cowardly disposition, largely unaware of his father's heroic legacy due to the annulment of Suguru's combat records. His sheltered upbringing omitted rigorous combat training, fostering initial reluctance toward wrestling. Physically, he possesses blue eyes, pale skin, an average human height of 176 cm, and a muscular chojin build. His attire includes a face-mask revealing a tuft of brown hair on his forehead, a head fin, a dark blue leotard with a yellow vertical stripe and a light blue left side featuring a "KIN" emblem, dark brown gloves, and yellow boots.
Personality-wise, Mantarou avoids conflict, displaying cowardice and prioritizing leisure over responsibility. He exhibits lecherous tendencies, frequently attempting to visit adult establishments, though adaptations often tone this down due to his age. His primary love interest is Rinko Nikaido, sharing a platonic relationship that evolves into mutual friendship; Jacqueline Muscle also becomes a romantic interest with ambiguous feelings on her part. He enjoys galbi (beef and rice) bowls, often singing about them. In Japanese media, he replaces sentence endings like "masu" with "muscle" as a verbal tic. Despite his flaws, he possesses a strong sense of justice, activating "Burning Inner Strength" (Kajiba no Kuso Djikara) when friends are endangered or opponents fight unfairly. This state manifests the Niku Mark (肉) on his forehead, drastically enhancing his strength, stamina, and technique.
Key relationships shape his journey: Kevin Mask begins as a rival, with mutual hostility escalating during the Demon Seed Arc before evolving into a respectful partnership. Chaos Avenir becomes a close friend and mentee; Mantarou helps Chaos build confidence, and Chaos's death later fuels Mantarou's resolve. Seiuchin acts as a loyal friend, though their bond fractures temporarily during the Ultimate Tag Tournament when Mantarou's dismissive remarks drive Seiuchin to join the antagonistic Hell Expansions.
His abilities evolve significantly. Initially, he relies on his father's techniques: the Kinniku Buster (a neck-and-spine slam renamed "Butt Buster" in early English dubs) and Kinniku Driver (an inverted piledriver). He later develops original finishers like the Muscle Millennium and Muscle Gravity. His fighting style often starts chaotically, but he chains moves like the Iroha Hell Tour (a three-hold sequence) under duress.
Mantarou's story spans multiple arcs:
- **Prehistory & Training**: Trained by Suguru and later Ramenman, he avenges Ramenman's defeat by Bone Killer, hinting at latent potential.
- **Hercules Factory**: Forced to train by Suguru, he overcomes injuries and defeats adversaries like Anaconda with Terry the Kid's help. He graduates by defeating an out-of-shape Suguru, earning the "Mask of Glory," but ranks low academically and is assigned to protect Beverly Park.
- **d.M.p Arc**: Teams with Meat (Suguru's cryogenically preserved advisor) to battle the demonic d.M.p faction. Key victories include outwitting Tel-Tel Boy (who impersonated Suguru) and defeating MAXman using unorthodox tactics (e.g., exploiting a stink bug/faeces weakness). These wins sway Kevin Mask from the d.M.p, though Kevin rejects Mantarou's alliance offer.
- **Chojin Olympics**: After training to control his Burning Inner Strength, he reaches the finals but loses to Kevin Mask. This defeat causes him to flee in shame before returning for subsequent conflicts.
- **Demon Seed Arc**: He defeats General Devil to save his allies.
- **Ultimate Tag Tournament**: Initially struggles to find a partner due to strained relationships, but teams with Chaos Avenir. Their bond deepens, and after Chaos's death, Mantarou dedicates his final match to him. Post-tournament, he reconciles with Seiuchin and others.
Mantarou's development shows gradual maturation: from a reluctant prince to a determined protector, though he intermittently reverts to laziness between arcs. His growth is marked by accepting responsibility, honoring fallen comrades, and balancing his heritage with his identity.
Personality-wise, Mantarou avoids conflict, displaying cowardice and prioritizing leisure over responsibility. He exhibits lecherous tendencies, frequently attempting to visit adult establishments, though adaptations often tone this down due to his age. His primary love interest is Rinko Nikaido, sharing a platonic relationship that evolves into mutual friendship; Jacqueline Muscle also becomes a romantic interest with ambiguous feelings on her part. He enjoys galbi (beef and rice) bowls, often singing about them. In Japanese media, he replaces sentence endings like "masu" with "muscle" as a verbal tic. Despite his flaws, he possesses a strong sense of justice, activating "Burning Inner Strength" (Kajiba no Kuso Djikara) when friends are endangered or opponents fight unfairly. This state manifests the Niku Mark (肉) on his forehead, drastically enhancing his strength, stamina, and technique.
Key relationships shape his journey: Kevin Mask begins as a rival, with mutual hostility escalating during the Demon Seed Arc before evolving into a respectful partnership. Chaos Avenir becomes a close friend and mentee; Mantarou helps Chaos build confidence, and Chaos's death later fuels Mantarou's resolve. Seiuchin acts as a loyal friend, though their bond fractures temporarily during the Ultimate Tag Tournament when Mantarou's dismissive remarks drive Seiuchin to join the antagonistic Hell Expansions.
His abilities evolve significantly. Initially, he relies on his father's techniques: the Kinniku Buster (a neck-and-spine slam renamed "Butt Buster" in early English dubs) and Kinniku Driver (an inverted piledriver). He later develops original finishers like the Muscle Millennium and Muscle Gravity. His fighting style often starts chaotically, but he chains moves like the Iroha Hell Tour (a three-hold sequence) under duress.
Mantarou's story spans multiple arcs:
- **Prehistory & Training**: Trained by Suguru and later Ramenman, he avenges Ramenman's defeat by Bone Killer, hinting at latent potential.
- **Hercules Factory**: Forced to train by Suguru, he overcomes injuries and defeats adversaries like Anaconda with Terry the Kid's help. He graduates by defeating an out-of-shape Suguru, earning the "Mask of Glory," but ranks low academically and is assigned to protect Beverly Park.
- **d.M.p Arc**: Teams with Meat (Suguru's cryogenically preserved advisor) to battle the demonic d.M.p faction. Key victories include outwitting Tel-Tel Boy (who impersonated Suguru) and defeating MAXman using unorthodox tactics (e.g., exploiting a stink bug/faeces weakness). These wins sway Kevin Mask from the d.M.p, though Kevin rejects Mantarou's alliance offer.
- **Chojin Olympics**: After training to control his Burning Inner Strength, he reaches the finals but loses to Kevin Mask. This defeat causes him to flee in shame before returning for subsequent conflicts.
- **Demon Seed Arc**: He defeats General Devil to save his allies.
- **Ultimate Tag Tournament**: Initially struggles to find a partner due to strained relationships, but teams with Chaos Avenir. Their bond deepens, and after Chaos's death, Mantarou dedicates his final match to him. Post-tournament, he reconciles with Seiuchin and others.
Mantarou's development shows gradual maturation: from a reluctant prince to a determined protector, though he intermittently reverts to laziness between arcs. His growth is marked by accepting responsibility, honoring fallen comrades, and balancing his heritage with his identity.