TV-Series
Description
Mantaro Kinniku, also known as Kid Muscle or Mantaro Muscle, serves as the 59th prince of Planet Kinniku. He is the son of the legendary wrestler Suguru Kinniku (King Muscle) and Queen Bibimba. Born into an era of prolonged peace, Mantaro experienced a sheltered, spoiled upbringing, emerging as a lazy and cowardly teenager largely ignorant of his father's heroic past due to Suguru's annulled fight records. This background left him academically challenged, initially scoring near zero on tests before improving to mid-20% under training. His personality blends lecherous tendencies—frequently sneaking into cabarets or compensated dating venues—with a deep passion for galbi bowl (beef and rice), a subject of his frequent singing. Despite these flaws, he exhibits fierce loyalty to friends and a strong moral compass when provoked.
Physically, Mantaro possesses blue eyes, pale skin, and stands at an average human height (176 cm or 5'9") but boasts an exceptionally muscular build. He wears a mask featuring a tuft of brown hair protruding from the forehead and a fin, characteristic of the Kinniku Clan. His standard attire consists of a dark blue leotard with a yellow vertical stripe, a light blue left side bearing a "KIN" emblem, dark brown gloves, and yellow boots. His Chojin Power starts at 930,000, surging significantly when accessing his hereditary "Burning Inner Strength" (Kajiba no Kuso Djikara). This power manifests as the Niku Mark (肉マーク) on his forehead, enhancing his strength, stamina, and technique during moments of extreme duress or when friends face danger.
Mantaro's journey begins at the Hercules Factory, a training academy for superhero wrestlers. Initially reluctant, he enrolls under his father's coercion. During training, he confronts Terry the Kid, who harbors resentment towards the Kinniku family, though they reconcile after defeating the disguised Anaconda. Mantaro graduates by defeating his father in a cage match, earning the "Mask of Glory," but his poor grades assign him to guard Beverly Park in Tokyo—a role he initially disdains. Here, he meets Alexandria Meat, a Kinniki being who becomes his advisor and unveils Suguru's true legacy. His early battles involve defending Earth against the d.M.p (Destruction, Mayhem, and Pain), defeating foes like Bone Killer and Tel-Tel Boy, often relying on luck or unconventional tactics such as flatulence-based attacks.
Key relationships define his path: his rivalry with Kevin Mask shifts from mutual disdain to grudging respect after Kevin defects from the d.M.p. He forms a profound bond with Chaos Avenir, mentoring him and later mourning his death, dedicating his final match in the Ultimate Choujin Tag Tournament to Chaos. Romantically, he pursues Rinko Nikaido (Roxanne) and Jacqueline Muscle, though these affections remain largely one-sided or platonic. His closest friendship is with Seiuchin (Wally Tusket), a bond that fractures temporarily when Mantaro insults Seiuchin during the Ultimate Tag arc, prompting Seiuchin to join the villainous Hell Expansions. Mantaro actively works to mend this rift, demonstrating his growing understanding of loyalty's value.
Mantaro's combat skills evolve markedly. Early on, he utilizes his father's techniques—the Kinniku Buster (Butt Buster) and Kinniku Driver—but later develops original moves like the Muscle Millennium (a slingshot-powered slam) and Muscle Gravity (a gravity-enhanced spinebreaker). His "Iroha Hell Tour" (Alphabet Soup-de-Loop in English dubs) chains three submission holds. After the Chojin Olympics, rigorous training cultivates a more strategic fighting style. Notable victories include defeating Kevin Mask in the anime (though he loses in the manga), overcoming the Demon Seed's General Devil, and winning the Ultimate Choujin Tag Tournament with Chaos. His development culminates in leadership roles, forming the Muscle Brothers tag team and mentoring others independently of Meat.
Mantaro's character arc progresses through distinct phases:
- The Hercules Factory Arc transitions him from cowardice to embracing his lineage as a graduate.
- The d.M.p Arc solidifies his heroism through defending Earth.
- The Chojin Olympics Arc triggers a Heroic BSoD after losing to Kevin Mask, leading to self-imposed exile and a return with renewed resolve.
- The Demon Seed Arc resolves his feud with Kevin Mask through cooperation.
- The Ultimate Tag Tournament Arc emphasizes emotional maturity following Chaos's death and his reconciliation with Seiuchin.
Across all media, Mantaro retains core traits like cowardice and humor—exemplified by flatulence-based travel or toilet-themed tactics—while gradually embodying the Kinniku Clan's legacy of perseverance and justice.
Physically, Mantaro possesses blue eyes, pale skin, and stands at an average human height (176 cm or 5'9") but boasts an exceptionally muscular build. He wears a mask featuring a tuft of brown hair protruding from the forehead and a fin, characteristic of the Kinniku Clan. His standard attire consists of a dark blue leotard with a yellow vertical stripe, a light blue left side bearing a "KIN" emblem, dark brown gloves, and yellow boots. His Chojin Power starts at 930,000, surging significantly when accessing his hereditary "Burning Inner Strength" (Kajiba no Kuso Djikara). This power manifests as the Niku Mark (肉マーク) on his forehead, enhancing his strength, stamina, and technique during moments of extreme duress or when friends face danger.
Mantaro's journey begins at the Hercules Factory, a training academy for superhero wrestlers. Initially reluctant, he enrolls under his father's coercion. During training, he confronts Terry the Kid, who harbors resentment towards the Kinniku family, though they reconcile after defeating the disguised Anaconda. Mantaro graduates by defeating his father in a cage match, earning the "Mask of Glory," but his poor grades assign him to guard Beverly Park in Tokyo—a role he initially disdains. Here, he meets Alexandria Meat, a Kinniki being who becomes his advisor and unveils Suguru's true legacy. His early battles involve defending Earth against the d.M.p (Destruction, Mayhem, and Pain), defeating foes like Bone Killer and Tel-Tel Boy, often relying on luck or unconventional tactics such as flatulence-based attacks.
Key relationships define his path: his rivalry with Kevin Mask shifts from mutual disdain to grudging respect after Kevin defects from the d.M.p. He forms a profound bond with Chaos Avenir, mentoring him and later mourning his death, dedicating his final match in the Ultimate Choujin Tag Tournament to Chaos. Romantically, he pursues Rinko Nikaido (Roxanne) and Jacqueline Muscle, though these affections remain largely one-sided or platonic. His closest friendship is with Seiuchin (Wally Tusket), a bond that fractures temporarily when Mantaro insults Seiuchin during the Ultimate Tag arc, prompting Seiuchin to join the villainous Hell Expansions. Mantaro actively works to mend this rift, demonstrating his growing understanding of loyalty's value.
Mantaro's combat skills evolve markedly. Early on, he utilizes his father's techniques—the Kinniku Buster (Butt Buster) and Kinniku Driver—but later develops original moves like the Muscle Millennium (a slingshot-powered slam) and Muscle Gravity (a gravity-enhanced spinebreaker). His "Iroha Hell Tour" (Alphabet Soup-de-Loop in English dubs) chains three submission holds. After the Chojin Olympics, rigorous training cultivates a more strategic fighting style. Notable victories include defeating Kevin Mask in the anime (though he loses in the manga), overcoming the Demon Seed's General Devil, and winning the Ultimate Choujin Tag Tournament with Chaos. His development culminates in leadership roles, forming the Muscle Brothers tag team and mentoring others independently of Meat.
Mantaro's character arc progresses through distinct phases:
- The Hercules Factory Arc transitions him from cowardice to embracing his lineage as a graduate.
- The d.M.p Arc solidifies his heroism through defending Earth.
- The Chojin Olympics Arc triggers a Heroic BSoD after losing to Kevin Mask, leading to self-imposed exile and a return with renewed resolve.
- The Demon Seed Arc resolves his feud with Kevin Mask through cooperation.
- The Ultimate Tag Tournament Arc emphasizes emotional maturity following Chaos's death and his reconciliation with Seiuchin.
Across all media, Mantaro retains core traits like cowardice and humor—exemplified by flatulence-based travel or toilet-themed tactics—while gradually embodying the Kinniku Clan's legacy of perseverance and justice.