TV-Series
Description
Gazelleman, known as Dik-Dik Van-Dik in some English versions, is a Justice Chojin from the anime and manga Kinnikuman Nisei. A native of Tanzania, this tall and muscular wrestler stands at 205 centimeters and weighs 136 kilograms, with distinct gazelle-like legs that reflect his heritage. He is a proud and handsome fighter who graduated as the number one ranked student from the prestigious Hercules Factory, a training ground for young superhero wrestlers.
Despite holding the top position in his graduating class, Gazelleman is best known for his exceptionally poor win-loss record, losing nearly every significant match in which he participates. This contradiction between his prestigious background and his repeated failures serves a narrative purpose, as his defeats are often used to demonstrate the power and threat of new villains. Over time, his character shifts from a promising elite to a source of comic relief and a skilled loser, a role he embraces with a blend of bravado and genuine disappointment.
His personality is marked by a cheerful, self-aggrandizing nature, often boasting about his own handsomeness and popularity, even as audiences frequently overlook him. He first appears assigned to protect Tokyo alongside the protagonist Mantaro Kinniku, initially acting as a mentor and monitor for the lazy young hero. Their relationship evolves into a lasting camaraderie, with Gazelleman often seen supporting Mantaro from the sidelines, selling his cheap merchandise, or providing commentary during matches. He maintains close friendships with other second-generation wrestlers, frequently teaming up with his partner Seiuchin, and shows fierce loyalty to his group, the Muscle League.
Gazelleman's role throughout the story is largely that of a supportive spectator and a participant in filler matches, with a few notable exceptions. In the HF Second Year Replacement Matches, he faces the wrestler Jade but loses decisively after revealing his body has deteriorated from lack of training, suffering severe injuries that hospitalize him. During the Chojin Olympics: The Resurrection arc, he returns to Tanzania to become its national champion but is eliminated from the main tournament in a comedic rock-paper-scissors contest, which he blames on his own curiosity. He finds his greatest moments during the Demon Seed Arc, where he actively helps train Mantaro, rowing teammates to locations and combining with another wrestler to mimic an opponent's technique.
While his development is subtle, Gazelleman shows moments of genuine courage and heart. In a tag-team match against the Poison Six Pack, he secures a rare but notable victory, which is portrayed as an emotional milestone. In his support role, he inspires Mantaro through taunts and encouragement, proving that despite his failings, he is a dependable friend. He is also a strict vegetarian, a trait consistent with his half-gazelle nature.
Gazelleman fights using techniques that incorporate his animal theme. His signature move is the Antler Fist, where he places a special gauntlet with sharp horns onto his right fist and leaps at his opponent to deliver a powerful, piercing punch. His most powerful technique is the Savannah Heat, where he uses the Antler Fist gauntlet to spin rapidly in the air, creating a blade-like effect that can slice his opponent into three parts. He is also known for a knee strike combination, which he often uses while scolding an opponent by calling them a bad child.
Despite holding the top position in his graduating class, Gazelleman is best known for his exceptionally poor win-loss record, losing nearly every significant match in which he participates. This contradiction between his prestigious background and his repeated failures serves a narrative purpose, as his defeats are often used to demonstrate the power and threat of new villains. Over time, his character shifts from a promising elite to a source of comic relief and a skilled loser, a role he embraces with a blend of bravado and genuine disappointment.
His personality is marked by a cheerful, self-aggrandizing nature, often boasting about his own handsomeness and popularity, even as audiences frequently overlook him. He first appears assigned to protect Tokyo alongside the protagonist Mantaro Kinniku, initially acting as a mentor and monitor for the lazy young hero. Their relationship evolves into a lasting camaraderie, with Gazelleman often seen supporting Mantaro from the sidelines, selling his cheap merchandise, or providing commentary during matches. He maintains close friendships with other second-generation wrestlers, frequently teaming up with his partner Seiuchin, and shows fierce loyalty to his group, the Muscle League.
Gazelleman's role throughout the story is largely that of a supportive spectator and a participant in filler matches, with a few notable exceptions. In the HF Second Year Replacement Matches, he faces the wrestler Jade but loses decisively after revealing his body has deteriorated from lack of training, suffering severe injuries that hospitalize him. During the Chojin Olympics: The Resurrection arc, he returns to Tanzania to become its national champion but is eliminated from the main tournament in a comedic rock-paper-scissors contest, which he blames on his own curiosity. He finds his greatest moments during the Demon Seed Arc, where he actively helps train Mantaro, rowing teammates to locations and combining with another wrestler to mimic an opponent's technique.
While his development is subtle, Gazelleman shows moments of genuine courage and heart. In a tag-team match against the Poison Six Pack, he secures a rare but notable victory, which is portrayed as an emotional milestone. In his support role, he inspires Mantaro through taunts and encouragement, proving that despite his failings, he is a dependable friend. He is also a strict vegetarian, a trait consistent with his half-gazelle nature.
Gazelleman fights using techniques that incorporate his animal theme. His signature move is the Antler Fist, where he places a special gauntlet with sharp horns onto his right fist and leaps at his opponent to deliver a powerful, piercing punch. His most powerful technique is the Savannah Heat, where he uses the Antler Fist gauntlet to spin rapidly in the air, creating a blade-like effect that can slice his opponent into three parts. He is also known for a knee strike combination, which he often uses while scolding an opponent by calling them a bad child.