Kinnikuman’s Creator Admits Its New Anime Falls Short in One Way

Kinnikuman’s Creator Admits Its New Anime Falls Short in One Way

As a long-time anime enthusiast who grew up with Kinnikuman and still holds a special place in my heart for the series, I must say that I was both excited and disappointed when I heard about the release of Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc. On one hand, it was great to see that such an iconic shonen series was getting a revival, but on the other hand, the lackluster reception it received from both mainstream fans and critics was disheartening.


For long-time anime enthusiasts who grew up with it, Kinnikuman is a cherished shonen staple that’s still going strong after more than four decades. The excitement among fans soared when they learned that their favorite character would be starring in a fresh anime series in 2024. Called Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc, the revival aired during the summer season of 2024, but it didn’t get much attention from mainstream anime viewers. Even dedicated fans of the franchise seemed to overlook the series as it was airing. Despite its rich history, the news that the series wasn’t doing well, particularly outside Japan, saddened the original creators behind the initial series.

Initially ecstatic creators, Yudetamago (the duo behind Kinnikuman), felt disheartened when they saw that their timeless shonen classic had ranked 47th on MyAnimeList following its completion. Takashi Shimada, one of the duo members, expressed his confusion and considered stepping away from manga creation after posting on Twitter: “I don’t really understand this, perhaps I should stop being a manga creator.” The tweet included a link to an article by Yahoo! Japan that praised the global success of Oshi no Ko.

Initially, he inquired from his followers if the show was well-received on TV and Netflix in Japan, as it had impressive ratings. However, unfortunately, its rankings fell short compared to other anime released during the same year. On a positive note, contrary to his initial statements hinting at retirement, he assured fans that he has no immediate plans of retiring.

The anime “Perfect Cell Saga of Kinnikuman” has climbed to the 47th position, but it’s hard to understand… It seems that the manga artist might be considering retirement due to overwhelming fan support from overseas for their favorite child character… This unique “romance novel-turned-anime” set in a Japanese high school is gaining popularity on President Online news.

— ゆでたまご嶋田 (@yude_shimada) October 20, 2024

Kinnikuman’s Creator Admits Its New Anime Falls Short in One Way

Did Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc Fail To Resonate With Modern Anime Fans?

As a devoted fan, I must confess that I was quite disappointed when I saw that my favorite anime, “Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc,” only managed a 6.84 rating on MyAnimeList. For many of us diehard fans, this score usually means the series is merely average at best.

According to feedback from fans on MyAnimeList about the series, both longtime followers of the original franchise and newcomers concurred that the fight scenes were exceptionally thrilling, escalating the already exaggerated action to a level that keeps viewers engaged, even with the show’s quirky storyline. It’s not too surprising, however, that amid other shows airing during summer 2025, Kinnikuman may have gone overlooked, offering possible explanations for its relative obscurity.

As a devoted fan, I found myself pitted against some serious competition during the recent series revival. Shows like “Oshi no Ko” Season 2, “Tower of God” Season 2, the sensationally popular “Wistoria: Wand and Sword”, and fresh romantic comedies such as “Makeine” and “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings In Russian” were formidable opponents. Unfortunately, even with its quirky storyline, “Kinnikuman” seemed to struggle in capturing the attention of mainstream fans compared to these highly anticipated series. But there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon – Season 2 of “Perfect Origin Arc” has been greenlit and is set to air from January 2025!

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2024-11-12 06:09