Classic Shonen Series Returns With Real World Tournament

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Many series have run for years in Weekly Shonen Jump, like One Piece, while others have finished and sometimes even returned. Thankfully, even after a series ends, its story can still be influential in both anime and beyond. Now, in a surprising turn, one of Shonen Jump’s most intense wrestling-themed manga is planning a big event later this year. Participants will be challenged to embody the manga’s characters and fight in honor of Ultimate Muscle.

For over 40 years, Kinnikuman has been a popular anime and manga series, starting in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1979 with numerous stories and animated versions. Last year, Production I.G released a new adaptation, Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc, updating the series for a modern audience. This August, The Kinnikuman Cup 2026 will host a Jiu-Jitsu tournament where competitors will battle it out for the top prize. To help promote the event, Yudetamago, the creator of Kinnikuman, is lending his support.

Ultimate Muscle’s Return

Yudetamago, the creator of Kinnikuman, has announced the Kinnikuman Cup 2026 jiu-jitsu tournament, which will take place at Higashin Arena on August 15th and 16th. They even hinted at potentially competing themselves! The tournament is open to everyone, from beginners with white belts to experienced black belts, and includes a separate division for kids. There will also be no-gi matches, so all grapplers are encouraged to participate.

After the successful release of the first two seasons of Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin, a third season has been confirmed. The reboot is being created by Production I.G, the animation studio behind popular anime like Kaiju No. 8, Psycho-Pass, Haikyu!!, and Terminator: Zero. While a release date hasn’t been announced yet, the show’s popularity after several seasons proves the reboot is a hit with fans.

For decades, Kinnikuman has been a popular anime series, telling the story of an alien prince who competes in a wrestling tournament. The show is known for its exciting action, but it also includes a lot of humor, often combining the two. While the most recent installment was the spin-off Kinnikuman Lady in 2008, there’s always a possibility of more stories to come. The original creator, Yudetamago, is happy to let new artists take over the series, which increases the chances of future spin-offs and side stories.

What are your thoughts on the Kinnkiuman Cup? Share your opinions in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

Via Asian Sport Jiu-Jitsu Federation

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/shonen-jump-netflix-kinnikuman-perfect-origin-season-3-return/embed/#

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2026-04-08 22:14