Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arcis a recent Netflix anime sequel to the originalKinnikumanseries that, like the original, has a lot of parallels toDragon Ball. Both are martial arts action comedies with sci-fi elements and a constant escalation in fights and stakes, which led to a notable rivalry between their original manga, and both stories getting sequels decades later only further emphasized their similarities.
There are undeniable parallels betweenKinnikumanandDragon Ball, butKinnikumanhas notably avoided a major problemDragon Balland othershōnenanime tend to run into. Whenever ashonenanime deals with a long arc of fighting, there’s always the issue of how to use the more minor characters properly, andKinnikuman: Perfect Origin Archas much better handling of its minor characters than most othershōnenanime. Even with how little attention the series has received, that sort of writing is great to see, and it does a lot to show why the franchise is so beloved.
Kinnikuman Lets Its Minor Characters Shine In Major Battles
Every Character In Kinnikuman Gets To Have The Spotlight
A common problem withshonenanime is that they’ll often make the villains so powerful that people can’t do anything but try and survive until the main characters come to save the day, withDragon Ballbeing one of the most egregious examples of this, especially inDragon Ball Super. That’s not so much the case withKinnikuman, though;Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arcis focused primarily on the Seven Devil Chojin, minor characters from the original series, fighting the main antagonists, and despite some losses, the Devil Chojin have stood their ground and even won on occasion.
Going right along with that is how Kinnikuman, the titular protagonist, is treated in the anime. While Kinnikuman is still the hero, he doesn’t fight until more than halfway through the story, and even then, he’s fighting one of the lesser antagonists, Peek A Boo, as opposed to the main villain, Strong the Budo. Despite how much it indulges in the cliches ofshonenanime,Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arcdoes a great job of letting people outside of the main cast have moments in the spotlight, and it’s made every battle great to watch.
Kinnikuman’s Minor Characters Are Key To What Makes It So Fresh
With the more minor characters in the spotlight over Kinnikuman and other major characters, not only does the series get to employ some more unique battles in terms of choreography, butKinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc’s focus on its minor characters allows forcharacter writing with a surprising amount of nuance in every episode, something great to see for old and new fans alike. Despite being over 40 years old, the wayKinnikumanhandles its characters is as fresh as ever inKinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc, and it sets a great example forDragon Balland othershonenanime to follow.
Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc
Cast
Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc (2024) continues the iconic wrestling saga, exploring the backstory of Kinnikuman. This new installment delves into the origins and adventures of the protagonist and his rivals, combining humor, action, and character development. Featuring new and returning characters, it aims to captivate both long-time fans and newcomers to the series.
