View source for Kinnikuman

{{Short description|Japanese manga series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
|image = Kinnikuman (Jump Comics).jpg
|caption = Fifth {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volume cover, featuring Suguru Kinniku (right) and Meat Alexandria (left)
|ja_kanji = キン肉マン
|genre = {{Ubl|[[Action genre|Action]]<ref name=houseof1000/>|[[Comedy]]<ref name=houseof1000/>|[[Sports manga|Sports]]<ref name=viz/>}}<!-- Genres should be based on what reliable sources list them as and not on personal interpretations. Limit of the three most relevant genres in accordance with [[MOS:A&M]]. -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| author = [[Yudetamago]]
| publisher= [[Shueisha]]
| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]}}, {{Transliteration|ja|[[Seinen manga|seinen]]}}
| imprint = [[Jump Comics]]
| magazine = {{ubl|[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]|{{noitalic|(1979–1987)}}|Shū Play News|{{noitalic|(2011–present)}}
}}
| first = '''Initial run'''<br/> May 28, 1979 –  May 4, 1987<br/>'''Continued run'''<br/> November 28, 2011
| last = 
| volumes = 86
| volume_list = List of Kinnikuman chapters
}}
{{collapsed infobox section begin}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| title = Tatakae!! Ramenman
| author = Yudetamago
| publisher = Shueisha
| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Shōnen}}
| magazine = Fresh Jump
| first = 1982
| last =1988
| volumes = 12
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| title = Kinnikuman{{refn|group=note|Retitled as {{nihongo|'''''Kinnikuman: Scramble for the Throne'''''|キン肉マン キン肉星王位争奪編|Kinnikuman Kinniku-sei Ōi Sōdatsu Hen}} from episode 138 onwards.}}
| director = {{ubl|Yasuo Yamayoshi {{nowrap|(#1–65)}}|Takenori Kawada {{nowrap|(#67–137)}}|Atsutoshi Umezawa {{nowrap|(#138–183)}}}}<!-- Series and chief directors only -->
| producer = 
| writer = {{ubl|Haruya Yamazaki|[[Kenji Terada]]}}
| music = {{ubl|Shinsuke Kazato{{refn|group=note|As credited; it is a pseudonym of {{ill|Shin Kawabe|ja|川辺真}}.}}|{{nowrap|(#1–137)}}|Akihiko Yoshida<!-- not the Square Enix's artist --> {{nowrap|(#138–183)}}}}
| studio = [[Toei Animation]]
| network = [[Nippon Television Network System|NNS]] ([[Nippon Television|NTV]])
| first = April 3, 1983
| last = September 27, 1992
| episodes = 183 (331 segments)
| episode_list = List of Kinnikuman episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| title = Tatakae!! Ramenman
| director = [[Masayuki Akehi]]
| producer = Masahisa Saeki
| writer = 
| music = [[Keiichi Oku]]
| studio = Toei Animation
| network = NNS (NTV)
| first = January 10, 1988
| last = September 11, 1988
| episodes = 35
| episode_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = film
| title           = Tatakae!! Ramenman
| director        = Masayuki Akehi
| writer          = 
| music           = Keiichi Oku
| studio          = Toei Animation
| licensee        = 
| released        = July 9, 1988
| runtime         = 25 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| title = Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy
| author = Yudetamago
| publisher = Shueisha
| publisher_en = {{english manga publisher
 | NA = [[Viz Media]]
}}
| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Seinen}}
| magazine = [[Weekly Playboy]]
| first = April 1998
| last = April 2004
| volumes = 29
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| title = Kinnikuman II Sei: All Chōjin Dai-Shingeki
| author = Yudetamago
| publisher = Shueisha
| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Shōnen}}
| magazine = [[V Jump]]
| first = May 21, 2001
| last = March 20, 2007
| volumes = 4
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| title = Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy{{refn|group=note|Known in Japan as '''''Kinnikuman Nisei''''' (season 1) and '''''Kinnikuman Nisei: Ultimate Muscle''''' (season 2)}}
| director = Toshiaki Komura
| producer = 
| writer = 
| music = 
| studio = Toei Animation
| licensee = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[Discotek Media]]}}
| network =[[TX Network|TXN]] ([[TV Tokyo]])
| network_en = {{English anime network
  | AUS = [[Cartoon Network (Australia and New Zealand)|Cartoon Network]]
  | CA  = [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]]
  | UK  = {{ubl|[[Toonami (UK & Ireland)|Toonami]]|[[Pop Max|Kix]]}}
  | US  = [[FoxBox]]
}}
| first = January 9, 2002
| last = March 30, 2006
| episodes = 77
| episode_list = List of Ultimate Muscle episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| title = Kinnikuman II Sei: Kyūkyoku no Chōjin Tag-hen
| author = Yudetamago
| publisher = Shueisha
| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Seinen}}
| magazine = Weekly Playboy
| first = 2004
| last = 2011
| volumes = 28
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| title = Kinnikuman Lady
| author = Masashi Ogawa
| publisher = Shueisha
| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Seinen}}
| magazine = {{ubl|Ultra Jump Egg {{noitalic|(formerly)}}|[[Ultra Jump]]}}
| first = June 2008
| last = June 19, 2013
| volumes = 3
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| title           = Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc
| director        = Akira Sato
| producer        = 
| writer          = [[Makoto Fukami]]
| music           = [[Yasuharu Takanashi]]
| studio          = [[Production I.G]]
| licensee        = [[Netflix]]<ref name="premiere">{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc Anime Reveals 7 Additional Cast Members, July 7 Premiere|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-05-28/kinnikuman-perfect-origin-arc-anime-reveals-7-additional-cast-members-july-7-premiere/.211283|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 28, 2024|date=May 28, 2024|archive-date=September 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922231751/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-05-28/kinnikuman-perfect-origin-arc-anime-reveals-7-additional-cast-members-july-7-premiere/.211283|url-status=live}}</ref>
| network         =  [[Japan News Network|JNN]] ([[Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting|CBC]], [[TBS Television (Japan)|TBS]] (Agaru Anime))
| network_en      = 
| first           = July 7, 2024
| last            = 
| episodes        = 12<!-- This parameter should only be incremented when new episodes air or when a [[Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources|reliable source]] can confirm a specific number of episodes. -->
| episode_list    = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title = Related media
| content =
* [[List of Kinnikuman films|List of ''Kinnikuman'' films]]
}}
{{collapsed infobox section end}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Kinnikuman'''''|キン肉マン||{{translation|literal=yes}} "Muscle Man"<ref name=ajw>{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/anime_news/AJ201305280042|title=Reprints of 'Kinnikuman' comic volumes set for July release|date=May 28, 2013|work=[[Asahi Shimbun]]|access-date=February 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126101512/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/anime_news/AJ201305280042|archive-date=November 26, 2014|url-status=dead }}</ref>}} is a Japanese [[manga]] series created by the duo Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada, known as [[Yudetamago]]. It follows Suguru Kinniku, a superhero who must win a wrestling tournament to retain the title of prince of Planet Kinniku. Nakai and Takashi planned the series when they were attending high school originally as a parody to ''[[Ultraman]]''.

The manga was originally published in [[Shueisha]]'s [[Shōnen manga|{{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} manga]] magazine ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' from 1979 to 1987, and was first adapted by [[Toei Animation]] into a 137-episode [[anime]] series broadcast on [[Nippon Television]] from 1983 to 1986. It restarted publication in 2011 in Shueisha's web magazine ''Shū Play News'', and has spawned spin-off manga and anime series, video games, anime films, and several ''Kinnikuman''-related merchandise.

There is also a sequel, the {{nihongo4|''Kinnikuman: The 2nd Generation''|キン肉マンII世|Kinnikuman II Sei|known as ''Ultimate Muscle'' outside Japan}} manga that was serialized in ''[[Weekly Playboy]]'' between 1998 and 2004. It was published in North America by [[Viz Media]] under the title of ''Ultimate Muscle''. It was also adapted into three different television series, all of which were broadcast on [[TV Tokyo]] in Japan and released in North America by [[4Kids Entertainment]].

''Kinnikuman'' is one of the [[List of best-selling manga|best-selling manga series]] in Japan, selling over 77 million copies by 2021. As popular as was the anime series and its merchandise, such as [[Kinkeshi]], a line of action figures released as M.U.S.C.L.E. in North America. It received the [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] for children's manga{{refn|group=note|Although it was then published in a [[Shōnen manga|{{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} manga]] magazine, it received the award in this category|name=children}} in 1984.

A new anime television series adaptation produced by [[Production I.G]], based on the 2011 revival manga and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original anime television series, aired from July to September 2024 on [[Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting|CBC]] and [[TBS Television (Japan)|TBS]]' programming block {{ill|Agaru Anime|ja|アガルアニメ}}, and is to be streamed worldwide on [[Netflix]]. A second season is set to premiere on the same programming block in January 2025.

==Plot==
===''Kinnikuman''===
{{see also|List of Kinnikuman characters{{!}}List of ''Kinnikuman'' characters}}
The story involves Kinnikuman (real name [[Suguru Kinniku]]), a clumsy, foolish, comical [[superhero]] who discovers that he is the missing prince of the planet Kinniku (known for producing the greatest superheroes in the universe). Since he is a clumsy fool, however, he must prove himself worthy of the throne. To do so he enters wrestling competitions and battles evil Chojin, culminating in a tournament between Kinnikuman and five pretenders to the throne: Kinnikuman Big Body, Soldier, Zebra, Mariposa and Super Phoenix. Many of Kinnikuman's allies begin as villains (Ramenman, Buffalo Man, Ashuraman and Warsman) or arrogant heroes (Terryman, Robin Mask and Wolfman). The heroes and villains are collectively known as {{nihongo foot|Chojin|超人|Chōjin|group=Jp}}, which literally means "supermen".

===''Ultimate Muscle''===
{{see also|List of Ultimate Muscle characters{{!}}List of ''Ultimate Muscle'' characters}}
Mantaro Muscle (also known as Kid Muscle, ''Mantaro Kinniku'' in the Japanese version) is the spoiled son of superhero wrestler King Muscle (''Kinnikuman'' in the Japanese version). After 28 years of peace, the Seigi Choujins' (Muscle League) old enemies regroup and form the Demon Manufacturing Plant (dMp, known in the English version as Destruction, Mayhem and Pain). The Muscle League has lost its edge and are overwhelmed by the young, well-trained fighters. Recognizing their weakness, the Seigi Chojin reopen the Hercules Factory (a school for superheroes) and begin training a new generation of heroes to take on the dMp. At first unwilling, Mantaro (Kid Muscle) is one of the young heroes and defeats his father to prove his readiness to graduate. He and the other new Seigi Choujin defeat several members of the dMp and meet Kevin Mask, who quits dMp when he discovers their lack of honor. They also battle Sunshine and his pupils, who destroy the dMp after developing a renewed respect for the fighting spirit of the Seigi Choujins. The manga continues with the New Generation Replacement Tournament, Mantaro's challenge to master his inherited potential (''Kajiba no Kuso Chikara'', "burning inner strength" or "the fire"), the return of the Chojin Olympics, a fight with the Demon Seed (a villainous group), a [[backstory]] for Robin Mask and a tag-team tournament set in the past. Although the manga begins as a fairly lighthearted, humorous (albeit violent) story, later arcs (the No Respect and Demon Seed storylines in particular) have a darker tone and frequently deal with psychological trauma.

==Media==
===Manga===
{{main article|List of Kinnikuman chapters{{!}}List of ''Kinnikuman'' chapters}}
Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada (collectively known as "Yudetamago"), friends since fourth grade,<ref name=houseof1000/> decided to create a manga series in high school.<ref name=viz>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2003-12-02/viz-aquires-ultimate-muscle-the-kinnikuman-legacy|title=Viz Acquires Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=December 2, 2003|access-date=February 24, 2014|archive-date=November 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111005223/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2003-12-02/viz-aquires-ultimate-muscle-the-kinnikuman-legacy|url-status=live}}</ref> Before its regular publication, the series (originally a parody of ''[[Ultraman]]'')<ref name=houseof1000/> was released as two [[one-shot (comics)|one-shot]]s in [[Shueisha]]'s magazine ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' in December 1978 and March 1979: {{nihongo foot|''Okamarasu no Maki'',|オカマラスの巻|group=Jp}} which won the [[Akatsuka Award]], and {{nihongo foot|''Eraginesu no Maki''.|エラギネスの巻|group=Jp}}<ref name=profile>{{cite web|url=http://www.yudetamago.jp/member/profile.html|script-title=ja:漫画家ゆでたまごのプロフィール|publisher=Yudetamago.jp|access-date=February 24, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708112511/http://yudetamago.jp/member/profile.html|archive-date=July 8, 2017|url-status=live }}</ref> ''Kinnikuman'' was serliazed in the same magazine from the May 28, 1979, to the May 4, 1987 issues.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:キン肉マン|url=https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C88427|website=Media Arts Database|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|access-date=October 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001212041/https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C88427|archive-date=October 1, 2023|language=ja|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=profile/> Shueisha collected its 387 chapters<ref name=works>{{cite web|url=http://yudetamago.jp/works/index.html|script-title=ja:漫画WORKS|publisher=Yudetamago.jp|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214045332/http://www.yudetamago.jp/works/index.html|archive-date=February 14, 2015|url-status=live }}</ref> into 36 {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}}, releasing them from February 15, 1980, to April 15, 1988.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.galstown.com/medianetjapan/sai/hon101.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005183025/http://www.galstown.com/medianetjapan/sai/hon101.html|archive-date=October 5, 2007|script-title=ja:キン肉マン 1~3巻|publisher=Galstown|access-date=February 24, 2014|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.galstown.com/medianetjapan/sai/hon112.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109223449/http://www.galstown.com/medianetjapan/sai/hon112.html|archive-date=November 9, 2013|script-title=ja:キン肉マン 34~36巻|publisher=Galstown|access-date=February 24, 2014|language=ja}}</ref>

The first 36 volumes were re-published as part of the ''Jump Comics Selection'' line in 26 volumes from July 19, 1994, to August 26, 1996,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-8342-1351-X&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040218144055/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-8342-1351-X&mode=1|archive-date=February 18, 2004|script-title=ja:キン肉マン/1 (ジャンプコミックス セレクション)|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediaarts-db.jp/mg/books/1228612|script-title=ja:単行本：キン肉マン(ジャンプコミックスセレクション)VOL.26|website=Media Arts Database|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|access-date=July 17, 2015|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720235415/http://mediaarts-db.jp/mg/books/1228612|archive-date=July 20, 2015|url-status=dead }}</ref> as part of the ''Jump Comics Deluxe'' line in 18 {{Transliteration|ja|[[aizōban]]}} volumes from January 14 to November 18, 1999,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-617432-4|script-title=ja:キン肉マン/1 (集英社文庫)|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 24, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929055606/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-617432-4|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-617449-9|script-title=ja:キン肉マン/18|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 24, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929053039/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-617449-9|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live }}</ref> and on June 6, 2013, all 36 were published in {{Transliteration|ja|[[shinsōban]]}} format.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-870725-9|script-title=ja:キン肉マン/1 (ジャンプコミックス)|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 25, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140322022402/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-870725-9|archive-date=March 22, 2014|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-870760-0|script-title=ja:キン肉マン/36|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 25, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140322022358/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-870760-0|archive-date=March 22, 2014|url-status=live }}</ref>

A one-shot, {{nihongo foot|''Muscle Returns''|マッスル・リターンズ|Massuru Ritānzu|group=Jp}}, was published in [[Kadokawa Shoten]]'s ''Kakutō Ace'' in January 1996.<ref name=profile/> Despite the title, the series only began regular publication on November 28, 2011, in ''Shū Play News'', Shueisha's web version of ''[[Weekly Playboy]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mantan-web.jp/2011/11/25/20111125dog00m200012000c.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127043400/http://mantan-web.jp/2011/11/25/20111125dog00m200012000c.html|archive-date=November 27, 2011|script-title=ja:キン肉マン ： 往年の名作マンガ24年ぶり連載復活 ウェブで毎週配信|date=November 25, 2011|work=[[Mainichi Shimbun]] Digital|access-date=February 24, 2014|language=ja}}</ref> The 37th {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} was released on January 29, 2010, and the latest—the 86th volume—was released on October 4, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874833-7|script-title=ja:キン肉マン/37|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=February 25, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025045020/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874833-7|archive-date=October 25, 2012|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.s-manga.net/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-884308-7|script-title=ja:キン肉マン 86|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 22, 2024|language=ja|archive-date=October 7, 2024|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241007172531/https://www.s-manga.net/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-884308-7|url-status=live }}</ref> Starting on July 5, 2012, [[e-book]] volumes began to be published as part of the ''Jump Comics Digital'' line; the latest digital volume publication date coincides with the print edition.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://honto.jp/ebook/pd_25239206.html|title=キン肉マン/1 (ジャンプコミックスDIGITAL)|publisher=[[:ja:honto|Honto]]|access-date=February 25, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323023504/http://honto.jp/ebook/pd_25239206.html|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://honto.jp/ebook/pd_30718585.html|title=キン肉マン/73 (ジャンプコミックスDIGITAL)|publisher=Honto|access-date=January 15, 2021|language=ja|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122143957/https://honto.jp/ebook/pd_30718585.html|url-status=live }}</ref>

Since the series' 2011 restart, Yudetamago has published two related one-shots in Shueisha's magazines. In 2015, a 43-page one-shot titled "Kinnikuman Chōjin Retsuden" (Kinnikuman Superman Biographies) was released in ''[[Grand Jump]]'' to unfold the story of "supermen" characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-04/yudetamago-draws-kinnikuman-one-shot-manga/.82880|title=Yudetamago Draws Kinnikuman One-Shot Manga|date=January 4, 2015|author=Sherman, Jennifer|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 19, 2019|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719063706/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-04/yudetamago-draws-kinnikuman-one-shot-manga/.82880|url-status=live }}</ref> Four years later, the 47-page "Sayonara, Kinnikuman!! no Maki" (The 'Goodbye, Kinnikuman' Story) appeared in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'', depicting these supermen's arrival during the main character's retirement ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-06-17/kinnikuman-manga-returns-to-shonen-jump-after-11-years-with-1-shot/.147918|title=Kinnikuman Manga Returns to Shonen Jump After 11 Years With 1-Shot|date=June 17, 2019|author=Pineda, Rafael Antonio|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 19, 2019|archive-date=June 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617094028/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-06-17/kinnikuman-manga-returns-to-shonen-jump-after-11-years-with-1-shot/.147918|url-status=live }}</ref>

====Sequel and spin-offs====
The first manga spun off from ''Kinnikuman'' was {{nihongo foot|''Tatakae!! Ramenman''|闘将!!拉麺男|group=Jp}}, a series focused on [[Ramenman]] which was published in ''Fresh Jump'' from 1982<ref name=profile/> to 1988.<ref name=works/> It was compiled into twelve {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes released between 1983 and 1989.<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:闘将(たたかえ)!!拉麺男(ラーメンマン) (第1巻) (ジャンプ・コミックス)|id={{ASIN|4088515811|country=jp}}|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0011413451|script-title=ja:闘将!!拉麺男(12)|publisher=BookOffOnline.co.jp|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002638/http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0011413451|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1998 and 1999, ''Tatakae!! Ramenman'' was re-published in 9 volumes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0015089727|script-title=ja:闘将!!拉麺男（セレクション版）(1)|publisher=BookOffOnline.co.jp|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502004943/http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0015089727|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-8342-1609-8&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030611074146/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-8342-1609-8&mode=1|archive-date=June 11, 2003|script-title=ja:闘将!!拉麺男 1|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja}}</ref> in 2002 in 8 volumes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-617772-2&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040813063309/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-617772-2&mode=1|archive-date=August 13, 2004|script-title=ja:闘将!!拉麺男 1|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-617779-X&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040922221403/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-617779-X&mode=1|archive-date=September 22, 2004|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 29|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja}}</ref> between 2004 and 2006 in 12 volumes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0015792735|script-title=ja:【廉価版】闘将!!拉麺男 拉麺男誕生!!の巻(1)|publisher=BookOffOnline.co.jp|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032326/http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0015792735|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0015796778|script-title=ja:【廉価版】闘将!!拉麺男(12)|publisher=BookOffOnline.co.jp|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502004946/http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0015796778|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2009 in 5 volumes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0016135843|script-title=ja:【廉価版】闘将!!拉麺男 誕生!美来斗利偉・拉麺男!(1)|publisher=BookOffOnline.co.jp|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010102436/http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0016135843|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0016167005|script-title=ja:【廉価版】闘将!!拉麺男 決戦!拉麺男・ランボー!!(5)|publisher=BookOffOnline.co.jp|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502004948/http://www.bookoffonline.co.jp/old/0016167005|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Toei Animation]] adapted it into a 35-episode [[anime]] series, which was broadcast from January 10 to September 11, 1988.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/rahmen_man/|script-title=ja:闘将!!拉麺男 (たたかえラーメンマン)|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225216/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/rahmen_man/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1988, a film was released on July,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shop.toei-video.co.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=6428|title=闘将!!拉麺男 コンプリートDVD|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060036/http://shop.toei-video.co.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=6428|url-status=dead }}</ref> and a video game on August.<ref>{{cite journal|title=5月10日号特別付録 ファミコン ロムカセット オールカタログ|journal=Family Computer Magazine|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|volume=7|issue=9|date=May 10, 1991|page=194}}</ref> On March 21, 2009, the anime series and film were released in a box set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/22911/|title=闘将!!拉麺男 コンプリートDVD(初回生産限定)|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja|archive-date=February 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217083337/http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/22911/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also, a spin-off of ''Tatake!! Ramenman'', [[Subtitle (titling)|subtitled]] {{nihongo foot|''Chōjin Dai Meikan''|超人大名鑑|group=Jp}}, was released in 1995.<ref name=profile/>

After the publication of several one-shots of {{nihongo foot|''Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy''|キン肉マンII世|Kinnikuman II Sei|group=Jp}} from August 1997 to February 1998, it began appearing regularly in ''[[Weekly Playboy]]'' from April 1998<ref name=profile/> to 2004<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:生誕29周年記念出版 肉萬 〜キン肉マン萬の書〜|author=Yudetamago|isbn=978-4-08-908081-8|year=2008|page=236|language=ja}}</ref> and was published in 29 {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes from October 19, 1998, to August 19, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-857366-8&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127103638/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-857366-8&mode=1|archive-date=November 27, 2005|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 1|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-857450-8&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201044508/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-857450-8&mode=1|archive-date=December 1, 2005|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 29|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja}}</ref> This 29 volumes were released by [[Viz Media]] in North America between July 5, 2004, and July 5, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=2157|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100208110532/http://viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=2157|archive-date=February 8, 2010|title=Ultimate Muscle, Vol. 1|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/product?id=8281|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709034746/http://www.viz.com/product?id=8281|archive-date=July 9, 2011|title=Ultimate Muscle, Vol. 1|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> It was re-released in 21 ''aizoban'' volumes from September 18, 2009, to January 18, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-619038-1|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 1|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130501044115/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-619038-1|archive-date=May 1, 2013|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-619104-3|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 21|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130501030913/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-619104-3|archive-date=May 1, 2013|url-status=live }}</ref> Three one-shots of ''Kinnikuman Legacy'' were published in 2002. The first, {{nihongo foot|''Densetsu no Joshō: Heracles Factory''|伝説の序章～ヘラクレス・ファクトリー|Densetsu no Joshō Herakuresu Fakutorī|group=Jp}}, was released on February 22,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-630072-9&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216142824/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-630072-9&mode=1|archive-date=February 16, 2007|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 1 〜伝説の序章〜ヘラクレス・ファクトリー編|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja}}</ref> and the second, {{nihongo foot|''SP Densetsu Chōjin Zenmetsu!''|SP伝説超人全滅!|group=Jp}}, was released on May 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-703115-2&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620045533/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-703115-2&mode=1|archive-date=June 20, 2006|title=キン肉マン2世 SP|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja}}</ref> A guidebook titled {{nihongo foot|''Kinnikuman II Sei: Chōjin Taizen''|キン肉マン2世　超人大全|group=Jp}} was released on July 19, 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-857396-X&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040814173211/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-857396-X&mode=1|archive-date=August 14, 2004|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 超人大全|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja}}</ref>

{{nihongo foot|''All Chōjin Dai-Shingeki''|オール超人大進撃|Ōru Chōjin Dai Shingeki|group=Jp}}, an ''Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy'' spin-off, was serialized in ''[[V Jump]]'' from May 21, 2001, to March 20, 2007,{{efn|Serialized from the July 2001 to the May 2007 issues,<ref name=works/> released on May 21, 2001,<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:Vジャンプ 2001年7月号|url=http://www.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/magazine/rack.cgi/magazine/v_jump.html?key=detail&zashimei=v_jump&janru=boyc|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=June 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010618010939fw_/http://www.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/magazine/rack.cgi/magazine/v_jump.html?key=detail&zashimei=v_jump&janru=boyc|archive-date=June 18, 2001|language=ja}}</ref> and March 20, 2007, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:【Vジャンプ】Vジャンプ5月号は、3月20日発売!!|url=http://manganohi.jp/2007/03/4745.html|website=manganohi.jp|access-date=June 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228033212/http://manganohi.jp/2007/03/4745.html|archive-date=December 28, 2007|language=ja|date=March 20, 2007}}</ref>}} and its four {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} were published from August 2, 2002, to August 3, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-806027-X&mode=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040831035032/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-806027-X&mode=1|archive-date=August 31, 2004|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 〜オール超人大進撃〜|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=February 17, 2015|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 ～オール超人大進撃～ 4|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/com2_detail?isbn=9784088060361|website=s-book.com|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=June 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128153735/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/com2_detail?isbn=9784088060361|archive-date=January 28, 2008|language=ja}}</ref> To continue ''Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy''{{'}}s storyline, {{nihongo foot|''Kyūkyoku no Chōjin Tag Hen''|究極の超人タッグ編|Kyūkyoku no Chōjin Taggu Hen|group=Jp}} was published in serial form from 2004 to 2011<ref>Yudetamago 2008, p. 252</ref> and released in 28 {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} from November 18, 2005, to December 19, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-857452-4&mode=1|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 究極の超人タッグ編 1|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222162439/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-857452-4&mode=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-857523-0|script-title=ja:キン肉マン2世 究極の超人タッグ編 28|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301043529/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-857523-0|url-status=live}}</ref>

A feminized version of the series, {{nihongo foot|''Kinnikuman Lady''|キン肉マンレディー|Kinnikuman Redī|group=Jp}}, was created by Masashi Ogawa and began as a [[webcomic]] on the ''Ultra Jump Egg'' site in June 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/55756/full/|script-title=ja:キン肉マンがセクシーに女性化! 『キン肉マンレディー』が公式サイトで連載開始|date=Jun 24, 2008|publisher=[[Oricon]]|access-date=August 8, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=August 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812112009/http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/55756/full/|url-status=live}}</ref> Its first {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} was published on March 19, 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-877623-1|script-title=ja:キン肉マンレディー 1|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523082855/https://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-877623-1|archive-date=May 23, 2019}}</ref> and in 2011 it was moved to the ''[[Ultra Jump]]'' website.<ref name=uj>{{cite web|url=http://ultra.shueisha.co.jp/update/|title=News!|publisher=Ultra Jump website|access-date=August 8, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117091224/http://ultra.shueisha.co.jp/update/|archive-date=January 17, 2015|url-status=dead }}</ref><!-- http://ebook.itmedia.co.jp/ebook/articles/1404/16/news033_6.html --> The series concluded with the release of its 46th chapter in ''Ultra Jump'', and the release of third {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}}, both on June 19, 2013.<ref name=uj/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-879339-9|script-title=ja:キン肉マンレディー 3|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628030748/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-879339-9|archive-date=June 28, 2013}}</ref>

===Anime===
====Television series====
{{main article|List of Kinnikuman episodes{{!}}List of ''Kinnikuman'' episodes|List of Ultimate Muscle episodes{{!}}List of ''Ultimate Muscle'' episodes}}
The first animated series based on ''Kinnikuman'' was produced by Toei Animation and directed by Yasuo Yamayoshi, Takenori Kawada and Tetsuo Imazawa. The 137-episode series was originally broadcast in Japan on [[Nippon Television]] from April 3, 1983, to October 1, 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/kinniku/|script-title=ja:キン肉マン|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225349/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/kinniku/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was followed by {{nihongo foot|''Kinnikuman: Scramble for the Throne''|キン肉マン キン肉星王位争奪編|Kinniku-sei Ōi Sōdatsu-hen|lit. "Dispute for the Planet Kinniku Throne"|group=Jp}}, directed by Takeshi Shirato and Atsutoshi Umezawa. This 46-episode series was produced by Toei and aired on NTV from October 6, 1991, to September 27, 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/kinniku_soudatsu/|script-title=ja:キン肉マン キン肉星王位争奪編|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323005819/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/kinniku_soudatsu/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first series was packaged into 12 DVDs, released from December 6, 2002, to November 21, 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21944/|title=キン肉マン DVD Vol.1|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225000/http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21944/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21955/|title=キン肉マン DVD Vol.12|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225349/http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21955/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the second series was released on four DVDs from December 5, 2003, to March 21, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21960/|title=キン肉マン キン肉星王位争奪編 VOL.1 DVD|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323001311/http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21960/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21963/|title=キン肉マン キン肉星王位争奪編 VOL.4 DVD|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225056/http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21963/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 9, 2002, ''Kinnikuman: Second Generation'' premiered; the 51-episode series aired until December 25 of that year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/niku/|script-title=ja:キン肉マンII世|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=April 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412081153/http://member.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/niku2_um2/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was released on 12 DVDs from September 21, 2002, to August 8, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21928/|title=キン肉マンII世 Round.1|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225420/http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21928/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21939/|title=キン肉マンII世 Round.12|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=May 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501192348/http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21939/|url-status=live}}</ref> Licensed by [[4Kids Entertainment]] as ''Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy'', it was broadcast on [[FoxBox]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-01-17/4kids-acquires-new-titles|title=4Kids Acquires new titles|date=January 17, 2001|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=March 22, 2014|archive-date=April 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405074805/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-01-17/4kids-acquires-new-titles|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/corporate/press/press29.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040211071103/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/corporate/press/press29.html|archive-date=February 11, 2004|script-title=ja:東映アニメーション海外向けにテレビアニメシリーズを製作|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja}}</ref> In 2003 a 13-episode sequel primarily focused on non-Japanese audiences was announced;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-05-22/more-kinikuman|title=More Kinikuman|author=Macdonald, Christopher|date=May 22, 2003|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=March 22, 2014|archive-date=April 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404155606/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-05-22/more-kinikuman|url-status=live}}</ref> it aired on FoxBox in North America,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-08-31/4kids-announces-fox-box-primetime-special|title=4Kids Announces Fox Box Primetime Special|date=August 31, 2003|author=Phillips, George|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=March 22, 2014|archive-date=August 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822030638/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-08-31/4kids-announces-fox-box-primetime-special|url-status=live}}</ref> and from April 7 to June 30, 2004, in Japan.<ref name=ultimate>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/kinniku2_2nd/|script-title=ja:キン肉マンII世アルティメットマッスル|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225611/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/lineup/tv/kinniku2_2nd/|archive-date=March 22, 2014|url-status=live }}</ref> Another 13-episode spin-off, ''Kinnikuman Second Generation: Ultimate Muscle 2'', was broadcast from January 4 to March 29, 2006, in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/kinnikuman2/episodes/episodes1/|title=キン肉マンII世 Ultimate Muscle 2 - これまでのお話|publisher=[[TV Tokyo]]|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225118/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/kinnikuman2/episodes/episodes1/|url-status=live}}</ref> All three series were directed by Toshiaki Komura, produced by Toei Animation and broadcast in Japan by [[TV Tokyo]].<ref name=ultimate/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/niku/stafftop.html|script-title=ja:キン肉マンII世 - スタッフ|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=January 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130010614/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/niku/stafftop.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/kinnikuman2/staff/|title=キン肉マンII世 Ultimate Muscle 2 - スタッフ|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 21, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323001718/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/kinnikuman2/staff/|url-status=live}}</ref> The two spin-off series were released as two-DVD box sets on February 24 and June 23, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000DZV6ZA|title=キン肉マンII世 Ultimate Muscle 1 DVD-Box|date=24 February 2006|publisher=Amazon|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309011426/https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000DZV6ZA|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000FHVUZC|title=キン肉マンII世 Ultimate Muscle 2 DVD-Box|date=23 June 2006|publisher=Amazon|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308092311/https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000FHVUZC|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2022, [[Discotek Media]] announced that they had licensed ''Ultimate Muscle'' and they released the 77 episodes on Blu-ray Disc on May 30, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael|title=Discotek Licenses Aim for the Ace!, GaoGaiGar Series & Final OVA|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-10-24/discotek-licenses-aim-for-the-ace-gaogaigar-series-and-final-ova/.191185|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=October 25, 2022|date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025034628/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-10-24/discotek-licenses-aim-for-the-ace-gaogaigar-series-and-final-ova/.191185|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=North American Anime, Manga Releases, May 28-June 3|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-05-30/north-american-anime-manga-releases-may-28-june-3/.198614|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606214207/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-05-30/north-american-anime-manga-releases-may-28-june-3/.198614|archive-date=June 6, 2023|date=May 30, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

A new anime celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original anime television series was announced on March 16, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=Kinnikuman Franchise Gets New Anime for 40th Anniversary|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-16/kinnikuman-franchise-gets-new-anime-for-40th-anniversary/.196045|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=March 16, 2023|date=March 16, 2023|archive-date=March 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316170223/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-16/kinnikuman-franchise-gets-new-anime-for-40th-anniversary/.196045|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later confirmed to be a television series, titled {{Nihongo|''Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc''|キン肉マン 完璧超人始祖編|Kinnikuman Kanpeki Chōjin Shiso-hen}}, based on the 2011 revival manga's arc of the same name, produced by [[Production I.G]] and directed by Akira Sato, with [[Makoto Fukami]] in charge of series composition, Hirotaka Marufuji designing the characters and [[Yasuharu Takanashi]] composing the music.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=Production I.G to Produce New Kinnikuman Anime in 2024|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-28/production-i.g-to-produce-new-kinnikuman-anime-in-2024/.202940|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 28, 2023|date=September 28, 2023|archive-date=September 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928192337/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-28/production-i.g-to-produce-new-kinnikuman-anime-in-2024/.202940|url-status=live}}</ref> It aired from July 7 to September 22, 2024, on [[Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting|CBC]] and [[TBS Television (Japan)|TBS]]' brand new {{ill|Agaru Anime|ja|アガルアニメ}} programming block,<ref>{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|title=Kinnikuman Perfect Origin-Hen Anime Premieres in July|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2024-02-08/kinnikuman-perfect-origin-hen-anime-premieres-in-july/.207383|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=February 9, 2024|date=February 9, 2024|archive-date=February 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209022007/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2024-02-08/kinnikuman-perfect-origin-hen-anime-premieres-in-july/.207383|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Netflix]] licensing it for streaming worldwide weekly starting on July 8 of the same year.<ref name="premiere" /> After the final episode of the first season, a second season was announced, and is set to premiere on the same programming block on January 12, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc Season 2 Premieres in January|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-09-22/kinnikuman-perfect-origin-arc-season-2-premieres-in-january/.215871|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 22, 2024|date=September 22, 2024|archive-date=September 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922155958/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-09-22/kinnikuman-perfect-origin-arc-season-2-premieres-in-january/.215871|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc Season 2's Visual Promotes January 12 TV Debut|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-11-28/kinnikuman-perfect-origin-arc-season-2-visual-promotes-january-12-tv-debut/.218397|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129002941/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-11-28/kinnikuman-perfect-origin-arc-season-2-visual-promotes-january-12-tv-debut/.218397|archive-date=November 29, 2024|date=November 28, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Films====
{{main article|List of Kinnikuman films{{!}}List of ''Kinnikuman'' films}}
Seven films based on the original ''Kinnikuman'' were released from 1984 to 1986. The first, ''[[Kinnikuman (film)|Kinnikuman]]'', was directed by Takeshi Shirato and released on July 14, 1984.<ref name=films>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/shop/dvd_niku/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624015232/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/shop/dvd_niku/index.html|archive-date=June 24, 2009|title=キン肉マン the Movie|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.entermeitele.net/roadshow/sakuhin/?id=17451|script-title=ja:キン肉マン|publisher=Entermeitele.net|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225336/http://www.entermeitele.net/roadshow/sakuhin/?id=17451|url-status=dead }}</ref> {{nihongo foot|''Kinnikuman: Seigi Chōjin vs. Senshi Chōjin''|キン肉マン 正義超人vs戦士超人|group=Jp}}, the last film, was released on December 20, 1986, and was directed by Yasuo Yamayoshi.<ref name=films/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eiga.com/movie/68272/|title=キン肉マン 正義超人VS戦士超人|publisher=Eiga.com|access-date=March 22, 2014|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322224322/http://eiga.com/movie/68272/|url-status=live }}</ref> All seven films were compiled on a DVD released April 21, 2004.<ref name=films/>

Two films based on ''Kinnikuman: Second Generation'' were directed by Toshiaki Komura. The first (eponymous) film was released at the Anime Fair on July 14, 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/movie/2001_summer/|script-title=ja:2001年東映アニメフェア|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213113/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/movie/2001_summer/|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eiren.org/toukei/img/eiren_kosyu/data_2001.pdf|script-title=ja:2001年（平成13年）興収10億円以上番組|publisher=Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=October 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026114027/http://www.eiren.org/toukei/img/eiren_kosyu/data_2001.pdf|url-status=live }}</ref> and the second, {{nihongo foot|''Kinnikuman II Sei: Muscle Ninjin Sōdatsu! Chōjin Dai Sensō''|キン肉マンII世 マッスル人参争奪!超人大戦争|Kinnikuman II Sei Massuru Ninjin Sōdatsu! Chōjin Dai Sensō|group=Jp}}, was released at the same venue on July 20, 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/movie/2002_summer/kin_outline.html|script-title=ja:2002夏 東映アニメフェア|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225318/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/movie/2002_summer/kin_outline.html|url-status=live }}</ref> The films were released on DVD on May 12, 2002, and April 21, 2003, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21835/|title=キン肉マンII世|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225422/http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21835/|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21838/|title=キン肉マンII世 マッスル人参争奪! 超人大戦争|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225142/http://shopping.toei-anim.co.jp/system/item/21838/|url-status=live }}</ref>

===Video games===
Several video games based on the series were released. The first were for [[home computer]]s; a [[simulation video game|simulation game]] was released for the [[PC-88]] in November 1984,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.8-bits.info/gamelist/PC88/info/info_Vz0imBhUERktFtb0.php|script-title=ja:キン肉マン/バンダイ|publisher=8 Bitters|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323001501/http://www.8-bits.info/gamelist/PC88/info/info_Vz0imBhUERktFtb0.php|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by the 1985 [[fighting game]] {{nihongo foot|''Kinnikuman: Colosseum Deathmatch''|キン肉マン コロシアムデスマッチ|Kinnikuman Koroshiamu Desumatchi|group=Jp}}.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=22783|script-title=ja:キン肉マン コロシアムデスマッチ|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323001430/http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=22783|url-status=live}}</ref> The first [[home console|console]] game (''[[Tag Team Match: M.U.S.C.L.E.]]'') was released on November 8, 1985, for [[Nintendo Entertainment System]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000068GVZ|script-title=ja:キン肉マン マッスルタッグマッチ|publisher=Amazon|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111202113/https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000068GVZ|url-status=live}}</ref> and the last game ({{nihongo foot|''[[Kinnikuman Muscle Grand Prix#Muscle Grand Prix 2 Tokumori|Kinnikuman: Muscle Grand Prix 2 Tokumori]]''|キン肉マン マッスルグランプリ2 特盛|Kinnikuman Massuru Guran Puri 2 Tokumori|group=Jp}}) was released for [[PlayStation 2]] on September 25, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slps25881.html|script-title=ja:キン肉マン マッスルグランプリ2 特盛|publisher=Playstation.com|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225518/http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slps25881.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[social networking service]] [[GREE]] released {{nihongo foot|''Kinnikuman Memorial''|キン肉マン～メモリアル～|Kinnikuman～Memoriaru～|group=Jp}} on February 27, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamebiz.jp/?p=127587|title=クリーク・アンド・リバー社、「GREE」で『キン肉マン～メモリアル～』を配信開始...新旧ファン向けのゲーム内容に|date=February 28, 2014|publisher=Social Game Info|access-date=March 22, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225922/http://gamebiz.jp/?p=127587|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other media===
With the manga's popularity, [[Bandai]] produced a brand of eraser-like action figures ([[Keshigomu|keshi]]) titled [[Kinkeshi]] between 1983 and 1987.<ref name=kinbandai>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandai.co.jp/releases/J2008011801.html|script-title=ja:29にく周年記念 キンケシ復刻版 夢の超人タッグ編|date=January 18, 2008|publisher=[[Bandai]]|access-date=April 29, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912012743/http://www.bandai.co.jp/releases/J2008011801.html|archive-date=September 12, 2014|url-status=dead }}</ref> In Japan, Bandai has released 418 different types of figures, and it was mainly sold through [[Gashapon]].<ref name=kinbandai/><ref name=bizmakoto>{{cite web|url=http://bizmakoto.jp/makoto/articles/0802/26/news042.html|script-title=ja:キン肉マンが29周年——蘇えるキンケシの舞台裏|date=February 26, 2008|work=Business Media Makoto|publisher=IT Media|access-date=April 29, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223092928/http://bizmakoto.jp/makoto/articles/0802/26/news042.html|archive-date=December 23, 2014|url-status=live }}</ref> As it attracted the Northern American market's interest, it was brought out by [[Mattel]] under the name M.U.S.C.L.E., and a total of 236 figures were traded domestically in the 1980s.<ref name=houseof1000/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CF8AjVJXvH0C&pg=PA160|title=Totally Tubular '80s Toys|author=Bellomo, Mark|publisher=[[Krause Publications]]|year=2010|page=160|isbn=9781440216473}}</ref> 

In 2007, Toei asked fans if they would like to see all 418 figure types included in the ''Kinnikuman'' complete box set.<ref name=bizmakoto/> On December 20, 2008, the box set with all the two first series episodes, all seven films, a TV special, and all the figures was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-video.co.jp/DVD/sp21/kinnikubox.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623131412/http://www.toei-video.co.jp/DVD/sp21/kinnikubox.html|archive-date=June 23, 2009|title=キン肉マン コンプリートDVD-BOX|publisher=Toei Animation|access-date=April 29, 2014|language=ja}}</ref> 

Aside from this most known series of products, a myriad of other ''Kinnikuman''-based merchandise were released both in Japan and in the America, which vary from action figures<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8877.html|title=Blind Box Trading Figures|date=June 22, 2006|publisher=GCO|work=ICv2|access-date=April 30, 2014|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502004844/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8877.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=asahi>{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/anime_news/AJ201307040061|title=Shonen Jump fetes 45 years with Banpresto figures|date=July 4, 2013|work=The Asahi Shimbun|access-date=April 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217083437/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/anime_news/AJ201307040061|archive-date=February 17, 2015|url-status=dead }}</ref> to plush dolls,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0014F2EYK|title=PansonWorks キン肉マン ベンダブルシリーズ キン肉マン|publisher=Amazon|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308014830/https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0014F2EYK|url-status=live}}</ref> from key holders<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001EZ3TQC|title=キン肉マン×PansonWorks合皮キーホルダー(ミートくん)|publisher=Amazon|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308023021/https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001EZ3TQC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001EZ792W|title=キン肉マン×PansonWorks合皮キーホルダー(ブロッケンJr.)|publisher=Amazon|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307205623/https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001EZ792W|url-status=live}}</ref> to [[pen drive]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001LDJPUQ|script-title=ja:腹筋キン肉マン(ロビンマスク)|publisher=Amazon|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308011159/https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001LDJPUQ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001LDJPUG|script-title=ja:腹筋キン肉マン(キン肉マン)|publisher=Amazon|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309021852/https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001LDJPUG|url-status=live}}</ref> from [[picture book]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-780524-6|script-title=ja:いただき!!キン肉マン/さくれつ! ゆうじょうパワーのまき|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=April 30, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140430033332/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-780524-6|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-780588-8|script-title=ja:いただき!!キン肉マン／さいきょうタッグ!ザ・マシンガンズたんじょうのまき|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=April 30, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140430033409/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-780588-8|url-status=live}}</ref> to [[trading card game]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandai.co.jp/catalog/item/4543112069917000.html|script-title=ja:キン肉マンカードゲーム ブースター|publisher=Bandai|access-date=April 30, 2014|language=ja|archive-date=February 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217074924/http://www.bandai.co.jp/catalog/item/4543112069917000.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
The manga series has received several awards and sold well during both its 1980s serialization and its 2010s revival. In 1984, ''Kinnikuman'' won the 30th [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] in the category Best Children's Manga.{{refn|group=note|name=children}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html|script-title=ja:小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|access-date=July 30, 2014|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094941/http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html|archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref> The 2013 edition of [[Takarajimasha]]'s guidebook ''Kono Manga ga Sugoi!'', a survey of the manga and publishing industries, named ''Kinnikuman'' the seventh-best manga series for male readers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top Manga Ranked by Kono Manga ga Sugoi 2013 Voters|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-12-10/top-manga-ranked-by-kono-manga-ga-sugoi-2013-voters|date=December 10, 2012|author=Loveridge, Lynzee|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=February 24, 2014|archive-date=March 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320184655/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-12-10/top-manga-ranked-by-kono-manga-ga-sugoi-2013-voters|url-status=live }}</ref> [[Media Factory]]'s ''Da Vinci'' magazine ranked it 23rd on the "Book of the Year" in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-12-06/kingdom-manga-tops-da-vinci-ranking/.154037|title=Kingdom Manga Tops Da Vinci Ranking|author=Pineda, Rafael Antonio|date=December 6, 2019|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206074336/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-12-06/kingdom-manga-tops-da-vinci-ranking/.154037|url-status=live }}</ref> Several volumes of the series have been featured on [[Oricon]]'s weekly chart of best-selling manga in Japan; all volumes between the 40th and the 66th have reached the top 20.{{refn|group=note|Volume 37 placed 28th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-03/japanese-comic-ranking-january-25-31|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, January 25–31|date=February 13, 2010|author=Loo, Egan|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=February 24, 2014|archive-date=March 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327220954/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-03/japanese-comic-ranking-january-25-31|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 38 placed 12th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-05-11/japanese-comic-ranking-april-2-8|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, April 2–8|author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn|date=November 5, 2012|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 15, 2012|archive-date=November 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118102117/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-05-11/japanese-comic-ranking-april-2-8|url-status=live}}</ref> <!-- 39 didn't appear on list -->volume 40 placed 8th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-12/japanese-comic-ranking-september-3-9|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, September 3–9|date=September 12, 2012|author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=January 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115040557/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-12/japanese-comic-ranking-september-3-9|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 41 placed 16th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-12-13/japanese-comic-ranking-december-3-9|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 3–9|date=December 13, 2012|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716113739/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-12-13/japanese-comic-ranking-december-3-9|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 42 placed 10th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-03-13/japanese-comic-ranking-march-3-9|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, March 4–10|date=March 13, 2013|author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716110723/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-03-13/japanese-comic-ranking-march-3-9|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 43 placed 7th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-10/japanese-comic-ranking-june-30-july-6|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, July 1–7|date=July 10, 2013|author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=December 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217082251/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-10/japanese-comic-ranking-june-30-july-6|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 44 placed 5th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-09/japanese-comic-ranking-september-30-october-6|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, September 30-October 6|date=October 9, 2013|author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716103651/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-09/japanese-comic-ranking-september-30-october-6|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 45 placed 19th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-09/japanese-comic-ranking-december-30-january-5|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 30-January 5|date=January 9, 2014|author=Hodgkins, Crystalyn|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=August 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817034346/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-09/japanese-comic-ranking-december-30-january-5|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 46 placed 7th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-04-09/japanese-comic-ranking-march-31-april-6|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, March 31-April 6|author=Ressler, Karen|date=April 9, 2014|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=June 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611083429/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-04-09/japanese-comic-ranking-march-31-april-6|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 47 placed 10th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-09/japanese-comic-ranking-june-30-july-6/.76501|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, June 30-July 6|date=July 9, 2014|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=May 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530025834/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-09/japanese-comic-ranking-june-30-july-6/.76501|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 48 placed 13th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-15/japanese-comic-ranking-october-6-12/.79982|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, October 6–12|date=October 15, 2014|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716115302/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-15/japanese-comic-ranking-october-6-12/.79982|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 49 placed 6th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-07/japanese-comic-ranking-december-29-january-4/.83013|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 29-January 4|date=January 7, 2015|website=[[Anime News Network]]|author=Ressler, Karen|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=April 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418065700/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-07/japanese-comic-ranking-december-29-january-4/.83013|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 50 placed 13th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-08/japanese-comic-ranking-march-30-april-5/.86915|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, March 30-April 5|date=April 8, 2015|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=December 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206223208/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-08/japanese-comic-ranking-march-30-april-5/.86915|url-status=live}}</ref> volumes 51 and 52 placed 8th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-16/japanese-comic-ranking-july-6-12/.90508|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, July 6–12|date=July 16, 2015|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812151459/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-16/japanese-comic-ranking-july-6-12/.90508|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-14/japanese-comic-ranking-october-5-11/.94219|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, October 5–11|date=October 14, 2015|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009104349/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-14/japanese-comic-ranking-october-5-11/.94219|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 53 placed 13th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-01-13/japanese-comic-ranking-january-4-10/.97527|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, January 4–10|author=Ressler, Karen|date=January 13, 2016|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=August 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811162136/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-01-13/japanese-comic-ranking-january-4-10/.97527|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 54 placed 8th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-04-13/japanese-comic-ranking-april-4-10/.101019|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, April 4–10|date=April 13, 2016|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=September 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909002357/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-04-13/japanese-comic-ranking-april-4-10/.101019|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 55 placed 9th;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-07-13/japanese-comic-ranking-july-4-10/.104276|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, July 4–10|author=Ressler, Karen|date=July 13, 2016|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=September 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918032134/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-07-13/japanese-comic-ranking-july-4-10/.104276|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 56 placed 8th,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-10/japanese-comic-ranking-august-1-7/.105241|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, August 1–7|date=August 10, 2016|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=September 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905134702/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-10/japanese-comic-ranking-august-1-7/.105241|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 57 placed 14th,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-07/japanese-comic-ranking-november-28-december-4/.109623|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, November 28-December 4|date=December 7, 2016|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 10, 2017|archive-date=May 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505163216/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-07/japanese-comic-ranking-november-28-december-4/.109623|url-status=live}}</ref> volume 58 placed 11th,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-03-08/japanese-comic-ranking-february-27-march-5/.113161|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, February 27-March 5|date=March 8, 2017|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 10, 2017|archive-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320215049/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-03-08/japanese-comic-ranking-february-27-march-5/.113161|url-status=live}}</ref> volumes 59 and 60 placed 8th,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-07/japanese-comic-ranking-may-29-june-4/.117156|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, May 29-June 4|date=June 7, 2017|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 22, 2017|archive-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223043706/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-07/japanese-comic-ranking-may-29-june-4/.117156|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-09-13/japanese-comic-ranking-september-4-10/.121317|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, September 4–10|date=September 13, 2017|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 22, 2017|archive-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223044232/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-09-13/japanese-comic-ranking-september-4-10/.121317|url-status=live}}</ref> volumes 61 and 62 placed 10th,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-01-10/japanese-comic-ranking-december-25-31/.126284|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 25–31|author=Ressler, Karen|date=January 10, 2018|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 4, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921120256/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-01-10/japanese-comic-ranking-december-25-31/.126284|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-03-07/japanese-comic-ranking-february-26-march-4/.128676|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, February 26-March 4|author=Ressler, Karen|date=March 7, 2018|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 4, 2018|archive-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311202746/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-03-07/japanese-comic-ranking-february-26-march-4/.128676|url-status=live }}</ref> volumes 63 and 64 placed 8th,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-06-13/japanese-comic-ranking-june-4-10/.132861|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, June 4–10|author=Ressler, Karen|date=June 13, 2018|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=October 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012182150/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-06-13/japanese-comic-ranking-june-4-10/.132861|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-09-12/japanese-comic-ranking-september-3-9/.136699|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, September 3–9|author=Ressler, Karen|date=September 12, 2018|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214101425/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-09-12/japanese-comic-ranking-september-3-9/.136699|url-status=live }}</ref> volume 65 placed 12th,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-12-12/japanese-comic-ranking-december-3-9/.140714|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 3–9|date=December 12, 2018|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 19, 2019|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513033205/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-12-12/japanese-comic-ranking-december-3-9/.140714|url-status=live }}</ref> and volume 66 placed 7th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-12-12/japanese-comic-ranking-december-3-9/.140714|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 3–9|date=March 21, 2019|author=Ressler, Karen|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 19, 2019|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513033205/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-12-12/japanese-comic-ranking-december-3-9/.140714|url-status=live }}</ref> }} Between 2008 and 2010, five volumes of ''Kinnikuman II Sei: Kyūkyoku no Chōjin Tag Hen'' also ranked on Oricon's top 30 list.{{refn|group=note|The 15th and 16th volumes ranked 26th and 27th respectively;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-24/japanese-comic-ranking-december-16-22|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 16–22|date=December 24, 2008|author=Loo, Egan|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802221931/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-24/japanese-comic-ranking-december-16-22|url-status=live }}</ref> both the 20th and 21st ranked 30th;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-12-23/japanese-comic-ranking-december-14-20|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 14–20|date=December 23, 2009|author=Loo, Egan|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614014531/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-12-23/japanese-comic-ranking-december-14-20|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-03-24/japanese-comic-ranking-march-15-21|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, March 15–21|date=March 24, 2010|author=Loo, Egan|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803000019/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-03-24/japanese-comic-ranking-march-15-21|url-status=live }}</ref> and the 22nd ranked 29th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-06-23/japanese-comic-ranking-june-14-20|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, June 14–20|date=June 23, 2010|author=Loo, Egan|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=March 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328083944/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-06-23/japanese-comic-ranking-june-14-20|url-status=live }}</ref>}} The series as whole has sold more than 77&nbsp;million copies in Japan as of 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://animageplus.jp/articles/detail/37451|script-title=ja:「キン肉マン実写映画化」をドラマに!? 眞栄田郷敦ウォーズマン役|date=June 7, 2021|website=Animageplus|language=ja|access-date=June 7, 2021|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606221928/https://animageplus.jp/articles/detail/37451|url-status=live }}</ref> As well as ''Kinnikuman''{{'}}s manga was considered a hit, the series' merchandise in general was also successful.<ref name=houseof1000>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2012-06-14|title=Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga Special Guest Edition: Ultimate Muscle|author=Garrity, Shaenon K.|date=June 14, 2012|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 15, 2012|archive-date=February 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209170340/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2012-06-14|url-status=live}}</ref> Bandai reports that over 180 million units of Kinkeshi were sold in Japan.<ref name=kinbandai/> [[Shaenon K. Garrity]] said, "The M.U.S.C.L.E. figurines ... were the sole American extrusion of a 1980s manga/anime/licensing phenomenon."<ref name=houseof1000/>

The original 1983 anime series was popular, premiering with a rating over 20 percent.<ref name=ajw/> Despite being considered "too old to be marketable on American television" by 4Kids in the 2000s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/month-in-review/2002-03-01|title=The Month in Review – February 2002|author=Green, Scott|date=March 1, 2002|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=December 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214055115/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/month-in-review/2002-03-01|url-status=live }}</ref> the 2008 ''Kinnikuman'' complete box set had 25,000 reservation requests by August in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eiga.com/buzz/20080821/13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924050717/http://eiga.com/buzz/20080821/13|archive-date=September 24, 2008|title=「キン肉マンDVD-BOX」予約2万5千セット超える|date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Eiga.com|access-date=February 24, 2014|language=ja}}</ref> In 2005, Japanese television network [[TV Asahi]] conducted a "Top 100" online web poll and nationwide survey; ''Kinnikuman'' placed 97th in the online poll and ''Ultimate Muscle'' placed 39th in the survey.<ref>{{cite news|author=Macdonald, Christopher|date=September 23, 2005|title=TV Asahi Top 100 Anime|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime|work=Anime News Network|access-date=August 8, 2012|archive-date=June 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621064503/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TV Asahi Top 100 Anime, Part 2|work=Anime News Network|author=Macdonald, Christopher|date=September 23, 2005|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime-part-2|access-date=August 8, 2014|archive-date=July 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730225630/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime-part-2|url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, TV Asahi conducted another online poll for the top one hundred anime, and ''Kinnikuman'' placed 12th in the "Celebrity List".<ref>{{cite news|title=Japan's Favorite TV Anime|author=Macdonald, Christopher|date=October 13, 2006|work=Anime News Network|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japan%27s-favorite-tv-anime|access-date=August 8, 2014|archive-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615044506/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japan%27s-favorite-tv-anime|url-status=live}}</ref> In France, however, it caused some controversy because of the depiction of a character's garment featuring a swastika; the episode in which the character appeared was requested to be removed from air.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csa.fr/Informer/Espace-presse/Communiques-de-presse/TF1-symbole-nazi-dans-le-dessin-anime-Muscleman|title=TF1 : symbole nazi dans le dessin animé "Muscleman"|date=April 15, 1990|publisher=[[Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel]]|accessdate=January 17, 2022|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182524/https://www.csa.fr/Informer/Espace-presse/Communiques-de-presse/TF1-symbole-nazi-dans-le-dessin-anime-Muscleman|url-status=live }}</ref>

Garrity called ''Kinnikuman'' a "cross between superhero parody and pro-wrestling goofiness".<ref name=houseof1000/> Liann Cooper of the [[Anime News Network]] said that the "artwork alone is enough to clothesline itself and the whole concept of superhero wrestlers is like a manga-fied ''[[Mucha Lucha]]''", but ''Ultimate Muscle'' "is actually pretty funny".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2004-09-07|title=Graphic Novel Goodness - Right Turn Only!!|author=Cooper, Liann|date=September 7, 2004|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 15, 2012|archive-date=November 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112201559/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2004-09-07|url-status=live}}</ref> Eduardo M. Chavez of Mania.com wrote that in 1979, "the series relied on its comedy and action to bring in an audience." ''Ultimate Muscle'', while "keeping some of the old silliness", adds "some depth through a mature writing style and better action scenes."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/ultimate-muscle-aka-kinnikuman-2nd-generation-vol-01_article_81703.html|title=Ultimate Muscle (aka: Kinnikuman 2nd Generation) Vol. #01|date=August 16, 2004|publisher=Mania.com|access-date=August 8, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809192218/http://www.mania.com/ultimate-muscle-aka-kinnikuman-2nd-generation-vol-01_article_81703.html|archive-date=August 9, 2014 }}</ref> On T.H.E.M Anime Reviews, Christi wrote, "Overall, ''Ultimate Muscle'' is the best thing about the FoxBox anthology." She praised the "funny, and in their own disgusting way, charming" characters, its "crisp and well-done" animation and the "very clean and appealing" character designs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=465|title=Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy|author=Christi|publisher=T.H.E.M Anime Reviews|access-date=March 22, 2014|archive-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323001533/http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=465|url-status=live }}</ref>

===Legacy===
Widely regarded as a classic manga series,<ref name=asahi/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2013/anime-expo/3|title=Shonen Jump - Anime Expo 2013|author=Santos, Carlo|date=July 4, 2013|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=April 30, 2014|archive-date=October 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012110757/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2013/anime-expo/3|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GvEFDD4rdWMC&pg=PT27|title=Manga: The Complete Guide|author=[[Jason Thompson (writer)|Thompson, Jason]]|page=27|publisher=[[Random House]]|year=2012|isbn=9780345539441 }}</ref> it has been cited by ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' creator [[Hiromu Arakawa]] as a series she "love[s]" and as an influence to her work,<ref>{{cite book|last=Arakawa|first=Hiromu|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|date=June 2006|pages=101|isbn=1-4215-0768-4}}</ref> as well as by ''[[Fairy Tail]]''{{'}}s [[Hiro Mashima]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://manga.about.com/od/mangaartistinterviews/a/HiroMashima.htm|title=Interview: Hiro Mashima|author=Aoki, Deb|work=[[About.com]]|date=2008|access-date=August 9, 2014|archive-date=February 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226201021/http://manga.about.com/od/mangaartistinterviews/a/HiroMashima.htm|url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Assassination Classroom]]''{{'}}s [[Yūsei Matsui]] cited it as one of his favorite manga,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/06/10-1/assassination-classroom-creator-yusei-matsui-heads-to-ny-comic-con|title="Assassination Classroom" Creator Yusei Matsui Heads to NY Comic Con|author=Luster, Joseph|date=June 10, 2016|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=July 31, 2019|archive-date=July 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731163735/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/06/10-1/assassination-classroom-creator-yusei-matsui-heads-to-ny-comic-con|url-status=live }}</ref> while [[Yoshihiro Togashi]] was influenced by ''Kinnikuman'' on shifting the focus of his ''[[Yu Yu Hakusho]]'' from occult detective fiction to the [[Martial arts (genre)|martial arts genre]] based on a similar shift ''Kinnikuman'' did from comedy to action.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Interview: Yoshihiro Togashi|magazine=[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]]|date=May 2003|publisher=Viz Media|location=San Francisco, CA|volume=1|issue=5|issn=1545-7818}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Shueisha staff|date=November 2017|title=Special Interview: JUMP 90's Star Road of Glory!!|series=Weekly Shonen Jump 50th Anniversary Exhibition|volume=2|journal=[[Weekly Shonen Jump]]|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|pages=284–285|language=ja}}</ref>

Moreover, ''Kinnikuman'' has inspired real life wrestling events. At the Fight Entertainment Group's [[Dynamite!! 2008]] martial arts event at the [[Saitama Super Arena]], [[Bob Sapp]] fought Kid Muscle (played by Akihiko Tanaka) in an MMA match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-22/bob-sapp-to-fight-kinnikuman-cosplayer-next-week|title=Bob Sapp to Fight Kinnikuman Cosplayer Next Week|date=December 22, 2008|author=Koulikov, Mikhail|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=February 24, 2014|archive-date=April 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402133843/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-22/bob-sapp-to-fight-kinnikuman-cosplayer-next-week|url-status=live }}</ref> Toei Animation announced a Kinnikumania 2009 wrestling event, scheduled at the [[JCB Hall]] in [[Tokyo Dome City]] on May 29, 2009, for the manga's 30th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-26/kinnikumania-2009-real-pro-wrestling-event-announced|title=Kinnikumania 2009 'Real' Pro Wrestling Event Announced|author=Loo, Egan|date=March 26, 2009|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=February 24, 2014|archive-date=April 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402000625/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-26/kinnikumania-2009-real-pro-wrestling-event-announced|url-status=live }}</ref>

Kinnikuman's enduring popularity is also shown by it being used to co-promote ''[[Green Lantern (film)|Green Lantern]]'' in 2011 for the Japanese release of the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-09-08/green-lantern-vs-kinnikuman-drawing-held-by-creator|title=Green Lantern vs. Kinnikuman Drawing Held by Creator|author=Loo, Egan|date=September 8, 2011|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=October 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029012129/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-09-08/green-lantern-vs-kinnikuman-drawing-held-by-creator|url-status=live }}</ref> and other characters of it appearing other merchandise, such as a series-themed {{Transliteration|ja|[[onigiri]]}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-23/kinnikuman-onigiri-meat-kun-meat-pie-sold-in-japan|title=Kinnikuman Onigiri, Meat-Kun Meat Pie Sold in Japan|author=Loo, Egan|date=August 23, 2008|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802225207/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-23/kinnikuman-onigiri-meat-kun-meat-pie-sold-in-japan|url-status=live }}</ref> and a pollen mask advertisement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-16/kinnikuman-robin-mask-stars-in-live-action-pollen-mask-ad|title=Kinnikuman's Robin Mask Stars in Live-Action Pollen Mask Ad|author=Loo, Egan|date=January 16, 2014|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802211841/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-16/kinnikuman-robin-mask-stars-in-live-action-pollen-mask-ad|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-02-20/kinnikuman-robin-mask-warsman-star-in-live-action-pollen-mask-ad/.85225#gallery_5l561_|title=Kinnikuman's Robin Mask, Warsman Star in Live-Action Pollen Mask Ad|author=Ressler, Karen|date=February 20, 2015|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802212002/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-02-20/kinnikuman-robin-mask-warsman-star-in-live-action-pollen-mask-ad/.85225#gallery_5l561_|url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=note}}

;Japanese
{{reflist|group=Jp}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kinnikuman}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806123639/http://www.kinnikuman.jp/|title=Official website}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Official website|https://kin29man-anime.com|''Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc'' official website}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040401195341/http://www.bandaigames.channel.or.jp/list/kinniku_gen/|title=''Kinnikuman Generations'' official website at Bandai Games}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204225633/http://www.kinnikuman-mp.com/|title=''Kinnikuman Muscle'' official website website}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101201902/http://www.kinnikuman-mg2.com/|title=''Kinnikuman Muscle Grand Prix 2'' official website website}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Anime News Network|manga|3073}}

{{Kinnikuman}}
{{Weekly Shōnen Jump - 1968–1979}}
{{Series in V Jump}}
{{Shogakukan Manga Award - Children}}
{{Toei Animation}}
{{Toei Animation films 1980s}}
{{Production I.G}}

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