Kinnikuman - BE@RBRICK
“I won't even need the push from my farts!”, one of many bizarre quotes from the meat emblazoned mask-wearing wrestler superhero. Kinniku Suguru is known as one of the strongest characters in the Kinnikuman series if not eventually the strongest. Wrestling his way to stardom he faces many strong enemies, a number of which become close allies, joining his Justice Chojin stable.
Kinnikuman x BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
Kinnikuman BE@BRICK figures are the collaboration between Yudetamago (manga authors Shimada Takashi and Nagai Yoshinori) and Medicom Toys.
Collaboration Planning and Launch Information
It’s no coincidence that Medicom’s BE@RBRICK Kinnikuman was released in December 2017. According to the Japanese calendar, 2017 is known as Heisei 29. This is important because in Japanese the number 29 is made up of the sounds ‘Ni’ and ‘Ku’ which means ‘meat’—the Japanese character that appears on Kinnikuman’s forehead.
BE@RBRICK Kinnikuman 400%
BE@RBRICK Kinnikuman is a great example of how the best details can be found in the simplicity. From the ‘niku’ mark on his forehead to the straps and laces on the back of his mask, it’s all there. Kinnikuman’s perpetually round lips and red chin are also present. The way the muscles are painted on the front and back of the figure display exactly the kind of musculature that Kinnikuman is famous for. Donning his typical white wristbands, trunks and boots Kinnikuman 400% stands at 280mm (11”) tall with articulated limbs and neck.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Kinnikuman 400%
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Painted & articulated plastic figure
- Height (Approx.): 280 mm | 11"
About Kinnikuman (Series)
First published in 1985 by comedy manga author duo ‘Yudetamago’, Kinnikuman made its debut in Shueisha’s magazine ‘Weekly Shonen Jump’. The series was originally a parody of other famous Japanese superhero stories but slowly the focus changed to wrestling and the story came into its own. Kinnikuman follows the story of a goofy, clumsy, and lazy superhero who is called when no other heroes are available. Eventually, though he finds his true calling as a wrestler. Kinniku Suguru was going nowhere however until he won the Chojin (superhuman) Olympics and secured himself a spot among the top wrestlers of the Justice Chojin stable.
About Kinniku Suguru
Kinnikuman’s real name is Kinniku Suguru. After spending some time as a hero and wrestler on Earth it is discovered that he is in fact the lost prince of the planet Kinniku. Planet Kinniku is an extremely prestigious planet that is known for producing the strongest heroes of all. Suguru must win bout after bout against evil chojin and even some claimants to the throne of Planet Kinniku. One of Suguru’s powers is his Fire of Inner Strength (originally called Fire of Moronic Strength) and is one of the reasons he is able to overcome so many incredibly strong adversaries. His trademark move is the Kinniku Buster. Placing the upside-down opponent’s shoulders on his shoulders and holding their legs, he then jumps into the air and slams into the mat in a sitting-down position, dealing devastating damage to the opponent’s body.
Other Important Kinnikuman Characters
An incredible roster of characters grace the pages of the Kinnikuman comics. Many are bizarre and interested, for example, Sneagator, an alligator and sneaker-themed wrestler; Mister VTR, a wrestler that is literally a VHS recorder and Mixer Emperor, a wrestler that is a giant blender. However, some of the most important characters are the likes of Terryman, Ramenman, and Buffaloman.
Terryman
Terryman is Suguru’s closest ally in the Justice Chojin stable. Terryman is from Amarillo, Texas, and is initially arrogant but mellows out after becoming good friends with Suguru. When they enter tag team matches, they enter as ‘The Machineguns’. Terryman is shot in the leg shielding Suguru at one point and the leg is amputated. He uses a realistic prosthetic for the rest of the serialization and never doubts the trust and friendship he has with Suguru.
Ramenman
Ramenman is a Chinese fighter whose shape is slimmer and more agility-based than the rest of the wrestlers. He tends to use more kung-fu style techniques than traditional wrestling moves too. Ramenman was a violent and cold-blooded killer at the beginning of the series, murdering one of the other characters during a match. After losing to Suguru however he became more conscious of his actions and assumed a mentor role in the Justice Chojin stable. Ramenman was so popular that a spin-off series was published detailing his exploits outside of the Kinnikuman continuity.
Buffaloman
Hailing from Spain, Buffaloman is a huge wrestler with giant horns and muscles. His main focus is on brute strength. After the 21st Chojin Olympics, Earth was invaded by a group of evil chojin called the Seven Devil Chojin, of which Buffaloman was the leader. Buffaloman made a deal with the devil that allowed him to increase his power for every chojin that he killed, in time raising his power level to a massive 10,000,000 whereas a usual chojin’s power level is said to be at around 100,000. Despite being a Devil he is an honorable fighter and upon losing to Suguru he went back on the evil deeds he had committed and gave his life to resurrect the chojin that he had killed. He too was resurrected later by a group of evil chojin but defected, joining the Justice Chojin before leaving once again to rejoin the Devil Chojin.
Links
BE@RBRICK Kinnikuman 400%
BE@RBRICK Series
BE@BRICK Label
Kinnikuman Label