Ultimate Muscle
Synopsis
Kinnikuman II Sei takes place several years after the events of the original Kinnikuman. Mantarou Kinniku is the 59th prince of Planet Kinniku and son of the renowned wrestler, King Suguru. Lazy, immature, and cowardly, Mantarou seems to have little in common with his heroic father. When a powerful group calling themselves the dMP threatens the Earth, only someone as powerful as Kinnikuman stands a chance against them. Not knowing the current whereabouts of the King, a plan is formed to have his son Mantarou take up the mantle. The idea of fighting super villains does not sit well with Mantarou, who initially runs away from his duty. He flees to Earth where he encounters Meat, his father’s old trainer. Despite Mantarou's shortcomings, Meat sees King Suguru in him, and believes he can set the prince on the right path. Thus begins Mantarou's journey to better himself and save the world.
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is mixed. Some appreciate the nostalgia and action, finding it an enjoyable albeit flawed experience. Others are disappointed by the weaker character development, excessive goofiness, and poor animation compared to the original series and manga. The adaptation's tonal shift and production quality are significant points of criticism.
Strengths
- Enjoyable mix of comedy, action, and manliness.
- Good art for its time with fluid and dynamic character movements.
- Brings a sense of nostalgia for those who watched the original Kinnikuman.
Weaknesses
- Lacks the originality and epicness of the first series.
- Character development is not as strong as the original, with less focus on supporting characters.
- Some find the anime to be too goofy, especially compared to the more serious manga.
- Poor pacing due to a mix of half fights and poor jokes.
- Animation is low effort, simplified, and ugly.