Sakigake!! Otokojuku

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Manga
Authored by Akira Miyashita
Publisher Shueisha
Serialized in
Original run 1985 – 1991
No. of volumes

Sakigake!! Otokojuku (魁!!男塾) by Akira Miyashita (宮下あきら) is a Japanese manga later made into an anime series. It is staged in a private boy's school that teaches Oendan to troubled teen-agers. The students are trained to "revive the Spirit of Japan" and mainly engage in fighting or killing courses. The nature of the manga is usually considered by the readers as a comical, or even parody view of Japanese nationalism.

Contents

[edit] Features

The genius principal of the private school, Heihachi Edajima, was a war hero during World War II. He trained his students to play an active role in politics, economics and industries in Japan and all over the world, though the way of training is highly anachronistic.

The martial arts depicted in this series are also highly exaggerated. Whenever someone is about to play an otherworldly trick, the author draws a sidebar to explain it and cite the encyclopedia explanation from books published under "Minmei Publishing Co." (民明書房) which is a fictitious story-telling device. For example, one of the minor villans had ability to control a crocodile. The side note stated, "In South Asia, there are regions heavily populated by various killer crocodiles. In the 18th century, a technique for controlling these crocodiles was developed by a secret tribe of beastmasters. Using this technique, the tribes defended their territory from outsiders. For this reason, crocodiles are considered sacred and their religion worships a crocodile god. Even now, in certain South Asian countries, the killing of a crocodile is a capital offense. Last year, a Japanese tourist caught unwittingly carrying a crocodile-skin handbag was hanged. - Crocodile Dandy"

[edit] Characters

  • Edajima Heihachi (principal): A child prodigy who entered Tokyo University at a very young age with only a week's study. He fought bravely in World War II as an imperial soldier. This character is modeled after the Imperial Japanese Navy admiral Togo Heihachiro (東郷平八郎; The city of Edajima (江田島) was the site of the former Japanese Imperial Naval Academy; see ja:海軍兵学校). Whenever he's about to deliver the coup de grâce to his enemy, he shouts his famous one-liner: "I AM THE PRINCIPLE OF OTOKOJYUKU, EDAJIMA HEIHACHI!!!" (わしが男塾塾長江田島平八である！！). Any enquiry in regard to many of eccentric Otokojyuku rule or his decision is also answered by this one liner.

[edit] Students

Freshman class (Later Junior class)

  • Momotaro Tsurugi (剣桃太郎 Tsurugi Momotarō): Also known as Momo. The main character. The leader of the freshman class. A master user of the katana. Always wears a white headband. Has a laid-back attitude and sense of humor.
  • Genji Togashi: Uses a knife (dosu). Always wears a school hat. A close friend of Momo since the beginning of class. Does not have a formal martial arts training, but shows an incredible fighting spirit. Later becomes a comical character.
  • Ryuji Toramaru: Has herculean strength. Later becomes a comical character and mostly serves as a broadcaster with Togasi.
  • J: King Battler Junior. An American and former student of U.S. military academy. A boxer who uses spiked knuckles made of magnum steel. His finishing moves include "Flash Piston Punch," "Flying Crash Megaton Punch," and "Spiral Hurricane Mach Punch." Has some English catchphrases like "You are not my match."
  • Omito Date: Former leader of gogakuren school army. Uses a retractable spear. Has scars on each side of face. Was voted as the most popular character (even more popular than Momo) several times.
  • Raiden: Former member of gogakuren school army. Master of Daioujouryu technique, the oldest martial arts form in the history of Japan (fictional). Uses knived shoes and fights with three monkeys later. Has an extensive knowledge on martial arts techniques. Thought to be killed in the fight with Ryoukou, the boss of Ryoujanbaku 16 heroes, but returned alive later.
  • Hien: Former member of gogakuren school army. Master of Choujinken (Birdman Style) technique. Uses throwing acupuncture needles that can manipulate an enemy's muscle movement. Somewhat a feminine character (long-haired, girlish face). Very popular with female fans.
  • Gekkou: Former member of gogakuren school army. Master of Chyakugeryu technique. Uses a retractable batton. Once fought with the batton as a golf club and steel golf balls. Thought to be killed in the fight with Raja Mahal, of the Meioudou 16 warrors, but returned alive later.

[edit] Spin-off series

  • Higher than the Sky (天より高く): Some troubled student's previous lives as warring heavenly deities.
  • Peerless: The Biography of Edajima Heihachi (天下無双 江田島平八伝): On Edajima's restless childhood and youthful days.
  • Akatsuki!! Otokojuku (曉!!男塾): Momotaro's son leads the student army.

[edit] Video Games

  • Famicom game - Sakigake!! Ototkojuku (released March 3, 1989)
  • Gameboy game - Sakigake!! Ototkojuku - Meikoushima Kessen (released Aug. 4, 1990)
  • Playstation game - Simple 2000 - The Dodgeball - Sakigake!! Otokojuku (released Aug. 29, 2002)
  • Playstation 2 game - Sakigake!! Otokojuku (released Nov. 10, 2005)
  • Nintendo DS - Jump Ultimate Stars (released Nov. 23 2006)

[edit] See also

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