Sakigake!! Otokojuku

Sakigake!! Otokojuku

Cover of the first volume of Sakigake!! Otokojuku as published by Shueisha
魁!!男塾
Genre Comedy, Action
Manga
Written by Akira Miyashita
Published by Shueisha
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump
Original run 1985 – 1991
Volumes 34
Anime television series
Directed by Nobutaka Nishizawa
Studio Toei Animation
Network Fuji TV
Original run 25 February 1988 – 14 November 1988
Episodes 34
Manga
Sora Yori Takaku
Written by Akira Miyashita
Published by Shueisha
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Weekly Playboy
Original run 1995 – 2002
Volumes 27
Manga
Akatsuki! Otokojuku: Seinen yo, Daishi wo Idake
Written by Akira Miyashita
Published by Shueisha
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Super Jump
Original run 2001 – 2010
Volumes 25
Manga
Tenkamusou Edajima Heihachi Den
Written by Akira Miyashita
Published by Shueisha
Magazine Oh Super Jump
Original run 2003 – 2010
Volumes 10
Manga
Shiritsu Kiwamemichi Kōkō 2011
Written by Akira Miyashita
Published by Nihon Bungeisha
Magazine Weekly Manga Goraku
Original run 2011 – 2012
Volumes 3
Manga
Goku!! Otokojuku
Written by Akira Miyashita
Published by Nihon Bungeisha
Magazine Weekly Manga Goraku
Original run April 4, 2014[1] – ongoing
Manga
Danjuku Gaiden Date Omito
Written by Akira Miyashita
Published by Nihon Bungeisha
Magazine Weekly Manga Goraku
Original run April 25, 2014[2] – ongoing
Live-action film

Sakigake!! Otokojuku (Japanese: 魁!!男塾, lit. "Charge! Men's Private School") is a manga series written and illustrated by Akira Miyashita. It was originally serialized at the Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1985 to 1991. It is staged in a private boy's school that teaches ōendan to troubled teenagers. The students are trained to "revive the Spirit of Japan" and mainly engage in fighting courses.

Plot

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 choreographed using various forms of martial arts.

Story

Early Gag Manga Arc

The strongest of the Otokojuku first years, Momotaro Tsurugi, while enduring and overcoming the strict training of the malicious instructors and the second years, resolves the problems of the other first years with wisdom, kindness, and a manly spirit.

Kyoura Daiyon Kyousatsu Arc

The budget of Otokojuku falls into the red, so Edajima devises to throw the Gakuensai (愕怨祭) festival in order to collect profits. However just as the festival reaches a climax, Omito Date and his Kanto Gogakuren attack. When they are unable to settle the dispute through Otokojuku's specialty matches, Edajima suggests the Kyoura Daiyon Kyousatsu (驚邏大四凶殺 The 4 Great Astonishing Assaults). Date and the Gogakuren agree and the battles take place on the sacred Mt. Fuji.

Dai Ishin Pa-Lien Seiha Arc

After the conclusion of the Kyoura Daiyon Kyousatsu, Momo descends the mountain to find his friends still alive. Their joyous moment is interrupted when they are called out by the third years. They then head to Tendo Shirne to face the third years in the Dai Ishin Paren Seiha (大威震八連制覇 Great Pa-Lien (Unified Eight) Quaking Conquest).

Tenchou Gorin Dai Bukai Arc

After the Paren Seiha is ended, Momo and the gang are called to the headmaster’s room. There they are shown a war film about how the US Army discovered a skillfully disguised Japanese Army secret base and destroyed it. When some of the students doubt this, Edajima tells them of a man who held a position in the US Army. That man’s name was Takemitsu Isa, now known as Hyoei Todo. The student now wish to attack this inhuman Todo, so they participate in Tenchou Gorin Dai Bukai (天挑五輪大武會 Challenge the Heavens Olympics Great Tournament) which he sponsors.

Battle of the Seven Tusks Arc

One month after the Tenchou Gorin, Momo and the gang welcome the newly enrolled students. During Momo’s fight over his title as representative with new first year Souji Togo, an incident occurs in the headmaster’s room. Despite his overwhelming fighting power, Edajima suffers a defeat before a capture gun strong enough to take down an elephant. He is kidnapped and his assailants escape into the air. The students then set out for the Battle of the Seven Tusks (七牙冥界闘 Batoru Obu Sebun Tasukusu) in order to rescue Edajima.

Fuun Rakanjuku Arc

Edajima's lifelong rival Kinzo Kumada creates another Otokojuku called Fu'un Rakanjuku (風雲羅漢塾 Wind and Clouds Arhat Private School), and as they agreed upon three years ago, Otokojuku and Rakanjuku compete against each other in the Go Konsen (五魂遷 5 Spirit Transitions) match.

Media

Manga

Sakigake!! Otokojuku was serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Jump from Issue 22 of 1985 to Issue 35 of 1991. The series was collected in 34 collected volumes published under the Jump Comics imprint.

Spin-off works

Anime

Sakigake!! Otokojuku was adapted into an anime TV series produced by Toei Animation. Directed by Nobutaka Nishizawa, the series aired on Fuji TV from February 25 to November 14, 1988, lasting 34 episodes. The opening theme is Yogorecchimatta kanashimi ni (汚れっちまった悲しみに), while the ending theme is Ikujidai Arimashite (幾時代ありまして), both performed by Issei Fuubi Sepia.[3]

Audio drama

After the anime was ended, a two-part audio drama tape was sold, covering the Tenchou Gorin Arc. The same voice cast from the anime was used.

Episodes
  1. Hien vs. Shuten Doji
  2. Jaki Daigouin vs. Zeus
  3. Omito Date vs. Ryuuhou
  4. Momotaro Tsurugi vs. Shu Kougen
  1. Genji Togashi/Ryuuji Toramaru vs. Amon/Unmon
  2. Momotarou Tsurugi vs. Pharaoh
  3. Gekkou vs. Souketsu
  4. Omito Date vs. Ryoukou

Live-action film

It was adapted on a live-action film in 2008 written, directed by and starring Tak Sakaguchi.[4]

Video games

The series was also represented in the three cross-over games Famicom Jump, Famicom Jump II: The Strongest Seven, and also Cult Jump for the Game Boy.

Playable Characters: Heihachi Edajima, Momotaro Tsurugi, Genji Togashi, Ryuuji Toramaru, J, Gouji Akashi, Raiden, Gekko, Hien, Omito Date, Manjimaru, Senkuu, Eikei, Rasetsu, Jaki Daigouin, Pharaoh, Sou Reigen, Gouki Toudou, Hakuhou, Zeus, Shishimaru Tsurugi (secret).
Playable Characters: Heihachi Edajima, Momotaro Tsurugi, Genji Togashi, J, Ryuuji Toramaru, Taio Matsuo, Shinichiro Tazawa, Hidemaro Gokukouji, Gouji Akashi, Raiden, Hien, Gekko, Omito Date, Manjimaru, Senkuu, Rasetsu, Eikei, Dokugantetsu, Henshouki, Baron Dino, Jaki Daigouin, Wang Taren

Reception

It's one of best-selling Weekly Shōnen Jump's manga series of all time as it had sold over 26 million copies.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "「男塾」最終章が開幕！あの塾生たちが宇宙規模の戦いへ" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. April 4, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  2. ↑ "「男塾外伝」など新連載3本、別冊漫画ゴラクで一挙に始動" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. April 25, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  3. ↑ 魁！！男塾 (in Japanese). Toei. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Otoko Juku Live-Action Film Remake's Trailers Posted". Anime News Network. November 30, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  5. ↑ "JUMP ULTIMATE STARS - 魁!!男塾" (in Japanese). Nintendo.
  6. ↑ "Top Manga Properties in 2008 - Rankings and Circulation Data". Comipress.com. December 31, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2013.

External links