Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by. Matsuena first published a manga titled Tatakae! Ryōzanpaku Shijō Saikyō no Deshi, which ran in Shogakukan's Shōnen Sunday Super from October 1999 to February 2002. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple is a remake of the series, and was serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday from April 2002 to September 2014, with its chapters collected in 61 volumes.
A 50-episode anime television series adaptation produced by TMS Entertainment aired on TV Tokyo from October 2006 to September 2007. Brain's Base produced an 11-episode original video animation series, titled Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple – The Attack of Darkness, released between March 2012 and May 2014. The anime television series was licensed in North America by Funimation in 2008, but the rights to the series expired in 2018. It was re-licensed by Discotek Media in 2020.
The Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple manga has had over 12 million copies in circulation. A manga sequel, Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Kenichi 2: Tatsujin-hen, is set to start on the digital platform in March 2026.
Plot
The story centers on Kenichi Shirahama, a 15-year-old high school student who has long endured bullying. After befriending transfer student Miu Fūrinji, he resolves to strengthen himself and accompanies her to Ryōzanpaku, a dojo overseen by her grandfather, the undefeated martial artist Hayato Fūrinji, where several masters of diverse disciplines reside.Following basic instruction from Miu, Kenichi defeats a prominent member of the school's karate club, drawing the attention of delinquents. Initially training for self-defense, he eventually becomes a full disciple of Ryōzanpaku and develops feelings for Miu. His routine alternates between training under the dojo's six masters and confronting members of "Ragnarok", a gang of bullies seeking either to recruit or defeat him.
After Ragnarok's dissolution, Kenichi and Miu face Yomi, disciples trained by masters of Yami, a rival organization to Ryōzanpaku. While Ryōzanpaku adheres to the principle of sparing opponents, Yami embraces lethal methods. The conflict between the factions escalates until a final confrontation over Yami's goal to instigate global chaos, termed "The Eternal Sunset." Following the prevention of this scheme and Yami's defeat, both organizations disband. Kenichi continues his training at Ryōzanpaku; years later, he emerges as a renowned novelist, with implications that he marries Miu and surpasses her grandfather's martial prowess—fulfilling Hayato's vow that Miu may only wed someone capable of defeating him.
Main characters
;Kenichi Shirahama;Miu Fūrinji
;Hayato Fūrinji
;Shio Sakaki
;Apachai Hopachai
;Shigure Kōsaka
;Akisame Kōetsuji
;Kensei Ma
;Haruo Niijima
Media
Manga
Manga author first published a manga series titled, which ran for 28 chapters in Shogakukan's monthly magazine Shōnen Sunday Super from October 20, 1999, to February 25, 2002, with its chapters collected in five volumes, released from September 18, 2000, to April 18, 2002.Matsuena would later release the remake, Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple, which started in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday on April 17, 2002. The manga finished after 12 years of publication in the magazine on September 17, 2014. Shogakukan collected the chapters in 61 volumes, published under the Shōnen Sunday Comics imprint, from August 9, 2002, to February 18, 2015.
A volume was released by Shogakukan on September 18, 2007. A spin-off series, titled Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Ken'ichi Plus was serialized in Shōnen Sunday S in 2012 and collected in a volume by Shogakukan on September 18, 2012. An official guidebook was released by Shogakukan on May 16, 2014.
In January 2026, Matsuena announced on his X account that a sequel, titled Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Kenichi 2: Tatsujin-hen, is set to start on Shogakukan's digital platform on March 25, 2026.
Anime
A 50-episode anime television series adaptation by TMS Entertainment was broadcast on TV Tokyo from October 8, 2006, to September 29, 2007. The first opening theme for episodes 1–25 is "Be Strong", performed by Kana Yazumi, and the second opening theme for episodes 26–50 is "Yahhoo", performed by Diva × Diva. The series' first ending theme for episodes 1–15 is "Kimi Ga Irukara", performed by Issei Eguchi. The second ending theme for episodes 16–25 is "Catch Your Dream", performed by Joanna Koike. The third ending theme for episodes 26–45 is "Run Over", performed by Joanna Koike. The fourth ending theme for episodes 46–49 is "Kokoro Kara no Message" is performed by Sakura. The series' last episode uses the first opening theme "Be Strong" by Kana Yazumi as ending theme.In North America the series was licensed by Funimation in May 2008. The series was broadcast on Funimation Channel. The rights to the series expired in 2018. In December 2020, Discotek Media announced that they had licensed the anime television and would have an upscale release slated for 2021; it was released on two Blu-ray Disc sets on August 31, 2021, and January 25, 2022. The series returned to Funimation's streaming service in May 2021. Crunchyroll added the series to their catalog in September 2021.
Original video animation
An 11-episode original video animation series produced by Brain's Base started on March 14, 2012. The story continues from the Ragnarok Arc entering the Yomi arc. The second OVA episode, featuring later story in the Yomi arc, was released on June 18, 2012. The third OVA episode was released on November 16, 2012. The fourth and fifth OVA episodes were released on September 16, 2013. The sixth and seventh OVA episodes were released on November 18, 2013. The eighth and ninth OVA episodes were released on February 14, 2014. The 10th and 11th OVA episodes were released on May 16, 2014. The main cast for the OVA series is the same from those of the anime series except for Rie Kugimiya who replaced Tomoko Kawakami as Miu and Yuzuru Fujimoto who replaced Hiroshi Arikawa as her grandfather Hayato. The episodes aired in 2014 on Tokyo MX and BS11, with the title Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple – The Attack of Darkness. Iori Nomizu performed the opening theme "Wish" and the ending themes "Glory Days" and "Breathless". During its television broadcast, the series featured the opening theme "Higher Ground", performed by Tomokazu Seki, and the same original second ending theme "Breathless", by Iori Nomizu.In January 2024, Discotek Media announced that they had licensed the OVA, and is set to be released on a Blu-ray set with an English dub on May 28 of the same year.
Video games
On March 15, 2007, Capcom released the series' first game, Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Ken'ichi: Gekitō! Ragnarok Hachikengō, exclusively on the PlayStation 2. The game was developed with Eighting.Kenichi Shirahama appeared in the Weekly Shōnen Sunday and Weekly Shōnen Magazine 2009 crossover fighting game Sunday vs Magazine: Shūketsu! Chōjō Daikessen. Characters from the series also appeared in another crossover game of the same magazine, Shōnen Sunday & Shōnen Magazine White Comic, also released in 2009 for Nintendo DS.
Reception
By February 2012, the manga had over 12 million copies in circulation.Bamboo Dong of Anime News Network offered a negative assessment of the first season, criticizing its repetitive nature and inconsistent tone, which struggled to balance between mindless action and a semi-serious martial arts narrative. Dong found the technical explanations of combat techniques lacking compared to series like Naruto, despite the latter featuring fictional abilities. The review concluded by suggesting the show might only appeal to younger viewers seeking confidence-building stories, as it failed to engage older audiences. However, Dong later reviewed the first season more favorably, praising its improved focus on Kenichi's martial arts progression over his initial transformation from a weakling. The fanservice, while present, was deemed appropriate, and Miu was highlighted as a strong female lead. The series was recommended for fans of Naruto, Bleach, and other Shōnen Jump titles due to its action and grounded combat.
Theron Martin, also writing for ANN, likened the first season to The Karate Kid but noted its lighter tone, which helped mitigate its often absurd scenarios. While criticizing its early pacing and comedic excesses, Martin praised its exploration of martial arts fundamentals and concluded that despite its flaws, the series delivered an entertaining, if cheesy, experience.
Davey C. Jones of Active Anime lauded the first season for its dynamic fights and humor, calling it a perfect blend of comedy and martial arts action. In reviewing the second season, Jones compared it favorably to Ranma ½, emphasizing its energetic combat and comedic appeal.
C.M. Brendelson of Otaku USA described Kenichi as a typical underdog protagonist akin to Peter Parker, while Miu stood out as both highly skilled and visually striking. The series was noted for its focus on Kenichi's growth through defeat rather than a desire for supremacy, and while fanservice was prevalent, it did not overshadow the narrative. Brendelson concluded that the show, while not universally appealing, offered a lighthearted mix of action and comedy.
Allen Moody of THEM Anime Reviews praised Kenichi as a relatable protagonist with strong moral convictions, along with the series' action and character dynamics. However, he criticized excessive melodrama during fight sequences.