7.6 /10 1 Votes
Written by Akira Miyashita Original run 1985 – 1991 Genres Comedy, Action fiction | 7.5/10 MyAnimeList Volumes 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Similar Fist of the North Star, Shonan Junai Gumi, Kōtarō Makaritōru!, Kinnikuman, Rokudenashi Blues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 boys' school that teaches ōendan to troubled teenagers. The students are trained to "revive the Spirit of Japan" and mainly engage in fighting courses.
Contents
- Plot
- Early Gag Manga Arc
- Kyoura Daiyon Kyousatsu Arc
- Dai Ishin Pa Lien Seiha Arc
- Tenchou Gorin Dai Bukai Arc
- Battle of the Seven Tusks Arc
- Fuun Rakanjuku Arc
- Manga
- Spin off works
- TV Series
- Movie
- Audio drama
- Live action film
- Video games
- Reception
- References
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.
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 Pai-Lien Seiha (大威震八連制覇, Great Pa-Lien (Unified Eight) Quaking Conquest).
Tenchou Gorin Dai Bukai Arc
After the Pa-Lien 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.
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
TV Series
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.
List of TV episodes.
Movie
An animated movie was released on July 23, 1988. It tells the story of a team of First Year students led by Momotaro Tsurugi who journey to America to compete in a tournament known as Great Battle August, adjudicated by a priest. Following an elimination round, 4 of the Otokojuku must fight 1 on 1 matches with members of the American team 3S; B.J. Bruce, Sir Royal the 3rd, Big Morgan and Bronco Sanders. The Otokojuku eventually win the match.
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.
- Hien vs. Shuten Doji
- Jaki Daigouin vs. Zeus
- Omito Date vs. Ryuuhou
- Momotaro Tsurugi vs. Shu Kougen
- Genji Togashi/Ryuuji Toramaru vs. Amon/Unmon
- Momotarou Tsurugi vs. Pharaoh
- Gekkou vs. Souketsu
- Omito Date vs. Ryoukou
Live-action film
It was adapted on a live-action film in 2008 written, directed by and starring Tak Sakaguchi.
Video games
The series was also represented in four cross-over games: Famicom Jump and Famicom Jump II: The Strongest Seven, both for the NES; Cult Jump for the Game Boy; and J-Stars Victory VS for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. J-Stars Victory VS was ported to PlayStation 4 and released with its two counterparts in Europe and North America, thus representing the first official release of Sakigake!! Otokojuku material outside Japan.
Reception
It is one of the best-selling Weekly Shōnen Jump's manga series of all time as it had sold over 26 million copies.