History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi

[danzibr]

(please don't suggest talking about this in the general anime thread)

About 3 years ago I was searching for anime to watch and came across this show. After I finished it I looked to see if there were any plans for making more seasons and discovered the show was based on a manga. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I actually read the manga. Man was I missing out.

Although it's obviously geared toward teenage boys (of the mature females there's like... 1 without gigantic boobs), HSDK does a couple things which I think are great:

1) Character growth
This is totally clear.

2) Believable characters
While the manga as a whole is unbelievable, the characters are believable (to a certain point, anyway). Although they do grow, they still stick to their personalities. Like Sheldon in Big Bang Theory.

3) Good bad guys
I think any good story has to have good villains. And by good I mean motivated. And with back stories. In some books/movies/whatever the bad guys are just... really bad. For no apparent reason. Not so in this manga.

A lot of the killing fist people aren't just crazy murderers. In fact, so far it seems only one was.

Kensei/Isshinsai Oogata: The first time you see him he's carving Buddha's in the middle of nowhere. At first I was thinking... this makes no sense, even though Akisame said people do that when they kill someone. Turns out he's killed lots of people, at least people that attack him or martial artists. Then you learn waaaaaay later he killed a pregnant woman.

Akira Hongou: This guy's likable. Willingly kills martial artists to let them die as martial artists.

Agaard Jum Sai (the Muay Thai dude): Another likable guy. Feel like I should say more...

Anyway. Regarding the most recent chapter.
Naturally, I wonder what Shigure's planning. I doubt it's arming Shinpaku Alliance.

[Partysan]

Long-time fan here. I once wrote quite an extensive post about Kenichi's character growth or lack thereof on... I think the batoto forums? Anyway, I started extending it into a full-blown analysis essay about the links between technique and character development in the series, it's not done yet though.

By the way, in the anime I thought Kisara (aka the token pettanko) was pretty much the sexiest girl in the show. That rough deep voice really fit her. I wonder where the Freya-Ukita-Kisara Triangle is going to end up, especially with the addition of... Kisara's leutenant, whatever her name is.

[Radar]

I really enjoy the series, but the author could tone down the fanservice, because it got utterly ridiculous. The contrived camera angles and selective clothing damage are sometimes diminishing the overal quality if the manga.

As for the qualitites:
1. The bad guys are really well written, have solid motivation, convictions and morals. My favorite conflict is
between Akira Hongou and Shio Sakaki. It really is difficult to say, which one of them is right and which is wrong. One of them fulfilled friend's wish by killing him and the other wanted said friend to live long and fruitfully by abandoning the dream of being a martial artist.

2. There is a lot of care for details - especially when it comes to Kenichi's training. We see him practice various things and after a time we can see the results, when all those little things come together.

3. The most entertaining depiction of truly hellish training. In Ryōzanpaku you do not climb to masterhood - it's more like falling from a cliff.

4. Very entertaining fights even between completly overpowered characters.

As for he newest chapter:
I'd count on armor pieces, like the guards Kenichi has.

[Fjolnir]

Honestly, the character of kenichi is the scariest of the characters in the series, he's a high level monk who keeps getting the evolved undead template instead of leveling up...

[Radar]

Honestly, the character of kenichi is the scariest of the characters in the series, he's a high level monk who keeps getting the evolved undead template instead of leveling up...
Heh, considering how many times he had to be revived (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ontXh-LbISw) during the training, it's a fairly accurate comparison.

[Spamotron]

I like HSDK its a good manga but not without its flaws.

As noted the Ecchi Fanservice has really gotten out of hand the past couple of years. Also the Shinpaku Alliance is full of interesting characters who rarely get to do anything and usually only Takeda. Ma Kensei's daughter was introduced as a rival for Miu and lives at the Dojo but appears on panel so rarely I can't remember her name. Finally major plot points are brought up then dropped not to resurface for years at time making it hard to remember exactly what's going on.

Still despite all of that its a fun ride with an endearing protagonist. If you like Shounen Martial Arts manga at all you should at least check it out.

[Partysan]

Also the Shinpaku Alliance is full of interesting characters who rarely get to do anything and usually only Takeda. Ma Kensei's daughter was introduced as a rival for Miu and lives at the Dojo but appears on panel so rarely I can't remember her name.
Ma Renka. And yes, I heartily agree, there is a lot of wasted potential in characters. I really want to see Natsu fight more, I love the Bajiquan-Piguaquan style combination, it's so rarely seen.

[Starbuck_II]

Long-time fan here. I once wrote quite an extensive post about Kenichi's character growth or lack thereof on... I think the batoto forums? Anyway, I started extending it into a full-blown analysis essay about the links between technique and character development in the series, it's not done yet though.

Yeah, Kenchi's cool, but the best part was the cow theme with his thoughts on the girl (because of her huge breasts).

[Radar]

Ma Renka. And yes, I heartily agree, there is a lot of wasted potential in characters. I really want to see Natsu fight more, I love the Bajiquan-Piguaquan style combination, it's so rarely seen.
And the fact you can distinguish it says a lot about authors care for martial arts.

The problem with giving characters enough action time is, that there are a lot of them. There is not enough pages to use the potential, which is kind of the consequence of properly developing even marginal characters.

[Partysan]

Yeah, Kenchi's cool, but the best part was the cow theme with his thoughts on the girl (because of her huge breasts).
I think the cow theme wasn't Kenichi, it was Kisara (who is jealous of Miu's breasts).

[noparlpf]

As noted the Ecchi Fanservice has really gotten out of hand the past couple of years.

In the last several months it has been practically nothing but, and last week's manga update showed exposed nipples. This manga is definitely 18+ now, just without the tag.

[Spamotron]

Another thing is Ukita. I understand the point behind him is yet more reinforcement to the theme that anybody can become a Master if they work hard enough. He doesn't have the insane talent of the others or access to a Master's training but as the bit with him mastering Chikage's moves on his own demonstrates he will get there eventually. He may be the last member of the Shinpaku Alliance to become a Master but become one he will.

But the question remains,why doesn't he approach Master Akisame for training? He's a Judo practitioner, Akisame has studied every derivative and variant of Jujitsu, Judo presumably included. Akisame has the time to do it when Kenichi is being trained by the other 4 Masters. Before it made sense, the Ryopankuzou Masters tried to distance themselves from the Shinpaku Alliance to try and protect them from Yami. But now that Yami has formally declared the Alliance its enemies and every member of it is slated for a Martial Artist's Death?

[Radar]

(...) But the question remains,why doesn't he approach Master Akisame for training? (...)
Maybe for the same reasons he only did regular training, when everyone else commited themselves to training from hell. He simply might lack the insane resolve to be the best there ever was. In a way he is the token regular person of the group.

[danzibr]

Yeah, I keep wondering if Ukita's going to get some better training. And the growing ecchi factor is a bit disturbing. Anyway, new chapter!
Radar called it!

Feel like not much happened. Lots of ecchi fanservice. It's kind of surprising Shigure's a master smith, or appears to be. I assume she learned it when she was really little from her father.

[danzibr]

New chapter!
Hmm, cloth armor. Or armor cloth. Interesting.

This reminds me of the Ninja Warz app I recently put on my iPhone. It says ninja would wear finely made chainmail which looked like regular clothes.
Also, regarding the increasing amounts of flesh revealed in this manga, I heard a story once of a popular manga (forgot the exact manga). In it there was a chick, and in each chapter the chick's chest got bigger and bigger, the author wondering when people would notice.

I wonder if Matsuena just wanted to see how much flesh he could show, and it turns out he can do full frontal! (well, almost)

[danzibr]

New chapter! I get the feeling I may be the only one reading this.
It's sort of disappointing that this *totally* came out of nowhere (or I've really missed the foreshadowing), but it should be a great fight. Boo yeah, the invincible superman.

[Partysan]

New chapter! I get the feeling I may be the only one reading this.
It's sort of disappointing that this *totally* came out of nowhere (or I've really missed the foreshadowing), but it should be a great fight. Boo yeah, the invincible superman.

I actually prefer the more down to earth disciple fights that have at least a resemblance of real martial arts in them. But yes, totally out of nowhere.

[danzibr]

I actually prefer the more down to earth disciple fights that have at least a resemblance of real martial arts in them. But yes, totally out of nowhere.
Good point. I guess DBZ ruined me :P

[Partysan]

Good point. I guess DBZ ruined me :P

Well, considering the Elder uses what is pretty much a Kamehameha to stun normal people, the power level in HSDK must be incredibly high - what kind of normal person in DBZ could survive a Kamehameha after all?

Different point: was anyone else a bit disappointed by the protective gear? I mean, its awesome and all but a) why only gloves and no shinguards or anything and b) how about character development instead of gimmicks?

[Valwyn]

Different point: was anyone else a bit disappointed by the protective gear? I mean, its awesome and all but a) why only gloves and no shinguards or anything and b) how about character development instead of gimmicks?

I think the gloves are a cool idea, but now that you mention it, yeah, more pieces of armor might have been a good idea. Maybe she run out of materials?

[danzibr]

Yeah, more armor would've been nice.

Anyway, new chapter!
So they've *already* been fighting for a whole week and nothing's happened? Crazy.

Also, as expected, unnecessary nudity at the very beginning!

[Partysan]

Honestly, that new chapter felt as if I had never read something written as badly. The author really seems to be in a slump at the moment.

[danzibr]

Honestly, that new chapter felt as if I had never read something written as badly. The author really seems to be in a slump at the moment.
While I can't agree with the "never read something written as badly" part, I agree this chapter was disappointing.

[zenoisy]

ive thought about reading this

[danzibr]

Man, like three new chapters. I'm slacking.
Well, this is unexpected. A gigantic brawl with almost all of the big names. Seems... well, let me say I expected more individual developments. Still, it's good to see the one shadow come out.

[Spamotron]

I do like how the fight between Ryokupanzou and The One Shadow Nine Fists was set up to be a fair fight despite the numbers difference.

It is totally logical and in character that the Ryo masters have superb teamwork while the OSNF suck at it.

[danzibr]

I do like how the fight between Ryokupanzou and The One Shadow Nine Fists was set up to be a fair fight despite the numbers difference.

It is totally logical and in character that the Ryo masters have superb teamwork while the OSNF suck at it.
Yeah I did like that aspect.

What I didn't like was that it feels this massive fight came out of *nowhere*.

[Radar]

Yeah I did like that aspect.

What I didn't like was that it feels this massive fight came out of *nowhere*.
I don't think so: One Shadow Nine Fists publicly announced, that they will be there in full numbers. My guess is, they did it specificaly to bind Ryōzanpaku in one spot. At the same time the armed division will make its move as indicated by the appearence of the scythe guy.

[danzibr]

New chapter!
Man, what're they thinking transporting all that gold out in the open? Wherever they're sailing, it's just one ship. Of course, I still wonder what this Eternal Setting Sun is supposed to be. WWIII?

[Fjolnir]

Well Elder says the last time he heard references to the Eternal Setting Sun was just prior to WWII, so some sort of mass conflict is likely.

[Radar]

New chapter!
Man, what're they thinking transporting all that gold out in the open? Wherever they're sailing, it's just one ship. Of course, I still wonder what this Eternal Setting Sun is supposed to be. WWIII?
Well, 2000 tonnes of gold is a bit above one percent of all gold mined ever. It's more then enough to shake whichever market they want, since most of the gold right now is either in federal deposits or private jewlery. I'm not convinced, that they would use such a public stunt to instigate a world war. Besides, it wouldn't fit the personalities of One Shadow, Nine Fists. It was more in line with Silkwat Junazard's plans and he was considered despicible at least by Akira Hongō. I don't expect any of them to turn into Major (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INotAKQV2tk).

[danzibr]

Man, I've been slackin'. Well, new chapters.
Shigure captured, very next chapter, Shigure escapes. I suppose it makes sense, though, not making her into a damsel in distress. But man, that color page was an eye-popper.

[noparlpf]

I didn't even read the last chapter. I'm pretty sure I'm done. I'd prefer actual shonen manga when I want to read shonen, please. This is fairly bad porn.

[Partysan]

While I wouldn't go that far, it's been a long time since I could get into this manga. Shame really, I've liked it quite a bit for a certain time.

[danzibr]

Was Shigure's brother ever mentioned before? Seems like... pulling stuff out of asses.

[Radar]

Was Shigure's brother ever mentioned before? Seems like... pulling stuff out of asses.
I don't think they are related by blood. He might be someone from the time she spend at the old weapon master's house after her father died. We didn't see that part of her past yet.