Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi (KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple)

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Alternative Titles

English: KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple

Synonyms: History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi

Japanese: 史上最強の弟子ケンイチ

Information

Type: TV

Episodes: 50

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Oct 7, 2006 to Sep 30, 2007

Premiered: Fall 2006

Broadcast: Unknown

Producers: TV Tokyo, Tokyo Movie Shinsha

Licensors: FUNimation Entertainment

Studios: TMS Entertainment

Source: Manga

Genres: Action, Comedy, Martial Arts, School, Shounen

Duration: 25 min. per ep.

Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Statistics

Score: 8.25¹ (scored by 74,269 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score. Please note that 'Not yet aired' titles are excluded.

Ranked: #263²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #415

Members: 128,132

Favorites: 2,374

8.25

Ranked #263Popularity #415Members 128,132

Fall 2006TVTMS Entertainment

Episodes: /50

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Synopsis

"Weak Legs" Kenichi Shirahama would rather spend his time reading self improvement books than fighting. However, when he finally works up the courage to become strong and join his school's karate club, he is coerced into fighting a bullying upperclassman who is intent on getting him kicked out of the club. He is about to give it all up until he falls for his mysterious new classmate, Miu Furinji. In order to face this challenge, he undergoes rigorous training at the dojo she lives at, Ryouzanpaku. Some initial training by the masters there allow him to defeat his upperclassman, however his fighting prowess brings him to the attention of the powerful gang of delinquents, Ragnarok. Wishing to protect the things he loves and determined to have the strength to face the increasing adversity, he must learn various martial arts from the dojo's resident masters, taking Karate, Muay Thai, Ju Jitsu and Chinese Martial Arts and combining them to create his own fighting style!

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Related Anime

Adaptation:	Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi
Sequel:	Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi OVA

More characters
Characters & Voice Actors

Shirahama, Kenichi

Main

Seki, Tomokazu
Japanese

Furinji, Miu

Main

Kawakami, Tomoko
Japanese

Hopachai, Apachai

Supporting

Ishimaru, Hiroya
Japanese

Kousaka, Shigure

Supporting

Noto, Mamiko
Japanese

More staff
Staff

	Cook, Justin Producer
	Harp, Clarine Producer
	Kamegaki, Hajime Director
	Tanaka, Akiyoshi Sound Director

Edit Opening Theme

#1: "Be Strong" by Kana Yazumi (eps 01-25, 50)
#2: "Yahoo~" by Miho Morikawa, Akira Asakura (eps 26-49)

Edit Ending Theme

#1: "Kimi ga iru kara" by Issei Eguchi (eps 01-15)
#2: "Catch Your Dream" by Koike Joanna (eps 16-25)
#3: "RunOver" by Koike Joanna (eps 26-45)
#4: "Kokoro Kara no Message" by Sakura (eps 46-49)
#5: "Be Strong" by Kana Yazumi (ep 50)

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VK11

292 people found this review helpful

Other reviews by this user

Oct 3, 2007

50 of 50 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

You are a person who loves fighting anime and is looking for something with epic battles and intense rivalries. Or you are someone who is looking for a good laugh and an entertaining anime that will last you for awhile. Or, you are somebody who is simply looking for an amazing anime that has all the right pieces that make it extraordinary. If any of those above scenarios fit you, simply put, Shijou Saikyou No Deshi Kenichi (History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi) is a must-watch anime for you to pick up on.

The story, although simple at heart, becomes more complex at the surface as the anime progresses through the episodes. Kenichi is your run-of-the mill weakling kid who is always getting picked on by everyone and has no confidence in his abilities whatsoever. But that doesn't stop him from doing the right thing and stepping into some pretty hairy situations despite his shortcomings. The story begins with Kenichi wanting to get stronger because of his will to protect his friends. As a result, he joins the Ryōzanpaku dojo and from there on out, every episode has meaning, and will have you wanting for more. The story ends with Kenichi in an final showdown verses the leader of the most intense gang in Japan - Ragnorak. Just from that, it gives you the sense that the plot development is spectacular in this show.

The art for Kenichi is well done. All of the characters are drawn very well and have distinguishing characteristics that cosplay members will love to create. Animation is also done very well, as you have great battles and very few repetition of frames.

Arguably, the sound is probably the weakest point of the anime, and its not even that weak. Opening/ending songs are pretty good and the scores used throughout the anime fit quite well with the current scene you are watching. However, it is the voices to each character that really brings all the characters alive, as you can feel the emotion from all of the characters.

The character design in HSD Kenichi is so original and great, that you'll wonder why nobody has ever came up with this before. Kenichi is trained by six masters, who all specialize in a different form of martial arts. All of their personalities are so different and unique, you'll also wonder how each of them get along in the first place. Hence, the many comedic moments and episodes that you'll inevitably witness as they all fight amongst themselves to be the one who trains Kenichi. Ah, and let's not forget the beautiful Miu Furinji, Kenichi's love interest, who, unlike other female protagonists of similar plots, is one hell of a fighter and the reason Kenichi joins the dojo. As the anime progresses deeper in the story, you'll be unveiled to a plethora of unique characters who have different fighting styles and unique personalities, which will all amaze and have you laughing at the same time. For the sake of keeping this section as short as possible, I'm simply going to say character development is flawless in this anime.

Even with all of this that I have written about, this anime would be nothing without its comedy, and that is what makes Kenichi so much fun and enjoyable to watch. You will be literally laughing out loud at some of the hellish training that Kenichi is forcibly put through and will wonder why he hasn't died yet. (Yes, the training is that hellish). Even with 50 episodes, the comedy of Kenichi never gets old and you'll find that to be the case right up to the very last episode. Hell, sometimes you'll wish that they had more comedy than serious fights, because its that good.

All in all, Kenichi is one of those rare anime shows out there that is able to blend in comedy with the overall serious plot extremely well. One of the few qualms that I did have with this show was that the ending occurred a little to quick and you'll also wish that they gave more information about the history of each of the masters, as they provide you with relatively very little on each one of them. In the end, once you watch the final episode of this anime, it will take you five seconds or so to wish that there would be a second season to it. read more

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Master10K

97 people found this review helpful

Other reviews by this user

Dec 19, 2007

50 of 50 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi is a Shounen, Action, Comedy about a typical high school boy (Kenichi) who’s always being bullied, until one day, he learns of a special dojo that teaches many forms of martial arts.

From the start, this anime has a very typical story and plot. Having a high school setting, the story is about Kenichi’s quest to become stronger. The story itself is incredibly basic that any idiot can grasp its concept. The way in which the story flows makes it feel like a game; Kenichi gains some experience points => clears a stage => levels up => makes it to the next read more

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ZeroSumJ1

68 people found this review helpful

Other reviews by this user

Aug 30, 2008

25 of 50 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 3

If you're looking for something engaging, with thrilling action sequences and a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat at the end of every episode, then go ahead and skip this anime. It's the ultimate definition of a mediocre anime. I had to force my way through every episode. The hero of the story is not likable, and the character Niijima is the equivalent of Jar-Jar Binks in Episode 1. Actually, I take that back because I hated Jar-Jar less. The boob jokes get old, and the action sequences are weak. You can find SO much better. If you want to read more

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gels31

60 people found this review helpful

Other reviews by this user

Jan 1, 2008

50 episodes

Overall Rating: 9

History's Greatest Disciple Kenichi starts off as somewhat slow and mediocre. I myself was forced to watch the first few episodes because I had already gotten a few and it seemed like a waste if I didn't even watch what I got. As the story progresses you are left with an endearment to Kenichi himself and maybe one (or all) of his masters. Simply put Kenichi's character is unlike anything I have ever seen. He's like a mixture of Ueki from Law of Ueki and take any lead character of a romantic comedy. Why? Basically, he has the comedic attributes that Ueki has. Unfortunately, he read more

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OVA of Manga 'Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi' Announced for Special Edition of Vol. 54

Publisher Shogakukan announced on their website that the 54th volume of manga "Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi", set to be released November 15th, will come bundled ...read more

Oct 9, 2013 10:00 PM by Wind_Sr | Discuss (15 comments)

OVA of Manga 'Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi' Announced for Special Edition of Vol. 53

According to the website of publisher Shogakukan, the upcoming volume 53 of manga "Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi", to be released on September 16th, will come with...read more

Aug 21, 2013 1:13 AM by symbv | Discuss (37 comments)

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	Poll: Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi Episode 49 Discussion Faust721 - Sep 23, 2007	38 replies	by animeguy17 »» Aug 19, 7:58 AM
	Poll: Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi Episode 43 Discussion Trie - Aug 13, 2007	22 replies	by animeguy17 »» Aug 18, 6:51 PM

Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi

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Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi

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