KenIchi The Mightiest Disciple DVD Review

Director: Hajime Kamegaki,

Starring: Tomokazu Seki, Josh Grelle, Tomoko Kawakami, Carrie Savage, Hiroshi Arikawa, R Bruce Elliot, Hiroya Ishimaru, Sonny Strait, Issei Futamata, Vic Mignogna, Juurouta Kosugi,Kent Williams, Mamiko Noto, Trina Nishimura,

Running Time: 613 minutes

Certificate: 12

KENICHI THE MIGHTIEST DISCIPLE is a fighting anime with a few twists and turns along the way. For starters, the protagonist isn’t exactly carved from heroic material. Kenichi is a rather lame character at first, and is also very annoying in parts. This works as both a positive and a negative for the series, as he is both relatable and down to Earth, while at the same time deserving of a punch or two. What it does allow for is some massive growth in terms of character.

Kenichi is a student who loves a bit of martial arts and doesn’t let his cowardice get in the way of enjoying his favourite sport. His fervour is put to the test when he becomes the focus of certain gangs’ aggression. He is taken in by five masters who each train him in the ways of their particular fighting style. The majority of this box-set follows a rather strict formula of KenIchi encountering an antagonist, getting beat, learning a new skill from his sensei, and then winning a rematch. It’s interesting to see a show that looks at fairly realistic fighting styles, rather than encumbering our hero with super powers. It also gets across the message of hard work, patience, and skill being a grand substitute for anger, strength and arrogance.

This formula becomes repetitive, especially when the five sensei are cookie cutter characters summed up by simple traits. One is a bad-ass with a heart of gold, one is a lecherous old pervert, one is clearly retarded and doesn’t know his own strength, and so forth. This means they just aren’t that interesting to watch. The second half of this collection fairs better as Kenichi puts his cowardly whining aside and becomes competent, as well as a number of side characters raising the interest bar. The stories remain flat though. It’s street fight after street fight and their never seems to be any real sense of urgency, until the last handful of episodes.

KENICHI THE MIGHTIEST DISCIPLE does have promise, and is clearly headed somewhere interesting. Lovers of anime who have become jaded by magic and supernatural fighting abilities may prefer the more rational fighting techniques on display, but also enjoy the times exaggeration is used for both comic effect and a tension builder. The fight scenes do demonstrate the bold frenetic animation style, and are a worthwhile excuse to explore the show. Fun and frantic, but with too many worn tropes to excel into the territory of greatness, despite an ending that leaves you wanting more.

KENICHI THE MIGHTIEST DISCIPLE is released on DVD on 10th June via Manga Entertainment.

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