In a recent interview, Takashi Shimada, the storyteller of the duo Yudetamago, has finally revealed the reason behind the first conclusion of the beloved manga, “Kinnikuman”. The revelation has sent shockwaves through the manga and anime community, as the reason is closely connected to another iconic series, “Dragon Ball”.
The Rise of Dragon Ball: A Turning Point for Kinnikuman
“Kinnikuman” is a classic in the manga and anime industry, with its origins dating back over 40 years. However, despite its success, the franchise had a first ‘conclusion’ before the 90s, and it wasn’t until 2011 that the series was revived. Shimada has now revealed that the reason behind this hiatus was the rise of “Dragon Ball” by Akira Toriyama.
The Kinnikuman manga originally started in 1979 and ended in 1989. Shimada-san, who was in charge of the story, was on a break due to a back injury during this time. When he returned, he found that “Dragon Ball”, which had started in 1984, had begun to introduce elements similar to the tournaments in Kinnikuman and had gained tremendous popularity.
The Ambition of Kinnikuman’s Creators: A Refusal to Live in Dragon Ball’s Shadow
Faced with this scenario, Shimada-san decided that if he couldn’t create the best work in his genre, he wasn’t interested in continuing as a mangaka. This determination led to the end of Kinnikuman just three years after the start of “Dragon Ball”.
Yudetamago attempted to find success in other mangas, but their efforts were insufficient. They eventually left the Shonen Jump framework. However, when the manga returned in 2011, and Shimada-san found that the fans had not abandoned them, he was overcome with emotion.
An Elogiable Spirit of Competition
While some may find the decision of Yudetamago, and especially Shimada-san, irrational, it is a clear reflection of their competitive spirit, which is commendable. With time, they began to miss the process of creating stories, and seeing that they could still appeal to their audience from years ago (and perhaps new readers too) brought them immense joy.
The connection between “Kinnikuman” and “Dragon Ball” is a fascinating piece of manga history. It’s a reminder that the industry is a dynamic and interconnected one, where the success of one series can have a profound impact on another. As fans, we can only hope that both “Kinnikuman” and “Dragon Ball” continue to thrive and inspire future generations of mangakas.
