Questions covered in this Q & A:
Fanworks
- May I post your [said fanfic/fanart] on my site?
Manga & English Graphic Novels
- What is manga?
- Where can I buy Kinnikuman Manga?
- Is there an English Kinnikuman manga available?
- Where can I buy English UM graphic novels?
- Are there UM DVDs available?
- Where can I buy UM DVDs ?
- Are there subtitled versions available?
Kinnikuman/Nisei soundtracks
What UM games are available now?
What's this about a UM game for PS2?
- There's a Kinnikuman Nisei soundtrack?!?! O_O
- Where can I buy Kin Nisei soundtracks?
Kinnikuman Nisei VS Ultimate Muscle
- What's with all these different names?
- So, what are we missing in the dub?
- Where/How do I send submissions to you?
- Can I link to your site?
- Will you link to mine?
May I post [said fanfic/fanart/fanmanga] on my site?
As long as you ask permission first, I don't mind. One little e-mail is all it takes. Please limit yourself to 3 of my fanfics and 5 pieces of my fanart and give credit where credit is due. Whatever you want to post that wasn't drawn/written by me, you'll have to take up with the respective authors/artists.
What is Manga?
Manga is awesome! But really, manga is the term for Japanese comics, to keep it short. They are published as separate chapters or episodes in manga anthologies (Shounen Jump is a good example), then later compiled in graphic novel form, usually around 200 pages and quite cheap (How's 5-8 bucks sound?) compared to graphic novels in North America, running a good $10 or more.
Where can I buy Kinnikuman Manga?
For Kinnikuman and Second Generations manga, sasugabooks.com has all the novels for about $7 each. (Please note that all books are in Japanese text). Unfortunately, there's a $20 minimum on orders, so you'll have to buy in bulk. (NOTE: Sasuga lists Second Generations as 'Kinnikuman 2') Or, if you have a credit card, you can order direct from Japan over at jamall.com . Try fujisan.com for G1 and G2 manga/specials, along with CDs and VHS cassettes, as well (Please note that fujisan.com only accepts credit card payments). Both have handy English version so that solves that. You can also try your luck on eBay , which is where all but one of my K2 books came from. Searching under "Kinnikuman manga" or "Kinnikuman comic" ought to do it.
Is there an English Kinnikuman manga available?
Yes, indeed. Viz has begun production Kinnikuman Second Generations English GNs under its American title, "Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy", and has a preview of the first chapter in the April issue of Shonen Jump.
It's understood that with its small fanbase, the title "Ultimate Muscle" would be the main selling point , but still, being used to Viz keeping original titles, I was a little disappointed that they didn't keep the original series/character names. Rather, the names seem to be a splicing of both the Japanese and dub names. Mantaro Muscle, for instance. This will have some complications when Harabote (Vance McMadd) and kin come into play. Where our hero's family name is Kinniku (the Japanese word for 'muscle'), Harabote's is Muscle. I suppose there will be a correction printed in the future. Anyway, the humor is always present no matter what the name changes and hopefully, hopefully, the GNs won't be full of edits.
Where can I buy English UM graphic novels?
Normally, you'd be able to go out to your local Borders (or any other large chain of bookstores) and pic it up, but as of right now, the GNs aren't available in stores (they were due out 4/14). It seems Viz (the publisher) has had a bit of trouble getting any of its titles out for this date, so there is no definite date in site. You can pre-order at Amazon.com , but they won't be seeing any for 2-4 weeks at least.
Are there UM DVDs available?
Indeed! There are dubbed episodes out on DVD now. For about $15, you get four eps, which isn't too bad. Extras include three character bios and a few ads from the "Who's Got the Muscle" campaign (including the Dik Dik/Kevin Mask debate XD). For those of you relying on a PS2 for your DVD-viewing, they aren't compatible, so keep that in mind.
Where can I buy UM DVDs?
As it's pretty rare for the first (and only) dvd to be in stores now, c heck out Amazon.com . In most cases, you can pre-order items and get them days before they even hit stores. They occassionally pop up on eBay, too, but make sure you know what you're buying. (continued in next question)
Are there subtitled DVDs available?
Well, yeah, but they aren't legit. If you've happened to check out eBay and come across one of these , you are looking at an HK bootleg. There are three floating around right now: Round 1 (eps. 1-13) ; Round 2 (eps. 14-26); and the Sai-borg (Jag Ed) movie. Round 1 of the HK bootlegs should not be confused with Round 1 of the dub DVDs. Here is what the 4Kids release looks like (Personally, I think the bootlegs look more official XD). I am, by no means, encouraging anyone to buy illegal copies of Kin Nisei or any other anime, but how you spend your money is your own business. The subtitles for the episodes are unbearable at times, but you can understand what is being said (even if they throw in made-up words at times). The movie, if you are looking to buy it, I would recommend watching it with the subtitles off. You'll probably understand more without them.
What is Manga?
Manga is awesome! But really, manga is the term for Japanese comics, to keep it short. They are published as separate chapters or episodes in manga anthologies (Shounen Jump is a good example), then later compiled in graphic novel form, usually around 200 pages and quite cheap (How's 5-8 bucks sound?) compared to graphic novels in North America, running a good $10 or more.
Where can I buy Kinnikuman Manga?
For Kinnikuman and Second Generations manga, sasugabooks.com has all the novels for about $7 each. (Please note that all books are in Japanese text). Unfortunately, there's a $20 minimum on orders, so you'll have to buy in bulk. (NOTE: Sasuga lists Second Generations as 'Kinnikuman 2') Or, if you have a credit card, you can order direct from Japan over at jamall.com . Try fujisan.com for G1 and G2 manga/specials, along with CDs and VHS cassettes, as well (Please note that fujisan.com only accepts credit card payments). Both have handy English version so that solves that. You can also try your luck on eBay , which is where all but one of my K2 books came from. Searching under "Kinnikuman manga" or "Kinnikuman comic" ought to do it.
Is there an English Kinnikuman manga available?
Yes, indeed. Viz has begun production Kinnikuman Second Generations English GNs under its American title, "Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy", and has a preview of the first chapter in the April issue of Shonen Jump.
It's understood that with its small fanbase, the title "Ultimate Muscle" would be the main selling point , but still, being used to Viz keeping original titles, I was a little disappointed that they didn't keep the original series/character names. Rather, the names seem to be a splicing of both the Japanese and dub names. Mantaro Muscle, for instance. This will have some complications when Harabote (Vance McMadd) and kin come into play. Where our hero's family name is Kinniku (the Japanese word for 'muscle'), Harabote's is Muscle. I suppose there will be a correction printed in the future. Anyway, the humor is always present no matter what the name changes and hopefully, hopefully, the GNs won't be full of edits.
Where can I buy English UM graphic novels?
Normally, you'd be able to go out to your local Borders (or any other large chain of bookstores) and pic it up, but as of right now, the GNs aren't available in stores (they were due out 4/14). It seems Viz (the publisher) has had a bit of trouble getting any of its titles out for this date, so there is no definite date in site. You can pre-order at Amazon.com , but they won't be seeing any for 2-4 weeks at least.
What UM games are out now?
Title: Ultimate Muscle: Legends VS New Generation
Format: GameCube
Price (in stores): $29.99-39.99
Title : Ultimate Muscle: Path of the Super Hero
Format: Game Boy Advance
Price (in stores): $19.99
What's this about a UM game for PS2?
Glad you asked! Already released in its native Japan, the new game is called Kinnikuman Generations, and features a slew of G1 characters, as well as the same G2 kids from the GC game (including the new additions of Ricardo and Comrade Turbinski).
There's a Kinnikuman Nisei soundtrack?!?! O_O
Sure as shootin', there is! In fact, there are about five or six awaiting your purchase, and that's just for Nisei! They run about $23-$34 each, but that's more dependant on where you shop than anything else. As far as the actual albums go, they are all in Japanese. I can only speak for one right now:
Character Song Collection: Songs of the New Generation Justice Chojin
You get 9 tracks, six of which, I kid you not, have the characters actually singing..! Imagine it: 3 minutes and 32 seconds of Kid's Cow-and-Rice song, Dik Dik howling to a driving techno beat, Wally bustin' out reggae tunes, Terry singing the most uplifting song you've ever heard, Meat getting down in a 50s-style rock-and-roll fashion, and Kevin Mask turning the whole thing around with a hard rock song. You also get the full versions of the opening and ending themes and a bonus track from the Sai-borg (Jag Ed) movie. Terry and Kevin's songs are ones you may be able to get away with playing at parties or in the car, but the rest of the character songs, while they wouldn't make the top 10 on your favorite radio station, are genuinely fun to listen to, even if most of you won't have a clue as to what they're singing about. :)
Where can I buy Kin Nisei soundtracks?
CD Japan has them for about $24-$28 each, but having never ordered from them, I can't say too much. Fujisan.com is a little more expensive, running the highest price of $34, but their shipping is pretty damn fast, taking less than a week for your package to arrive. Fujisan only accepts credit cards and will only ship to the U.S., but CD Japan accepts IMPOs as well as credit cards and will ship just about anywhere.
Kinnikuman Nisei VS Ultimate Muscle
You may have noticed that in my fanfics and fanart descriptions, I refer to the characters by names that are unfamiliar to most of you. That's because these are the characters original names. It's not a big deal. I just happen to like using their original tags rather than the Westernized versions'. We'll get the characters that matter for now.
Kinniku Mantaro = Kid Muscle/Mantaro Kinnikuman (the lesser heard name in UM)
Kinniku Suguru = King Muscle/Suguru Kinnikuman
Kinniku Ataru = Sgt. Kinnikuman
Kinkotsu Man = Skullduggery
Terry the Kid = Terry "the Grand" Kenyon
Gazelle Man = Dik Dik Van Dik
Seiuchin = Wally Tusket
Jade = Jeager
Crione Man = Hydrozoa
Dead Signal = Road Rage (His Japanese voice is disturbingly deep)
Scar Face = Eskara
So, what are we missing in the dub?
Surprisingly, not much. You see, Kin Nisei the animation was produced to be introduced to a new generation (namely watered-down smack for kids) instead of catering to fans of the G1 series, which, as a result, caused its downfall after 50-some episodes ( in contrast, the ratings have been great in the West, which is why we're getting a second season :D). Personally, I think UM is more fun to watch, but that's if you like plays on words and sexual references tucked into your scripts ("Roxanne can come, her friends, too. We'll have a foursome... for golf.").
Not much is lost in the English dub: a couple of shots of Kid Muscle's ass gone (which I, for one, don't mind), a few direct hits to the body here and there (anytime you see a PhotoShop-looking flash in the center of your screen where one character is hitting another, that's an edit. Cutaway scenes are also used regularly), and of course, good music and dramatic silences. It seems to be a trend in dubbed anime aimed at kids for there to be constant chatter. It's mindboggling... Oh, yeah, one more thing: the infamous 'stinkbug' (you knew it was feces, right?)
Where/How do I send submissions to you?
Click here for details.
Can I link to you?
Of course. Text links are fine, but if you're partial to banners, you can use the one on the main page. (Just right-click and select 'Save Image As...')
Will you link to me?
Hey, if you've got a Kinnikuman fanworks page, sure as hell, I will! Or if it's Kinnikuman/Ultimate Muscle related, yeah, probably.
