| Sakigake | |
|---|---|
| |
| Sakigake!! Otokojuku | |
| Kanji | 魁!!男塾 |
| Information | |
| Form | Anime |
| Episodes | 34 |
| Year Released | 25 February 1988 – 14 November 1988 |
| Magazine | Fuji TV |
| Demographic | Japan |
| Author | Akira Miyashita |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Director | Nobutaka Nishizawa |
Sakigake!! Otokojuku is the anime series adaptation of Sakigake!! Otokojuku manga which run during 1988 in Fuji TV in the same timeslot of Hokuto no Ken 2 after it end, monday 7PM. The opening theme is Yogorechimatta Kanashimi ni... and the ending theme Ikujidai Arimashite both arranged and composed by Fujimaru Yoshino and vocals by Issei Fubi SEPIA.
Overview[]
the militaristic depiction that was one of the characteristics of the manga has been changed, and the dangerous depictions have been toned down. It also features anime only story segments. The anime starts at the Early Gag Arc and goes up to The Great Trembling Conquest of the Unified Eight, however, cut short because of the sudden cancellation of the anime series due to receiving continuing protest from Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) in Japan during the broadcast.
Story[]
Sakigake!! Otokojuku opening title card in the original Japanese version
Otokojuku gathers delinquent boys from all over Japan who have no place to go and teaches them a radical education who gives them the real definition of what a real man should be. A story depicting the grit, friendship, and deadly struggle of the students enrolled. In the early anime episodes, just like the manga it was a comedic gag anime with some exclusive fights, like Togashi vs Momotaro. However, midway through, the story shifts to a battle-centered anime, including duels with upperclassmen and conflicts with rival schools.
Early Gag Arc[]
A example of an early gag episode. Otokojuku Speciality: Oil Bath!
The anime follows the manga early gag arc with anime only situations and toned down. For example, the anime doesn't adapt the Ocean Island Tour Mini arc. It features Togashi Oil bath but also anime only differences, like Kiyomi challenging Oni-Yokozuna instead of Gonda. This arc goes from Episode 1 up to Episode 14.
The Four Great Trials of Terror[]
In this arc, the series became more fight oriented.
Became more central characters and characters like Tazawa and Matsuo goes as secondary characters, but important to the story. The series still maintains its humor on some scenes.
The arc starts with Edajima throwing a festival due to the low budget of Otokojuku. As the festival goes, the Kanto Alliance attacks the festival and challenge Otokojuku students. After various Otokojuku Speciality events and the failure to settle the differences, Date Omito and The Three Fists agree to the Edajima Heihachi suggestion of The Four Great Trials of Terror on Mt. Fuji.
The Great Trembling Conquest of the Unified Eight[]
Momo vs Jaki
The final arc in the anime. After the conclusion of the Four Great Trials of Terror, Momotaro descends the mountain to find his friends still alive. Their joyous moment is interrupted when they are called out by the third years. They then head to Tendo Shrine to face the third years in the The Great Trembling Conquest of the Unified Eight. This arc introduces the Otokojuku's Third Years and the Emperor of Otokojuku, Daigouin Jaki. This arc was cut short in the anime because of protests from PTA in Japan, so the missing fights was told as a recap. The final episode is a compilation of Momo, Togashi, Toramaru, J, and other first-year students after the battle and they look back on the year since they joined the school.
Sudden Cancellation[]
Violence was the main factor for the protests against the broadcast of Sakigake Otokojuku
Since the start original broadcast on Japan it have been protests from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) in Japan to cancel the anime series because of the portrayal of Otokojuku. It got intensified to the point it had to be cancelled. Because of this, the The Great Trembling Conquest of the Unified Eight was summarized heavily and was presented as a recap.
Staff[]
- Planning - Yoshinobu Nakao (Fuji Television)
- Original work - Akira Miyashita
- Music - Shunsuke Kikuchi
- Producer - Tokiji Kabuki
- Character design - Masami Suda
- Art Design - Kenji Matsumoto
- Series Director - Nobutaka Nishizawa
- Producer - Yoshio Takami, Iriya Higashi ( Toei Animation )
- Cooperation - Aoni Pro
- Editing - Masaaki Hanai ( Tabac )
- Recording - Tanekichi Imaseki (Tabac)
- Sound effects - Michihiro Ito ( E&M )
- Song selection - Hideyuki Tanaka
- Development - Toei
- Production - Fuji TV , Toei
Trivia[]
- Sakigake!! Otokojuku had the timeslot originally from Hokuto no Ken 2.
- The catchphrase on Fuji TV is in the voice of Momo, ``If you don't watch it, you're not a real man!!''
- After the end of the anime series, it was released Drama CD for the next arc, featuring the original voice cast from the anime.
See Also[]
Sakigake!! Otokojuku (Manga)