Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple

Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple follows a timid high schooler who stumbles into the world of ancient martial arts after being rescued from bullies by Ryozanpaku, a dojo housing three legendary masters. Author Syun Matsuena originally launched a shorter version called Tatakae! Ryōzanpaku Shijō Saikyō no Deshi in 1999 before revamping the concept for Weekly Shōnen Sunday in April 2002. This serialized run concluded in September 2014, filling 61 tankōbon volumes with stories about Kenichi mastering diverse fighting styles to protect his friends and himself. The series blends slapstick comedy with intense hand-to-hand combat as the protagonist trains under masters like Akisame Koetsuji and Kensei Ma. The franchise expanded beyond print with a 50-episode anime adaptation airing on TV Tokyo between October 2006 and September 2007. Later, Brain's Base released an 11-part OVA titled The Attack of Darkness from 2012 to 2014. North American distribution saw Funimation license the show in 2008 until rights expired in 2018, prompting Discotek Media to re-license the series in 2020. With over 12 million copies in circulation, the manga remains a staple of the genre. A sequel titled Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Kenichi 2: Tatsujin-hen began serialization on the Sunday Webry platform in March 2026.[edit]