#Perfect Origin Arc Cast as Big the Budo/Neptune King

Akira Kawashima is joining the voice cast of Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc as the imposing Big the Budo, also known as Neptune King. The anime is scheduled to air in Japan on July 7, 2024, starting with episode 0. 

This past week, Kendo Kobayashi joined the series as a new additional character named Wolfman. 

Kawashima joins a voice cast that so far includes: 

• • Mamoru Miyano as Kinnikuman
• • Akira Kamiya as Mayumi Kinniku/Prince Kamehame
• • Sumire Uesaka as Meat
• • Daisuke Ono as Terryman
• • Katsuyuki Konishi as Robin Mask
• • Yuki Kaji as Warsman
• • Tomokazu Seki as Ramenman
• • Jun Kasama as Brocken Jr.
• • Kensho Ono as Geronimo
• • Hiroki Yasumoto as Buffaloman
• • Toshiya Miyata as Black Hole
• • Tetsuya Kakihara as Stecasee-King
• • Hiroyuki Yoshino as Springman
• • Kisho Taniyama as Mr. Khamen
• • Yasuhiro Mamiya as Atlantis
• • Mitsuaki Kanuka as The Mountain
• • Toshio Furukawa as Chairperson
• • Hiroshi Kamiya as Ashuraman
• • Tomokazu Sugita as Neptuneman

Akira Sato (AOASHI) is directing the anime series, with Makoto Fukami (Tengoku-Daimakyo) as series screenwriter, Hirotaka Marufuji (Lupin the 3rd Part 6) as character designer, and Yasuharu Takanashi (Naruto Shippuden co-composer) as music composer. Production I.G is in charge of the animation production. Netflix will stream the new series worldwide on July 8, 2024. 

Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc commemorates the 40th anniversary of Toei Animation’s original Kinnikuman anime series, which first premiered in Japan on April 3, 1983 and ended on October 1, 1986 at 137 episodes. It also inspired a 1984 special episode and the 46-episode Kinnikuman: Kinnikusei Oui Soudatsu-hen series in 1991. 

Another Kinnikuman anime series was previously licensed by 4Kids Entertainment in 2002 and aired on the Fox Box programming block under the title Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy. The first season aired for 51 episodes in 2002. The second season aired for 26 episodes from 2003 to 2004. Discotek Media licensed both seasons and released the full 77-episode series on Blu-ray in 2023. 

The original Kinnikuman manga series was created by the creative duo Yudetamago and was initially serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump on May 26, 1979 to May 4, 1987. The manga returned for a revival that is currently running on Shupure NEWS as of 2011. A total of 84 tankobon volumes have been released under the Jump Comics label as of March 2024, with an 85th volume set for release on July 4, 2024. 

Pony Canyon describes the story of Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc as: 

Prince Kinnikuman, who came to Earth from Kinnikusei, a planet at the end of the universe, wasalways ridiculed by humans as a useless Chojin. However, by chance, he was given the right to participate in the Chojin World Cup, a tournament to determine the world’s best Chojin, and by a miracle, he won the championship. The following year, he even won it again!

Since then, he has become a central figure among Seigi Chojin who protects the peace of the universe. He has managed to defeat the raging forces of the enemy, including Akuma Chojin who plans to rule the world, and Perfect Chojin who aims to wipe out the weak Chojin on Earth, with the power of friendship with his friends, including Terryman and Robin Mask.

In recognition of his achievements, Kinnikuman wins the “Survival Match for the Kinnikusei Throne,” the final test of his career, and is crowned the 58th Great King of Kinnikusei! He returned to his home planet from Earth, got married, and said goodbye to eight years of fighting. About a year and a half later, the entire universe was supposed to be at peace…

Source: Pony Canyon Anime Official Twitter, press release

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