[dramatic music playing]
[narrator] Money!
And violence!
Are they the root of evil?
No! They are not right or wrong.
This is the pinnacle of wisdom that mankind has reached.
And that is peaceful violence!
This dream was achieved through tournament battles fought valiantly across the ages.
Prized fighters are courted by corporations from across the world.
This is the Kengan Annihilation Tournament!
Four hundred and seventeen corporate affiliates have registered,
representing 1,205 competitors.
One hundred and fifty-one participants fought in our preliminaries.
Of those, only 32 remaining fighters have made it here to Ganryu Island,
while their corporations are fighting
to be granted the honor of selecting the next leader.
The most powerful position in all of Japan
waits for whoever wants it enough to take it!
Street fighting, judo, boxing, baritsu,
assassins, decathlon, mixed martial arts, ballet,
superhuman powers, pro-wrestling, sumo,
Muay Thai, fishermen, delinquents, ancient Japanese martial arts, and karate!
Your skills, your style, your alma mater.
No. All that matters here is how strong you are.
You need to show how bad you want it.
It's time to give it everything you've got!
[dramatic music continues]
You wanna know who's the strongest?
LIHITO SH FROZEN STORAGE REP. FIGHTER, PRESIDENT
You really need to ask that question?
Just listen to the crowd. They'll scream, "Lihito!"
JUN SEKIBAYASHI
This is good. You wanna see real pro-wrestling?
I'll be happy to show ya, kid!
What is this? An underground Japanese fight?
ADAM DUDLEY BOSS BURGER REP. FIGHTER
All of 'em look like a bunch of weaklings.
Can't wait to take 'em down one by one. Pah!
I'm feeling pretty good about it.
GOZO MUROBUCHI UNITED CLOTHING REP. FIGHTER
What a massive stroke of good luck in round one
for me to get paired against Wakatsuki.
Here it comes, here it comes!
SAW PAING YOROIZUKA VILLAGE OF DAWN REP. FIGHTER
-Yeah! -Wow, really?
SUEKICHI KANEDA GINOKUNIYA BOOKSHOP REP. FIGHTER
After the fighters switched, I never imagined I'd get a chance.
Wonderful! I'll fight hard and do it all for Himuro.
AGITO KANOH DAINIPPON BANK REP. FIGHTER
[narrator] Indeed, you have transcended above the others.
To all you gods of battle that still remain,
carry on the hopes and dreams of men.
Fight every battle here like it is your last!
The throne is there, waiting for anyone bold enough to take it.
KENGAN LIFE-OR-DEATH
[narrator] It's the Kengan Annihilation Tournament!
[dramatic music continues]
[narrator] Climax!
[music fades]
OMEN
[laughs]
OHMA TOKITA KAZUO YAMASHITA
Wow! That was so much fun!
I'm glad you're having a good time.
[jaunty music playing]
[exhales]
What's that? "Having a good time?" What does that mean?
Is that all you have to say, Ohma?
Or did you forget that we actually beat the Kure Family?
We freakin' won!
Well, uh, I didn't want to imply that you weren't the one fighting out there.
[shudders] Ooh, I get goosebumps thinking about it.
[Ohma] It's still only round two. Don't get too excited.
[Kazuo] Right!
This is just the second round.
Holy wow! What a crazy tournament!
And, uh, I just wanna say I'm glad you're safe, Ohma.
Calm down, Yamashita. You'll scare him off.
KAEDE AKIYAMA SECRETARY
[Kazuo] Oh, hello, Ms. Akiyama.
The other presidents have started looking at you.
[Kazuo] Huh? Oh. Sorry.
I guess I'm too old to be getting this worked up, huh? [chuckles]
Uh, can I get a beer for my friend over here?
I can certainly understand why you're excited.
All that aside, it is a relief to see that you're okay.
I can't believe you went to go see the head of the Kure Family all by yourself.
[Kazuo] Yeah, well, I thought it'd look bad if I didn't go alone.
[whimpers] Just thinking about it makes my bones start shaking.
I… I… I… I mean I c-c-can't believe I could have done something that ballsy!
There's no reason to be scared of an old man like him.
Yeah, okay, that's easy for someone like you to say, Ohma,
but I'm not like that!
-[Kaede] Ohma. -[Ohma] Yeah?
I was talking with the doctor. That's where I just came from, actually.
Once you're done eating, go to the medical room.
He needs to examine you right away.
I told you, I'm fine.
As long as I have meat, I'll bounce back from anything. It's all good.
That is not how the human body works.
Don't put your life at risk like that.
It was a particularly difficult fight.
There's no way you're fine.
[groans] All right, I get it, lady.
You spend way too much of your time worrying about me, you know?
[scoffs] Of course! I'm the secretary of the Yamashita Corporation!
[Lihito] It's little Akiyama!
Don't worry about that idiot. He'll be just fine.
Why don't you come with me? Maybe we can talk about playing doctor.
That is quite enough!
Lihito!
Hey, Kazuo. Hell of a tournament.
Can't believe they paused it 'cause of you.
You losers must have a lot of free time.
Hm? Say that again.
[Karura] Ohma!
[giggles] I've been looking for you, Ohma!
KARURA KURE KURE FAMILY
How could you just beat Raian to a pulp like that?
Oh, well! Grandpa's definitely going to say yes now!
Ha! So, what do you say? Let's get married!
There's everything we need here on Ganryu Island.
-[Lihito laughs] -[Karura giggles]
-She really likes you! -[Karura] Huh?
-Sure. Go get hitched. -[Karura] Yeah!
Hold on. Aren't you still in high school?
I'm 16, so it's not a problem. Right?
[Ohma groans]
Don't be embarrassed.
-It'll be fine. Leave the details to me. -I'm outta here.
Come on, Ohma!
This is a crime.
[narrator] Technically, it's not illegal.
However, it is not considered to be socially acceptable.
[female announcer] For your safety,
we have temporarily suspended all further matches
so that we may perform maintenance on the arena.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
In the meantime, we hope that you enjoy our building's many amenities,
which were tailor-made to cater to your relaxation.
Thank you for your patience.
[Kiryu shudders]
SETSUNA KIRYU
That's not who you really are!
The real you is like a god destroying everything in his way.
You're savage. You are cruel.
You were supposed to be the savior that granted me the mercy of death!
Then why is this haunting me?
Why can't I let go of what he did to me?
What is it about him that won't let me forget him?
[haunting music playing]
[Niko] You should just give up, kid. He's my student.
I will never allow him to be your god.
[shudders]
[Niko] The concept of salvation
isn't something that can be given to someone else.
It's something you have to claim for yourself.
Niko… Niko Tokita! [grunts]
When are you finally going to get out of my head?
You're so cruel. Ohma, no.
[groans]
No, I can't take it anymore!
Ohma…
Ohma! Ohma!
[Kazuo groans]
[Kazuo] I used to be just a poor little office peon.
I never thought I'd get the chance to dream big again.
Uh, hang on.
Am I dreaming now?
No, it's real.
Yeah.
I suppose it is.
[Ohma gags]
[body thuds]
-[Kazuo] Huh? -Huh?
[Kazuo whimpers]
Ohma!
ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED ZONE ALSO KNOWN AS "THE INSIDE"
[mysterious music playing]
[man laughs]
[breathes shallowly]
-[Niko] I think I recognize this kid. -[man] Huh?
[Niko] He's the one that tripped you up before.
Well, I can see why you'd be mad.
[rapid breathing]
[Niko] But he's just a kid. Don't you think all this is a bit overkill?
[man] The hell are you talking about?
[Niko] I can see you're just doin' what you can to survive too. Right?
[Ohma growls] Shut up, asshole!
[Niko] But you know, if you use violence to keep yourself alive,
what really separates you from an animal?
Watch and learn.
[grunting]
NIKO STYLE FLOW CONTROL FORM CHANGE OF SCENERY
[man] Oh!
[Niko] Mankind as a species should not be reaching towards that goal,
and yet, violence can only be stopped with more violence.
You must shape your beliefs
and commit to your dedication to training and practice.
The violence that blooms from the actions you make becomes "Inner Tactics"
[Ohma] I don't wanna hear it, asshole!
[Niko] You just witnessed Inner Tactics for yourself.
[Ohma sputters] I'll kill you!
[Niko] So? What do you think?
It seemed like you were struggling at the start.
You feel like you're starting to get it?
[Ohma] I'm not sure.
[Niko] Well, you know, just keep thinking.
It's not something that's easy to grasp while you're trying to learn it.
But it looks like you're out of time.
[Ohma] Yeah, I guess so.
[Niko] It's not unreasonable to back down. I mean, it is another option.
[Ohma] I can keep trying. I just need a little longer.
[Niko] Huh.
If that's what it's going to take for you to discover your own Inner Tactics…
[monitor beeping steadily]
[somber music playing]
It's all my fault.
I'm his corporate sponsor.
[whimpers]
[Kaede] Don't say that.
[Hajime Hanafusa] I'm not going to say you should have brought him in earlier.
And frankly, I saw all of this coming from a mile away.
[gentle music playing]
Hmm. Ohma Tokita has the ability to control his heart
and take the thermal energy emitted from his accelerated blood circulation
and transform it into athletic ability.
This is called Life Advance.
And as impressive as this is, it's enormous stress on his body.
[gasps]
[Kazuo whimpers]
[Kazuo] But, Doctor, isn't there a way to treat this?
Would rest help?
I suppose so. That might help him live anyway.
[Kazuo sighs]
But you have to understand.
What you're asking for
would require him to give up fighting for the rest of his life.
-[gasps] -[gasps]
The thing is, someone like him
is clearly the type of person who'd say death is easier.
Huh?
[whimpers]
[Kazuo cries]
Huh, gotta admit, it's hard accepting we already lost, right?
SUKIZO URITA PENASONIC CORPORATION PRESIDENT
There are worse things. At least we get to enjoy the tournament.
If it's any comfort, Inaba's having a great time.
Uriyan, this is so good!
RYO INABA
I'm happy to hear that you haven't been feeling too depressed.
AKIRA NISHIHONJI
[Urita] No, just disappointed.
But that guy from President Yamashita's company--
[Nishihonji] You mean Tokita.
[Urita] Yeah. Now, that guy, he was an amazing fighter.
Yeah, I'll say. Once he gets control of the pace, the match is over.
Cosmo is nowhere near the size he is.
How has Cosmo been doing, by the way?
He's resting a bit for now.
You gonna make him withdraw?
[Nishihonji sighs] Good question.
I'm not sure he'd let me even if I tried.
On that note, do you know if there are any rules
if we wanted to try hiring a reserve fighter?
Huh? Yeah.
As long as the fighter agrees to it, it shouldn't be an issue.
Huh.
NAOYA OHKUBO MUJI TV REP. FIGHTER
MAKOTO YANAGI
If one thing is certain, it's that this tournament has been full of surprises.
RONALD HARAGUCHI BOSS BURGER PRESIDENT
Can it with all the comments! What's going on? [groans]
Seeing it like this does make you wonder though, doesn't it, President Yoshitake?
What do you think about all this?
YOSHIRO YOSHITAKE
Do you think they may replace the director?
What do you mean?
I'm sure even the likes of you have realized
that there is only one thing that matters when this all comes to an end.
That is whether we are standing alongside the faction that ends up winning.
Here we go again.
[Makoto] Hmm.
It looks like Mr. Nogi's faction still has three fighters in the running.
[Tomari] Yup. Other than that, Hayami's the only one left.
RINO KURAYOSHI TOMARI TOHGO
I can't believe how much of a pain in the ass those boomers get to be.
Limiting smaller companies like us to one entry puts us at such a disadvantage.
Ha, come on now, don't act like you don't have a ton of weird connections
hiding around every corner.
That's one way to put it.
Ah, well, as long as Rei is the last one left standing,
our disadvantage won't be a problem.
You can't seriously think that beanstalk of yours is gonna win.
Well, I guess that's something we'll have to see, won't we?
You can't tell me you have that much confidence in the mercenary you hired.
What?
Watch that mouth of yours!
Do you have any idea how much I spent on him?
He knows that if he's ever stupid enough to lose,
that I'm gonna rip his body apart limb from limb! [laughs]
[Tomari yelps]
[Rino] Wow, getting ripped apart by you sounds nice.
[Tomari strains]
-[Rino] Is this where you start? -[Tomari] Stop!
[Rino] Ooh, how about here? Oh, I like this!
[Tomari strains] Whoa. Hey, stop! [strains]
[Metsudo laughs]
METSUDO KATAHARA KENGAN ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR
It looks like you got beat by Yamashita Corporation, Kure!
ERIO KURE KURE FAMILY HEAD
We just weren't serious enough.
But I never could have imagined you'd be knocked out of the tournament so early.
Well done, indeed!
Even my granddaughter is infatuated with that hulking embarrassment,
so don't patronize me with sympathy
from what an absolute joke this turned out to be.
I'm just glad to hear she's well.
Young people like to fight hard for what they want.
We were the same when we were young men coming up in the world.
[Metsudo] After the destruction from World War II,
we laid the bricks for the empire known as the Japanese economy.
It grew from the ashes left behind.
KATSUMASA HAYAMI
[Hayami] The empire you built has become frail with age.
Metsudo Katahara has fallen from power.
The old era is coming to an end.
From now on, Toyo Electric Power Company will be the one who controls the economy.
[Metsudo] Well, this is interesting, isn't it?
Very well.
I dare you to challenge me, Metsudo Katahara!
KENGAN LIFE-OR-DEATH
[Sayaka] Here we go!
And now for the moment you've all been waiting for!
SAYAKA KATAHARA METSUDO KATAHARA'S DAUGHTER
The Kengan Annihilation Tournament
will now
continue!
[crowd cheering]
It's just about time to go, Wakatsuki. Do you think you're ready?
HEIHACHI FURUMI
[Heihachi sighs]
You bet.
TAKESHI WAKATSUKI FURUMI PHARMA REP. FIGHTER
[narrator] Takeshi Wakatsuki is 40 years old.
He was born and raised by a wealthy family.
The doctor picked him up after delivery and promptly proclaimed,
"That's a big-ass baby!"
He weighed a whopping 12,150 grams at birth.
This child weighed four times more than the average newborn.
Upon the subsequent examination,
the doctors were able to make a shocking discovery.
The density of his muscle fibers was 52 times that of a normal person.
His strength would far exceed that of any other human being.
They called it "Superman Syndrome."
Only a handful of cases of this condition have been recorded in human history.
His strength was such that he could crush concrete with his bare hands!
He defeated Gozo "The Decathlon" Murobuchi in the first round with a single blow!
His muscle fibers have shown practically no deterioration as he has aged,
and they will continue to grow for the rest of his life.
That is precisely the kind of fighter Takeshi Wakatsuki is.
That's the caliber of man you need to defeat.
[Julius] Relax.
JULIUS REINHOLD TOYO ELECTRIC POWER CO. REP. FIGHTER
There's no one on this planet stronger than me. No one!
[chuckles]
[Hayami] Yes, he's finally complete.
Julius Reinhold.
The man with the ultimate physique,
lovingly created and nurtured by science.
The pinnacle of German medicine.
He's been loaded and doped up with so many drugs
that any other man would have died.
He's taken a lot of risks to get the perfect body he has now.
He's as fast as any competitive track athlete
and weighs over 200 kg.
He can harden his skin into an impenetrable suit of armor
that's strong enough to crack boulders.
His strength is superhuman!
Show them, Julius.
Show them just how far the human race has come.
Now, warriors, enter the arena!
KENGAN MATCHES
[rock music playing]
GAME THREE
[Sayaka] There he is!
This fighter holds our current highest record
for most Kengan matches ever fought!
From the moment he was born,
people have called this man a monster because of his miraculous body.
193 by 193.
He has fought in 307 matches,
and out of all of those, he has only lost two of them!
He's won a total of
three trillion, 278 billion yen for his affiliate corporation.
Give it up for Furumi Pharma!
It's the Wild Tiger,
Takeshi Wakatsuki!
[rock music playing]
[man 1] Hey, his height and weight are both 193? That can't be right.
[man 2] Bro, this guy's built like a tank. It's probably accurate.
[man 3] Guess that's why they call him a monster, huh?
[rock music playing]
[Sayaka] Is this mankind's punishment
for eating the fruit of wisdom in the Garden of Eden?
Created by German science,
the formidable Intelli-Muscle!
A human that has transcended above monsters.
205 cm. 210 kg.
Fifty-two wins and zero losses so far in his Kengan match history.
He's won a total of
one trillion, 628 billion yen,
all for his sponsor, Toyo Electric Power!
It's "The Monster,"
Julius Reinhold!
[rock music continues]
[monitor beeping steadily]
[gasps]
Ms. Akiyama,
please, you should watch the match.
We need you to watch it. For the future rounds.
I just don't…
I can't leave Ohma here by himself right now.
[Sayaka] Both sides are facing down. Which of them will win?
Will it be the ferocious fighter from the Land of the Rising Sun?
Or could it be the muscled beast all the way from Germany?
It's a power struggle for sure.
Let's get this started!
[monitor beeping steadily]
[mysterious music playing]
[rock music playing]
♪ Mic check, one, two, hey ♪
♪ Now you listen to the sound of a rebel ♪
♪ Of rats running through Under cities and ghettos ♪
♪ A treasure box Always be found at the lower level ♪
♪ And I'm the rat That made a deal with the devil ♪
♪ Call a therapist, he's a bit crazy ♪
♪ No, I'm not pissed Feel free to hate me ♪
♪ But you gotta stop Forcing your opinion on me ♪
♪ I'm here for myself Not to make your day complete ♪
♪ Oh, why ♪
♪ Tell me why, tell me why Do you divide everything into pieces? ♪
♪ Tell me why, tell me why Should I treat you like a princess? ♪
♪ Don't try to judge me I'm not a suspect ♪
♪ It's too much, I refuse to accept it ♪
♪ Imagine why, imagine why ♪
♪ We all bleed the same red ♪
♪ Hey, hey ♪
[music stops]
[narrator] Whoa!
It's muscles that are freaks of nature versus muscles that are freaks of science.
The clash of the great beasts.
Show them your power!
Next episode, "Blast Core."