Japan’s Kinnikuman Museum celebrates 1st anniversary with new exhibits

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The Kinnikuman Museum will be introducing several new exhibits to celebrate its one year anniversary, including a giant 1.5m tall manga.

The museum is the first permanent exhibition center dedicated to the “Kinnikuman” manga series by Yudetamago.

It is located in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, a region with a special connection to the series as the setting for Tournament Mountain in the “Dream Chojin Tag Arc”.

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Shizuoka was the setting for the “Dream Chojin Tag Arc”

The museum has become a haven for fans to immerse themselves in the world of Kinnikuman and its epic battles.

“Kinnikuman” is a wrestling and fighting manga that first premiered in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1979.

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The manga has been published across different several periods since first appearing in 1979

Created by the duo known as Yudetamago, the series follows Kinnikuman, also known as Kinniku Suguru, a superhuman residing in Japan who defends the Earth from powerful alien threats alongside his fellow Justice Chojins (Superhumans).

The series has had multiple anime adaptations and spin-offs, including the sequel series “Kinnikuman Nisei” which aired internationally as “Ultimate Muscle”.

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The “Perfect Origin Arc” is the latest Kinnikuman anime adaptation

A new anime adaptation, “Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc”, started in July 2024, further fueling the series’ enduring popularity.

To commemorate its first year and offer fresh content for returning visitors, the Kinnikuman Museum in Numazu has introduced new exhibits that allow fans to step even deeper into the world of the original manga.

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The Kinnikuman Museum in Numazu has now been open for over 1 year

These include a life-size figure showcasing a legendary wrestling technique and an oversized manga that visitors can actually read.

One of the most anticipated new additions is the life-size figure of Ataru Kinniku performing the “Ataru Version Muscle Spark Heaven”.

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The statue features Ataru Kinniku, the brother of Kinnikuman

The Muscle Spark is one of the Kinniku Clan’s three ultimate techniques.

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It is a life-size recreation showing the start of Ataru’s version of the Muscle Spark technique

This interactive exhibit allows visitors to witness the power of the technique up close and capture memorable photos alongside the life-size figure.

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Visitors are encouraged to take photos with the statue

Another exciting new exhibit is a giant-sized reproduction of “The True Secret Technique!!”, chapter 205 from volume 60 of the “Kinnikuman” manga.

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A giant readable manga has been installed in the museum

This chapter depicts the climactic battle between Akuma Shogun and The Man.

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The manga artwork has been scaled up accordingly

This oversized comic book stands approximately 1.5 meters (nearly 5ft) tall, allowing visitors to experience the manga panels in a larger-than-life format.

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The display shows just how large it is when compared to a normal volume of manga

The exhibit encourages interaction, with pages that can be physically turned, providing a unique way to revisit a pivotal moment in the series.

These new exhibits join the museum’s existing popular attractions, including life-size figures of various iconic superhumans from the “Kinnikuman” universe.

On display in a setting designed to evoke outer space, these figures allow fans to fully appreciate the imposing presence of characters like Kinnikuman, Terryman, Robin Mask, Warsman, and Ashuraman.

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The museum features multiple statues of characters from the series

Accompanying each figure are displays featuring their famous lines and detailed profiles, creating a surreal and immersive experience for visitors.

With the addition of these new interactive exhibits, the Kinnikuman Museum in Numazu promises to be an even more engaging and memorable experience for both long-time enthusiasts and newcomers to the world of superhuman wrestling.

The Kinnikuman Museum is located at 1F/2F, 5-2-15 Otemachi, Numazu City, Shizuoka and is open from 10am to 6pm each day. Standard admission is 1,000 yen and discounts are available for children and youths.

Source: Official Website

Images: © Yudetamago, Kinnikuman Museum in Numazu

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