Kinnikuman

 aka "M.U.S.C.L.E."

Updated 04/01/2002

Introduction:

Kinnikuman features super-powered wrestlers from across the globe and the galaxy. There have been two Kinnikuman televised anime series. The first started in 1983, the second in 1991. There have also been 7 Kinnikuman films and countless manga stories done as well. Although the anime was never broadcast in the US, there was an extensive line of small rubber Kinnikuman figures marketed in the US under the name M.U.S.C.L.E., which stands for Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere. Interestingly enough, Kinnikuman started out as a parody of Ultraman.

The Kinnikuman stories feature a multitude of bizarre characters, and, as with wrestling stars in the real world, each has their own signature moves they use to put their opponents down for the 1 - 2 - 3 count. Kinnikuman has the Kinniku-Buster, the Kinniku-Driver and the Face Flash. Ramenman is China's best fighter, and he might just use the Leg Lariet or the Camel Clutch during his next cement-ring death match. Buffaloman, who's likeness in the MUSCLE toys in the US was called Terri Bull, comes from Spain, and his moves include the Longhorn and the Hurricane Mixer.

The following toys were made by Banpresto. 

** The following toys are here for display purposes, and are not for sale. **

Click on any of the thumbnails to see a larger image.

 

Kinnikuman Plush Set - 2000
75899a.jpg (20048 bytes) 75899b.jpg (20333 bytes) 75899c.jpg (21174 bytes)
Kinnukunan Ramen Man Buffaloman
This is the complete set of 3, and I believe this to be the only set of Kinnikuman plush catcher toys. Standing at about 10 inches tall, these are much larger and fuller than the standard catcher toys, but they are not labeled as a DX series.

 

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The words and scans are © Kane, aka spooky@voicenet.com, who freely admits he spends way too much time thinking about toys. The toys shown are © Banpresto, Inc., a subsidiary of Bandai, Inc. This site is not endorsed or affiliated with Banpresto, it is just a hobby that I enjoy working on. The toys on this site are part of a personal collection, and are NOT FOR SALE. Thanks for visiting. Cheers.