You probably remember the smell. Or, more accurately, the idea of the smell. If you grew up watching Ultimate Muscle on Saturday mornings or digging through old Shonen Jump archives, Suguru Kinniku was the guy who literally propelled himself into the air using flatulence. It was low-brow. It was ridiculous. It was exactly what you’d expect from a gag manga about a garlic-munching superhero from Planet Kinniku. But then something shifted. Fans started noticing a trend in the later arcs and the modern revival: the phrase kinnikuman i dont need the power of my farts became more than just a meme; it became a statement of intent for the series' evolution.
The transition from a parody of Ultraman to a high-stakes wrestling epic is one of the most fascinating pivots in manga history. Yudetamago (the duo behind the series) didn't just wake up and decide to be serious. It was a slow burn. The early days were defined by Kinnikuman being a total loser who succeeded by accident or through gross-out humor. If he needed to fly, he didn't use a cape. He used gas. But as the stakes rose and the "Burning Inner Strength" (Kajiba no Kusojikara) became the focal point, those digestive shortcuts started to fade away.
Honestly, the series had to grow up, even if it kept its underwear on the outside.
The Crude Origins of the Kinniku Style
When Kinnikuman first hit the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump in 1979, it wasn't trying to be Dragon Ball Z. It was a comedy. Suguru was an incompetent hero who fought monsters that looked like giant cups of ramen or walking toilets. In this context, the farting wasn't just a joke—it was his primary superpower. It was a "special move" in the most literal, pungent sense. He used it for propulsion, he used it to stun enemies, and he used it because, frankly, Japanese schoolboys in the late 70s thought it was hilarious.
The humor was grounded in the "Chojin" (superhuman) being fundamentally human and flawed. Suguru was lazy, cowardly, and obsessed with gyudon (beef bowls). The flatulence was a physical manifestation of his lack of dignity. But as the 21st Olympics Arc and the Devil Chojin arcs rolled around, the tone of the wrestling changed. The moves became more technical. We got the Kinniku Buster. We got the Tower Bridge. The "power of farts" started to feel out of place in a ring where characters were literally being dismantled by professional wrestling holds.
It’s a weird thing to analyze, but the disappearance of the fart gag is actually a benchmark for the series' quality. It marks the point where Yudetamago began to take their own mythology seriously. They realized that for a victory to feel earned, Suguru couldn't just stink his way to a win. He had to bleed for it.
💡 You might also like: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
Why the Modern Era Says Kinnikuman I Dont Need the Power of My Farts
If you look at the 2011 revival of the manga—which is arguably some of the best wrestling fiction ever written—the tone is strikingly different. The stakes involve the origins of the Chojin race and the survival of the heavens. In this environment, a fart joke doesn't just fall flat; it ruins the tension. The modern mantra of kinnikuman i dont need the power of my farts represents a shift toward "Burning Inner Strength" as a psychological and spiritual force rather than a biological fluke.
In the Perfect Origin arc, the battles are grueling. We’re talking about fifty chapters of technical wrestling, philosophy, and sacrifice. When Kinnikuman stands across from a god-like figure like Strong the Martial Artist, the audience isn't looking for a gag. They want to see the "Kinniku Drive." They want to see the heart.
- The Narrative Shift: The series moved from "Super-Sentai Parody" to "Battle Shonen."
- Character Growth: Suguru evolved from a coward to a legitimate king. A king doesn't use flatulence to win a world title.
- Artistic Evolution: The art style shifted from rounded, cartoony designs to heavily muscled, detailed anatomy that demands a more serious presentation.
There is a specific dignity in the way the characters are drawn now. Every vein, every bead of sweat, and every tear is rendered with such intensity that the inclusion of the old-school toilet humor would feel like a betrayal of the character's journey. It’s the difference between a slapstick comedy and a sports drama. Both have their place, but you can't be both at the same time when the world is ending.
The Cultural Legacy of the "Fart Fly"
Let’s be real: Western fans mostly know this through Ultimate Muscle (Kinnikuman Nisei). The Fox Box dub leaned hard into the "fart" aspect because that was the brand of humor popular in the early 2000s. Mantaro Kinniku, Suguru's son, carried the torch of the fart gag for a new generation. For many, that was the show.
But in Japan, the original Kinnikuman is a cultural institution on par with Fist of the North Star. The "farting hero" phase is looked back on with a sort of nostalgic embarrassment. It’s like looking at your baby pictures where you’re covered in food; it’s part of who you are, but it’s not how you want to be seen at your wedding.
📖 Related: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
The phrase "I don't need the power of my farts" isn't an official quote from the manga, but it captures the fan sentiment perfectly. It’s an acknowledgment that the series has outgrown its umbilical cord of low-brow comedy. It has transitioned into a story about the weight of a crown and the burden of being a hero who actually cares about his enemies.
Technical Wrestling vs. Gag Manga Roots
The mechanics of Kinnikuman are surprisingly deep. Most people don't realize that Yudetamago actually invented several wrestling moves that were later adopted by real-world Japanese pro-wrestlers. The "Kinniku Buster" is a legitimate (albeit dangerous) move.
- The Muscle Spark: A complex aerial submission that requires immense core strength and timing.
- The Palo Special: A real-life submission hold popularized by the character Warsman.
- The Robin Special: An inverted DDT variation.
When you have a series that influences real-world athletes, the "fart power" becomes a footnote. The current manga run focuses on the "Six Spear Knights" and the "Perfect Large Numbers." These are characters with complex motivations. They aren't just villains; they are rivals with conflicting ideologies about what it means to be "strong." In this arena, the power comes from the "Friendship Power" (Yojou-pawa). That’s the real engine of the series. It’s the idea that through suffering and mutual respect, a wrestler can tap into a level of strength that defies logic.
Actionable Takeaways for New Readers
If you’re looking to dive into Kinnikuman today, don’t let the old reputation for "fart jokes" scare you off. The series is a masterclass in long-form storytelling. Here is how to approach it without getting bogged down in the 70s slapstick:
Start with the 2011 Revival. You can skip a lot of the early gag chapters if you just want the epic wrestling. The revival acts as a direct sequel to the original 1980s run but treats the lore with incredible reverence. It’s where the "no farts, all heart" mentality really takes hold.
👉 See also: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
Watch the new anime. Production I.G. recently took over the animation for the Perfect Origin arc. The quality is staggering. It looks like a modern high-budget sports anime, not a Sunday morning cartoon.
Understand the Kajiba no Kusojikara. This is the "Burning Inner Strength." It is the core theme of the entire franchise. It's the idea that when a person is pushed to their absolute limit and fights for something greater than themselves, they can overcome any obstacle. It’s the "power" that replaced the gags.
The journey of Kinnikuman is the journey of manga itself. It started as a messy, experimental, and often crude medium that eventually found its soul and became a vessel for genuine emotion and complex artistry. Suguru Kinniku proved that you can start as a joke and end as a legend. He didn't need the gas; he just needed the grit.
To truly appreciate the growth of the series, track down the chapters covering the Scramble for the Throne arc. This is the bridge where the comedy officially takes a backseat to the dramatic weight of the Kinniku lineage. Pay close attention to the fight between Kinnikuman and Phoenix; it’s the definitive moment where the "clown" persona is finally shed in favor of the True King. Don't just watch the highlights—read the dialogue. The philosophy of "Friendship Power" is surprisingly nuanced when you see it applied to characters who have spent decades trying to kill each other.