M.U.S.C.L.E. Men
Encyclopedia
M.U.S.C.L.E., was a toyline of 2-inch tall monochromatic PVC gum
wrestling figures produced in the United States from 1985 to 1988. The story involved intergalactic wrestlers fighting for supremacy of the universe. The toy line itself was straight forward and collectors continue to make the line a viable hobby. The US line included 236 official figures, a boardgame, a NES
game entitled M.U.S.C.L.E., a championship belt
figure holder, and a wrestling ring
playset. The figures were distributed in clear, blister-packed random 4-packs, semiopaque garbage can
10-packs, and boxed fixed sculpt 28 packs. For a short time, the figures were also distributed as a bonus in Nestlé Quik (now known as Nesquik) cans.
. Kinkeshi were based on a manga and anime called Kinnikuman
, and some figures were based on anime-only characters. The main hero was Kinnikuman
, who, in the US, was "Muscle Man" and was the leader of the "Thug Busters." He was described as the greatest wrestling champion. The only other named figure in the US line was Buffaloman
, who was renamed "Terri-Bull," and said to be the leader of the "Cosmic Crunchers."
Some of the figures were sculpted to resemble popular wrestlers who had competed in Japan such as Terry Funk, Dusty Rhodes, Abdullah The Butcher, and Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
The "Hard Knockin' Rockin' Ring" game was a plastic wrestling ring with two small clamps for figures and that played much like Rock'em Sock'em Robots. The M.U.S.C.L.E. board game
was a unique battle-royal style game where teams of five figures of two different colors fought.
The "Hard Knockin' Rockin' Ring" came with two exclusive flesh figures not released in the regular line of toys, a slightly smaller version of #141(Muscleman) and a Terri-Bull. The Board Game also included the same sculpt of Terri-Bull in lime green.
Although the toy line lasted for only two years in the US, the Kinnikuman toy line is still in production in Japan. New toys, comics and TV shows are released regularly.
, Kinnikuman NiSei
was translated by 4Kids Entertainment
in 2002 and aired from 2002-2004 on Saturday mornings. It was re-aired summer of 2006 as Summer Filler. It enjoys a dedicated following in the 14-30 age group
. Figures, both 6.5" articulated and 1.5" M.U.S.C.L.E.-sized, based on the Ultimate Muscle
storyline were released sporadically in 2003, as well as a collectible card game
entitled Ultimate Muscle Battle Card Game. Viz Media
currently publishes the translated Ultimate Muscle manga.
Polyvinyl chloride
Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC, is a thermoplastic polymer. It is a vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl groups having one hydrogen replaced by chloride. Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is widely used in...
wrestling figures produced in the United States from 1985 to 1988. The story involved intergalactic wrestlers fighting for supremacy of the universe. The toy line itself was straight forward and collectors continue to make the line a viable hobby. The US line included 236 official figures, a boardgame, a NES
Nes
-Localities:In Norway:* Nes, Akershus, a municipality in the county of Akershus in Norway* Nes, Buskerud, a municipality in the county of Buskerud in Norway* Nes, Hedmark, a former municipality in the county of Hedmark in Norway...
game entitled M.U.S.C.L.E., a championship belt
Championship belt
A championship belt is a large, extravagantly designed belt used primarily in combat sports such as boxing, mixed martial arts and professional wrestling to signify the champions of the promotion or company, much like a cup or trophy in other sports...
figure holder, and a wrestling ring
Wrestling ring
A wrestling ring is the ring stage on which professional wrestlers wrestle.-Configuration and construction:The configuration and construction of the "traditional" ring is very similar to that of a boxing ring, though the wrestling version has three ring ropes...
playset. The figures were distributed in clear, blister-packed random 4-packs, semiopaque garbage can
Waste container
A waste container is a container for temporarily storing refuse and waste. Different terms are in use, depending on the language area, the design and material and the respective site .The most general terms are waste receptacle and container bin.Common terms include dustbin ,...
10-packs, and boxed fixed sculpt 28 packs. For a short time, the figures were also distributed as a bonus in Nestlé Quik (now known as Nesquik) cans.
Origins
The M.U.S.C.L.E. figures were based on the Japanese toyline called kinkeshiKinkeshi
Kinkeshi is an extensive and popular line of collectible erasers, an instance of the modern Japanese popular culture institution of keshi...
. Kinkeshi were based on a manga and anime called Kinnikuman
Kinnikuman
is a manga created by the duo of Yudetamago , which is composed of Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada. The manga was published in Shueisha's Weekly Jump, and received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen manga in 1985...
, and some figures were based on anime-only characters. The main hero was Kinnikuman
Suguru Kinniku
, real name , is the main protagonist of Yudetamago's slapstick wrestling manga Kinnikuman and a supporting character in the sequel manga and anime series Ultimate Muscle ....
, who, in the US, was "Muscle Man" and was the leader of the "Thug Busters." He was described as the greatest wrestling champion. The only other named figure in the US line was Buffaloman
Buffaloman
' is a character from Yudetamago's manga and anime series Kinnikuman and its sequel Kinnikuman Nisei.-About:*Classification: Akuma Choujin→ Seigi Choujin*Homeland: Spain / Soviet Union...
, who was renamed "Terri-Bull," and said to be the leader of the "Cosmic Crunchers."
Some of the figures were sculpted to resemble popular wrestlers who had competed in Japan such as Terry Funk, Dusty Rhodes, Abdullah The Butcher, and Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
Toy waves
The first shipment of figures were all a 'bubble-gum pink' color the collecting community calls 'flesh.' The second shipment was a half-and-half mixture of flesh and either dark blue, red, or purple figures. The third shipment contained no flesh figures, only dark blue, red, purple, magenta, salmon, lime green, neon orange, and light blue. Five figures came with the boardgame in an exclusive Grape or Light Purple color.Accessories
In addition to packs containing only figures, there was a mail-away poster, a "Battlin' Belt" display case, and two games released that made use of the M.U.S.C.L.E. figures.The "Hard Knockin' Rockin' Ring" game was a plastic wrestling ring with two small clamps for figures and that played much like Rock'em Sock'em Robots. The M.U.S.C.L.E. board game
Board game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
was a unique battle-royal style game where teams of five figures of two different colors fought.
The "Hard Knockin' Rockin' Ring" came with two exclusive flesh figures not released in the regular line of toys, a slightly smaller version of #141(Muscleman) and a Terri-Bull. The Board Game also included the same sculpt of Terri-Bull in lime green.
Kinkeshi
The Kinnikuman toy line in Japan was not limited to small PVC figures as it was in the United States. It also included many other sizes and styles of figures and toys.Although the toy line lasted for only two years in the US, the Kinnikuman toy line is still in production in Japan. New toys, comics and TV shows are released regularly.
Current relevance
In the United States, the sequel to KinnikumanKinnikuman
is a manga created by the duo of Yudetamago , which is composed of Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada. The manga was published in Shueisha's Weekly Jump, and received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen manga in 1985...
, Kinnikuman NiSei
Ultimate Muscle
Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy, known in Japan as , is a manga and anime series made by Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada under the pen name Yudetamago . It is the sequel to the hit manga Kinnikuman that they started in 1979...
was translated by 4Kids Entertainment
4Kids Entertainment
4Kids Entertainment is an American film and television production company in bankruptcy since April 2011. It is known for English-dubbing Japanese anime and specializing in the acquisition, production and licensing of children's entertainment around the United States...
in 2002 and aired from 2002-2004 on Saturday mornings. It was re-aired summer of 2006 as Summer Filler. It enjoys a dedicated following in the 14-30 age group
Demographic profile
A demographic or demographic profile is a term used in marketing and broadcasting, to describe a demographic grouping or a market segment...
. Figures, both 6.5" articulated and 1.5" M.U.S.C.L.E.-sized, based on the Ultimate Muscle
Ultimate Muscle
Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy, known in Japan as , is a manga and anime series made by Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada under the pen name Yudetamago . It is the sequel to the hit manga Kinnikuman that they started in 1979...
storyline were released sporadically in 2003, as well as a collectible card game
Collectible card game
thumb|Players and their decksA collectible card game , also called a trading card game or customizable card game, is a game played using specially designed sets of playing cards...
entitled Ultimate Muscle Battle Card Game. Viz Media
VIZ Media
VIZ Media, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, is an anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment company. It was founded in 1986 as VIZ LLC. In 2005, VIZ LLC and ShoPro Entertainment merged to form the current VIZ Media LLC, which is jointly owned by Japanese publishers Shogakukan and Shueisha, and...
currently publishes the translated Ultimate Muscle manga.