Netflix has been adding original and syndicated anime titles to its library. A recent addition is the adaptation of the martial arts series Kengan Ashura, which seems to blur the lines between reality and fantasy.
Kengan Ashura is based on the Shogakukan-published manga series of the same name by Yabako Sandrovic, which ran from 2012 to 2018. The series is set in contemporary Japan, where major Japanese corporations have their own methods of resolving disputes and negotiating with one another. Each company hires a martial artist, and the winner of these underground fights receives the settlement. All of these organisations must follow the rules of the Kengan Association, which govern the fights.
The two main characters in Kengan Ashura are Kazuo Yamashita, a typical older office worker, and swole as balls Ohma Tokita. Kazuo Yamashita is thrust into the Kengan world by Hideki Nogi, the president of the company Kazuo works for. He sympathises with the fighters, serving as a father-ish figure to Ohma, and is simply trying to adjust to the craziness of the situation.
Ohma Tokita, on the other hand, enjoys fighting, wanting to compete in Kengan matches to prove his strength to himself. Ohma gives the audience a fighter’s perspective on the various matches.
Because the story is so focused on the fighting, there are very few unexpected twists. As interesting as they can be in other anime, Kengan Ashura’s simplicity works very well.
How does it measure up to shows like Dragonball Z and Baki The Grappler? It’s a little more grounded in reality. There are no power-ups or energy beams in the fighting, for example, which adds to the action’s purity. However, because this is still anime, exaggeration is a key feature, with brilliant still shots keeping explanatory moments interesting.
While it does take some liberties with the fighters’ sheer size and capabilities. The show also demonstrates a deep appreciation for combat sports and martial arts. There is no ultimate style displayed, with every fighting style or the ability of a character being grounded in reality. The show then takes said grounded reality and cranks it to a billion.
The choreography that connects the fight scenes is both fluid and detailed, never feeling overdone or underdone at any point. It emphasises what Kengan Ashura is: a martial arts-themed anime.
However, all of this results in a one-of-a-kind anime experience for viewers. It’s not as gory as Fist of the North Star, but more akin to a UFC fight, which appears to be the series’ target audience — adults who enjoy watching martial arts. The plot is straightforward, and the interactions among the characters are natural.
Kengan Ashura has a unique story, with interesting characters and fantastic animation. While Netflix has yet to announce when the third season will premiere, there’s absolutely no doubt that this series will be back, and will be worth watching.
