Finished
“Teen Kenji masters Bajiquan, battles martial artists and gangster Tony Tan across diverse fighting styles.”
Kenji
拳児
7.79
1,519 rank · 3,920 readers · 64 favorites
Shounen
Martial Arts
Action
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
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Synopsis
Teen Kenji masters Bajiquan, battles martial artists and gangster Tony Tan across diverse fighting styles.
Kenji is a manga about a Japanese teenager named Kenji, who practices the martial art Bajiquan, and his encounters with other martial artists, some of which are from real life, e.g. Adam Hsu and Liu Chia-Liang. This series primarily features Baji Quan, but also gets into Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Bagua Zhang, Chen Taiji Quan, Pi Quan, Xingyi Quan, Xin Yi Liu He Quan, Shaolin Quan, Hung Ga, Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu, Shotokan Karate and numerous other styles. Kenji's nemesis is a gangster named Tony Tan who practices Hung Gar and later Xinyiliuhequan. (Source: MU)
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 7 sampled reviews
8.6
/10
What 7 readers settled on.
86%
recommend
Score distribution
median 9
mode 10
σ 1.99
Agreement
Polarized
σ 1.99 · split reception
The polarity gap
5.3 pts
Recommenders 9.3 · others 4.0
Yes
No
Score over time
↓ 0.43
Running avg · May 2010 → Mar 2021
Snap verdicts
· shortest highly-rated reviews
- 10 “Kenji is an all-time favorite, boasting incredible depth and a story masterfully rooted in historical martial arts. There are no notable flaws to report, as the narrative and character arcs are...”
- 10 “This manga is an absolute masterpiece that offers an authentic, deeply researched look at Chinese martial arts, moving far beyond tired tropes to explore niche styles, cultural communities, and...”
- 8 “This work is a superb, educational exploration of Chinese martial arts history that features a refreshingly pure-hearted and modest protagonist. While the artwork lacks fine detail, this stylistic...”
Verbosity
Short · 43%
Medium · 57%
Long · 0%
Read Order & Related
Explore the Kenji universe
Cast
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A Manga Publication
- Format 202 × 21 ch × vol
- Total read 26h 56m approx
- Published Dec 1987 – Jan 1992
- Source Manga media type
- Ref. BS-M10045 catalog