ABOUT:  Shijou Saikyou no Deshi: Kenichi (literally translated as History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi) is a 3D fighting game developed and published by Capcom, based on the manga and anime series of the same name. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple began as a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Syun Matsuena. The first tankōbon was published in August 2002. An anime adaptation made by Tokyo Movie Shinsha aired from October 2006 to September 2007 and had 50 episodes. The Kenichi PS2 fighting game was the first ever video game based on the Kenichi series, releasing only in Japan in March 2007. 

 

 

Kenichi features 12 selectable characters, each representing their unique fighting styles seen in the original manga and anime. Modes include Story, Versus, Practice, Score Attack, Time Attack, Survival, Mission, and Gallery. For each character, you can choose two battle styles "Quiet" and "Motion". Quiet focuses on defense and counter attacks, while "Motion" focuses on attacks and explode anger (super combos). During battles there are 3 types of attacks: shock skills (strikes), truth skills and return skills (counter attacks). Shock skills are stronger than Truth skills; Truth skills are stronger than Return skills; and Return skills are stronger than Shock skills.
 

  
In more ways than one, Kenichi resembles Capcom's well known 3D fighting game series starring high school stereotypes, Rival Schools. From the cel-shaded 3D graphics style of Kenichi to the stylized anime characters, Kenichi is an attractive looking PS2 game for the time. The fighting stays mostly on a 2D plane, but there are some sidestepping techniques as well. The gameplay is comparable to several Capcom fighters, but focuses more on martial arts techniques and less on projectiles. The gameplay isn't nearly as solid or deep as comparable fighting games of 2007, but features plenty of fan service for those familiar with the manga and anime series.

     

Page Updated: January 29th, 2020 Developer(s): Eighting Co. Publisher(s): Capcom Platform(s): PlayStation 2   Release Date(s): March 2007   Characters:  Kenichi, Takeda, Miu, Ukita, Siegfried, Hermit, Nijima, Valkyrie, Thor, Loki, Freiya, Berserker, Odin, 20 Featured Video: Related Games: Project Justice, Rival Schools, Fate/Unlimited Codes, Hokuto No Ken, The King of Fighters 2006, The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation A, Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, Virtua Fighter 5, Virtua Fighter 5 R, Battle Fantasia, Sengoku Basara X, Martial Masters, Sunday X Magazine    Gameplay Engine    Story / Theme    Overall Graphics    Animation    Music / Sound Effects    Innovation    Art Direction    Customization     Options / Extras     Intro / Presentation     Replayability / Fun     "Ouch" Factor     Characters     BOTTOM LINE           Final Words: Kenichi is one of the few fighting games with "Capcom" written on the box that I haven't played. (Although, the game was developed by Eighting.) Out of many of the "me too" anime fighting games that spawned in the mid / late 2000's (and after), Kenishi seemed like one of the more interesting ones. The series seems like a perfect fit for a fighting game. From what I've seen, the animation quality is rather decent. I've only caught a few episodes of the anime, and it's actually not too bad from what I remember.  Some of the character designs are a bit stale, in my opinion... but others are worth checking out. Honestly what I like most about Kenichi is that the characters seem like they could share the same universe as Rival Schools. Anyway, I don't have a modded PS2 in order to play this game... but if ever get around to it, I'll give this game a proper review. ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen      Click Here for all box artwork! Click Here for all screenshots! FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES