The Golden Mask Arc (黄金のマスク編, Ougon no Masuku-hen) is the ninth story arc in Kinnikuman.
About[]
The Golden Mask Arc comprises 48 chapters and 20 episodes. It follows the Seven Devil Chojin Arc and comes before the Dream Chojin Tag Arc.
New Characters[]
Chojin[]
- Akuma Shogun
- Ashuraman
- Sunshine
- The Ninja
- Sneagator
- Planetman
- Junkman
- Silverman (as the Silver Mask)
- Justiceman (flashback only)
- Kinkotsu Obaba (anime only)
Human[]
Summary[]
The Silver and Golden Masks are the symbols of peace for the Kinniku Tribe. When the Golden Mask is stolen, the heroes must battle the Six Devil Knights. After that, their leader - Akuma Shogun - appears.
History[]
Prehistory[]
The justice chojin hold a fitness test. [1]
It is during this time that the Golden Mask and Silver Mask are separated, resulting in all justice chojin slowly losing their power. [1] Robin Mask - along with his companions - are placed into plastic bubbles, which act as life-support devices. [2] During Kinnikuman's battle with Planetman, Planetman steals the souls of the justice chojin trapped within the life support devices. [3] Robin - and the others - are saved when Kinnikuman sacrifices Warsman in order to protect the rest of the group and defeat Planetman. [4]
This defeat of Planetman restores Robin - and others - to full power. [4]
Warsman is revealed to be alive, but in a precarious state. Robin Mask decides to turn into a microscopic size and go inside Warsman's body, along with Terryman, Brocken Jr., Kinnikuman, and Geronimo. [5] Terryman decides that the group will hold off the remaining Devil Knights, until Kinnikuman can reach the top floor and retrieve the Golden Mask - the matches will take place on a tower of rings formed along Warsman's spinal column. [5]
Kinnikuman vs. Sneagator[]
The first match is against Sneagator in the Budokan Stadium. [6] The ring seems empty, until Sneagator appears to turn all the chairs into alligators and the confetti into lizards. [6] Sneagator bites through the ropes, which turn into snakes and attack Kinnikuman. [7] He then bites down onto Kinnikuman's right shoulder, before using a Hell Space Walk, which is a powerful sneaker kick.
Sneagator then bites into Kinnikuman's torso, before using another sneaker-kick and biting him in three separate places. At this point, Meat realises the animals are illusions caused by a light projector. Sneagator attempts to bite off Kinnikuman's head, but Kinnikuman stops him by holding onto the sides of his jaws, before using a Mouth-Ripping Kinniku Buster, and covers the light projector with Sneagator's blood. [7]
Sneagtor then sheds his skin and returns in a tortoise form. [8] He uses a Strong Body Press on Kinnikuman, but Kinnikuman uses a Muscle Curtain, and Sneagator sheds his skin again. Kinnikuman gets behind Sneagator and rips the fins from his head, but Sneagator turns again into a chameleon to camouflage into his environment. Kinnikuman allows himself to be injured, so he can use his blood to force Sneagator to become visible. [8] Sneagator then turns into a dinosaur hand, but Kinnikuman gets him in a Bear Hug. [9]
This allows him to see Sneagator's true face, which is on one of his fingers.
He uses a Front Suplex to then defeat Sneagator. [9]
Kinnikuman vs. Planetman[]
Kinnikuman dies from his injuries against Sneagator. [10] Once he is revived by Wolfman's life force, Kinnikuman heads for the Toshimaen (豊島園) amusement park to face his next opponent. Upon arrival, he and Meat find a ring and are then confronted by several planets. The planets then fuse together and become Planetman. He knocks Kinnikuman into the ring, which is then elevated several hundred feet into the air. [10]
Planetman starts out in control of the fight, slicing Kinnikuman up with his Planet Ring. [11] Kinnikuman tries to hide in a Ferris Wheel car, but Planetman is able to knock him out of there with his Ring Stone. He then freezes Kinnikuman's body with the Sub Zero Figure 4 Neck Lock and tries to shatter him with a knee drop, but Geronimo channels Wolfman's power and Kinnikuman is able to break free.
Planetman then reveals that his head is actually the legendary planet Vulcan. He also points out that Earth is nowhere on his body. [11] That is because Kinnikuman represents Earth, and with that a map of the world appears on Kinnikuman's body. [12] Planetman then begins striking the countries of specific Justice Chojins, causing their life-support bubbles to burst and their bodies to go through excruciating pain. [13]
When he tries throwing his Apollo Dynamite at Japan, Kinnikuman catches the fireball and throws it back. Planetman then uses his horrible Face Planet technique, causing the faces of Terryman, Robin Mask, Warsman, Brocken Jr., Mayumi Kinniku, Sayuri Kinniku, Bibimba, and Canadianman to appear on the planets on his body. He also dons his Golden Mask so that Kinnikuman won't attack his head. Kinnikuman pays it no mind and tries a Knee Breaker, but realises that he would hurt Bibimba if he did. Kinnikuman finds himself unable to fight back until he realises that a Kinniku Buster wouldn't hurt any of them, just Planetman. [13]
Unfortunately, Planetman transforms their surrounding into space, preventing Kinnikuman from completing the Kinniku Buster. Finally, Warsman insists that Kinnikuman punch through his face, which is directly over Planetman's heart. [13] Kinnikuman reluctantly complies and pierces Planetman's heart, putting Warsman in a coma and freeing everyone from the Face Planet technique. [14] Planetman then tries his Planet Ring one more time, but Kinnikuman gets behind him, causing the ring to decapitate Planetman. Kinnikuman then defeats him with Black Hole Suplex, throwing him through a hole in the middle of the ring. [14] Unfortunately, Planetman's Golden Mask turns out to be a fake, just like Sneagator's. [14]
Robin Mask vs. Junkman[]
Junkman shows his true form. [15]
Robin Mask challenged Junkman on the first ring. Junkman sees Kinnikuman scaling the spine, but - as he seeks to stop him from reaching the top - Robin Mask intervenes and stops him from an attack. [16] Junkman attempts a Junk Crush, but Robin dodges and the attack strikes the spinal column instead. When Junkman tries the same attack again, Robin tries a Shoulder Throw, but he then attacks once more the spinal column. Robin realises the aimed attacks are deliberate: Junkman seeks to disable Warsman and prevent Kinnikuman from climbing higher. [16]
Junkman tries a Junk Crush again, and Robin allows himself to be caught, before he reveals the philosophy he teaches to younger chojin: "when forced to make a sacrifice, try to save both things". [16] He thus removes his armour and saves himself from being crushed, as it seemingly stops the Junk Crush. [16][17] Junkman crushes the armour and uses it to prove his strength, before he tries to attack Kinnikuman again - Robin stops the attack with his bare hands. [17] Junkman retaliates by making spikes appear on his front, which violently cut and slash at Robin.
Robin believes he has found Junkman's one weakness, which is that he cannot see what happens at his back, and flips him over, until his front spikes trap him in the ring canvas. He tries a Robin Drop, but Junkman uses his Double Face technique. [17] Junkman strikes again with a Junk Crush. [5] Robin refuses to stay down and circles Junkman, only to be hit again, and - in an attempt to gain speed, to avoid being hit the following times - removes his belt and part of his helmet. [18] It appears Robin has used all his strength, even as he gains an advantage and Junkman smashes his face on a corner-post. Junkman uses another Junk Crush, but Robin counters with a Reverse Tower Bridge.
Junkman is thus defeated, with Robin as the victor. [18]
Brocken Jr. vs The Ninja[]
Brocken goes to Sunshine's level to fight Sunshine.[19]
Sunshine switches places with The Ninja, who attacks Brocken and throws him against the spine. [20] After Robin Mask wins his match, Kinnikuman notices that Brocken Jr looks very beaten up and in bad shape. [21] Brocken attempts a California Crash, but Ninja switches places with him and subjects him to it instead, and Ninja follows this by trapping Brocken in place with the rope rings. The Ninja then throws fireballs over Brocken to add to his suffering, but Brocken manages to switch their positions.
The Ninja appears dismembered, but his head remains alive. [21] The body parts then grab at Brocken, forcing him to use his Red Rain of Berlin. [22] Ninja reveals he had hidden his body inside the torso of a doll that looked like him, which is how he survived dismemberment, and then proceeds to turn the canvas of the ring into water. When Brocken is trapped, Ninja turns the water into oil and sets fire to its surface. Brocken stops the flames by aiming his hat at one of Warsman's internal ventilation systems.
This stops the flames and causes Ninja to catch on fire. Ninja stops the fire and then makes a volcano appear on the canvas, before tossing Brocken into the volcano. [22] Brocken pulls himself out of the volcano, and Ninja tries to steal his face, but Brocken drags Nina down into the volcano. [23] Two people who look like Brocken fall through the canvas onto Robin's ring, but Brocken's hat lands on Brocken, proving him the real one.
This means the "Brocken" impaled on Junkman's corpse is Ninja.
Brocken is thus the victor. [23]
Terryman vs. Ashuraman[]
Kinnikuman eventually manages to climb his way to the third floor of the tower inside Warsman, where Terryman is fighting Ashuraman. [24]
When Ashuraman seeks to defeat Terryman with an Ashura Buster, Kinnikuman jumps into the ring to absorb the impact and save Terryman's life. [25] Terryman manages to gain some advantage in battle, but Ashuraman steals both of his arms and leaves him without the ability to use attacks involving his arms. [25] It is revealed that - during battle - Terryman allows Warsman's control unit to be hit, which causes him to spasm and threatens all their lives (and Warsman's), and only a second - and equal strike - will save the unit. [26]
Terryman is willing to sacrifice his life to the Ashura Buster to save the others. [26]
Ashuraman reveals that he never stole Buffaloman's arms, which gives Terryman an idea: he borrows Buffaloman's strength to summon his arms and use them to replace his missing arms. [27] He grabs Geronimo's tomahawks, as Ashuraman lifts him into the air, and commits the Honourable Death Drop against Ashuraman, as both he and Ashuraman plummet towards the control unit. He uses Buffaloman's arms to finish the blow to the unit, which gets it to work again. [27]
Ashuraman is the first to stand after the attack, which means he has technically won, but - with both him and Terryman out of the ring - he has to return to the ring to claim his victory. [28] Terryman uses the last of his strength to tackle Ashuraman and prevent him from returning to the ring, which results in a draw. Terryman holds Ashuraman back long enough for Kinnikuman to continue his climb. He soon collapses out of exhaustion, but - even unconscious - he manages to keep a leg hold on Ashuraman, keeping him in place. [28]
Geronimo vs. Sunshine[]
Geronimo fends off The Ninja on the fourth floor, while Kinnikuman climbs the spine to reach the top ring. The Ninja switches places with Sunshine, forcing Geronimo to compete against him. [29] At one point, he skewers the mat with his tomahawks so that Terry - in the ring below - could grab a hold of something during Ashuraman's Ashura Buster. [30]
In his fight with Sunshine, he started off hitting Sunshine with a fury of Tomahawk Chops. [31]
Geronimo lands a Flying Boy Press, but Sunshine counters by bending his legs. Sunshine uses his Sand Hell techniques on Geronimo, and Geronimo uses a Tomahawk Tornado to sweep away the sand. [31] After being pressed into the mat by Sunshine, Geronimo attempts another Tomahawk Chop, but the damage done to Sunshine is undone by his regeneration abilities. [32] The sweat from Geronimo is also absorbed into Sunshine and makes his sand weigh even heavier, as he crushes Geronimo from above.
Sunshine prepares for a Back-Drop, and Geronimo breaks his hip attempting to counter with a Flying Maier. Geronimo tries a Guillotine Drop, but Sunshine stops him with a Giant Swing, and Geronimo manages to stop Sunshine with a headbutt, but sustains great damage in the process. Geronimo believes he has won when he chops Sunshine in half, but instead he found himself trapped inside Sunshine. [32]
After forcing his way out of Sunshine's body, Sunshine begins to use his most brutal Sand Hell techniques. [33] He uses a Canadian Back-Breaker, while Geronimo counters with a Reverse Suplex, and Sunshine attempts a Mexican Stretch. Geronimo uses a Toe-Kick to shatter Sunshine's body into multiple pieces, and Sunshine uses a Hell's Pyramid. [33] Being severely injured - after having his gut stabbed by Sunshine’s Hell’s Pyramid technique - causes Terryman to realise that Geronimo is human. [33]
Geronimo uses a Brain Buster, despite the pyramid piercing his heart. [34]
Sunshine rebuilds himself with his Hell Arc de Triumphe. Geronimo smashes Sunshine again, but Sunshine uses a sun-styled key to enter his sun-mark upon his chest, and this regenerates him. Geronimo keeps fighting and eventually grabs Sunshine's chest, where he removes the key that controls the Sand Hell techniques. As the key hits the canvas, Sunshine grabs his head and screams, causing Geronimo to realise that Sunshine’s weakness is loud noises. He used his trademark Apache War Cry. [34]
This reduces Sunshine to dust, but - before Geronimo can finish - his heart stops. [30] He remembers the bravery of the chojin who saved him and his sister, and he then sticks his hand into his chest and massages his heart. He finishes off Sunshine with the Apache War Cry. [30]
After this, Akuma Shogun made his appearance. [35]
Geronimo tries to attack him, but is thrown out of the ring and falls five stories, due to a Double Arm Spin and a Hell's Guillotine. [36] After Shogun and Ashuraman make their escape, the Five Story Ring begins to collapse, but Geronimo stands beneath it and holds it upright so that the others can escape. [36] Warsman's tears allow him to be washed out of his body, along with the others, and this saves Geronimo's life. [37] He is close to death, and so the others attempt to sacrifice a piece of their Chojin Power for him.
Due to being human, Geronimo's body will not accept their power. He dies. [37] Near the end of the match, Geronimo’s spirit shows up and helps hold the ring upright.[38] After the match reaches its completion, Geronimo is revived by the Perfect Mask and is seen alongside Wolfman. [39]
Kinnikuman vs. Akuma Shogun[]
Kinnikuman returns and carries Buffaloman to the infirmary, after Akuma Shogun defeats Buffaloman. [40] Kinnikuman learns - in the process - that Akuma Shogun is actually Goldman. Kinnikuman returns to the ring and throws the silver mask above the ring, along with Akuma Shogun and the gold mask, and it is decided that the winner of the match will take both masks. Kinnikuman begins the match with a German Suplex, and Akuma Shogun attacks with a chair, causing a referee to be needed. [40] Mongolman agrees to referee the match. [41]
Kinnikuman tries to attack Akuma Shogun several times, but his skin is torn open and every time his Kinniku Driver fails. Akuma Shogun attempts a Skull Crush, but Kinnikuman counters by bashing him against the corner-post of the ring. This is followed by Kinnikuman reversing an attempted Hell's Guillotine. [41] Akuma Shogun gains the upper-hand with a Hell Windmill, and Kinnikuman - after thrown out the ring - makes it back in time for the count. [42] Kinnikuman is then hit by a Human Bullet Dive Bomb.
Kinnikuman uses a Sideways Kinniku Buster. This strikes Akuma Shogun against a far wall, where the chest-plate of his armour breaks away and reveals he is lacking a physical body. [42] Kinnikuman attempts a Bear-Hug, but Akuma Shogun breaks free and the pieces of his body turn back into the Six Devil Knights, and Akuma Shogun reverses a Sideways Kinniku Buster to harm Kinnikuman. [43]
After using his Muscle Curtain, after exchanging a series of blows, Kinnikuman witnesses Akuma Shogun harden his body to level seven. Akuma Shogun turns his arms into swords, and Robin Mask tosses his armour for Kinnikuman to use, but Akuma Shogun goes to Hardness Level 10. [43] He splits open Robin Mask's armour and attacks at Kinnikuman, and Kinnikuman attempts a Muscle Curtain Attack. [44]
Kinnikuman manages to scratch Akuma Shogun's body. This is followed by a Burning Megaton Punch, which opens the crack in Akuma Shogun's armour, and his body shatters into millions of diamonds, as Kinnikuman retrieves the Golden Mask. The diamond pieces destroy the Golden Mask, and it is revealed the real Golden Mask was underneath Akuma Shogun's fake mask all along. It was a part of his head. [44] This triggers Kinnikuman into donning the Silver Mask, so that the two masks can communicate. [45]
Akuma Shogun - now revealed to be Goldman - reveals he felt humiliated by Silverman, while they were still alive, and was given power by Satan, who granted him control over the Six Devil Knights. [46] To gain the upper hand, Akuma Shogun places the ring on the bodies of Kinnikuman's Justice Chojin friends, and each attacks upon the canvas thus causes them pain. Akuma Shogun uses a Burning Bridge. [45]
The ring is transformed, as Akuma Shogun starts to sweat, and his sweat turns the canvas into a diamond. [47] After a series of serious blows, Kinnikuman turns the tides and uses the diamond canvas against Akuma Shogun, and forces his Hardness Level back to normal. [48] The Friendship Power exhibited by Kinnikuman, and the Justice Chojin beneath the ring, causes the Gold Mask to reject the armour gifted by Satan. [48] This causes a body to appear. [49] Kinnikuman then uses his Fire of Inner Strength.
Akuma Shogun seals all Kinnikuman's vital points and uses a Hell Guillotine. [49]
Kinnikuman stops the move, while the spirits of his friends come to his defence. [50] The Friendship Power weakens him, before he summons the spirits of the Six Devil Knights to rip his limbs away; sacrificing his body means Kinnikuman cannot use any techniques against him. Buffaloman then intervenes to stop him from dismantling and recombining at will. [50] He dons the mask, so that Akuma Shogun will have a body, and willingly sacrifices himself to help stop Akuma Shogun. [51] Kinnikuman successfully uses the Kinniku Driver.
Gallery[]
References[]
|