“What is a Man?” A Hard-Boiled Showa-Era Anime Asks in the Reiwa Era! Bookstore Bonus: 'Otoko Juku Three Maxims' Clear File! 'Sakigake!! Otoko Juku COMPLETE DVD BOOK' Publication Decided!!

Pia Corporation is pleased to announce the publication of "Sakigake!! Otoko Juku COMPLETE DVD BOOK" on April 30th (Thursday).

©Akira Miyashita / Shueisha, Toei Animation

Thank you for your patience! The latest installment in the "COMPLETE DVD BOOK" series, which offers nostalgic popular anime from the Showa era at an affordable price and has surpassed 1.15 million copies in circulation, will deliver the complete 34 episodes of the representative TV anime series of the 80s, "Sakigake!! Otoko Juku," plus the theatrical film, in 4 volumes released monthly.

The original manga began serialization in Shueisha's "Weekly Shonen Jump" in 1985, marking its 40th anniversary. It is a representative hard-boiled battle manga of the 80s by Akira Miyashita. It gained such popularity that it was adapted into a TV anime in 1988, the late Showa period, and a theatrical film was also produced.

The story is set in "Otoko Juku," a school named after the concept, where delinquent boys gathered from all over the country. The story, which depicts the forging of friendship and true "manhood" through deadly battles and superhuman Spartan training, was enthusiastically supported by boys in elementary, junior high, and high schools at the time.

The theme song by Issēifūbi Sepia, which included members like Toshiro Yanagiba and Sho Aikawa, was also a hit. Since then, with sequels, spin-off works, stage adaptations, and web anime distribution, it has continued to captivate fans for 40 years.

The DVDs will include approximately 4 hours of content, covering 10 episodes, and the 16-page commemorative booklet will feature story explanations and check points for each episode. Vol. 1 includes a valuable interview with the voice actor for the protagonist, Momotaro Tsurugi, Hideyuki Hori. It also includes numerous previously unreleased setting illustrations, making it a must-have for enthusiasts.

Furthermore, a bookstore campaign has been decided to commemorate the publication of this work! A limited number of original clear files will be presented at six selected bookstores in Tokyo and Osaka. The front design features a truly masculine design with characters like the protagonist Momotaro Tsurugi and Headmaster Heihachi Edajima, drawn in a single red color. The back side features the "Otoko Juku Three Maxims" that fans should remember.

©Akira Miyashita / Shueisha, Toei Animation

Please enjoy the DVD of this masterpiece anime, which is a must-see, along with the booklet that explains its charm.

Bookstores Participating in the Clear File Present Campaign (Planned)