Hisayasu Takemoto, 82 years old.
HISAYASU TAKEMOTO FIGHTER, THE BYAKUYA SHIMBUN COMPANY
At the age of 45, he founded the "Takemoto Style Combat Kenpo."
In the 37 years since,
he has fought more than 90 unofficial matches,
and has never lost a single one.
Before long, people started to call him "God of War."
Unbelievable! It's impossible that Takemoto could lose!
TESAKI AKANO PRESIDENT, THE BYAKUYA SHIMBUN COMPANY
Sorry he didn't win.
Who the hell are you?
I'm so happy!
MACHIZO INUI FIGHTER, UMIICHI SECURITIES
Now I can break humans as much as I like.
Kengan matches are... awesome!
Your fighter is unable to fight anymore.
Instead of this useless piece of crap,
hire me as your fighter.
But keep this in mind.
If I become the champion, you must appoint a specific person as chairman.
Oh my...
Mr. Nogi's words have come true.
Considering the high-handed manner, that man could well be behind it.
RINO KURAYOSHI REPRESENTATIVE, GOLD PLEASURE GROUP
REI MIKAZUCHI FIGHTER, GOLD PLEASURE GROUP
Give me five seconds. Wait here, Rino.
All I want is your fighter spot.
You don't want to get hurt by pointlessly resisting, do you?
In this world, there are some people who are believed to be geniuses.
Cosmo Imai, 19 years old.
At the age of 14, he became the youngest ever debut in a kengan match.
Against a man 20cm taller and 30kg heavier than himself,
he won by ippon, making his debut a sensation.
His record in kengan matches is...
twenty-one wins and no losses.
There's no doubt about his talent.
Cosmo Imai is a true genius.
Python Hold.
You'll be finished soon.
Sweet dreams.
I think you've really underestimated the kengan match.
COSMO IMAI A.K.A. "THE KING OF STRANGLERS"
What's going on?
Oh, no! You've gone too far, Wakatsuki.
Too fragile. He was broken by one attack.
TAKESHI WAKATSUKI, LONGEST-SERVING FIGHTER 306 WINS 2 LOSSES, HIGHEST WIN RECORD
THE NIGHT BEFORE
Sorry, Rino.
I kept you waiting for 22 seconds.
Raise your head, Rei. I don't mind.
Now you understand, don't you?
Cheap tricks won't work on us.
That woman is aware of the camera.
Rino Kurayoshi... she's a really tough one to deal with, as usual.
-Shall I get rid of her? -You don't have to. Leave her alone.
We've gained two more spots, after all.
Now our company has six spots, including yours.
We are fully prepared.
The time has come.
KATSUMASA HAYAMI CHAIRMAN, TOYO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
Get ready, Metsudo Katahara. Your reign is going to end soon.
KAEDE AKIYAMA NOGI GROUP
I can't believe it.
Lihito, how could you lose all your money at the casino?
OHMA TOKITA FIGHTER, YAMASHITA CORPORATION
LIHITO PRESIDENT & FIGHTER, SH FROZEN STORAGE
What would you have done if I hadn't paid it off for you?
I apologize.
Why am I here?
-And you, Ohma. -What?
I saw you encouraging all those ladies to sit with you at the casino. Shame on you!
That wasn't my fault. They wouldn't leave me alone.
My point is, you two are at risk of getting attacked at any moment.
-Please refrain from acting so carelessly. -Okay, okay.
Well, well. I think that's enough.
KAZUO YAMASHITA PRESIDENT, YAMASHITA CORPORATION
What the...?
I see. You're the assassin, aren't you?
Dodged!
You asshole!
So, your target must be Tokita!
He used Tokita's leg to jump up on him?
This jerk is...
You have some nerve.
It's Ohma's turn to attack.
Ground grappling techniques?
It's not a bad idea.
But unfortunately, you're too light.
He stopped at the last moment!
I'd have landed that blow if I hadn't noticed. You brat.
A girl?
You can't mask your gender. I could tell by your scent.
What the hell do you want?
I want to have a baby with you.
What?
I knew you were strong as soon as I saw you.
I'm Karura. Be my husband.
That's, um...
-A marriage proposal? -Why is she asking him now?
My grandpa told me
that it's the responsibility of the head of the family to have strong offspring.
-Excuse me, miss. Could you explain-- -Let's make babies together!
Hello, are you ignoring me?
They were all very confused
by her sudden and baffling marriage proposal.
But the one who felt most confused was...
this man.
Babies? Husband?
Me? With this girl?
What the hell is she talking about?
Wow, even Ohma is shocked, and he's usually so cool!
Come on, let's make some babies together! Children that are yours and mine!
Our children will undoubtedly become the greatest ever warriors!
Let's get married right now!
Wait, Ohma! Where are you going?
I think he's running away because the situation got too much for him.
He's acting like a kid.
There you are, Karura.
Don't wander around on your own.
Those guys are from...
the Kure Family.
REICHI KURE & HOLLIS KURE KURE FAMILY
-What would you do if you got lost? -Let's get back.
Grandpa is worried about you.
I don't like the nasty way they're looking at us.
It's like we're their prey.
We're very sorry one of our family bothered you.
No problem at all.
-His name... -What?
KARURA KURE KURE FAMILY
What's his name?
The name of your future husband?
It's Seaweed Head Monster.
His name is Ohma Tokita.
Ohma Tokita.
It's not sea eel, okay?
He's Ohma.
Tell Ohma that I want to see him again.
I guess he won't want to though.
Welcome back, Karura.
HORIO KURE, ERIO KURE, RAIAN KURE KURE FAMILY
-Did you enjoy your expedition? -Grandpa.
I have...
I have a crush on someone.
What? That's...
-That's nice, honey. -Yeah.
We'll talk more about it later.
-Go and have dinner now. -Okay!
The kid's taken an interest in boys!
Stop teasing, Raian.
What's going on?
His name is Ohma Tokita, he represents Yamashita Corporation.
Oh... he was the one I saw with Lihito at the match.
I see, so it's him.
That son of a bitch!
Karura's still in high school. How could he hit on her?
That goddamn moron!
My sides hurt.
You know what to do, right?
Keep an eye on Ohma Tokita.
If he comes near Karura again,
erase him completely from this world!
Don't leave so much as one of his hairs behind!
Hey, old man.
You're losing control of yourself.
Inside the Kure, a demon resides.
Daybreak has arrived.
We will soon arrive at the site where the decisive battle will take place.
I believe you've already chosen...
METSUDO KATAHARA, GOVERNOR OF DAINIPPON BANK & KENGAN ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN
...the fighter in whom you will entrust your destiny.
The bloody battle between men of valour is finally about to begin.
I welcome this grim setting.
GANRYU ISLAND
It is the perfect place to fight to the death!
Okay, I must prepare myself.
Whatever happens from now on, I will not lose my cool!
GANRYU ISLAND HOTEL
VENUE OF THE DRAWING OF PAIRINGS FOR THE TOURNAMENT
FOR THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE LIFE-OR-DEATH TOURNAMENT
KIRIMI TAKAKAZE
TOMARI TOHGO
Y. DAZAI MUJI TV NETWORK
Do you know who he is?
TAKASHI HASHIDA, SENTORY CHAIRMAN KOHNO AKIO, NENTENDO PRESIDENT
He's the new face they've been talking about.
I feel completely out of place.
JUZO MAGATANI PRESIDENT, MAGATANIEN
Why are we still waiting? Come on, shake a leg!
KATSUMASA HAYAMI CHAIRMAN, TOYO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
Am I really meant to compete with these eminent people?
Is that Ken?
KEN OHYA GINOKUNIYA BOOKSHOP
Hi, Ken.
Why is Ken with Mr. Hayami?
I'm expecting a favorable response from you, Mr. Ohya.
It would be better for you not to choose the wrong side.
Thank you very much for your kind advice.
What's wrong with Ken?
Oh dear, you're Mr. Yamashita, the man everyone's talking about.
Oh, President Yoshitake.
YOSHIRO YOSHITAKE PRESIDENT, YOSHITAKE REAL ESTATE
It's been a while. I didn't think it was possible to come here by total fluke.
And Lihito.
You're the president and the fighter? Don't make me laugh.
I've found the strongest fighter of you all, you'll be no match for him!
You know what? You've got the wrong idea.
It's been a long time since I worked for you.
You're not my employer anymore, you're not anything to me.
We are complete strangers to each other.
Stop acting like the top man or I'll rip your body apart, my ex-boss.
You're just showing off!
-He ran away. -Oh my...
It's nice you're all good friends.
RINO KURAYOSHI REPRESENTATIVE. GOLD PLEASURE GROUP
Wow, Rino!
What an outrageously beautiful lady she is.
Attention, please.
Thank you for waiting.
Metsudo Katahara is here.
Hmm... Is that Chairman Nogi?
HIDEKI NOGI CHAIRMAN, NOGI GROUP
He looks fired up.
I've never seen Mr. Nogi with such a serious look on his face.
No wonder. His company will be finished if he loses.
What?
Excuse me, Rino. What do you mean by "finished"?
Well, if the promoter, Mr. Nogi, loses in this tournament,
Nogi Group will be dissolved immediately.
-Dissolved? -Dissolved?
Bankruptcy, in other words? This is terrible!
I don't want to lose my job at my age.
But wait. Remember the debt I was forced to bear? Five billion yen.
I might be able to cancel the contract, right?
Yes, the slate will be wiped clean if the company goes belly up.
As I also have some savings, I think I'll be able to figure a way out.
I heard from Mr. Nogi...
that you two bet your lives on the tournament.
What? Our lives?
He said that you managed to make the five billion yen entry fee
by taking out a mortgage on all of your private assets.
What?
You'll be literally penniless if you lose. You have such indomitable spirit.
What? Didn't he just lend the money to me?
If we lose the tournament does this mean my life is going to fall apart?
We are in the same boat, Yamashita.
Jeez... I think I have no hope left.
You must all be ready by now.
We are now going to determine the tournament match-ups.
KENGAN ASSOCIATION
KENGAN LIFE-OR-DEATH
-We must win at any cost, Kazuo. -Oh my...
DAINIPPON BANK
Dainippon Bank has already been placed
in the last game of the first round.
I'm sure all of you will already be aware of this.
The game you should pay attention to is this one.
The battle with the strongest fighter, Agito Kanoh, or Fang of Metsudo,
is the one you must try to avoid.
True.
We don't want our fighters to have to fight a fully fit Fang in the first round.
Now, let's get started.
We're going to use this.
-What is it? -What's that?
SUKIZO URITA PRESIDENT, PENASONIC CORP
What is that machine, sir?
I'll demonstrate how it works so it's easier for you to understand.
Here, here, here...
And here.
That's it.
The higher your number, the sooner you can choose your position in the match-up.
MAKOTO YANAGI UNITED CLOTHING
SHUNKA HIYAMA WAKASA LIFE INSURANCE
I'm not using any machine you've brought in. You could cheat us!
I've very kindly made these arrangements for you.
Stop complaining and obey my rule!
Well, who wants to go first?
I do!
-Well... -I'll go first!
What about the new face, Mr. Yamashita?
No!
Okay! Come on, Yamashita.
What did I do to deserve this?
Now! Push the button.
Too fast. I have no choice.
I'll just push the button at random.
Wait. What's this?
Is it... okay?
You did it, Yamashita.
You got 989,086,296.
-Wow. -We've started with a huge number.
You're very likely to go first in the match-ups.
Huh? Ah, y... yes.
No one noticed that the speed slowed down strangely.
Was it cheating?
Well, I guess it's okay. I'll keep quiet unless someone notices.
Good! I'll follow Kazuo's lead!
-Only three digits. -He should have paid closer attention.
I can't get the exact number I want.
But all I have to do is to focus on the far-left digit.
Another big number!
AKIRA NISHIHONJI
SHION SORYUIN
All right, now we know everyone's score.
Let's start with Yamashita Corporation as they got the top score.
Yes!
Which one will you choose?
Well, um...
The main thing to avoid is being in the same block as Fang.
Excuse me, sir.
Have you decided yet?
Yes... well, then... I'd like to choose that position.
Number eight in the fourth game.
YAMASHITA CORPORATION
It's obvious that he'd choose the opposite block to the one with Fang of Metsudo.
He'll also be able to get a feel for the tournament from the first three games.
MASAHIKO OHTA PRESIDENT, UNDER MOUNT INC
The earlier game will help his fighter maintain his motivation
What an excellent choice.
I was rushed into choosing it at random.
I hope Ohma will be all right with this.
All right.
We have completed the tournament match-ups.
You are dismissed!
Was it really a good choice?
Finally, it's time to kick off the festival!
JUN SEKIBAYASHI FIGHTER, GANDAI
Alrighty! I've waited so long for this!
SAW PAING YOROIZUKA FIGHTER, VILLAGE OF DAWN
I've been feeling the urge to fight.
I note you're as noisy as always.
GAOLAN WONGSAWAT FIGHTER, YAZU TRADING
Why is a guy like you interested in this tournament anyway, Saw Paing?
You're asking me why? What a silly question!
It's obvious, Gaolan.
A man should talk with his fist, right?
-Yes! -So annoying.
In this tournament, no one can be underestimated.
KEIZABURO SAWADA FIGHTER, MURDER MUSIC
But I'm pretty sure that I'm going to end up champion.
What are you doing? So creepy!
RYO INABA FIGHTER, PENASONIC CORPORATION
Well, well... it's going to get really tough now.
SEN HATSUMI FIGHTER, NOGI GROUP
Actually, I'm not the kind of guy to work hard.
I'm finally going to fight with you, Ohma Tokita.
SETSUNA KIRYU FIGHTER, KOUOU EDUCATION GROUP
I won't let anyone get in my way.
I'll annihilate them. I'm going to kill them all.
RAIAN KURE FIGHTER, UNDER MOUNT INC
This is the secret side of the Japanese economy.
It's a world of demonic war, full of ambition and conspiracy,
where people struggle for power.
This is a proxy war...
using an extremely simple tool: violence.
Now, 32 companies and their fighters are aiming for the top position.
Who is the strongest?
AGITO KANOH, A.K.A. "FANG OF METSUDO" THE EMPEROR OF KENGAN MATCHES
I wonder if I made a right choice.
I don't think they'll give me another chance, though...
We'll do it, Kazuo Yamashita.
OHMA TOKITA, FIGHTER, YAMASHITA CORP. NIKO TOKITA'S SUCCESSOR
Yes...
We will!
Finally, the Kengan Life-or-Death Tournament is about to start.
THE KENGAN LIFE-OR-DEATH TOURNAMENT BEGINS
PREVIEW
The wait is over.
The Kengan Life-or-Death Tournament has begun.
It's fists versus ground grappling techniques.
I am, I am, I am... stronger than you!
Next episode: "The Battle Begins"
Subtitle translation by Hinako Someno