In the landscape of martial arts-themed storytelling, Kenji stands out as a beloved manga series that potentially paved the way for later works like Shenmue. Spanning from 1988 to 1992, the series chronicles the journey of the young Japanese protagonist Kenji as he develops both his character and skills in Chinese martial arts. Written during the years preceding the development of Shenmue, this manga has a strong connection to the world of martial arts, drawing inspiration from the author's personal expertise.
Throughout Kenji's adventures, readers are immersed in a rich tapestry of martial arts styles as he traverses locations such as Hong Kong and China. Along the way, he encounters formidable masters, forms lasting friendships, and confronts various challenges, all while honing his skills through diverse martial arts disciplines.
As far as I am aware, Shenmue's creator, Yu Suzuki, has not explicitly referenced Kenji as being a direct influence in published materials. However, given the timeframe in which Kenji was published, its popularity in Japan and its storyline set around martial arts themes, it would be a natural source of inspiration for similarly-themed creative works that followed.
In this initial post of our series, we aim to unearth parallels and similarities between Kenji and Shenmue. We will consider the narrative, characters, and thematic elements shared between the two works while also scouring interviews with development staff for any indications of Kenji's influence on Shenmue's creation.
Overview of "Kenji"
The Japanese manga Kenji (拳児) is a work centered around the theme of Chinese martial arts, featuring frequent appearances of combat scenes. However, unlike typical martial arts manga where combat itself takes center stage, the story focuses on the protagonist Kenji's growth, delving into the technical aspects and philosophies of Chinese martial arts.
Consisting of a core 193 episodes as well as additional side stories, Kenji was published as serialized episodes in the weekly boys' manga magazine Weekly Shonen Sunday from 1988 through to 1992, and was also made available as a set of books over 21 volumes. It was written by Chinese martial arts scholar Ryuchi Matsuda and illustrated by Yoshihide Fujiwara.
Although Kenji has been officially released in the Japanese language only, in recent years an English fan translation has been made.
Bajiquan plays a prominent role as the martial art primarily studied by the protagonist, but also features numerous other Chinese martial arts. While the story itself is fictional, it includes numerous episodes related to real martial arts history and past martial artists, with many characters modeled after renowned martial artists.
The story follows a young Japanese school student, Kenji Goh, who lives in Tokyo with his parents, on a journey through the world of martial arts as he seeks personal growth and justice. Kenji faces challenges, confronts adversaries, and undergoes rigorous training from his grandfather and others he meets.
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| Kenji's appearance: the book covers reflect his growth and experience as he progresses through his journey. |
One day, after Kenji has entered high school, his grandfather leaves to go to China. Five years pass, and nothing more is heard from him, as Kenji's concern grows. After Kenji is put on indefinite suspension from school due to trouble with a gang, with his parents' grudging permission, he sets off on a journey to China in pursuit of his missing grandfather. Through determination and courage, Kenji emerges victorious in battles, embodying principles of integrity and honor.
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In the manga Kenji, the protagonist travels to China in search of his missing grandfather.
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Shenmue's Themes & Locations
Fans of the game are familiar with Shenmue's themes and plot, but let's recap briefly here for completeness' sake, based on the story revealed so far with Shenmue I, II and III.
The video game Shenmue, the first chapter of which was released in Japan for the Dreamcast in 1999, revolves around themes of vengeance, self-discovery, and familial legacy. Following the murder of his father by Lan Di, high school student Ryo Hazuki embarks on a quest for justice, uncovering connections between his family's past, ancient martial arts techniques, and the criminal organization known as the Chi You Men. Alongside themes of retribution, the narrative explores Ryo's personal growth and resilience as he hones his martial arts skills and confronts challenges along his journey.
In terms of locations, the story is set in 1980s Japan, Hong Kong and mainland China, serving as integral settings for Ryo's quest. From the tranquil streets of Yokosuka to the bustling urban landscapes of Hong Kong's Wan Chai district, each locale offers a unique backdrop for Ryo's investigations and encounters. Additionally, authentic martial arts techniques and training sequences are incorporated which underscore the importance of martial arts in Ryo's journey, providing both a means of combat and a path to self-discovery.
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| In Shenmue, Ryo leaves on the hunt for his father's killer |
Points of Overlap
Martial arts themes feature strongly within the narratives of both works, albeit with potentially different storytelling approaches.
Both Shenmue and the manga Kenji portray the significance of martial arts training and combat sequences within their narratives, emphasizing the role of martial arts in shaping the protagonists' experiences.
Their protagonists, Ryo and Kenji, set out on journeys of discovery and personal growth.
Additionally, the shared path they take, starting from their home towns in Japan and traveling through Hong Kong before reaching mainland China, echoes a common narrative structure. Lastly, recurring themes such as justice and personal growth resonate throughout both.
In the upcoming posts, we'll examine these shared aspects in detail, to get a fascinating glimpse at the some of the similarities that can be seen between the two works. We'll start (in Part 2) by looking at where parallels may be drawn between some of the themes and characters in Kenji vs those in Shenmue.
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