Tough (manga) explained

Tough
Ja Kanji:高校鉄拳伝タフ/タフ
Ja Romaji:Kōkō Tekken-den Tafu
Genre:Martial arts[1]
High School Exciting Story: Tough
Type:manga
Author:Tetsuya Saruwatari
Publisher:Shueisha
Imprint:Young Jump Comics
Magazine:Weekly Young Jump
First:1993
Last:2003
Volumes:42
Type:manga
Oton
Author:Tetsuya Saruwatari
Publisher:Shueisha
Imprint:Young Jump Comics
First:2001
Last:2021
Volumes:2
Type:ova
Shootfighter Tekken
Director:Yukio Nishimoto
Studio:AIC
First:January 31, 2002
Last:December 7, 2004
Episodes:3
Type:manga
Tough
Author:Tetsuya Saruwatari
Publisher:Shueisha
Magazine:Weekly Young Jump
Imprint:Young Jump Comics
First:July 31, 2003
Last:July 19, 2012
Volumes:39
Type:manga
Tough: Ryū wo Tsugu Otoko
Author:Tetsuya Saruwatari
Publisher:Shueisha
Magazine:Weekly Playboy
Imprint:Young Jump Comics
First:December 21, 2015
Volumes:29

Tough, known in Japan as, is a Japanese martial arts manga series written and illustrated by Tetsuya Saruwatari. It was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Young Jump from 1993 to 2003, with its chapters collected in 42 volumes. A sequel series, titled Tough (Latin-script title in the original release), was published in the same magazine from 2003 to 2012, with its chapters collected in 39 volumes. The first series was licensed in North America by Viz Media, who only published the first six volumes from 2005 to 2006.

A three-episode original video animation (OVA) series adaptation was released in 2002, and released in North America, as Shootfighter Tekken, by Central Park Media in 2004; the third episode was only released in North America. A spin-off series, titled Oton, has been irregularly published across three Shueisha's magazines from 2001 to 2008, in 2009, and in 2021. Another series, titled Tough: Ryū wo Tsugu Otoko, started in Shueisha's Weekly Playboy in 2015.

Plot

The story follows Kiichi "Kiibo" Miyazawa, a 17-year-old high school student, and his father, Seiko Miyazawa, who trains him in their family's secret martial art, Nadashinkage-ryu. Kiichi is passionate about martial arts and seeks strength by engaging in street fights and tournaments across Japan and beyond. The martial art involves a combination of punches, kicks, throws, grappling, and knowledge of pressure points on the human body. Kiichi's journey is driven by a desire to become strong and test his skills against fighters from various regions.

Characters

/
  • Kiibo has been trained in the Nadashinkage-ryu—a martial art constructed around the art of assassination—from his father since childhood in order to be the next successor. Kiibo must team-up with a rag-tag group of friends in his journey to become a master. He faces the challenge of defeating his numerous adversaries without employing his fighting style's lethal techniques, an ideology his uncle believes make him "weak".
    /
  • 14th master of the Nadashinkage-ryu. He has a calm personality, yet will put up a good fight whenever one occurs. A long time ago, before Kiichi was born, Seiko was one of the best fighters in the world. His retirement match against Iron Kiba is still talked about to this day.
    Seiko's twin brother and Kiichi's uncle. Unlike his brother, Kiryu is wicked and completely ruthless. In the side story Oton", it is revealed that Kiryu fathered a child with the daughter of the United States President. One of his children, Ryusei Nagaoka is a main character in the third series.
  • The eldest Miyazawa sibling believed murdered by Kiryu, according to the series' back story, who later resurfaced as the Battle King of the Hyper Battle, a title bestowed on him because of his great fighting skill and his winning of the last tournament. He also has the ability to change his appearance with the use of a special technique. He is the Battle King
  • 13th Master of Nadashinkage-ryu. Father of Seiko, grandfather of Kiichi.

    • Fighters

    /
  • Master of rival style Nada Shinyō-ryu who becomes Kiichi's friend.
    /
  • The greatest pro wrestler in Japan. A very tall man with massive strength and an artificial eye, he has faced and defeated judoka, wrestlers and boxers through his career. He lost his eye against Seiko and vowed to destroy Nakashinkage-Ryu out of revenge.
    The number one school judoka in Japan and a future Olympic. Though he makes himself look like an honorable and respectful opponent, he is actually an arrogant and sadistic young man.
  • A brutal pro wrestler who was blacklisted from wrestling companies after crippling a Mexican champion named Chico Fernández with a piledriver technique. An eccentric but violent man, he trained muay thai in Thailand for three years, before working for Iron Kiba.
  • A professional wrestler and jiu-jitsu expert, he was regarded as the best grappler on the planet. Onikawa works as a wrestling enforcer.
  • A professional wrestler, disciple of Onikawa.
  • An agile jiu-jitsu fighter, expert in the use of the flying armbar. He was born in a rich family, but was overlooked by his parents in favour of his ill brother.
  • Thailand's muay thai champion.
  • /
  • A shoot wrestling greatmaster. Former university student, he became feared in the pro wrestling world when he destroyed a wrestler who bullied him.
    A fighter from a family of martial artists, who competed in the tournament to fight his brother Gordon to avenge the death of their father, Emilio Clancy. He is defeated by Gordon and learns that their father actually died of cancer.
  • Heath's big brother, unbeaten in 500 vale tudo matches. He fights to gain money for his ill son, and can use yoga to control his body. Kiichi defeats him at the end.
  • /
  • The son of Iron Kiba. Unlike his father, he has some honor and respect for his opponents.
    Iron Kiba's hitman, he is a gigantic sumo wrestler from Hawaii. He actually wants to gain money for his alcoholic mother.
  • A ferocious fighter who does not feel pain due to years of abuse from his parents.

    • Media

    Manga

    Written and illustrated by Tetsuya Saruwatari, Tough: High School Iron Fist Legend was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Young Jump from 1993 to 2003.[2] Shueisha collected its chapters in 42 volumes, released from March 13, 1994,[3] and July 18, 2003.[4] In North America, Viz Media released six volumes of the first manga series under its "Editor's Choice" imprint from January 4, 2005, to April 16, 2006.[5] [6] These volumes omitted some chapters and artwork for graphic violence, and have been discontinued.[1]

    A sequel series, Tough (Latin-script title), continued serialization in the magazine starting on July 31, 2003,[7] and finished on July 19, 2012.[8] [2] Shueisha collected its chapters in 39 volumes, released from January 19, 2004,[9] to August 17, 2012.[10]

    A series, titled, was irregularly published in Shueisha's Young Jump Zōkan Mankaku (from 2001 to 2008),[11] [12] and (in 2009).[13] Two volumes were released on January 19, 2004,[14] and February 19, 2008.[15] Another chapter was published in Grand Jump in 2021.[16]

    Another series, titled started in Weekly Playboy on December 21, 2015.[17] Shueisha released the first volume on May 19, 2016.[18] As of November 17, 2023, 29 volumes have been released.[19]

    Original video animation

    The series received a three-episode original video animation (OVA) adaptation animated by AIC.[20] The first two episodes were distributed by Spike in Japan and released on January 31 and March 28, 2002.[21] [22]

    It was licensed in North America by Central Park Media as Shootfighter Tekken.[23] [1] [24] The first two episodes were released on August 24 and October 19, 2004, respectively,[25] [26] while the third episode (unreleased in Japan) was released on December 7 of that same year.[27]

    Video game

    A video game based on the series titled Tough: Dark Fight was released for the PlayStation 2 console in Japan on December 1, 2005. The fighting game takes place in between the two missing years between the two manga series. The game features a number of characters from the manga, as well as eight new characters.[28]

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Surat. Daryl. Tough: Where MMA = Manly Manga Antics. Otaku USA. April 26, 2019. February 17, 2010. April 26, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190426190557/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/tough-where-mma-manly-manga-antics/. live.
    2. Web site: ja:「タフ」開始から約19年、猿渡哲也「TOUGH」堂々の完結. http://natalie.mu/comic/news/73164. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. December 10, 2019. ja. July 19, 2012. December 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191210132224/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/73164. live.
    3. Web site: ja:高校鉄拳伝タフ 1. High School Iron Fist Legend Tough 1. http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-875261-9&mode=1. Shueisha. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20020415144621/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-875261-9&mode=1. April 15, 2002. ja.
    4. Web site: ja:高校鉄拳伝タフ 42. High School Iron Fist Legend Tough 42. http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-876474-9&mode=1. Shueisha. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20030723125444/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-876474-9&mode=1. July 23, 2003. ja.
    5. Web site: Tough, Vol. 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20060528235606/http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=4580. 2006-05-28. Viz Media. June 6, 2011.
    6. Web site: Tough, Vol. 6. https://web.archive.org/web/20060528235703/http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=5603. 2006-05-28. Viz Media. June 6, 2011.
    7. Web site: ja:週刊ヤングジャンプ 2003年35号. http://www.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/magazine/rack.cgi/magazine/young_jump.html?key=detail&zashimei=young_jump&janru=menc. Shueisha. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20030803204247/http://www.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/magazine/rack.cgi/magazine/young_jump.html?key=detail&zashimei=young_jump&janru=menc. August 3, 2003. ja.
    8. Web site: Sherman. Jennifer. Tetsuya Saruwatari's Tough Manga to End on July 19. Anime News Network. January 25, 2024. July 12, 2012. February 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230228100634/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-07-12/tetsuya-saruwatari-tough-manga-to-end-on-july-19. live.
    9. Web site: ja:TOUGH－タフ－1. TOUGH -Tough- 1. http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-876556-7&mode=1. Shueisha. ja. June 6, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009012901/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-876556-7&mode=1. October 9, 2012.
    10. Web site: ja:TOUGH－タフ－39. TOUGH -Tough- 39. http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-879395-5&mode=1. Shueisha. ja. December 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20120830024521/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-879395-5&mode=1. August 30, 2012.
    11. Web site: ja:週刊ヤングジャンプ"男気"増刊 漫革 Vol.22. http://www.shueisha.co.jp/YJ/info/mankaku/index.html. Shueisha. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20010126143100/http://www.shueisha.co.jp/YJ/info/mankaku/index.html. January 26, 2001. ja.
    12. Web site: ja:【ヤングジャンプ】ヤングジャンプ増刊 漫革vol.62 1月7日（月）発売!!. http://manganohi.jp/2008/01/9923.html. manganohi.jp. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20080111234525/http://manganohi.jp/2008/01/9923.html. January 11, 2008. ja. January 7, 2008.
    13. Web site: Magazines Index. Shueisha. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20090506065045/http://www.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/magazine/rack.cgi/magazine/other_list.html?key=list_other&zashimei=young_jump&janru=menc. May 6, 2009. ja.
    14. Web site: ja:タフ外伝 OTON－おとん－ 1. Tough OTON -Oton- 1. http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-876557-5. Shueisha. ja. June 6, 2011. October 9, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009071320/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-876557-5.
    15. Web site: ja:タフ外伝 OTON－おとん－ 2. Tough OTON -Oton- 2. http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-877395-7. Shueisha. ja. June 6, 2011. October 9, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009071402/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-877395-7.
    16. Web site: ja:猿渡哲也「タフ外伝 OTON-おとん-」がGJに、静かなる虎・宮沢静虎が復活. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/425414. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. January 25, 2024. ja. April 21, 2021. December 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231207214919/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/425414. live.
    17. Web site: ja:猿渡哲也「TOUGH」外伝がプレイボーイで始動、主人公は文武両道な青年. http://natalie.mu/comic/news/170076. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. December 10, 2019. ja. December 21, 2015. December 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191210134944/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/170076. live.
    18. Web site: ja:猿渡哲也「TOUGH」の新章1巻、鬼龍の血を継ぐ青年が主人公. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/187783. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. January 25, 2024. ja. May 19, 2016. June 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170629125013/http://natalie.mu/comic/news/187783. live.
    19. Web site: ja:【11月17日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/547629. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. January 25, 2024. ja. November 17, 2023. November 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231119192309/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/547629. live.
    20. Web site: Patten, Fred. Fred Patten. New from Japan: Anime Film Reviews. Animation World Network. January 25, 2024. November 30, 2004. April 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160427234608/http://www.awn.com/animationworld/new-japan-anime-film-reviews-35. live.
    21. Web site: ja:高校鉄拳伝タフ 1. https://shop.tsutaya.co.jp/dvd/product/4940261505332/. Tsutaya Online Shopping. Culture Convenience Club. January 25, 2024. https://archive.today/20240125062313/https://shop.tsutaya.co.jp/dvd/product/4940261505332/. January 25, 2024. ja. live.
    22. Web site: ja:高校鉄拳伝タフ 2. https://shop.tsutaya.co.jp/dvd/product/4940261506759/. Tsutaya Online Shopping. Culture Convenience Club. January 25, 2024. https://archive.today/20240125062317/https://shop.tsutaya.co.jp/dvd/product/4940261506759/. January 25, 2024. ja. live.
    23. Web site: Freeman. Justin. Shootfighter Tekken DVD 1 - Review. Anime News Network. December 10, 2019. November 24, 2004. December 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191210134946/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/shootfighter-tekken/dvd-1. live.
    24. Web site: Macdonald. Christopher. Koko Tekken-den TOUGH Licensed?. Anime News Network. 2011-06-06. January 25, 2024. August 16, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20240125051021/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-08-16/koko-tekken-den-tough-licensed. live.
    25. Web site: Beveridge. Chris. Shootfighter Tekken Vol. #1 (of 3). AnimeOnDVD.com. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20061101152317/http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3152.php. November 1, 2006. August 21, 2004.
    26. Web site: Beveridge. Chris. Shootfighter Tekken Vol. #2 (of 3). AnimeOnDVD.com. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20061101180714/http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3257.php. November 1, 2006. October 8, 2004.
    27. Web site: Beveridge. Chris. Shootfighter Tekken Vol. #3 (of 3). AnimeOnDVD.com. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20061101190644/http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3397.php. November 1, 2006. December 2, 2004.
    28. Web site: Gantayat, Anoop. April 21, 2005. Konami Toughens Up PS2 Support. IGN. 2011-06-06. March 14, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120314212058/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/606/606551p1.html. live.

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