is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takeshi Maekawa. It was published by Kodansha in Monthly Shōnen Magazine from 1983 to 1997 and collected in 35 volumes. It is centered on the story of a boy called Chinmi who learns Kung Fu by fighting progressively more challenging foes.
This is the first and most widely published series of Ironfist Chinmi. Published as Tekken Chinmi in Japanese and Ironfist Chinmi in English. A part of this series was published by Bloomsbury UK and is still available from some online/physical book stores. The entire series was published by Kodansha in Japan, and Elex Media Komputindo in Indonesia. The series was also adapted as an anime television series in 1988, which was dubbed in English in the early 1990s as Kung Fu Boy and into Arabic as "Madrasat Al-Kung Fu" (Kung Fu School). In Indonesia, the series known as Kungfu Boy.
In 1987, the manga won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen manga.
It was followed by two sequel series, New Ironfist Chinmi and Ironfist Chinmi Legends.
Characters
The main protagonist, a highly skilled martial artist and noble individual, who receives martial arts training from Dairin Temple and various other masters along the way. Chinmi helps anyone in need without asking for anything in return. Chinmi risks his life on countless occasions in the defense of others.Tekken Chinmi Legends 48 v11, Page 21, "He's a man who would risk his life in a heartbeat to save someone else" His signature technique is the , which he uses in various situations throughout his journeys. Chinmi is known to have a pure heart, not corrupted by greed.Tekken Chinmi Legends 48 v11, Page 28, "A pure heart that isn't corrupted by greed"
Chinmi's pet monkey and best animal friend since early childhood, named after the Monkey King Sun Wukong. Goku constantly accompanies Chinmi in all of his adventures, often stepping in at the right moment to save Chinmi's life. Goku is very dexterous and intelligent. He and Chinmi developed their own style of martial arts, the 'Monkey Fist'.
Chinmi's sister who has a small restaurant business in her home town.Tekken Chinmi 1 v01, Page 7, Mei Ling's restaurant Chinmi initially helps her run the restaurant until he went to Dairin Temple. She was married at the end of vol 29. Jin Tan & Bi Kei Chinmi's friends and co-disciples at the Dairin Temple. They were initially more like antagonists until they develop a close friendship with Chinmi. They help each other in local affairs ever since and have saved each other's lives on multiple occasions.Tekken Chinmi Legends 47 v11, Page 20, Jin Tan saves Chinmi's life during the Flood Whenever Chinmi is away on assignments, they are often the substitute teacher for his disciples. Old Master/ A master who acts as Chinmi's guide and mentor. He finds Chinmi and identifies him as the "Magic Fist" after seeing a birth-mark on his forehead.Tekken Chinmi 1 v01, Page 43, The Magic Fist He invites Chinmi to come to Dairin Temple to learn more.Tekken Chinmi 1 v01, Page 44, Journey to Dairin Temple Begins He constantly supports Chinmi during his difficult training, and often provides additional training personally. He revealed to Chinmi Dairin Temple's forbidden move.
Head Monk at the Dairin Temple, and wisest and most respected master in the region. He is respectfully called High Priest/Daisojo by disciples and instructors alike, and rarely by name directly.Shin Tekken Chinmi 1.1 v01, Page 17, Head Monk Fang Zhang He rarely uses his martial arts abilities, and is generally seen discussing philosophical aspects with the Old Master. He perceives the long-term benefits of events, such as how the flash flood that affected the nearby village would help villagers understand the true value of peace.Tekken Chinmi Legends 47 v11, Page 32, "They will never know how valuable peace is before they experience them."
A village girl that Chinmi saves from kidnappers, and later from a flood that hits the village.Tekken Chinmi Legends 47 v11, Page 4, Chinmi saves Yan from the Flood She is the primary love interest of Chinmi in the series, and is well known to share a deep bond with him.Tekken Chinmi Legends 47 v11, Page 25, Chinmi and YanTekken Chinmi Legends 48 v11, Page 15, "The deep bond they share"Tekken Chinmi Legends 42 v10, Page 11, "She's a woman who is close to Chinmi" Yan is approximately the same age as Chinmi, and is a major recurring character. Ryukai Chinmi's immediate master within the Dairin Temple, and a master of Ki (or Chi), which he uses to strengthen his body and gain immense strength.Tekken Chinmi 14 v03, Page 18, Ryukai's Ki He trains Chinmi for many years, and after Chinmi surpasses him, he says its what makes training a disciple worthwhile.Tekken Chinmi Legends 50 v11, Page 25, "In the end, the disciple will surpass himself" He is one of the most highly respected instructors within the Dairin Temple.Tekken Chinmi Legends 51 v11, Page 20, Ryukai defeats a four-man ambushTekken Chinmi Legends 50 v11, Page 26, "The Kenpo master we rely on the most" Riki Resident staff expert of Dairin Temple; Riki teaches Chinmi the .Tekken Chinmi 23 v07, Riki the Blind Master Blind since birth, Riki has developed his other senses to high level and train them to be his 'eyes'. He was a student of Master Soshou. Master Soshu A wise and revered staff expert and teacher of Riki and Shii Fan. Shii Fan considered him to be his father figure.
A young Konpo master and protégé of Master Soshu, whom Chinmi met when he has studying under Riki. They develop a strong friendship and rivalry after their first encounter. Shii Fan was kidnapped and brainwashed as an assassin by a vengeful acupuncturist with a grudge on the Chinese Emperor. Planted to assassinate the Emperor during the Annual Emperial Martial Arts tournament, Shii Fan became cold and merciless in his bouts and nearly killed Chinmi in the climatic final battle. However, Chinmi managed to 'wake him up' from his trance and managed to thwart the assassination attempt. Later, Shii Fan was summoned to accompany Chinmi and Tan Tan as spies for the Emperor in the Chinese Navy. His self-taught signature move is the . You Sen A revered kung fu master, and former martial artist under Dairin Temple. The first to master Dairin temple's forbidden move, the Thunder God fist. He takes Chinmi under his wing, albeit reluctantly. Despite being respected by the local townsfolk, You Sen has an excessive drinking problem, and developed liver cirrhosis. Aware of his soon to be demise, he taught Chinmi his signature move, the Tsuuhaiken. He witnessed Chinmi mastered the technique just before he breathed his last. General Ourin Commander-in-chief of the Chinese Army. First met Chinmi during the Battle of Najiru. He becomes a recurring character after the Martial Arts tournament saga, and often asks for many favors from Chinmi. Renka The young daughter of General Ourin. She was acquainted with Chinmi during the Tenran Martial Arts Tournament, as he was staying at the Ourin home.Tekken Chinmi Legends 41 v10, Page 38, Renka's history with ChinmiTekken Chinmi Legends 42 v10, Page 25, Renka's Identity She becomes smitten with Chinmi and went to great lengths to see him again, including sneaking behind her father's entourage to go to Dairin Temple. Initially she was jealous of Yan's relationship with Chinmi, but changed her attitude as she witnessed their bond during a flood disaster, and she went on to become Chinmi's unofficial biographer.
A youth expert on . The technique was developed by his grandfather, a former Emperial Martial Arts finalist who lost his arms in the final bout. Due to the constant mocking by his fellow villagers, Tan Tan was determined to win the martial arts tournament to earn their respect. However, he was beaten by Chinmi in a grueling battle. Despite his lost, Tan Tan became a close friend of Chinmi and helped him thwart the assassination attempt on the emperor. He was later summoned to accompany Chinmi and Shii Fan as spies for the Emperor in the Chinese Navy. Although initially cocky, Tan Tan became more humble and mature after the Navy saga. Gunte Chinmi's leading disciple and a talented Kenpo artist. He and Chinmi have left Dairin Temple to tour various cities, and offer demonstrations of Dairin Temple Kenpo. Initially Gunte was a rebellious teen from a small town. However, after Chinmi and his fellow disciples helped him save his home town from nomadic bandits, and being pulled into the Princess Mito incident, Gunte became much more mature and wise.
Center of most of the activities, and the place Chinmi was formally taught martial arts. It is similar to the Chinese Shaolin temples and its culture. Known as the birthplace of , and located near Nankou Mountain.Tekken Chinmi Legends 38 v10, Page 17, Origin Place of Dairin KenpoTekken Chinmi Legends 38 v10, Page 16, Nankou Mountain, Dairin Temple Headed by the High Priest, students and teachers train, eat and sleep within the Temple's grounds. Dairin Kenpo consists mainly of unarmed combat, and the only weapon training provided is with the staff.Tekken Chinmi Legends 41 v10, Page 22, "The only weapon in Dairin Temple Martial Arts, the Staff" Master Riki is the resident staff expert, and is highly perceptive despite being completely blind.Tekken Chinmi Legends 38 v10, Page 19, Blind master Riki teaches Staff techniquesTekken Chinmi Legends 41 v10, Page 23, "He is blind but his mind's eye is open" Chinmi, his disciples, his masters Ryukai, Riki, and Old Master/Roushi live and train within Dairin Temple.
Chinmi initially joins Dairin Temple at the age of ~10, but as his capabilities and qualities improve, at the age of ~20 he is promoted to instructor, and given a small group of students to train. His students are San-Chuu, Yukke, Kuppa, Nam-Uru, Yonfa, Koyuu and Gunte.Tekken Chinmi Legends 38 v10, Page 20, Chinmi's Students: San-Chuu, Yukke, Kuppa, Nam-Uru, Yonfa, Koyuu and Gunte Jin Tan is also often described as Chinmi's student.Tekken Chinmi Legends 38 v10, Page 33, "We shouldn't slack off"
Tekken Chinmi Chinmi is a young Chinese boy who was helping his sister in small restaurant business. He is talented in martial arts, and used to play with his pet monkey named Goku in the forests, giving him great agility. After defeating people who harasses his sister's restaurant, an old master (usually referred as 'Old Man/Rōshi') witnessed his talent. Believing Chinmi is the one prophesied to become a great master of martial arts, Rōshi arranged for him to train at Dairin Temple. From there, Chinmi learned Kung Fu, or Dairin Kenpo. It spans from the first to the sixth volume.
Starting from the sixth volume, Chinmi starts learning weapon-based Martial arts, the staff from Riki. He gained a friendly rival, Shii Fan. Chinmi's staff training saga ends at the 8th volume, which continues with the next saga about training with the revered Master You Sen. Chinmi learned his signature move, the "Tsuuhaiken" from Master You Sen just before he died, and Chinmi prompted to go on a journey to master his skills.
The journey spans in many volumes, but starting on the 23rd volume, Chinmi was forced to return to Dairin Temple after the temple was desecrated by a former apprentice of You Sen, the ruthless prodigal Oudow. Chinmi tasted true defeat for the first time against Oudow, but later the old Master/Roushi told him the secret of Dairin Temple's forbidden move: the , one that could instantly kill the victim. Despite his best efforts, Chinmi is cornered and used the forbidden move, crippling Oudow. Believing he just violated the sanctity of Dairin by killing his opponent, Chinmi goes on a self-imposed exile. Fortunately for him, he found out that Oudow actually survived and as a result softened his attitude, enabling Chinmi to truly return to the Temple. He is later promoted to teacher.