Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (Japanese: 史上最強の弟子 ケンイチ, Hepburn: Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Ken'ichi, lit.

'History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi') is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Syun Matsuena [ja].

Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple is a remake of the series, and was serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday from April 2002 to September 2014, with its chapters collected in 61 tankōbon volumes.

A 50-episode anime television series adaptation produced by TMS Entertainment aired on TV Tokyo from October 2006 to September 2007.

Brain's Base produced an 11-episode original video animation (OVA) series, titled Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple – The Attack of Darkness, released between March 2012 and May 2014.

Subsequently, Kenichi's daily routine is divided between training under the six masters of Ryōzanpaku, and his fights against the members of 'Ragnarok', a gang of bullies trying alternately to recruit or to vanquish him.

After Ragnarok is disbanded, Kenichi and Miu are targeted by Yomi, a group of disciples personally trained by a master of an organization rivaling Ryōzanpaku, Yami.

The conflict between the two factions culminates with the final battle to stop Yami's main objective, which is to usher in a new era of chaos and warfare in the world, also known as "The Eternal Sunset".

[8] Matsuena would later release the remake Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple, which started in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday on April 17, 2002.

[11][12] Shogakukan collected the chapters in 61 tankōbon volumes, published under the Shōnen Sunday Comics imprint, from August 9, 2002,[13] to February 18, 2015.

[20][21] A 50-episode anime television series adaptation by TMS Entertainment was broadcast on TV Tokyo from October 8, 2006, to September 29, 2007.

[39] The episodes aired in 2014 on Tokyo MX and BS11, with the title Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple – The Attack of Darkness (史上最強の弟子ケンイチ 闇の襲撃, Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Ken'ichi Yami no Shūgeki).

It's also because I can't imagine any grown man or woman enjoying this show, because it's a big ol' dud".

Dong concluded: KenIchi the Mightiest Disciple is a great choice for people who devour shows like Naruto and Bleach.

Martin concluded: "The first quarter of KtMD is hardly great anime viewing, as it has an annoying start and some irksome habits, but eventually it becomes surprisingly entertaining in its sampling of various forms of martial arts and the tactics involved in using them efficiently.

It has buxom babes with lethal skills and one hilarious hormonal and all around great guy as the main character", ultimately calling it "the perfect one-two punch of comedy and martial arts action!".

[51] In another review of the second season (part two), Jones also wrote: "Kenichi is the greatest blend of comedy and martial arts since Ranma!

Adrenalin driven martial arts action and big laughs combine for a knockout in anime fun!".

Brendelson of Otaku USA described Kenichi as "the stereotypical Peter Parker-esque high school student – skinny, klutzy, and social awkward" and Miu as "incredibly curvaceous for a teenage girl and has a charming face that never quits" and a "badass martial arts master".

In comparing the series to other martial arts titles, like Naruto or Baki the Grappler, Brendelson wrote that the action scenes of the series focuses on Kenichi "getting his ass-kicked and then somehow succeeding after utilizing a freshly learned martial arts technique", and that rather than wanting to always "be the best", Kenchi "really just wants to protect those around him".

Regarding the series' fanservice, Brendelson said that it encompasses so much of the action displayed on the screen, but that it is totally within this show’s parameters and that never once does it detract from the main story arc.

Brendelson concluded: "The show certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you enjoy a light-hearted romp with a few action sequences thrown in, Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple may be just up your alley".