Riki-Oh (力王) is a Japanese manga series written by Masahiko Takajo and illustrated by Tetsuya Saruwatari. It was serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Business Jump from 1987 to 1990, with its chapters collected in 12 tankōbon volumes. The story follows the titular Riki-Oh, a young man who has learned the martial art of Naike Kenpō from one of Chiang Kai-shek's bodyguards, and has become so strong that he can punch holes through people and solid objects. A two-episode original video animation (OVA) was released in 1989 and 1990, and a live-action film, Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, premiered in 1991.

Plot

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic future where global warming and warfare has left the world struggling, while Japan descended into an economic depression in the 1990s which led to increased crime. The story centers around Saiga Riki-Oh, blessed with inhuman strength, who, after taking revenge against a yakuza who was responsible for the death of a child who befriended him, ends up in a maximum security prison owned by a private organization. The story follows Riki and his search for his little brother Saiga Nachi, who bears a 卍|manji symbol on his right hand and also possesses superhuman strength. Riki-Oh encounters and battles many deadly opponents with either superhuman strength or martial arts during his travel for avenging his mother and finding his brother.

Characters

Media

Manga

Written by Masahiko Takajo and illustrated by Tetsuya Saruwatari, Riki-Oh was serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Business Jump from 1987 to 1990. Shueisha collected its chapters in 12 tankōbon volumes, released from April 1988 to September 1990. Homesha republished the series in nine volumes from August 1995 to April 1996.

Original video animation

The series was adapted into a two-part original video animation (OVA) produced by Magic Bus and directed by Satoshi Dezaki; the first part, subtitled Tōkatsu Jigoku (等括地獄), was released on June 25, 1989; the second part, subtitled Horobi no Ko (滅びの子), was released on August 24, 1990. In North America, Media Blasters announced that they had licensed both OVAs in 2006; however, the release was ultimately cancelled due to right issues.

Live-action film

In 1991, a Hong Kong live-action adaptation titled Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky was released. The film was directed by Lam Nai-choi and stars Fan Siu-Wong as Ricky Ho.

Legacy

One of the main villains of the series, General Washizaki, was the primary source of inspiration for the design of M. Bison in the Street Fighter series of fighting games. Riki-Oh has also been cited as an influence on the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games. Similarities include the gory fatality finishing moves, the resemblance between Ricky and Liu Kang, and the X-ray attacks.