Wanna Be the Strongest in the World! (Japanese: 世界でいちばん強くなりたい!, Hepburn: Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai!) is a Japanese joshi puroresu-themed manga series written by ESE and illustrated by Kiyohito Natsuki. It was serialized in Earth Star Entertainment's Comic Earth Star from March 2011 to December 2013. An anime television series adaptation by Arms aired from October to December 2013.
Plot
Sakura Hagiwara is a pop idol and member of the fictional Japanese idol group Sweet Diva. One day, however, a female wrestler named Rio Kazama beats up Elena Miyazawa, a fellow Sweet Diva member and Sakura's rival, after she hears the latter claim that professional wrestling is easy. To avenge Elena, Sakura is introduced to the Berserk Wrestlers team, of which Rio is a part of. Eventually, Sakura proves to be a natural athlete with potential and joins the team.
A 17-year-old girl who is a member of the idol group Sweet Diva. She becomes the central vocalist at the start of the series. Initially cheerful and bright, she always puts her idol group before her own feelings but always tries her best at anything.
A karate prodigy and Inoba's mentor's granddaughter. She became interested in pro wrestling because of Sakura. Her style in the ring incorporates elements of karate together with pro wrestling, and she uses powerful blows to stagger her opponent.
Renowned world champion pro wrestler and Misaki's mentor. Like Misaki, she sees Sakura's potential, prompting Jackal to challenge her in a wrestling match.
The owner of Miyabi and another of Jackal's students. She is considered to be Misaki's rival.
Blue Panther
She is a masked pro wrestler "assassin" that works for Miyabi. She tends to be a show-off, is a bit of a brute and is despised by Sakura because of it.
Media
Manga
Written by ESE and illustrated by Kiyohito Natsuki, Wanna Be the Strongest in the World! was serialized in Earth Star Entertainment's Comic Earth Star from March 12, 2011,[5][6] to December 12, 2013.[7] Its chapters were collected in five tankōbon, published from October 12, 2011,[8] to December 12, 2013.[9]
On October 12, 2011, a drama CD was released with the first volume of the manga, with Aki Toyosaki voicing Sakura and Yōko Hikasa voicing Elena.[13]
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was formally announced on April 1, 2013.[14] The series was produced by Arms and directed by Rion Kujo, with character designs provided by Rin Shin.[14] It aired from October 6 to December 22, 2013 on AT-X, Tokyo MX, and YTV.[15][4] The opening theme is "Beautiful Dreamer" (ビューティフル・ドリーマー) by Kyoko Narumi and the first ending theme is "Fan Fanfare!!!" by Ayana Taketatsu, Kana Asumi, Yuka Ōtsubo, Miku Itō, and Sora Amamiya, starting from Episodes 1–7 and 9–12, whilst the second ending theme for Episode 8 is "Sky Color Monologue" (空色モノローグ, lit. "Sky Blue Monologue") by Kyoko Narumi.[4][16][a] An OVA episode is bundled in each Blu-ray and DVD volume of the series.[18]
"Hagiwara Sakura & Toyota Misaki Dream Tag Team Comes True! Digger Yamamoto & Hornet" Transliteration: "Hagiwara Sakura & Toyota Misaki Yume no Taggu Kessei! VS Yunbo Yamamoto & Hōnetto VOL. 1" (Japanese: 萩原さくら&豊田美咲 夢のタッグ結成! VS ユンボ山本&ホーネット VOL.1)
March 12, 2014 (2014-03-12)
5
"Hagiwara Sakura & Toyota Misaki Dream Tag Team Comes True! Digger Yamamoto & Hornet" Transliteration: "Hagiwara Sakura & Toyota Misaki Yume no Taggu Kessei! VS Yunbo Yamamoto & Hōnetto VOL. 2" (Japanese: 萩原さくら&豊田美咲 夢のタッグ結成! VS ユンボ山本&ホーネット VOL.2)
April 12, 2014 (2014-04-12)
6
"Hagiwara Sakura & Toyota Misaki Dream Tag Team Comes True! Digger Yamamoto & Hornet" Transliteration: "Hagiwara Sakura & Toyota Misaki Yume no Taggu Kessei! VS Yunbo Yamamoto & Hōnetto VOL. 3" (Japanese: 萩原さくら&豊田美咲 夢のタッグ結成! VS ユンボ山本&ホーネット VOL.3)
May 12, 2014 (2014-05-12)
Notes
^"Sky Color Monologue" by Kyoko Narumi is heard during the end credits of Episode 8.[17]
^せかつよ5巻&アース・スター1月号発売!. Wanna Be the Strongest in the World Official Blog (in Japanese). December 10, 2013. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2022.