is a Japanese ''joshi puroresu''-themed

manga Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...

series written by ESE and illustrated by Kiyohito Natsuki. It was serialized in

Earth Star Entertainment is a Japanese publisher based on Shibuya, Tokyo. Accounted by the equity method of Culture Convenience Club, it was founded on June 5, 2006. In addition to publishing magazines and photobooks, the company also produces and sells home videos a ...

's ''

Comic Earth Star was a monthly Japanese shōnen manga magazine published on the 12th each month by Earth Star Entertainment since 12 March 2011. The magazine announced in their November 2014 issue that the print version would cease publication, and instead be r ...

'' from March 2011 to December 2013. An

anime is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...

television series adaptation by

Arms Arms or ARMS may refer to: *Arm or arms, the upper limbs of the body Arm, Arms, or ARMS may also refer to: People * Ida A. T. Arms (1856–1931), American missionary-educator, temperance leader Coat of arms or weapons *Armaments or weapons **Fi ...

aired from October to December 2013.

Plot

Sakura Hagiwara is a pop idol and member of the fictional

Japanese idol An is a type of entertainer marketed for image, attractiveness, and personality in Japanese pop culture. Idols are primarily singers with training in acting, dancing, and modeling. Idols are commercialized through merchandise and endorsements b ...

group Sweet Diva. One day, however, a female

wrestler Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat sport ...

named Rio Kazama beats up Elena Miyazawa, a fellow Sweet Diva member and Sakura's rival. 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.

Characters

Sweet Diva

; : :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 17-year-old girl who is member of the idol group Sweet Diva. She is Sakura's rival who is a tomboy and strong-minded. ; : :A member of the idol group Sweet Diva who is always seen together with Yuuho. Although bright and cheerful like Sakura, Aika is also a bit timid. ; : :A member of the idol group Sweet Diva who is always seen together with Aika. She is the mood maker of the group. ; : :Sweet Diva's leader. Like Elena and Sakura, she is 17 years old, but acts way older and is really calm. ; : :Sweet Diva's manager.

Berserk Wrestlers

; : :A mid-class wrestler who was the one who attacked Elena. ; : :Berserk's Ace pro wrestler, she too was a former idol like Sakura. She is usually seen together with Kanae. ; : ; : ; : ; : :The President of Berserk, an ex-pro wrestler who is 51 years old. ; : : 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.

Other characters

; : :An enthusiastic news reporter who loves pro wrestling. ; : :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

's ''

'' from March 12, 2011, to December 12, 2013. Its chapters were collected in five ''

tankōbon is the Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or cultur ...

'', published from October 12, 2011, to December 12, 2013.

Volume list

Drama CD

On October 12, 2011, a

drama CD Radio drama (or audio drama, audio play, radio play, radio theatre, or audio theatre) is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine ...

was released with the first volume of the manga, with

Aki Toyosaki is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokushima (city), Tokushima, Tokushima Prefecture. She had her first major voice acting roles in 2007, voicing Amuro Ninagawa in ''Kenkō Zenrakei Suieibu Umishō'' and Su (Shugo Chara!), Su in ''Shug ...

voicing Sakura and

Yōko Hikasa is a Japanese Voice acting in Japan, voice actress and singing, singer affiliated with I'm Enterprise. Biography Hikasa became interested in acting while watching ''Sailor Moon'' and ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''. She attended Nihon Narration Engi ...

voicing Elena.

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was formally announced on April 1, 2013. The series was produced by

and directed by Rion Kujo, with character designs provided by

Rin Shin is a Japanese character designer, animator, animation director, and illustrator most notable for her works with ARMS. Works * Midnight Panther * Dokyusei 2 * Dokyusei 2 Special: Sotsugyousei * I"s *Inma Seiden *Kite *La Blue Girl *Twin Angels *Ve ...

. It aired from October 6 to December 22, 2013 on AT-X,

Tokyo MX JOMX-DTV, branded as Tokyo MX (officially stylized as TOKYO MX), is an independent television station in Tokyo, Japan, owned by the . It is the only television station that exclusively serves the city. It competes with Nippon TV, TV Asahi, NH ...

, and YTV. The opening theme is by

Kyoko Narumi is a female Japanese voice actress and singer. After graduating from high school, she entered the Earth Star Entertainment agency and was very well received in the industry work in voice acting. She attended Shoto Actors Gymnasium. She is best kno ...

and the first ending theme is "Fan Fanfare!!!" by

Ayana Taketatsu is a Japanese voice actress and singer.Doi, Hitoshi"Taketatsu Ayana" ''Seiyuu Database''. January 3, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011. Biography She attended Nihon Narration Engi Kenkyujo, a voice actor training school before becoming affili ...

Kana Asumi is a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and a former member of the girl group Lisp. Career She worked for Voice & Heart until 2007 and has worked for 81 Produce since 2008. She won the Best Lead Actress Award in the 7th Seiyu Awards. Perso ...

Yuka Ōtsubo is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Chiba Prefecture affiliated with Early Wing. In 2014, she started her career as a singer by joining the band SmileY inc. with Vocaloid musician Yuuyu-P. She also did the voice of Vocaloid character Azu ...

Miku Itō is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Style Cube. Her major voice roles include Nanako Usami in ''Locodol'', Ann Akagi in ''Action Heroine Cheer Fruits'', Kokoro Tsurumaki in ''BanG Dream!'', Miku Nakano in ''The Quintessential ...

, and

Sora Amamiya is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokyo, Japan. She is affiliated with the talent agency Music Ray'n. After passing an audition held by Music Ray'n, she made her voice acting debut in 2012. She played her first main role as Kaori Fuji ...

, starting from Episodes 1–7 and 9–12, whilst the second ending theme for Episode 8 is by Kyoko Narumi. An

OVA , abbreviated as OVA and sometimes as OAV (original animation video), are Japanese animated films and series made specially for release in home video formats without prior showings on television or in theaters, though the first part of an OVA s ...

episode is bundled in each Blu-ray and DVD volume of the series. The series is licensed in North America by

Funimation Crunchyroll, LLC, previously known as Funimation from 1994 to 2022, is an American entertainment company owned by Japanese conglomerate Sony as a joint venture between Sony Pictures and Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Aniplex that specializes ...

. In Australia and New Zealand, the series is licensed by

Madman Entertainment Madman Entertainment Pty. Ltd., also known as Madman Films, is an Australian distribution and rights management company headquartered in East Melbourne, Victoria, specialising in feature films, documentaries and television series across theatri ...

Episode list

OVA

Notes

References

External links

Official site

Anime official site
* {{Arms Corporation 2013 anime television series debuts Anime series based on manga Arms Corporation AT-X (TV network) original programming Earth Star Entertainment manga Funimation Japanese idols in anime and manga Professional wrestling comics Shōnen manga Wrestling in anime and manga