Burning Kabaddi

Burning Kabaddi

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, Anime
Founded	July 2015 (2015-07)
Founder	Hajime Musashino
Defunct	July 23, 2024 (2024-07-23)
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga, Anime television series
Parent	Shogakukan (publisher)

Burning Kabaddi is a Japanese kabaddi manga created by Hajime Musashino. The series was published on Shogakukan's digital platforms, including the Ura Sunday website and the MangaONE app, from July 2015 until its conclusion in July 2024, spanning a total of thirty-one volumes. An anime adaptation produced by TMS Entertainment was broadcast from April through June 2021.

In 2025, Burning Kabaddi received the prestigious 70th Shogakukan Manga Award.

Manga

The manga series Burning Kabaddi, authored by Hajime Musashino, began serialization on Shogakukan's Ura Sunday platform and MangaONE app in July 2015. It reached its climax in May 2024 and concluded with the final chapter released on July 23, 2024. Shogakukan has compiled the chapters into tankōbon volumes, with thirty volumes available as of November 12, 2024.

Anime

An anime television adaptation was revealed on July 6, 2020. The production was handled by TMS Entertainment, with Kazuya Ichikawa directing and Yūko Kakihara responsible for the script. Character designs were crafted by Mari Takada, while Ken Ito composed the music. Animation cooperation was provided by Domerica. The opening theme song, titled "Fire Bird," is performed by Shunya Ōhira, and the ending theme "Comin' Back" features vocals by Yuma Uchida. The anime aired from April 3 to June 19, 2021, across channels such as TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, and AT-X. For audiences outside Asia, Crunchyroll streamed the series, while Medialink secured licensing rights for Southeast Asia.

Reception

In 2020, Burning Kabaddi was nominated in the sports category at the 66th Shogakukan Manga Award, eventually winning the award at its 70th iteration in 2025.

A group of six editors from Anime News Network reviewed the first episode of the anime: Caitlin Moore observed that it followed "moderately typical sports anime beats," mentioning a cast lacking depth and noting a decline in animation quality during kabaddi sequences. Nicholas Dupree appreciated how the sport was explained but criticized the stiff animation, weak direction, and an unappealing cast. Richard Eisenbeis recognized the unique subject matter but found both the characters and humor underwhelming. James Beckett pointed out shortcomings in direction and a lack of "fast, fluid, and impactful animation" during kabaddi scenes. Rebecca Silverman described it as a conventional sports anime whose primary attraction is its focus on an uncommon sport. Lynzee Loveridge valued the spotlight on kabaddi but found little else impressive about the premiere, citing uninspired sports action.