#92 Devil Shogun

Golden man

Most of the fans of the English market M.U.S.C.L.E. toy line never knew the origins of the figures they came to love over the years, until maybe much later. To the consumer base the identities were lost in translation as a rebranding decision by Mattel when the original keshi line of toys was imported in a different material and color variants. However, Devil Shogun is a major influence in the Kinnikuman universe where his design began from the creative Japanese duo Yudetamago.

Standing out as one of the most powerful and revered villains of the series franchise, he’s was a legendary antagonist with an iconic role in the Devil Chojin faction. His menacing expression with the Japanese symbol for Gold on his forehead plays to his actual whole self as he is merely the result of a divine creature split into good and evil halves (gold & silver). A duality that plays central to his story arc and motivations as the other half Silver Man exists apart.

This leader of the Devil Chojin wields tremendous power across the storyline in his pursuit to prove dominance of evil aligned Chojin versus their heroic and good competitors. Tied deep in the lore and leader of the Devil Knights he commands a multitude of warriors and serves as an ultimate opponent to the Kinnikuman aligned protagonists.

Being one of the strongest Chojin in the entire manga series with abilities that exceed most opponents he displays some signature moves that play into why he’s often a big fan favorite presented in several different forms of figures in the M.U.S.C.L.E. toy line. Some techniques of choice include the Golden Body Transformation, and the Hell’s Guillotine as hist most famous finishing attack where opponents are trapped and crushed with his enormous force. Easily a popular figure in his varied forms even still today.