Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple/Heartwarming

For a badass shonen series on martial arts, a lot of heartwarming moments occur nearly once an episode.

• When the series begins, the one thing that keeps Kenichi returning to the dojo for his hellish training is Miu. Miu is the one dojo resident who acts like a regular human being and treats Kenichi as such. During a period where Kenichi is trapped in his own quarters overnight at the dojo, Miu beckons him over to the rooftop in her jammies so they can have a picnic and look at the stars. Awww.
• When Apachai literally comes Back from the Dead to save Kenichi.
  • And later, this line from Koetsuji : "I wont give my precious friend life away to a mere God !" And he DOES save Apachai.
• Call me a sap, but Kenichi helping Takeda to get him out of his hellhole gang life and revitalize his boxing career. This was a rare moment where I felt genuinely happy for a fictional character.
• When Kenichi's father decides to raid Ryouzanpaku to "save" Kenichi. Sakaki catches up to them and Kenichi's father moves to protect him by punching Sakaki. When asked why he didn't dodge the punch, he responded with "To protect his son, a father throws a punch with all his power, if I dodged it, then isn't that too rude?
• When Kenichi faces a master weapon-user alone to buy time for his friends' escape, the Ryouzanpaku masters scold him for nearly throwing his life away and send him to his room. But they're really secretly proud of his growth as a martial artist and as a man. Kenichi cries with happiness.

Kenichi: Honestly... those masters of mine...

• This wonderful exchange:

Kenichi: "Actually, there's a feeling inside me that I want to express in words, but... I want to keep those words until I'm able to protect you. For now, all I can say is that I have that feeling inside me... Do you think I'm a coward?"
Miu silently shakes her head
Miu: "Because... if that's so... until now... not by your words... but by your actions... you have already told me. That's why... I will also... [do the same] with one action...
Miu proceeds to kiss Kenichi on the cheek!
Or she would've if not for the Ryouzanpaku Masters' Moment Killer.

• Chapter 448 is pretty much one giant Heartwarming Moment. Kenichi has just had Miu kidnapped, and is so down in the dumps about it that he starts literally beating himself up over his failure to protect her. Cue not only the Shinpaku Alliance rallying around him, but the Yomi members at school offering moral support as well. Chikage does it in the form of chocolate!
• Chapter 465 is this wrapped up with awesome. Miu and Kenichi have little celebrations of her having been brought out of Junazard's brainwashing even as they take down the insanely powerful swordsman Kenichi's been fighting thus far.

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