NEW Jungle King Tar-chan

Tar-chan is a rugged hero who makes his home deep within the jungle, dedicating his life to defending its wildlife. Day after day, he clashes with poachers and assassins to preserve the peace of the animals he protects. His routine existence takes an unexpected turn when he suddenly receives an invitation to compete in an open mixed martial arts tournament, thrusting the wild guardian into a structured world of organized combat. This dramatic shift mirrors the manga's own evolution. Originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1988 to 1990 as Jungle King Tar-chan, the series began as a simple episodic gag comedy featuring short seven-page chapters. Two years into its run, the format expanded significantly, with chapters growing to thirteen or fifteen pages. To reflect this transformation, "NEW" was added to the title, and the lighthearted comedic premise evolved into a dedicated fighting manga when the second serialization ran from 1990 to 1995. Under the NEW Jungle King Tar-chan banner, the narrative embraced extended battles and deeper emotional development for its characters. However, the series never entirely abandoned its roots. Once a major fight arc concluded, the story would temporarily revert to its original gag-comedy style before seamlessly shifting back into intense martial arts action whenever a new battle began.