Two Legendary "Keiji"s Together: Rooster Fighter and Hana no Keiji Collaboration Begins!
The most charismatic rooster in the manga world and the "wildest" samurai in history are joining forces! A special collaboration fair has officially begun between Shu Sakuratani's modern hit Rooster Fighter (Niwatori Fighter) and legendary artist Tetsuo Hara's cult classic Hana no Keiji: Kumo no Kanata ni. The main reason for this fun partnership is the famous name similarity, as the protagonists of both series are named Keiji.
Starting publication on the Comiplex platform in 2020, Rooster Fighter tells the story of a rooster seeking revenge as he fights against giant monsters (Kijuu) invading the world. The series, which quickly became a global phenomenon with Shu Sakuratani's detailed illustrations and absurd humor, made a major announcement at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC 2024) last July. The anime adaptation, prepared in partnership with Viz Media and Sanzigen studio, is expected to meet audiences in 2026. Series creator Sakuratani raised fan expectations significantly by stating that "the best writer, the best production staff, and the best voice actors have come together" for this anime.
On the other side is Hana no Keiji, a classic published between 1990-1993 by Tetsuo Hara, one of the living legends of the manga world and the creator of Fist of the North Star (Hokuto no Ken). Focusing on the life of the samurai Maeda Keiji, one of the most colorful figures of the Sengoku period, this work is considered one of the most important examples of its genre with a circulation of over 20 million worldwide. Introducing the "Kabukimono" culture (warriors who dress in an extraordinary and flashy way) to the manga world, this series maintains its popularity even today and is even planned to be reprinted in English by Kodansha in 2025.
This special collaboration brings together the Keijis of two different generations, offering fans a mix of nostalgia and modern action. In the special illustrations prepared for the event, the rooster Keiji, who takes down giant monsters with a single cry, stands side-by-side with the fearless name of the battlefields, Maeda Keiji. Such crossover events create great excitement within the community, especially by allowing new-generation series like Rooster Fighter to connect with the deep-rooted works of manga history. Throughout the campaign, fans will be able to access special content and visuals that reflect the spirit of both series. If you are a fan of either a tough-looking rooster or a rule-defying samurai, this "Keiji Summit" is just for you!
