I first noticed Manila Kimonos right after the first version of the Thrilla gi last year. The first release came with two kimono tops: a pearl weave and a rip stop variant. The “Thrilla in Manila” was brought back by Manila Kimonos. In its second coming, according to the owner, the black version is only the first among many color ways and designs.

The 2014 model, is a black gi accented with white contrast stitching. Unlike the 2013 version of the Thrilla, this year’s kimono only sports a 450gsm pearl weave top. This makes the kimono completely IBJJF competition legal.

Initial Impressions

First thing you’ll notice is the flashy bag. The superb styling to the drawstring bag is definitely eye candy for any grappler. With a keen eye you’ll notice a highlight scene from a vale tudo match.

I received an A1 and which was a perfect fit for my 5’5”, 155 pound frame. Both jacket and the pants weighed at an astonishingly light 1.4kg – in line with the model’s claim to an athletic and lightweight cut.

The front lapel-side of the gi has the woven label patch of the word “Thrilla” in all its AC-DC-ish glory. I spoke to one of the owners about this aspect of the design. The text was originally tested out as embroidery however the high grain embroidery they use would add weight to the gi. In the current competition scene, a few ounces can spell the difference between disqualification and a chance to winning gold.

The lapel is made with an interior EVA foam material that’s a good balance of firmness and lightness, again a testament to the gi’s competition-ready theme. Apart from the rock and roll inspired stylings, the other aspect of the design that caught my attention was the shield patch. The design could use a bit more definition linking the shield to the overall look of the design. 

The rip-stop gi pants are straightforward in nature: lightweight and easy to move around in. It uses an eight-loop belt system while bungee drawstring helps you keep the pants up.
 
One detail I found, rather a bit late in the inspection of the gi, was the inside taping used inside the kimono top and pants. People who are knowledgeable of the Filipino culture will identify this as the jeepney – a popular means of transportation in the Philippines.

Rolling impressions

What I love about this gi is that it’s a perfect fit for me, and I can’t stretch that enough. I’m an avid competitor and since I train a lot, a solid pair of pants that won’t rip are essential to me. My mobility was not hindered in any way throughout my use of the gi. My teammate and I each trained in our Thrilla gis on an average 2-3 times a week in a span of a little over 2 months. The black dye stayed intact and showed no signs of bleeding. The construction was superb, we didn’t see any of the stitching or embroidery coming undone.

Shrinkage

I washed the gi in cold water and never used a dryer. There wasn’t any noticeable shrinkage with the pants or gi top.

Final verdict

Priced at only $130, the Thrilla 2 by Manila Kimonos is a good all around, mid-range gi that offers superb quality at very affordable price. Having given my Thrilla an excruciating 2 months of hard rolling, it has held up quite nicely, without any major signs of wear and tear. Overall, the build quality and stylings on this gi are as good as they come in a heavily saturated jiu-jitsu gi market. I would have preferred if they stuck to the original concept of providing two gi tops, a riptop gi top for hot weather and a year-round pearl weave gi.

You can check out the Thrilla at their online store. It is available both locally in the Philippines and the US and internationally through their US warehouse.