Looking back few years ago, Kenichi had good displays on various martial arts. And it explain some of their techniques too! That time, Kenichi was well balanced martial art manga, entertaining and informative. But lately, it has ridiculous amount of erotic tease and muscular dudes in tights. To be frank, they are more a hurt to the eye rather than pleasing.
And talking about alternative, some say Aiki or Breaker is the better ones. I'd say, "Yeah right!" Aiki took sexual content too far, making the whole build seems shallow. Breaker, on the other hand, was filled by too many monster characters, they all seem to have superhuman strength (and super pretty faces) which make the plot isn't more than arrogant display of art expertise.
I'd say, good manga of this genre comes from non-traditional kind of martial art. There are two manga on MMA, Teppu and Meguru, both are very good, providing insight to martial artist's mind; stuff that I think is most important. There are also UDDUP, although quite bombastic sometimes, has ability to display grace and depth; the very definition of art in "martial art". And there are other unmentioned manga that, at least, doesn't induce as much rage.
As for a closing words,
Kenichi seems to move toward dumbed down battle manga, indicated by stark increase on vulgar sexual display but none on complexity or on style. I cannot see Kenichi, as a manga, will grow a unique or pleasing characteristic in the future. I can only see Kenichi as a "Was a good manga."
edit for latest (my last) chapter rage,
Seriously, if there's only a patch covering the nipples and the twats, how come it never unshed during the whole fight?