Acromantis japonica—the Japanese boxer mantis—is a small, charismatic species native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and eastern China. It’s instantly recognisable for its “boxing” display: a rhythmic, circular waving of the forelegs used in communication and threat posturing. This behaviour, combined with their low intraspecific aggression, makes them unusually tolerant of group living compared with many mantids. Adults are tiny—around 3 cm for males and 3.5 cm for females—and come in bright greens or reddish tones, with large eyes and a compact, alert posture.
 
In the wild, they inhabit shrubs and small trees, and despite being a tropical species, they thrive at typical room temperatures around 22 °C. Humidity sits comfortably at 60–70% by day, rising slightly at night, with light daily misting. Early instars are ant‑mimicking black nymphs that are highly active, while adults tend to perch motionlessly. They require good vertical space for moulting and benefit from simple, well‑ventilated enclosures.