Baki (series)



Baki is manga series written by Keisuke Itagaki. The manga is separated into six published parts, with the sixth currently ongoing.

Starting in 2001, the series has been adapted into a TV anime by Group TAC and TMS Entertainment, and so far has adapted six seasons up to Part 3.

Summary
Grappler Baki was originally serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion from 1991 to 1999, and later collected into 42 tankobon volumes. It was followed by three sequel series: Baki (New Grappler Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero or New Grappler Baki), which was serialized from 1999 to 2005 and later collected into 31 volumes, Hanma Baki (Baki: Son of Ogre), which was serialized from 2005 to 2012 and later collected into 37 volumes, and Baki-Dou, which was serialized from 2014 to 2018 and collected into 22 volumes. A fifth series, also named Baki Dou but with Baki's name written in katakana instead of kanji and without dash mark, serialized from 2018 to 2023 and collected into 17 volumes, and Baki Rahen, serialized from 2023.

Part 1: Baki the Grappler (1991-1999)
''The mysterious, young, martial artist aspires to follow in his sinister father's footsteps as the world's strongest creature. The story follows the young fighter as he matures in a world full of some of the strongest opponents and how he overcomes all obstacles in order to face his father one day in the fighting ring. From the jungles to and underground martial arts tournament, Baki Hanma is put to the test from fighters all over the world.''


 * Main protagonist: Baki Hanma
 * Main antagonist: Yujiro Hanma
 * Villainous faction: Maximum Tournament fighters
 * Final boss: Jack Hanma
 * Anime Adaptation: 2001
 * Seasons: 2
 * OP: Child Prey
 * EDs: Reborn, LOVE
 * Chapters: 370
 * Volumes: 42
 * Episodes: 48
 * Released: 1991
 * English Release: 2002
 * Pilot: Moving Towards Destiny
 * Finale: Chance Meeting

Part 2: New Grappler Baki (1999-2005)
Baki Hanma is a generally happy student with a rather odd hobby - he likes fighting. Specifically, he likes fighting in a secret martial arts arena that gathers the greatest fighters of the world and pits them against each other in really nasty combat. New Grappler Baki takes off where the original series leaves off. As the new Tournament champion, he's generally taken it easy until he recieves the news of five deadly, murderous, martial artist who have escaped their prisons and are now headed to Japan. Baki and his friends must deal with them before they are killed themselves. New Grappler Baki introduces new characters, new techniques, and begins to resolve the conflict between Baki and his father.


 * Main protagonist: Baki Hanma
 * Main antagonist: Kaiou Kaku
 * Villainous faction: Death row convicts, Centennial Tournament fighters
 * Final boss: Mohammad Alai Junior
 * Anime Adaptation: 2018
 * Seasons: 2
 * OPs: Beastful, The Gong of Knockout, Jounetsu wa Oboete Iru
 * EDs: Resolve, Beautiful Beast, DEAD STROKE
 * Chapters: 275
 * Volumes: 31
 * Episodes: 39
 * Released: 1999
 * English release: 2018
 * Pilot: Synchronicity
 * Finale: Revenge Tokyo

Part 3: Baki Hanma (2005-2012)
Baki: Son of Ogre is the sequel to the Baki series. Baki trains for the the final showdown between him and his father. The story begins with Baki developing a new form of image training where he can physically create an opponent to spar against. The second saga takes place in prison where Baki intentionally commits a crime just so he can battle against Biscuit Oliva. The next saga is about Pickle, a caveman from the Jurassic Period who's been revived into modern society. Several Baki characters battle against Pickle as centuries ago Pickle managed to not only fight dinosaurs but eat them occasionally. The fourth saga is about Kaiou Retsu who becomes a boxer after losing a leg in his fight with Pickle. The last saga of Son of Ogre is the long awaited fight of Baki vs Yuujirou.


 * Main protagonist: Baki Hanma
 * Main antagonist: TBA
 * Villainous faction: TBA
 * Final boss: TBA
 * Anime Adaptation: 2021
 * Seasons: 2
 * OP: TBA
 * ED: TBA
 * Chapters: 311
 * Volumes: 37
 * Episodes: 39
 * Released: 2005
 * Pilot: The World's Strongest Senior
 * Finale: Taste of Dad

Part 4: Baki-Dou (2014-2018)
After the conclusion of the epic battle between father and son, Baki Hanma continues to fight in the underground arena and train nonstop, but he always has to suppress his yawn caused by the overbearing boredom. No amount of stimulus or danger can bring excitement to him at this point.


 * Main protagonist: Baki Hanma
 * Main antagonist: TBA
 * Villainous faction: TBA
 * Final boss: TBA
 * Chapters: 197
 * Volumes: 22
 * Released: 2014
 * First Chapter: Yawn
 * Final Chapter: Nomi no Sukune

Part 5: BAKI DOU (2018-2023)
Japan's oldest and strongest "sumo god" is Nomi no Sukune. And now, after more than 2,000 years, his successor is born. This time, Baki will challenge the real god of sumo. The series tells the story of the main characters' clashes with the aforementioned powerful fighter.


 * Main protagonist: Baki Hanma
 * Main antagonist: TBA
 * Villainous faction: TBA
 * Final boss: TBA
 * Chapters: 151
 * Volumes: 17
 * Released: 2018
 * First Chapter: The God of Sumo
 * Final Chapter: The Hunter at the Heart of Tokyo



Part 6: Baki Rahen (2023 - Ongoing)
This time the series is about Jack Hanma, the brother of the current main character Baki. The Baki Rahen series focuses on the character of Jack, his own path in life and his constant struggle to gain more and more strength.


 * Main protagonist: Jack Hanma
 * Main antagonist: TBA
 * Villainous faction: TBA
 * Final boss: TBA
 * Chapters: 2+
 * Volumes: N/A
 * Released: 2023
 * First Chapter: Fang & Blade
 * Final Chapter: TBA