Part 1: Baki the Grappler

Part 1 of the Baki series, subtitled Baki the Grappler, is the first part of the Baki the Grappler franchise and is succeeded by Baki. The main antagonist is Yujiro Hanma and the villainous faction is the Maximum Tournament fighters.

It introduces the Hanma family and their lifelong fight to become the strongest men alive, and Baki's struggle against his father, the unbeatable king.

Also known as Grappler Baki, the series was serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion from 1991 to 1999, collected into 42 volumes. From 2007-2008 it was collected into 24 deluxe edition volumes.

In 1994 a 45-minute OVA was released adapting the first volume of the part, omitting any reference to Yujiro and ending at Baki's fight with Shinogi Kosho.

A 24-episode anime aired on TV Tokyo between January 8 and June 25, 2001 titled Baki the Grappler that was quickly followed by a second 24-episode season titled Maximum Tournament, from July 22 to December 24, 2001.

This series was licensed for a North American release by Gutsoon! Entertainment, who published the first 46 chapters in their English-language manga anthology magazine Raijin Comics in 2002. Four volumes were planned but the series went incomplete.

In 2019, the first chapter of the series was remade and redrawn by Keisuke Ikatagi released in two parts in Weekly Shonen Champion.

Description
''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.''

Summary
Beneath the legendary Tokyo Dome lies an underground fighting arena known as Korakun. Here, warriors display their prowess in all manner of martial art disciplines, from the quiet control of kenpo to the heavy hits of boxing. There are only two real rules in this arena: no weapons allowed, and no rewards will be obtained. Fighters here live and die for only their honor and the chance to make their name live on forever.

Teenage grappler Baki Hanma strives to earn a place among Koraken's fiercest combatants, utilizing a unique fighting style created through years of harsh training and suffering. Baki is the only known son of the infamous terror Yujirou Hanma, a violent man known and feared worldwide as the "Ogre." Yujirou's brutal parenting and savage international crimes have filled Baki with trauma and hatred, fueling him to become as powerful as possible.

In a quest for revenge against his father, Baki battles the most fearsome men the world has ever birthed. Through bloody victory and crushing loss, will Baki ever be strong enough to stand his ground against Yujirou?

Cast

 * Baki Hanma -
 * Yujiro Hanma -
 * Eri Hanezawa -
 * Kaoru Hanayama -
 * Doppo Orochi -
 * Mitsunari Tokugawa -