Baki (series)

2018 "Baki" anime logo

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.

Series Overview[]

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: Yujiro Hanma
Villainous faction: Baki's challengers
Final boss: Yujiro Hanma
Anime Adaptation: 2021
Seasons: 2
OPs: Treasure Pleasure, The Beast, Sarracenia
EDs: Unchained World, WILDER, Salvia
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: Musashi Miyamoto
Villainous faction: None
Final boss: Musashi Miyamoto
Anime Adaptation: TBA
Seasons: TBA
OP: TBA
ED: TBA
Chapters: 197
Volumes: 22
Episodes: TBA
Released: 2014
Pilot: TBA
Finale: TBA

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: Nomi no Sukune II
Villainous faction: Grand Sumo Masters
Final boss: Nomi no Sukune II
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: Pickle
Villainous faction: Goudou challengers
Final boss: TBA
Chapters: 33+
Volumes: 3
Released: 2023
First Chapter: Fang & Blade
Final Chapter: TBA

Navigation[]

Baki series
Baki the Grappler ∙ New Grappler Baki ∙ Son of Ogre ∙ Baki-Dou ∙ BAKIDOU ∙ Baki Rahen