Baki author, the Grappler is one of the most popular manga series in history, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki.
The story centers on Baki Hanma, a young fighter trained by his mother to become a mighty warrior like his father, Yujiro Hanma.
Moreover, Baki faces many challenges along the way and tests his fighting skills against a variety of opponents in deadly no-rules hand-to-hand combat.
After originally serializing the manga in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1991 to 1999, Akita Shoten collected it into 42 tankōbon volumes.
Four sequels followed in the same magazine titled Baki, Baki Hanma, Baki-Dou, and Bakidou.
The series received adaptations, including an original video animation (OVA), three anime series, and an original net animation (ONA).
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The anime adaptation of Baki
TV Tokyo premiered The Grappler in 2001 and aired a second season in the same year.
The first season of Baki was released in 2018, followed by the second in 2020, and the third in 2021.
Moreover, the announcement of the fourth season has been made, and its release is imminent.
The Grappler continues to grow, with many fans praising the series for its intense action, unique fighting moves, and unforgettable characters.
Sequels, Adaptations, and Popularity
The Grappler spawned four sequels, with each expansion of the series’s world and introducing new characters and challenges for Baki.
The first sequel, Baki, was serialized from 1999 to 2005, resulting in 31 collected volumes.
Baki Hanma, the second sequel, underwent serialization from 2005 to 2012, with its 37 volumes collected.
Baki-Dou, the third sequel, was serialized from 2014 to 2018, resulting in 22 collected volumes.
The latest sequel, also named Bakidou, has been ongoing since 2018.
Baki, The Grappler, beyond manga adaptations, has been made into an OVA and three anime series. The OVA premiered in 1994, and the anime aired in 2001.
The show gained massive popularity after its release on Netflix. It features intense fight scenes, distinct characters, and breathtaking animation.
The Baki franchise has achieved a cult following with over 85 million manga copies in circulation.
Notable for their unique fighting techniques and backgrounds, the series’ characters are memorable.
Let’s delve into Baki Hanma’s journey to become the world’s strongest fighter.
Baki Hanma’s journey
Emi Akezawa, Baki Hanma’s mother, trains him to become a formidable fighter like his father, Yujiro Hanma.
The story of Baki revolves around his journey to surpass his father and become the strongest fighter in the world.
As he grows older, Baki outgrows traditional training and chooses to follow in his father’s footsteps.
During his quest, he encounters powerful fighters, develops his skills through intense hand-to-hand combat, and faces countless challenges.
Among his formidable opponents is Pickle, a prehistoric man known for his ability to defeat dinosaurs effortlessly.
Eventually, Baki confronts his father in a highly anticipated battle, but unfortunately, it ends in a one-sided defeat for Baki.
Tragically, Emi, who tries to rescue him, loses her life at the hands of Baki’s father, intensifying Baki’s resentment and hatred towards his own flesh and blood.
This tragic event only fuels Baki’s determination to become stronger, driving him to face numerous hurdles along his path to success.
