Baki the Grappler


Baki the Grappler is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. It was originally serialized in the shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Champion from September 1991 to 1999 and collected into 42 tankōbon volumes by Akita Shoten. The story follows teenager Baki Hanma as he trains and tests his fighting skills against a variety of different opponents in deadly, no-rules hand-to-hand combat.
The series was followed by five sequels in the same magazine; Baki, which was serialized from 1999 to 2005 and collected into 31 volumes, Baki Hanma, which was serialized from 2005 to 2012 and collected into 37 volumes, Baki-Dou, which was serialized from 2014 to 2018 and collected into 22 volumes, a fifth series, also named Bakidou but with Baki's name written in katakana instead of kanji, serialized from 2018 to 2023 and collected into 17 volumes, and Baki Rahen, serialized from 2023.
A 45-minute original video animation was released in 1994. A 24-episode anime aired on TV Tokyo between January 8 and June 25, 2001, and was quickly followed by a second 24-episode series from July 22 to December 24, 2001. An original net animation was released on Netflix between June 25 and September 24, 2018, followed by a second season that was released on June 4, 2020. A third series was released from September 30, 2021, to August 24, 2023, and an anime adaptation of Baki-Dou will be released on February 26, 2026. The OVA was the first to be licensed and released in North America, in 1998 by Central Park Media, followed by the original manga series in 2002 by Gutsoon! Entertainment, and finally both anime series in 2005 by Funimation Entertainment. Media Do International began releasing the second manga series digitally in August 2018. In May 2025, Kodama Tales licensed the first manga series for a worldwide English release and announced its intentions to license the following five series as well.
The Baki series is one of the best-selling manga series of all time, with over 100 million copies in circulation.

Plot

Baki Hanma is raised by his wealthy mother, Emi Akezawa, who also funds his training in the hopes that he can be a powerful warrior like his father, Yujiro Hanma. Around the start of the series, Baki outgrows traditional training and heads out to follow the path of his ruthless father's training, and meets many powerful fighters along the way. Eventually, Baki fights his father and is beaten without a challenge. Emi, who tries to save him, is killed by Yujiro, causing Baki to hate him.
After being beaten, Baki travels around the world continuing his training. Years later, he finds an underground fighting arena where he fights some of the most powerful fighters of various styles of martial arts. It is here he truly begins to hone his martial arts skills. He intends to get stronger, surpass his father, and continue to endure and survive the numerous hurdles he encounters in his journey.
; Baki the Grappler
; Baki
; Baki Hanma
; Baki-Dou
; Bakidou
; ''Baki Rahen''

Production

When asked how he is able to continue the series for over 30 years, Keisuke Itagaki said he believes it is because of all the eccentric characters; "It's not me who comes up with the story, the characters create it." He said he learned the importance of creating interesting characters in his first ten minutes at Kazuo Koike's Gekiga Sonjuku school for aspiring manga artists, which he joined in 1987. Itagaki also said he is always thinking of how to create non-traditional conclusions to the fights, in order to avoid the continuous introduction of increasingly stronger opponents often seen in battle manga, citing the Baki versus Yujiro fight as a good example.
Itagaki said he gives even the toughest male characters their own kind of beauty. He created Baki Hanma by copying an illustration of a girl by Keibun Ōta and adding masculine touches, such as raising the eyebrows and thickening the neck. He used feminine eyes in the style of artist Pater Sato as reference for those of the character Kaoru Hanayama. Although he always draws the hands of characters in the series large, Hanayama's hands in particular are made large enough to completely hide his face. Before he came up with the "demon face" that appears on Yujiro's back, Itagaki considered giving him a dragon tattoo where the limbs of the dragon blended into his own. But then he saw a photograph of a bodybuilder whose back looked like a Heikegani crab, which resemble human faces, and got the idea to deform it even further and use a more ferocious expression.
Itagaki imitated the ending scene of the 1982 American film Rocky III for the match between Antonio Igari and Mount Toba in Grappler Baki Gaiden. When it was announced that the Baki Hanma series would be ending in ten chapters, Itagaki had not yet thought up what he would draw. He also said that he originally decided that Baki Hanma would be the end of the franchise. But, just before the fight between Baki and his father was to begin, he suddenly had the thought, "What would happen if Musashi Miyamoto was born in the modern day?", leading to Baki-Dou. When asked about the titles of Baki-Dou and Bakidou, Itagaki said that with the story of a parent-child conflict concluded in Baki Hanma, he shifted to the theme of "What does it mean to be strong?" and the word came to mind.

Media

Manga

Main series

Baki the Grappler was serialized in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine from September 30, 1991, to 1999, with the chapters collected into 42 tankōbon volumes. It 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. The magazine's first issue was released on December 18, 2002, but in July 2004 it was discontinued. Four collected volumes were planned by Gutsoon!, but it is unknown if they were released. In May 2025, Kodama Tales announced it had licensed the series for a worldwide English release. They will publish the kanzenban edition both physically and digitally, starting in October 2025.
The second manga series, simply titled Baki, was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1999 to November 24, 2005, and collected into 31 volumes. It is licensed for English release by Media Do International, who released it digitally between August 2018 and August 2019 and stated that a future print release was possible.
Baki Hanma was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from December 1, 2005, to August 16, 2012, and collected into 37 volumes. It was followed by Baki-Dou, which was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from March 20, 2014, to April 5, 2018, and collected into 22 volumes. The fifth series has the same name as the fourth, but with Baki's name written in katakana instead of kanji. Bakidou was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from October 4, 2018, to June 15, 2023, and collected into 17 volumes. Baki Rahen began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Champion on August 24, 2023.

[Gaiden]

  • Grappler Baki Gaiden ― Set immediately after the Maximum Tournament, it depicts a wrestling match between Antonio Igari and Mount Toba. Nine chapters were published in one volume in 1999. An epilogue for Igari ran in Weekly Shōnen Champions 48th issue on October 27, 2022.
  • Baki: Tokubetsuhen Saga ― Side story that develops at the same time as volume 15 of the second manga. One volume was published in 2002.
  • Baki Gaiden: Scarface ― Spinoff series, written and illustrated by Yukinao Yamauchi, depicting Kaoru Hanayama's yakuza adventures. Ran from March 2005 to December 2007 in Champion Red, then from July 2009 in Weekly Shōnen Champion. Collected into eight volumes.
  • Baki Hanma 10.5 Gaiden: Pickle ― Set after volume 10 of the third manga, it introduces Pickle. Published in one volume in 2008.
  • Baki Gaiden: Gaia ― Spinoff series, written and illustrated by Hitoshi Tomizawa, starring Gaia. Published in Weekly Shōnen Champion in 2009.
  • Baki Domoe ― Comedic spinoff, written and illustrated by Naoki Saito. Originally launched digitally on Weekly Shōnen Champion The Web in 2010, then serialized irregularly in Weekly Shōnen Champion and finally Bessatsu Shōnen Champion until October 2014. Collected into three volumes.
  • Baki Gaiden: Kizuzura ― Spinoff series, written and illustrated by Yukio Yamauchi, based on Kaoru Hanayama's adventures in high school. Began in Bessatsu Shōnen Champion in July 2012. Collected into three volumes.
  • Baki Gaiden: Kenjin ― Spinoff series, written and illustrated by Kengou Miyatani, representing and describing Doppo's adventures. Began in Champion Red in June 2013. Collected into one volume.
  • Yuenchi: Baki Gaiden ― A spinoff novel series written by Baku Yumemakura and illustrated by Yuria Fujita. Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 2018 to 2021, and collected into five volumes. A collection of tales following the older brother of Katsumi Orochi; Mumon Katsuragi, who is responsible for the capture of the five most deadly criminals seen in Baki. It also includes characters from Yumemakura's own Garōden and Shishi no Mon novels. A manga adaptation illustrated by Fugita has been serialized monthly in Weekly Shōnen Champion since 2022. Collected into eight volumes as of August 2025.
  • Baki: Revenge Tokyo ― Special spin-off consisting of five chapters, each about one of the death row prisoners from the "Most Evil Death Row Convicts" arc, that have been added to the shinsōban edition of Baki in 2018.
  • Grappler Baki: Remake ― Two-chapter remake of the first chapter of Baki the Grappler, created in honor of Weekly Shōnen Champions 50th anniversary.
  • Baki Gaiden: Retsu Kaioh Isekai Tensei Shitemo Ikkō Kamawan! ― Spinoff series, illustrated by Eiji Murai and crediting Itagaki and Sai Ihara with the original story. It began in the November 6, 2020 issue of Monthly Shōnen Champion. An isekai series depicting Retsu Kaioh reincarnated into another world. Collected into fourteen volumes as of June 2025.
  • Baki Gaiden: Gaia to Sikorsky ~Tokidoki Nomura Futari Dakedo San'nin Kurashi~ ― Spinoff series, illustrated by Takaaki Hayashi. Began in the October 6, 2022, issue of Monthly Shōnen Champion. Set a few days after Gaia and Sikorsky's fight. Collected into eight volumes as of June 2025.
  • Baki Gaiden: Hana no Chiharu ― Spinoff series written by Tomokazu Omatsu, and following the character Chiharu Shiba. Serialized in Champion Red from 2023 to 2024. Collected into three volumes.

Supplements

Two guidebooks, Baki Ultimate Book: Grappler Side, Byakko no Sho and Baki Ultimate Book: Fighting Side, Seiryū no Sho, were published by Akita Shoten on August 26, 2004. They compile the characters, events and battles fought up until volume 23 of the second manga series. San-ei Shobō published a two-volume mook series on March 6, 2019; Saidai Tournament-hen primarily covers the original manga, while Gekitotsu Chijō Saikyō-hen covers the subsequent series up to Baki-Dou. Each includes an interview with Itagaki, but the first also includes an interview with Tenshin Nasukawa and the second includes one with Riho Yoshioka. The artbook Baki 30th: The Artwork of Baki was published by Akita Shoten on December 6, 2024. It includes art from the series' 30-year run, including select fight scenes and famous quotes, as well as artwork originally created for a 30th anniversary exhibition held at Tokyo Dome City Hall in 2022.

Original video animations

A 45-minute original video animation created by Knack Productions and directed by Yuji Asada was released in 1994. The story is a close adaptation of the first few volumes of the original manga, adapting the Karate Tournament arc and Baki's fight with Shinogi Koushou, later adapted in the episode 18 of the Baki the Grappler TV series. It was licensed and released under the title Grappler Baki: The Ultimate Fighter in North America by Central Park Media on VHS on December 1, 1996, and on DVD on December 1, 1998. Manga Entertainment later released it in Australia and the United Kingdom.
A 15-minute original animation DVD, referred to as Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts Special Anime, was included with the limited edition of the 14th volume of Baki-Dou on December 6, 2016. However, it adapts the arc of the same name from the second manga series, which is titled simply Baki. Created by Telecom Animation Film, it was directed by Teiichi Takiguchi and focuses on five inmates who break out of prison from around the world and travel to Japan.

Anime

A 24-episode anime series aired on TV Tokyo between January 8, 2001, and June 25, 2001. The anime was produced by Free-Will, a music record label. A second 24-episode series, titled Grappler Baki: Maximum Tournament, as it tells the story from that part of the manga, aired from July 23, 2001, to December 24, 2001. All of the series' music was written and composed by "Project Baki", and all the theme songs were performed by Ryōko Aoyagi. The first anime's opening theme is "Ai Believe", while its closing theme is "Reborn". For the second series, "All Alone" is used as the opening and "Loved..." as the closing. Baki the Grappler: Original Soundtrack was released on March 27, 2003.
Both series were licensed for a North American English release by Funimation Entertainment. They released both series as one on 12 DVDs, each with four episodes, beginning on June 14, 2005, with the last released on February 27, 2007. Two box sets were released on January 23, 2007, and March 25, 2008, the first included volumes 1-6, while the second included 7-12. A set including every episode was released on September 2, 2008.
Funimation's English version was one of the launch shows on their own television channel, Funimation Channel, which debuted on June 19, 2006. Baki was broadcast on weekends at 11:30 pm, switching to the 10:00 pm slot on September 4, 2006. Dubbed in English, the episodes were edited for time but do not appear to have been edited for content. The opening theme is the song "Child Prey" by Japanese metal band Dir En Grey, which is signed to Free-Will.
In December 2016, it was announced that the "Most Evil Death Row Convicts" arc of the second manga series would be receiving an anime television adaptation. Titled Baki, like the second manga series, the 26-episode series is directed by Toshiki Hirano at TMS Entertainment with character designs handled by Fujio Suzuki and scripts overseen by Tatsuhiko Urahata. It began streaming on Netflix on June 25, 2018, in Japan, and started streaming on December 18, 2018, outside Japan. The series then started airing on several Japanese television channels beginning with Tokyo MX1 on July 1. Its opening theme song is "Beastful" by Granrodeo and its ending theme "Resolve" is performed by Azusa Tadokoro with lyrics by Miho Karasawa. Sentai Filmworks released it on Blu-ray on May 25, 2021, with a new English dub.
Netflix renewed the series for a second season on March 19, 2019. On March 5, 2020, it was announced that the main staff TMS Entertainment would be returning to produce the second season with the addition of a new character designer and art director. The 13-episode second season covering the "Great Chinese Challenge" and the Alai Jr. arcs was released exclusively on Netflix on June 4, 2020. Its opening theme is "Jounetsu wa Oboete Iru" performed by Granrodeo and its ending theme is "Dead Stroke" performed by Ena Fujita.
In September 2020, it was announced Hanma Baki: Son of Ogre will be adapted as the third series and the sequel to the second season of the Netflix series. The 12-episode series was released on Netflix on September 30, 2021, as Baki Hanma. The show's opening theme is "Treasure Pleasure" performed by Granrodeo while its ending theme is "Unchained World" performed by Generations from Exile Tribe. A second season was announced on March 24, 2022. The first half of the second season was released on July 26, and the second half on August 24, 2023. The second season has two openings and two endings. The first part's opening theme is "The Beast" by Wagakki Band, while Upstart performs its closing theme "Wilder". The second part opening is "Sarracenia" by Sky-Hi, while Be:First performs its closing theme "Salvia".
At AnimeJapan 2024, Netflix announced a crossover anime with Kengan Ashura, titled Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura, which premiered on June 6 of the same year.
In March 2024, it was announced that the Baki-Dou manga will receive an anime adaptation by TMS Entertainment. The 13-episode series will premiere on Netflix on February 26, 2026.

Video games

There have been a few video games based on the series. A fighting game developed by Tomy was released for the PlayStation 2 as Grappler Baki: Baki Saikyō Retsuden in Japan in 2000 and as Fighting Fury in the United Kingdom during 2003. Baki the Grappler: Ultimate Championship was released for Android in 2017. A card game for web browsers called Typing Grappler Baki was created. Another browser game, Hanma Baki - Baki, was for Yahoo! Mobage. The fighting game Baki Hanma: Blood Arena came out on September 11, 2025. Yujiro Hanma appears as an unlockable character in the PlayStation 2 game, Garōden: Breakblow – Fist or Twist.

Stage plays

The underground arena arc of Baki the Grappler was adapted into a play written and directed by Daisuke Tanaka, who previously adapted Sakigake!! Otokojuku, with Hideaki Okuzumi in charge of the fighting and action scenes. Titled Baki the Grappler Stage: Underground Arena Arc, it ran at Shinjuku Face from December 4 to 8, 2024. The production starred Yugo Sato as Baki, Momoka Onishi as Kozue, Sho Higano as Katsumi and Haruto Sakuraba as Hanayama. Actual martial artists Taishin Kohiruimaki and Kozo Takeda played Shuumei Kanou and Doppo, respectively. A second play, titled Baki the Grappler Stage 2: The Most Sinister Death Row Convict Arc, will run at Shinjuku Face from July 23 to 28, 2026.

Reception

By May 2021, the various Baki series had over 85 million collected volumes in circulation; it had over 100 million copies in circulation by May 2024. The Scarface spin-off series had 3.5 million copies in print by February 2019.
Allen Divers and Jason Thompson, both writing for Anime News Network, briefly described the series as "very compelling" and a "demented fighting manga", respectively.
Anime News Network had four different writers review the first volume of the second manga series. Faye Hopper scored it the highest, four out of five, and wrote that she was captivated the entire read with its appeal lying in "its absurdity held up by its absolutely incredible artistry." Amy McNulty gave it a 2.5 rating and also praised Itagaki's art, but felt the character designs were not particularly memorable. She also wrote that the volume "succeeds in identifying the stakes, but it completely fails in anchoring the reader with characters to care about." Rebecca Silverman and Teresa Navarro both gave it a 2 and noted its status as a "set-up book," with each new character introduced in the same manner. Both Hopper and Silverman said that Baki reminded them of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
Reviewing the first 24 episodes of the 2001 anime, Mark Thomas of Mania Entertainment gave it a B− rating, stating that fans of shōnen and fight series would enjoy it, but others should look elsewhere. He felt it had plenty of good, realistic fight scenes, but fell short on the story. Explaining that despite a lot of story arcs, it ultimately feels like a setup for the second season. Thomas gave the same rating to the final 24 episodes, and "mildly recommended" the series. While he started to enjoy this set more thanks to its more action focus, he stated that not showing Baki's final fight with Yujiro, which was built up the entire show, really ruined it for him.
Baki influenced the appearance of the character Gai Tendo in the 1999 video game Buriki One. The 2012 comedy film Graffreeter Toki is based on the March 2011 play of the same name, which in turn was inspired by Baki the Grappler.
Sociologist Junko Kaneda interpreted Baki the Grappler as homoerotic and published an essay book about it titled Notes of a Girl Who Spent 30 Hours a Day for 300 Days Thinking "So Baki The Grappler Is BL, Right?" The essay was adapted into a live-action television series titled A Story of Grappler Baki and Me that was broadcast on Wowow in August 2021.