baki

Baki is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. It centers on Baki Hanma, a young fighter who trains to surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma, who is widely described as the strongest creature on Earth. The story blends martial arts, underground combat, and personal rivalry, and it is noted for its intense combat scenes and detailed depictions of various fighting styles.

The original manga, titled Baki the Grappler (グラップラー刃牙), began serialization in Weekly Shonen Champion in 1991 and ran through 1999. It spawned several sequels and spin-offs that broadened Baki’s world and continued his quest for strength. The series has been collected into numerous tankōbon volumes, and an English-language edition has been published by Viz Media. It is generally classified as a seinen work, targeting adult readers.

Adaptations have brought Baki to animation and other media. A Netflix-produced anime adaptation premiered in 2018 under the title Baki, followed by a second season, Baki Hanma (also known as Hanma Baki: Son of Ogre), released in 2021. These adaptations cover multiple arcs from the manga, though they differ in pacing and scope from the source material.

Reception and influence: Baki has a large, dedicated fanbase and is recognized for its brutal, high-stakes fight sequences and its exploration of martial arts rivalries. The franchise remains active, with ongoing manga releases and multiple anime adaptations contributing to its enduring presence in popular culture.