Baki

After emerging victorious from a brutal underground tournament, Baki Hanma continues on his path to defeat his father, Yuujirou, the strongest man in the world. However, he gets no time to rest when the tournament runner, Tokugawa Mitsunari, visits him at school. He reveals to Baki that five incredibly dangerous death row inmates from around the world—all skilled in martial arts—have simultaneously escaped confinement and are heading to Tokyo, each wishing to finally know the taste of defeat. Tokugawa warns that, due to his well-known strength, Baki is bound to encounter them sooner or later, and he will not be their only target.

Adapting the first saga of the second manga series, Baki centers on the all-out war between the esteemed martial artists of Japan and those of the dark underground world.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Hanma, Baki Main

Shimazaki, Nobunaga Japanese

Kaiou, Retsu Main

Koyama, Rikiya Japanese

Orochi, Doppo Main

Sugou, Takayuki Japanese

Shibukawa, Gouki Main

Shimada, Bin Japanese

Hanma, Yuujirou Supporting

Ootsuka, Akio Japanese

Hanayama, Kaoru Supporting

Eguchi, Takuya Japanese

Hanma, Jack Supporting

Miyake, Kenta Japanese

Biscuit, Oliva Supporting

Ootsuka, Houchuu Japanese

Doyle, Hector Supporting

Koyasu, Takehito Japanese

Dorian Supporting

Ginga, Banjou Japanese

Hirano, Toshiki Director

Simone, Jamie Director, Casting Director

Urakami, Keiko Sound Director

Urakami, Yasuyuki Sound Director

Reviews

Jul 20, 2024

Manaburn

Recommended

Story: 10/10
"Baki" features a compelling and dynamic narrative, following Baki Hanma’s relentless quest to outshine his father, the ultimate fighter. The storyline, while straightforward, is enhanced by its unpredictable twists and high-stakes confrontations, keeping viewers deeply invested.

Characters: 10/10
The series is outstanding in its portrayal of a diverse and multifaceted cast. Each character, from Baki himself to rivals like Retsu Kaioh and Doppo Orochi, brings a unique fighting style and backstory, enriching the depth and complexity of the series. Their interactions and development add significant value to the story.

Art: 9/10
The artwork in "Baki" is striking, effectively showcasing the fighters’ powerful physiques and intense battles. The detailed ... and expressive character designs, especially during combat scenes, significantly enhance the visual experience and immersion.

Animation: 9/10
The animation is generally robust and well-executed, capturing the high-speed and powerful nature of the fights with impressive fluidity. Even though there are occasional moments of less smoothness, the overall quality effectively supports the intense action and dynamic visuals of the series.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Mar 25, 2025

BlackBusterMAL

Mixed Feelings

English.
A pretty interesting first part, in my opinion. If you've already seen the previous anime about this protagonist, you'll love this new one. It has the same aesthetic of strength and martial arts that many will love, along with a bit of a crazy and unreal story that fans of the series will love. Now, if you want to start with this anime, watching Baki isn't a bad idea. All the fighters are explained, and while you won't understand many things, it's not entirely necessary.
The plot here is one where different fighters from around the world go to Japan to lose something they've never experienced, ... each with different abilities that will help them. A story that, in my opinion, has a lot of potential, and here they were able to demonstrate it. We see all the criminals, and specifically two of them, in depth, where each fight will have a consequence that may or may not last. If you like martial arts or the fighting genre, this is an anime I think you shouldn't miss. However, I don't think it's for everyone. There will be many unrealistic elements, but that's the essence of anime, so if you don't like those, this isn't the anime for you. If you're a more casual viewer, I think it will entertain you, but you won't find much consistency in the story or understand many things because, as such, this isn't the character's first anime.
A second part of the season that ends and begins with something interesting. Here we see the last fighters imprisoned, and we realize how weak some were and how strong others were. For me, the most relevant or funny part of this second part was episode 20 of the season or episode 7 of this second part. I think they reached such an absurd level that I loved it. You truly become convinced that what happened in this episode was relevant to our protagonist, to the point that it changed something in him. But focusing on the main points of this part, I really think it wasn't that bad. They gave us a satisfactory conclusion and also showed us what the next season of the anime will be about, which truly promises a lot. I will emphasize what I said in my previous review of the first part to conclude: "If you like martial arts or the fighting genre, this is an anime that I think you shouldn't miss. That said, I don't think it's for everyone. There will be many unrealistic elements, but that's the essence of the anime, so if you don't like them, this is not the anime for you."
Also, if you watched the first part of the season, I think it won't disappoint you at the beginning. After the middle of the season, I think it will be the case. It kind of plummets, and the fights aren't as unexpected or spectacular as we saw before. I still recommend it because it delivers on what it promised and is entertaining.
Bonus: I loved the intro to this second part.

Español.
Una primera parte bastante interesante a mi parecer, miren si ya han visto los anteriores anime de este protagonista les encantará este nuevo anime. Tiene las mismas estética de fuerza y artes marciales que a muchos les encantará con un poco de una historia loca e irreal que le encantará a los fans de la serie, ahora si quieres empezar con este anime a ver Baki creo que no es una mala idea, todos los luchadores son explicados y aunque no entenderás muchas cosas no es totalmente necesario.
La trama de aquí es una en donde distintos peleadores del mundo can a Japón para perder algo que nunca han experimentado, cada uno con distintas habilidades que les ayudarán. Una historia que a mi parecer tiene mucho potencial y aquí pudieron demostrarlo, vemos a todos los criminales y más en específico a dos a profundidad en donde cada pelea tendrá una consecuencia que puede que perdure o no.
Si te gustan las artes marciales o el género de peleas este es un anime que creo que no te debes de perder, eso si, no creo que sea para todos, habrá muchos elementos irreales pero eso es la esencia del anime entonces si no te llegan a agradar este no es un anime para ti. Si eres un espectador más casual creo que te entretendrá pero no encontrarás mucha congruencia en la historia o no entenderás muchas cosas porque como tal este no es el primer anime del personaje.
Una segunda parte de la temporada que termina y empieza con algo interesante, aquí ya vemos a los últimos peleadores presos además de que nos damos cuenta de lo débiles que fueron unos y lo fuertes que fueron otros, para mí lo más relevante de está segunda parte o gracioso fue el episodio 20 de la temporada o él episodios 7 de está segunda parte, creo que llegaron a un absurdo tan grande que me encantó, en verdad te convences que lo que sucedió en este episodio fue relevante para nuestro protagonista al tal grado que cambió algo en él.
Pero ya centrándonos en lo principal de está parte en verdad creo que no estuvo tan mal, nos dieron una conclusión satisfactoria además de mostrarnos de lo que tratara la siguiente temporada del anime que en verdad promete muchísimo, recalcare lo que dije en mi anterior crítica de la primera parte para concluir: “Si te gustan las artes marciales o el género de peleas este es un anime que creo que no te debes de perder, eso si, no creo que sea para todos, habrá muchos elementos irreales pero eso es la esencia del anime entonces si no te llegan a agradar este no es un anime para ti”.
También si y viste la primera parte de la temporada creo que está al principio no te decepcionará después de la mitad de la temporada creo que si será el caso, como que cae en picada además de que los enfrentamientos no son tan inesperados o espectaculares como vimos con anterioridad, aún así la recomiendo por el hecho que cumple con lo prometido además de ser entretenida.
Extra: me encanto la Intro de esta segunda parte.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jan 12, 2024

MxS7HGS

Not Recommended

Fans of “Baki” already know what to expect. Where the show becomes more interested in establishing a strange and improbable situation between fights, rather than martial arts, logic, sense of coherence and explanations or intense battles. One would wonder how it is possible that even serious injuries, which could be facial wounds or severed hands, can easily be handled if only using simple means like band aids and stitches. The show is not about blood loss or even death because here, there is a divine doctor who can even resurrect people from the threshold of death. The fights themselves, however are not all that inspiring ... and can be slow-paced, the CGI in some episodes leaves a lot to be desired. The dialogue can also be weird. However, if these eccentricities don't bother you, you may enjoy the show or appreciate its unusual style.

In the second season, after winning the title of the strongest man in Japan and defeating his brother in a duel, Baki is challenged by five dangerous criminals who emerge from around the world due to "synchronicity." They come to Japan to fight the best in the underground arena, and the cycle continues for 24 episodes until the challengers finally understand the concept of defeat. Nonetheless, bad CGI battles and slow pacing make the fights not as exciting. Besides, there is an occasional interruption by a narrator with some nonsensical details, and that makes the show further confusing.

Characters are not well developed and their relationships are shallow. They are somehow related to each other, however. The show has its own weird logic, for example the scene that sex enhances strength and also that blood loss is not a problem. Finally, there is an odd romance between Doyle and Retsu.

The music itself is average and the animation quality ranges from mediocre to poor. The backgrounds and lighting effects are visually appealing, but the poor CGI in certain episodes becomes a weakness.

In general, this season can be a hit or miss with viewers as some fights are interesting and others aren’t. Pacing, animation, and the absence of narrator are some areas that could have been better but like it boils down to being an acquired taste not so much due to its style itself but for what is done with the result.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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	Poll: Baki Episode 8 Discussion Ulquiorra - Aug 13, 2018	26 replies	by stobagen »» Mar 13, 7:26 PM
	Poll: Baki Episode 15 Discussion Lairucrem - Sep 30, 2018	27 replies	by Sun_Chan »» Mar 5, 4:23 PM
	Poll: Baki Episode 14 Discussion Ulquiorra - Sep 24, 2018	27 replies	by Sun_Chan »» Mar 5, 4:00 PM
	Poll: Baki Episode 12 Discussion Lairucrem - Sep 10, 2018	30 replies	by Sun_Chan »» Mar 4, 11:01 PM
	Poll: Baki Episode 11 Discussion uninstallthegame - Sep 3, 2018	28 replies	by Sun_Chan »» Mar 4, 10:50 PM