Baki the Grappler.
Grappler Baki (グラップラー刃牙, Gurappurā Baki) or Baki the Grappler, is a manga series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion from 1991 to 1999, and later collected into 42 tankoubon volumes. It was followed by five 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.
A 45-minute original video animation (OVA) was released in 1994. A 24-episode anime aired on TV Tokyo between January 8 and June 25, 2001. This was quickly followed by a second 24-episode series, from July 22 to December 24, 2001. 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 (incomplete), and finally both anime series, in 2005 by Funimation Entertainment. The 2012 comedy film Graffreeter Toki (lit. "Toki the Freelancing Grappler") is based on the March 2011 play of the same name, which in turn was inspired by Grappler Baki. Media Do International began releasing the second manga series digitally in August 2018. As of 2018, the first four Baki series had over 75 million collected volumes in circulation. The Baki Gaiden: Scarface spin-off series had 3.5 million copies in print as of February 2019. An Original net animation (ONA) was released on Netflix between June 25 and September 24, 2018, followed by a second season that was released on June 4, 2020. The Baki series is one of the best-selling manga of all time, with over 85 million copies in circulation.
Plot[]
Baki Hanma is raised by his wealthy and obsessive mother, Emi Akezawa, who also funds his training in the hopes that he can be a powerful fighter like his father. Around the start of the series, Baki outgrows traditional training and heads out to follows 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.
After being beaten, Baki travels around the world continuing his training. Years down the road he finds an underground fighting arena where he fights some of the most powerful fighters of all styles of martial arts. It is here he truly begins to hone his martial arts skills.
Manga[]
Main Series[]
| Baki the Grappler | |
|---|---|
|
Main article: Baki the Grappler Baki the Grappler (or Grappler Baki) is a original series, serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion from 1991 to 1999. Collected into 42 volumes. From 2007-2008 it was collected into 24 deluxe edition volumes. This series was licensed for a North American release by Gutsoon! Entertainment, who retitled it Baki the Grappler. They 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. 4 collected volumes were planned but it is unknown if they were released. |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
| Baki | |
|
Main article: Baki Baki (New Grappler Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero or New Grappler Baki) is a second series, also serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion from 1999 to November 24, 2005, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki, collected into 31 volumes. The manga series is licensed for English release by Media Do International, who began releasing it digitally in August 2018. |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
| Hanma Baki | |
|
Main article: Hanma Baki Hanma Baki (or Baki: Son of Ogre) is a third series, again serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion, began on December 1, 2005 and ended on August 16, 2012, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki, collected into 37 volumes. |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
| Baki-Dou | |
|
Main article: Baki-Dou Baki-Dou is a fourth manga series, serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion from March 20, 2014 to April 5, 2018, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki, collected into 22 volumes. |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
| Baki Dou | |
|
Main article: Baki Dou Baki Dou is a fifth manga series, serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion from 2018, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
| Baki Rahen | |
|
Main article: Baki Rahen Baki Rahen is a sixth manga series, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki, serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion from August 24, 2023. |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
Side Stories[]
| Grappler Baki Gaiden: Antonio Igari vs Mount Toba | |
|---|---|
|
Main article: Grappler Baki Gaiden: Antonio Igari vs Mount Toba Grappler Baki Gaiden: Antonio Igari vs Mount Toba is the gaiden (side story) of Baki the Grappler, taking place immediately after the Maximum Tournament Saga, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki, serialized in Weekly Shounen Chamoion in 1999. |
| Baki Tokubetsu-hen: Saga | |
|
Main article: Baki Tokubetsu-hen: Saga Baki Tokubetsu-hen: Saga is the side story that develops at the same time as volume 15 of Baki manga series, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki, serialized in Young Champion Comics in 2002. |
| Baki Gaiden: Scarface | |
|
Main article: Baki Gaiden: Scarface Baki Gaiden: Scarface is a spinoff series, written by Keisuke Itagaki and illustrated by Yukinao Yamauchi, depicting Kaoru Hanayama's yakuza adventures. Ran from March 2005 to December 2007 in Champion Red, then in July 2009 in Weekly Shounen Champion, currently 8 volumes. |
| Hanma Baki 10.5 Gaiden: Pickle | |
|
Main article: Hanma Baki 10.5 Gaiden: Pickle Hanma Baki 10.5 Gaiden: Pickle is the gaiden of Hanma Baki, taking place after volume 10, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki, serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion in 2008. |
| Baki Gaiden: Kizudzura | |
|
Main article: Baki Gaiden: Kizudzura Baki Gaiden: Kizudzura is a spinoff series, written by Keisuke Itagaki and illustrated by Yukinao Yamauchi, based on Hanayama Kaoru adventures in High school. Began in Bessatsu Shounen Champion in July 2012. |
| Baki Gaiden: Kenjin | |
|
Main article: Baki Gaiden: Kenjin Baki Gaiden: Kenjin is a spinoff series, written by Keisuke Itagaki and illustrated by Kenko Miyatani, representing and describing Doppo's adventures. Began in Champion Red in June 2013. |
| Yuuenchi – Baki Gaiden | |
|
Main article: Yuuenchi – Baki Gaiden Yuuenchi – Baki Gaiden is a spinoff series illustrated tales, written by Keisuke Itagaki and Baku Yumemakura and illustrated by Yuria Fujita, serialized in Shounen Champion from 2018. |
| Yuuenchi – Baki Gaiden Manga | |
|
Main article: Yuuenchi – Baki Gaiden Manga Yuuenchi – Baki Gaiden Manga is a spinoff manga series to Baki franchise, written by Keisuke Itagaki and Baku Yumemakura and illustrated by Yuria Fujita, serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion from 2022. |
| Baki Gaiden: Gaia to Sikorsky | |
|
Main article: Baki Gaiden: Gaia to Sikorsky Baki Gaiden: Gaia to Sikorsky is a spinoff manga series to Baki franchise, written by Keisuke Itagaki and illustrated by Takaaki Hayashi, serialized in Shounen Champion from 2022. |
| Baki Gaiden: Hana no Chiharu | |
|
Main article: Baki Gaiden: Hana no Chiharu Baki Gaiden: Hana no Chiharu is a spinoff manga series to Baki franchise, written by Keisuke Itagaki and illustrated by Tomokazu Omatsu, serialized in Champion Red from 2023. |
Extras[]
Other[]
| Grappler Baki Fighting | |
|---|---|
|
Main article: Grappler Baki Fighting Grappler Baki Fighting, serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion Extra in 2001. |
|
| Baki Ultimate Book: Grappler Side | |
|
Main article: Baki Ultimate Book: Grappler Side Baki Ultimate Book: Grappler Side is a compendium of the characters and events in the world of Baki The Grappler, covers until volume 23 of the second saga, serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion in 2004. |
|
| Baki Ultimate Book: Fighting Side | |
|
Main article: Baki Ultimate Book: Fighting Side Baki Ultimate Book: Fighting Side is a compendium of every battle fought and its results in the world of Grappler Baki, also covers until volume 23 of the second saga, serialized in Weekly Shounen Champion in 2004. |
|
| Baki Domoe | |
|
Main article: Baki Domoe Baki Domoe is a parody manga of Baki series, created by Saitou Naoki and serialized in Bessatsu Shounen Magazine in 2010. |
|
| Baki Gaiden: Retsu Kaiou wa Isekai Tensei Shitemo Ikkou ni Kamawan | |
|
Main article: Baki Gaiden: Retsu Kaiou wa Isekai Tensei Shitemo Ikkou ni Kamawan Baki Gaiden: Retsu Kaiou wa Isekai Tensei Shitemo Ikkou ni Kamawan is a spinoff series, illustrated by Eiji Murai and written by Sai Ihara. It began in the November 6, 2020 issue of Monthly Shounen Champion. |
|
Anime[]
Main Series[]
| Baki the Grappler (TV) | |
|---|---|
|
Main article: Baki the Grappler (TV) Baki the Grappler TV is a 24-episode anime series aired on TV Tokyo between January 8, 2001 and June 25, 2001. It faithfully follows the original manga series. Notably, the anime was produced by Free-Will, a music record label. |
|
| Baki the Grappler: Maximum Tournament | |
|
Main article: Baki the Grappler: Maximum Tournament Baki the Grappler: Maximum Tournament is a second 24-episode series, it tells the story from that part of the manga, aired from July 23, 2001 to December 24, 2001. It is a TV series. |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
| Baki (2018 ONA) | |
|
Main article: Baki (2018 ONA) Baki is a third anime series, it is based on the first saga of the manga series of Baki, aired from June 25, 2018 to December 16, 2018. The series is an ONA (Original Net Animation). |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
| Baki (2020 ONA) | |
|
Main article: Baki (2020 ONA) Baki is a fourth anime series, it is based on the second saga of the manga series of Baki, all episodes aired on June 4, 2020. The series is an ONA (Original Net Animation). |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
| Hanma Baki (2021 ONA) | |
|
Main article: Hanma Baki (2021 ONA) Hanma Baki is a fifth anime series, it is based on the third manga series, the series was released on September 30, 2021. The series is an ONA (Original Net Animation). |
|
| Hanma Baki (2023 ONA) | |
|
Main article: Hanma Baki (2023 ONA) Hanma Baki is a sixth anime series chronologically, it is based on the third manga series, the series is set to be released in July 26, 2023. The series is an ONA (Original Net Animation). |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
Other[]
| Grappler Baki (OVA) | |
|---|---|
|
Main article: Grappler Baki (OVA) Grappler Baki is a 45-minute original video animation (OVA) was released in 1994. It was licensed and released on DVD, under the title Baki The Grappler: The Ultimate Fighter, in North America by Central Park Media on December 1, 1998. Manga Entertainment later released it in Australia and the United Kingdom. |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
| Baki: Saikyou Shikeishuu-hen Special Anime | |
|
Main article: Baki: Saikyou Shikeishuu-hen Special Anime Baki: Saikyou Shikeishuu-hen Special Anime is a 15-minute OAD (Original Animation DVD) series. |
|
| Hanma Baki VS Kengan Ashura | |
|
Main article: Hanma Baki VS Kengan Ashura Hanma Baki VS Kengan Ashura is a crossover anime movie between the Hanma Baki and Kengan Ashura, animated by TMS Entertainment. |
|
|
Sagas:
| |
Games[]
There have been a one video game based on the series. A fighting game developed by Tomy was released for the PlayStation 2 as Grappler Baki: Baki Saikyou Retsuden (グラップラー刃牙 バキ最強列伝, Gurappurā Baki - Baki Saikyō Retsuden) in Japan in 2000 and as Fighting Fury in the United Kingdom during 2003.
Mobile Games[]
- Hanma Baki - Baki - for Yahoo! Mobage (2013)
- Typing Grappler Baki (2014)
- Grappler Baki: Ultimate Championship (2017)
- Baki: King of Souls (2022)