Baki: How to Read and Watch in Order (2024)

Baki, also known as Baki the Grappler, is one of Japan's most famous and beloved anime and manga franchises due to its gripping characters, twisting plot, and pulse-pounding fight scenes. The series' popularity has grown massively in recent years, as a whole new audience has been introduced to Baki thanks to Netflix's international distribution of the latest anime adaptations. But these adaptations are only part of the story. Baki is a giant franchise with several anime adaptations and even more manga series, which means the series can look intimidating to newcomers.

Written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki, Baki started life as a manga in the pages of Weekly Shōnen Champion in 1991. The series follows Baki Hanma, a young man whose father is a mighty fighter feared by many due to his power and sheer brutality. Baki, desperate to surpass and defeat his father, embarks on a rigorous and punishing training regime to develop his own fighting style. On this journey, Baki encounters and battles many other fighters, each with unique skills and techniques, forcing young Baki to constantly better himself. However, he soon learns that his newfound power attracts people who will stop at nothing to take him down.

Baki's Manga Has Many Side Stories And Spin-Offs

Baki is an exceptionally long-running manga series, spawning a massive number of side stories, spin-offs, and sequels. Because of this, it can be hard to know exactly where to start. The first manga, titled Grappler Baki, started life in 1991 in the pages of Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine. This first series ran until 1997 and was collected into 42 volumes once it was complete. However, the series was so popular that it returned to Weekly Shōnen Champion a few years after it ended. This sequel series, titled Baki, ran between 1999 and 2005 and spans 31 volumes. Baki Hanma (also called Baki: Son of Ogre), the franchise's next installment, launched in 2005 and ran until 2012, spanning 37 volumes.

After Baki Hanma, the series gets confusing for English-language fans as the next two series have the same translated name. First, there was Baki-Dou, which ran for 22 volumes between 2014 and 2018. A new series, also called Baki-dou, began in 2018, mere months after the previous series ended. This series ran for 17 volumes before concluding in 2023. In Japan, these series are easy to tell apart because the 2014 Baki-Dou writes the title in kanji, while the 2018 version uses katakana. However, as this nuance doesn't translate to the Latin alphabet, American fans often call the 2018 series Bakidou to differentiate it. Finally, the most recent mainline Baki entry, Baki Rahen, started in 2023 and is currently being serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion.

However, things are not easy for English-speaking fans, as official translations and releases of Baki have been sparse. The original Baki the Grappler series was acquired by Gutsoon! Entertainment. The firm published the series in its manga anthology Raijin Comics. Alas, this magazine was a failure, only running from 2002 to 2004, meaning that only the first 45 chapters were translated. Plus, copies of these magazines are hard to find now, putting them out of reach for most manga fans. The second manga, Baki, was acquired by Media Do International. This firm released English-language digital versions of all 31 volumes between 2018 and 2019. These versions are still available on Amazon, making them highly accessible to American manga fans.

Mainline Baki Manga In Order

Thankfully, the main parts of Baki were released in storyline order, meaning readers can read the series in release order. Outside the mainline series, Baki has many spin-offs and side stories. However, like most of the core Baki series, none of these side stories or spin-offs have been translated into English or licensed for American distribution. Because of this, American fans who want to experience these parts of the Baki story are out of luck for the foreseeable future.

The first side story was 1999's Grappler Baki Gaiden, a nine-chapter story about a wrestling match between Antonio Igari and Mount Toba. The next spin-off, Baki: Tokubetsuhen Saga, began in 2002. This one-volume tale takes place around the same time as the second manga's 15th volume. Then, in 2005, the Baki Gaiden: Scarface spin-off would start its serialization. Written and illustrated by Yukinao Yamauchi, it follows Kaoru Hanayama's exploits in the Yakuza and surrounding criminal underworld. It was printed in Champion Red between 2005 and 2007 before moving to Weekly Shōnen Champion in 2009.

Next was 2008's Baki Hanma 10.5 Gaiden: Pickle. This single-volume series is set after the 10th volume of Baki Hanma. The following year, another spin-off, Baki Gaiden: Gaia, would arrive in the pages of Weekly Shōnen Champion in 2009. This series was written and illustrated by Hitoshi Tomizawa and follows Gaia, the warrior with two personalities.

In 2012, Baki Gaiden: Kizuzura, a spin-off written by Yukio Yamauchi, launched in Bessatsu Shōnen Champion. This series follows Kaoru Hanayama through high school and ran for three volumes. The following year, Baki Gaiden: Kenjin would start in Champion Red. Written and illustrated by Kengou Miyatani, this spin-off followed Doppo, the head of the Shinshinkai Karate School.

The next Baki spin-off began in Weekly Shōnen Champion in 2018. Titled Yuenchi: Baki Gaiden, this series was written by Baku Yumemakura and follows Mumon Katsuragi, Katsumi Orochi's older brother. However, the canon status of this spin-off is debated as Baku Yumemakura featured many characters from his Garōden novel series, making it closer to a crossover than a true spin-off. 2018 also saw the release of the Baki: Revenge Tokyo side story. Found in the Baki's New Edition line of tankōbon releases, this spin-off focuses on the prisoners seen in the core manga's Most Evil Death Row Convicts arc.

Then, in 2020, Baki Gaiden: Retsu Kaiou wa Isekai Tensei Shitemo Ikkou ni Kamawan, the strangest Baki spin-off, arrived in the pages of Monthly Shōnen Champion. Written by Keisuke Itagaki and Sai Ihara, this series is an isekai that sees Retsu Kaioh get reincarnated into another world. Then, in 2022, Baki Gaiden: Gaia to Sikorsky ~Tokidoki Nomura Futari Dakedo San'nin Kurashi~, a more normal spin-off series, debuted in Monthly Shōnen Champion. This comedy-focused series follows Gaia and Sikorsky as they handle the fallout from their fight. In 2023, Champion Red launched the most recent Baki spin-off, Baki Gaiden: Hana no Chiharu. As the title suggests, this series follows Chiharu Shiba, Kaoru Hanayama's long-time friend.

Baki Spin-Offs And Side-Stories In Release Order

The generally accepted reading order for the core Baki series and its main spin-offs are:

However, it is hard to accurately place many of the spin-offs and side stories into the main timeline, meaning that new readers will likely find it easier to read the mainline series first and then select spin-offs and side stories based on what interests them, especially as none of them are essential to understanding the main plot. Plus, the spin-offs and side stories often harm the story's tight pacing if read alongside the main story.

Baki's Anime Is Easy To Follow

Due to its massive popularity, the Baki story has received many anime adaptations. Unfortunately, as many of these adaptations have similar titles, it is easy to get them mixed up, making the series hard to follow for newcomers. The first adaptation, 1994's Baki The Grappler: The Ultimate Fighter, was an OVA animated by Knack Productions. This OVA retells the story found in the first few volumes of the manga. Central Park Media acquired the rights to this OVA and released it in America on DVD and VHS in the late '90s.

Next, in 2001, Group TAC would make a two-season anime adaptation of the series, once again dubbed Baki The Grappler. The first season covers the first two arcs of the manga but flips their order. In the manga, the first arc follows a 17-year-old Baki and then uses an extended flashback sequence to tell readers about his life up to that moment. The anime reverses this order and tells the story in chronological order. The second season, often called Grappler Baki: Maximum Tournament, covers the last arc of the manga's first part. FUNimation bought the rights to this anime and released the show on DVD between 2005 and 2007, meaning American fans can enjoy the entire story without difficulty.

Once this season concluded, fans had to wait a while for Baki to return to anime, as the series wouldn't be adapted again until 2016, when Telecom Animation Film made a short OVA titled Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts Special Anime. This anime is often overlooked because it came with the limited-edition release of the Baki-Dou manga's 14th volume. Plus, it was never picked up for international distribution, making it hard to find today.

Then, in 2018, the ONA Baki launched. Animated by TMS Entertainment, this series adapts the New Grappler Baki manga. Unlike previous installments, this series is easy to watch in America as Netflix distributed the show internationally. Then, in 2020, this anime got a second season, dubbed The Great Raitai Tournament Saga. Once again, Netflix distributed this series in Japan and America, making it very easy to watch. In 2021, Baki returned with a new series titled Baki Hanma (also known as Hanma Baki – Son of Ogre), which picks up where the 2018 show left off. Like the previous show, Baki Hanma got a second season in 2023. Both seasons of this show are distributed internationally by Netflix.

Baki By Release Order

Thankfully, watching Baki in order is pretty easy, as most of the anime series follow on from one another, with each new series adapting the next bit of the manga. The only major issue surrounds the 2001 anime. Due to its short run time, this anime omits a lot of content, skipping over many of the things the 1994 OVA covered. While the series is enjoyable even with these omissions, fans who want the most complete experience should watch the 1994 OVA after finishing episode 16 of Baki The Grappler to fill in the gaps.

Baki In Story Order

It should be noted that Netflix has an ongoing issue with its Baki and Baki Hanma listings in some regions. While the shows are listed separately, both thumbnails use the Baki Hanma logo, making it hard to tell them apart. Doubly so because Netflix lists the release date of the most recent season in the release field rather than the date of the first episode. Currently, 2018's Baki has a 2020 release date and is split into three box sets: Season 1: Part 1, Season 1: Part 2, and The Great Raitai Tournament Saga (which is the second season). The second Baki show, Baki Hanma, has two seasons and is listed with a 2023 release date.

Baki is one of the most beloved anime and manga franchises of all time, and Baki Hanma is one of the most instantly recognizable lead characters in anime history. The sheer amount of Baki media in both the anime and manga mediums is a testament to this, as a franchise doesn't last as long as Baki has without speaking to people and giving them a story they want to come back to time and time again.

Baki The Grappler

TV-PG

Action

Drama

Baki Hanma competes in an underground fighting tournament organized by Tokugawa. Masters of various fighting styles come from all over the world in order to determine who is the strongest fighter on Earth.

Release Date

January 8, 2001

Cast

Bob Carter , Robert McCollum

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

2 Seasons

Creator

Atsuhiro Tomioka

Producer

Hiroyoshi Ōkura, Kenjirō Kawando

Production Company

Free-Will, Group TAC

Number of Episodes

48 Episodes