Baki the Grappler

Baki the Grappler (グラップラー刃牙, Gurappurā Baki, "Grappler Baki") is a manga series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1991 to 1999 and collected into 42 tankōbon volumes. It was followed by two sequel series; Baki (バキ, officially romanized as "New Grappler Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero"), which was serialized from 1999 to 2005 and collected into 31 volumes, and Baki Hanma (範馬刃牙, Hanma Baki, officially romanized as "Baki: Son of Ogre"), which was serialized from 2005 to 2012 and collected into 37 volumes. A third sequel, Baki-Dou (刃牙道, Baki Dō, lit. "Baki: The Way"), began serialization on March 20, 2014.

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. As of September 2016, the Baki series had sold over 63 million copies.

Plot

Baki is raised by his wealthy and money-obsessive mother, Emi Akezawa, who also funds his training in the hopes that he can be a powerful warrior like his father. 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.

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.

Media

Manga

Main series

• Grappler Baki (グラップラー刃牙, Gurappurā Baki) ― Original series, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1991 to 1999. Collected into 42 volumes, that encompasses The Champion, the Kid, and the Maximum Tournament sagas. From 2007-2008 it was collected into 24 deluxe edition volumes.^[1][2]

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.^[3] 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.

• New Grappler Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero (バキ, Baki) ― Second series, also serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1999 to November 24, 2005.^[4] Collected into 31 volumes, and encompasses The Prisoners, the Chinese Challenge, and the Ali. Jr sagas.
• Baki: Son of Ogre (範馬刃牙, Hanma Baki) ― Third series, again serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion, began on December 1, 2005 and ended on August 16, 2012.^[4][5] Collected into 37 volumes, and encompasses the Oliva's Fortress, The Prehistoric Menace, Retsu Kaiou's Boxing, and the final confrontation of Yujiro and Baki.
• Baki-Dou (刃牙道, Baki Dō) ― Fourth series, began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Champion on March 20, 2014.^[6] Currently on volume 13.

Gaiden

• Grappler Baki Gaiden: Igari vs Mount Toba - Immediately after the Maximum Tournament.
• Baki Saga: The Romantic Contact - Side story that develops at the same time as volume 15.
• Baki Gaiden: Scarface (バキ外伝 -スカーフェイス-) (or Scarface, The Legend of the Invincible Fist) - 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 in July 2009 in Weekly Shōnen Champion, currently 5 volumes.
• Baki Gaiden: Scarface 2nd series (バキ外伝 創面) - Spinoff series, written and illustrated by Yukinao Yamauchi, based on Hanayama Kaoru adventures in High school. Began in Bessatsu Shōnen Champion in July 2012.^[5]
• Baki Gaiden: Kenjin (バキ外伝 拳刃) - Spinoff series, written and illustrated by Kenko Miyatani, representing and describing Doppo's adventures. Began in Champion Red in June 2013.^[7]

Supplements

• Grappler Baki: Red Dragon Side, Grappler Side - Compendium of the characters and events in the world of Grappler Baki, covers until volume 23 of the second saga.
• Grappler Baki: Blue Tiger Side, Fighting Side - Compendium of every battle fought and its results in the world of Grappler Baki, also covers until volume 23 of the second saga.

Original video animations

A 45-minute original video animation (OVA) was released in 1994. The story is a close adaptation of the first few volumes of the original manga, in which Baki Hanma fights Shinogi Koushou. It was licensed and released on DVD, under the title Grappler Baki: The Ultimate Fighter, in North America by Central Park Media on December 1, 1998.^[8] Manga Entertainment later released it in Australia and the United Kingdom.

An original animation DVD (OAD), referred to as Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts Special Anime (バキ 最凶死刑囚編SP(スペシャル)アニメ), will be included with the limited edition of the 14 volume of Baki-Dou on December 6, 2016. However, it will be adapting the arc of the same name from the second manga series, which is titled simply Baki. Created by Telecom Animation Film, it will be directed by Teiichi Takiguchi and focus on five inmates who breakout of prison from around the world and travel to Japan.^[9][10]

Anime series

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. A second 24-episode series, titled Grappler Baki: Maximum Tournament (グラップラー刃牙 最大トーナメント編) 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 performed by Ryōko Aoyagi. The first anime's opening theme is "Ai Believe" (哀 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.^[11] Two box sets were released on January 23, 2007 and March 25, 2008, the first included volumes 1-6 (1st series), while the second included 7-12 (2nd series).^[12][13] 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 11:30pm,^[14] switching to the 10:00pm slot on September 4, 2006.^[15] 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, who is signed to Free-Will.

In December 2016, it was announced that the "Most Evil Death Row Convicts" arc of the second manga series will be receiving an anime television adaptation.^[9]

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 Fighting Fury (グラップラー刃牙 バキ最強列伝, Gurappurā Baki - Baki Saikyō Retsuden) in Japan in 2000 and the United Kingdom during 2003.^[16]

Reception

As of Septemebr 2016, the Baki series have sold over 63 million collected volumes.^[17] Allen Divers and Jason Thompson, both writing for Anime News Network, briefly described the series as "very compelling" and a "demented fighting manga", respectively.^[18][19]

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.^[20]

References

External links

• 25th Anniversary website (Japanese)
• Anime official website (Japanese)
• Baki the Grappler (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

Group TAC
Television series	Space Battleship Yamato (1974–1975) Huckleberry no Bōken (1976) Manga Ijin Monogatari (1977–1978) Space Battleship Yamato II (1978–1979) Space Battleship Yamato III (1980–1981) Tokimeki Tonight (1982–1983) Igano Kabamaru (1983–1984) Touch (1985–1987) Hiatari Ryōkō! (1987–1988) Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990–1991) Sunset on Third Street (1990–1991) Yadamon (1992–1993) Tama of Third Street: Do You Know My Tama? (1993–1994) Jungle King Tar-chan (1993–1994) Gakkō no Kowai Uwasa: Hanako-san ga Kita!! (1994–1995) Soar High! Isami (1995–1996) Street Fighter II V (1995) Bonobono (1995–1996) Those Who Hunt Elves (1996) YAT Anshin! Uchū Ryokō (1996–1998) Fair, then Partly Piggy (1997–1998) Those Who Hunt Elves 2 (1997) Android Announcer Maico 2010 (1998) Flint the Time Detective (1998–1999) Legend of Himiko (1999) Kyorochan (1999–2001) Oruchuban Ebichu (1999) Ippatsu Kiki Musume (1999) Miami Guns (2000) Gensomaden Saiyuki (2000–2001) Fighting Foodons (2000–2001) Grappler Baki (2001) The Family's Defensive Alliance (2001) Cosmic Baton Girl Princess Comet (2001–2002) Gyōten Ningen Batseelor (2001–2002) Grappler Baki: Maximum Tournament (2001) Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 (2001–2002) Gilgamesh (2003–2004) Saiyuki ReLoad (2003–2004) Twin Spica (2003–2004) Area 88 (2004) Viewtiful Joe (2004–2005) Ton-Ton Atta to Niigata no Mukashi Banashi (2004) Grenadier (2004–2005) Gakuen Alice (2004–2005) Nanami-chan (2004–2009) Kage Kara Mamoru! (2006) Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora (2006) Ballad of a Shinigami (2006) Tokko (2006) Tama and Friends: Search For It! The Magic Puni-Puni Stone (2006) Black Blood Brothers (2006) Tetsuko no Tabi (2007) Happy Happy Clover (2007)
Films	Jack and the Beanstalk (1974) Space Battleship Yamato (1977) Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato (1978) Yamato: The New Voyage (1979) 11 Piki no Neko (1980–1986) Be Forever Yamato (1980) Zō no Inai Dōbutsuen (1982) Final Yamato (1983) Nine (1983) Nine the Original (1983) Nine 2: Sweetheart Declaration (1983) Nine 3: Final (1984) Captain Tsubasa: Europe Daikessen (1985) Night on the Galactic Railroad (1985) Captain Tsubasa: Ayaushi, Zen Nippon Jr. (1985) Captain Tsubasa: Asu ni Mukatte Hashire (1986) Touch: Sebangō no Nai Ace (1986) Captain Tsubasa: Sekai Daikessen!! Jr. World Cup (1986) Touch 2: Sayonara no Okurimono (1986) Touch 3: Kimi ga Tōri Sugita Ato ni (1987) Murasaki Shikibu Genji Monogatari (1987) Hiatari Ryōkō! Ka - su - mi: Yume no Naka ni Kimi ga Ita (1988) Run! White Wolf (1990) Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1991) Huckleberry no Bōken (1991) Tama of Third Street: Please! Search for Momo-chan!! (1993) Bonobono (1993) Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (1994) Spring and Chaos (1996) Touch: Miss Lonely Yesterday (1998) Street Fighter Alpha: The Animation (2000) The Laws of the Sun (2000) Touch: Cross Road (2001) Gensomaden Saiyuki Requiem: A Requiem for The One Not Chosen (2001) The Golden Laws (2003) Arashi no Yoru ni (2005) The Laws of Eternity (2006) The Rebirth of Buddha (2009)
OVAs/ONAs	Tama and Friends: Third Street Story (1988–1990) Manga Edo Ero Banashi (1989) Everyday is Sunday (1990–1992) Nozomi Witches (1992–1993) Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (1994) Princess Minerva (1995) Strange Love (1997) Grandeek (2000) Gensomaden Saiyuki: Kibou no Zaika (2002) Submarine 707R (2003) Blame! (2003) Ajisai no Uta (2004) Shinran-sama: Negai, Soshite Hikari (2008)
Category

Tokyo Movie Shinsha/TMS Entertainment
1960s	Big X (1964–1965) Obake no Q-tarō (1965–1967) Perman (1967–1968) Kyojin no Hoshi (1968–1971) Kaibutsu-kun (1968–1969) Moomin (1969–1970) Attack No. 1 (1969–1971)
1970s	Shin Obake no Q-tarō (1971–1972) Tensai Bakabon (1971–1972) Lupin III (1971–1972) Akado Suzunosuke (1972–1973) Dokonjō Gaeru (1972–1974) Jungle Kurobe (1973) Kōya no Shōnen Isamu (1973–1974) Karate Baka Ichidai (1973–1974) Ace o Nerae! (1973–1974) First Human Giatrus (1974–1976) Ganba no Bōken (1975) Ganso Tensai Bakabon (1975–1977) Shin Kyojin no Hoshi (1977–1978) Ie Naki Ko (1977–1978) Shin Lupin III (1977–1980) Treasure Island (1978–1979) Shin Ace o Nerae! (1978–1979) Shin Kyojin no Hoshi II (1979) Versailles no Bara (1979–1980)
1980s	New Tetsujin 28-go (1980–1981) Ashita no Joe 2 (1980–1981) Ohayō! Spank (1981–1982) Shin Dokonjō Gaeru (1981–1982) Acrobunch (1982) Rokushin Gattai God Mars (1981–1982) Jarinko Chie (1981–1983) Uchu Densetsu Ulysses 31 (1981–1982) Space Cobra (1982–1983) Perman (1983–1985) Lady Georgie (1983–1984) Chō Jikū Seiki Orguss (1983–1984) Cat's Eye (1983–1984) Lupin III Part 3 (1984–1985) God Mazinger (1984) Mighty Orbots (1984) Cat's Eye (1984–1985) Meitantei Holmes (1984–1985) Onegai! Samia-don (1985–1986) Robotan (1986) Galaxy High (1986) Bug-tte Honey (1986–1987) Soreike! Anpanman (1988–present) Ohayō! Spank (1989–1991) Goodbye Lady Liberty (1989) Lupin III television specials (1989–present)
1990s	Mischievous Twins: The Tales of St. Clare's (1991) Kinkyū Hasshin Saver Kids (1991–1992) Jarinko Chie: Chie-chan Funsenki (1991–1992) Watashi to Watashi: Futari no Lottie (1991–1992) Tetsujin 28-go FX (1992–1993) My Patrasche (1992–1993) Ohayō! Spank (1994–1995) Soccer Fever (1994–1995) Red Baron (1994–1995) Magic Knight Rayearth (1994–1995) Magic Knight Rayearth 2 (1995) Virtua Fighter (1995–1996) Kaito Saint Tail (1995–1996) Detective Conan (1996–present) B't X (1996) Wankorobe (1996–1997) B't X Neo (1997) Devil Lady (1998–1999) Monster Rancher (1999–2001) Shūkan Storyland (1999–2001) Gozonji! Gekko Kamen-kun (1999–2000) Cybersix (1999) Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon (1999–2000)
2000s	Magic Ball Mondo the 2000 (2000) Hamtaro (2000–2006) Shin Megami Tensei: DeviChil (2000–2001) Project ARMS (2001) Project ARMS: The 2nd Chapter (2001–2002) Patapata Hikōsen no Bōken (2002) Tenshi Na Konamaiki (2002–2003) Sonic X (2003–2004) Takahashi Rumic Gekijō (2003) The Wicked and the Damned: A Hundred Tales of Karma (2003) Mermaid's Forest (2003) PoPoLoCrois (2003–2004) Uninhabited Planet Survive! (2003–2004) Aishiteruze Baby (2004) Futakoi (2004) Gallery Fake (2005) Buzzer Beater (2005) Glass no Kamen (2005–2006) The Snow Queen (2005–2006) Tide-Line Blue (2005) Fighting Beauty Wulong (2005–2006) Mushiking: The King of Beetles (2005–2006) Angel Heart (2005–2006) Fighting Beauty Wulong Rebirth (2006) Trotting Hamtaro Hai! (2006–2008) Muteki Kanban Musume (2006) D.Gray-man (2006–2008) Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006–2007) Pururun! Shizuku-chan (2006–2007) Bakugan Battle Brawlers (2007–2008) Buzzer Beater II (2007) Pururun! Shizuku-chan Aha (2007–2008) Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture (2007) Itazura na Kiss (2008) CHIKO, Heiress of the Phantom Thief (2008) Telepathy Shōjo Ran Jiken Note (2008) Scarecrowman (2008) Bakugan: New Vestroia (2009–2010) Kupū~!! Mamegoma! (2009) Genji Monogatari Sennenki (2009) Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan (2009)
2010s	Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders (2010–2011) Lilpri (2010–2011) Magic Kaito (2010–2012) Cardfight!! Vanguard (2011–2012) Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge (2011–2012) Tottoko Hamtaro Dechu (2011–2012) Battle Girls: Time Paradox (2011) Brave 10 (2012) Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (2012) Hamtaro (2012–2013) Cardfight!! Vanguard: Asia Circuit (2012–2013) Zetman (2012) Moyasimon Returns (2012) Kamisama Kiss (2012) Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman (2013) Cardfight!! Vanguard: Link Joker (2013–2014) Yowamushi Pedal (2013–2014) The Pilot's Love Song (2014) Z/X Ignition (2014) Cardfight!! Vanguard: Legion Mate (2014) Hero Bank (2014–2015) Sengoku Basara: End of Judgement (2014) Gugure! Kokkuri-san (2014) Yowamushi Pedal Grande Road (2014–2015) Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls (2014) Cardfight!! Vanguard G (2014–2015) Kamisama Kiss◎ (2015) Jewelpet: Magical Change (2015) My Monster Secret (2015) Lupin the Third Part 4 (2015–2016) Cardfight!! Vanguard G: GIRS Crisis (2015–2016) Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation (2016) Bakuon!! (2016) Cardfight!! Vanguard G: Stride Gate (2016) Kamiwaza Wanda (2016–present) ReLIFE (2016) Orange (2016) Bananya (2016) D.Gray-man Hallow (2016) Sweetness and Lightning (2016) All Out!! (2016–2017) Nobunaga no Shinobi (2016) Trickster (2016–2017) Yowamushi Pedal: New Generation (2017) Chain Chronicle ~Light of Haecceitas~ (2017)
Films	Kyojin no Hoshi: Chizome no Kesshousen (1969) Kyojin no Hoshi: Ike Ike Hyuuma (1969) Kyojin no Hoshi: Dai League Ball (1970) Kyojin no Hoshi: Shukumei no Taiketsu (1970) Panda! Go, Panda! (1972) Panda! Go, Panda!: The Rainy Day Circus (1973) First Human Giatrus (1975) The Mystery of Mamo (1978) The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) Ace o Nerae! (1979) Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! (1979) Ie Naki Ko (1980) Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! 2: Gekitō Pennant Race (1980) Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! Hatsu Warai 3: Aa Tsuppari Jinsei (1980) Chie the Brat (1981) Ashita no Joe 2 (1981) Ohayō! Spank (1982) Space Adventure Cobra: The Movie (1982) Kyojin no Hoshi (1982) Six God Combination Godmars (1982) Golgo 13: The Professional (1983) Legend of the Gold of Babylon (1985) Bug-tte Honey: Megalom Shōjo Rondo 4622 (1987) Akira (1988) Anpanman films (1989–present) Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989) The Rose of Versailles: I'll Love You As Long As I Live (1990) Anpanman shorts (1990–present) Ganba to Kawauso no Bōken (1991) Kaiketsu Zorori: Mahou Tsukai no Deshi/Dai Kaizoku no Takara Sagashi (1993) Farewell to Nostradamus (1995) Dead or Alive (1996) Case Closed: The Time Bombed Skyscraper (1997) Case Closed: The Fourteenth Target (1998) Case Closed: The Last Wizard of the Century (1999) Case Closed: Captured in Her Eyes (2000) Case Closed: Countdown to Heaven (2001) Hamtaro (2001–2004) Case Closed: The Phantom of Baker Street (2002) Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital (2003) Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004) Detective Conan: Strategy Above the Depths (2005) Detective Conan: The Private Eyes' Requiem (2006) Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior (2006–2008) Detective Conan: Jolly Roger in the Deep Azure (2007) Detective Conan: Full Score of Fear (2008) Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (2009) Detective Conan: The Lost Ship in the Sky (2010) Detective Conan: Quarter of Silence (2011) The Princess and the Pilot (2011) Detective Conan: The Eleventh Striker (2012) Fuse Teppō Musume no Torimonochō (2012) Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea (2013) Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan: The Movie (2013) Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper (2014) Lupin III: Jigen's Gravestone (2014) Yowamushi Pedal Re:RIDE (2014) Detective Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno (2015) Yowamushi Pedal Re: ROAD (2015) Yowamushi Pedal: The Movie (2015) Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare (2016) Yowamushi Pedal: Spare Bike (2016) Orange: Future (2016) Chain Chronicle ~Light of Haecceitas~ (2016–2017) Lupin III: Goemon Ishikawa's Spray of Blood (2017) Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter (2017)
OVAs/ONAs	The Rose and Women of Versailles (1980) 2001 Nights (1987) Fuma Ichizoku no Inbo (1987) Ace o Nerae! 2 (1988) Godmars: The Untold Legend (1988) Ace o Nerae! Final Stage (1989–1990) Ozanari Dungeon (1991) Otanjobi Series (1995) Maps (1994–1995) Rayearth (1997) Glass no Kamen: Sen no Kamen wo Motsu Shoujo (1998–1999) Aoyama Gosho Tanhenshu (1999) Karakuri no Kimi (2000) Hamtaro (2001–2004) Ikiteita Majustushi (2002) Azusa, Otetsudai Shimasu! (2004) Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior (2007–2008) Green vs. Red (2008) Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas (2009–2011) Kamisama Kiss (2013) Yowamushi Pedal (2013) Kamisama Kiss: Kako-hen (2015–2016) Bakuon!! (2016) Baki-Dou (2016) Kamisama Kiss: Kamisama, Kekkon Zenya (2016) Trickster: Episode 00 (2016)
Category