Baki The Grapped Universe

About

What is Baki’s origin story? From a very early age, Baki Hanma (Troy Baker/Nobunaga Shimazaki) dedicated himself to rigorous and demanding training. By the start of BAKI-DOU, he’s at peak physical state and has perfected a unique fighting style inspired by mixed martial arts. He originally put himself on this path in order to one day defeat and surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma (Kirk Thornton/Akio Ōtsuka), who’s referred to as “the strongest creature on earth.” Working toward this goal, Baki realises that fighting is what drives him and what he loves most. This innate passion for fighting and becoming the strongest is the overarching ambition of all the major characters in the Baki franchise. These fighters live in an absurdist, over-the-top world where literal might makes right. The more powerful one is, the greater amount of respect they enjoy. In the world of Baki, government administrations have had to establish peace relations with Yujiro Hanma, essentially treating him as his own nation — he’s an unstoppable force that no weapon can neutralise.  Ultimately, power and combat skills are prioritised above all else in the world of Baki, so all the major fighters train and compete to determine who comes out on top. This is where Mitsunari Tokugawa (Matthew Yang King/Mugihito) comes in. As an avid admirer of martial arts who enjoys watching hulking beasts of men tear each other to shreds, Tokugawa uses his wealth and influence to bring these combatants together to compete in his Underground Arena. Fighting Arena? The Underground Arena is a secret fighting ring underneath the Tokyo Dome in Japan, owned and run by Tokugawa. Its sole purpose is to bring together the strongest martial artists in glorious combat. The appeal of the Underground Arena is that it serves as the primary venue for Baki’s top fighters to engage in no-holds-barred matches without any restrictions.  In fact, there aren’t many rules in the Underground Arena. The only one that’s enforced is that combatants aren’t allowed to use weapons of any kind — though even that rule can be bent if a participant requests to use them and their opponent agrees. Otherwise, pretty much anything else goes. The brawls in the Underground Arena are not sports competitions with prize money; they are near-life-and-death opportunities for the most powerful martial artists to prove their abilities and win honour and glory. The spectators of these matches, who are just as enthusiastic about martial arts as Tokugawa, undergo a selective process to attend the Underground Arena. They’re sworn to secrecy, and in exchange, they get to enjoy watching the strongest fighters go head-to-head. At the start of BAKI-DOU, Baki Hanma is the champion of the Underground Arena. However, with the series’ main antagonist, Musashi Miyamoto (SungWon Cho/Naoya Uchida), now in the picture, his title may be in jeopardy.  Who are the strongest fighters in Baki? * Yujiro Hanma: Yujiro Hanma is known as “the strongest creature on earth,” a title he proudly brags about. He made a fortune as a mercenary, using his extreme strength and fighting skills to complete high-paying jobs. Yujiro has mastered every known martial art, and he can shift between fighting techniques while in battle. He’s also reached a supernatural state of physicality that allows him to move at the speed of light and have skin so durable that even blades can’t pierce him.  * Baki Hanma: The champion of the Underground Arena, Baki has quickly become one of the strongest and youngest fighters. Baki is driven to surpass his father and become the greatest fighter on the planet. Baki adopts a mixed martial arts fighting style that blends various grappling styles into a singular combat approach. His most unique ability is to conjure up any opponent he can think of and fight them as if they were actually there.  * Pickle: Pickle is a primitive caveman born in the prehistoric era, and he was frozen for millions of years before being exhumed. Pickle hunted and fought dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasts, which caused him to develop a level of strength and physicality on par with some of the strongest fighters. Pickle has no experience with martial arts, instead relying on brute force and animalistic instincts. * Musashi Miyamoto: A clone of the real-life Japanese swordsman brought to life by Tokugawa, Miyamoto has his past version’s strength, skills, and memories, and he’s eager to see the kind of challenge the warriors of today pose. Miyamoto practices Niten Ichi-ryū, a real fighting style he created in which the user simultaneously wields a long and short sword. Miyamoto is so strong that he can visualise slashing someone with a sword and leave them in actual pain.  Over-the-top Physics: Characters regularly perform feats that defy real-world anatomy, such as generating seismic shockwaves or surviving massive internal explosions. [1] The Hanma Bloodline: Yujiro, Baki, and Baki's half-brother Jack possess the "Demon Back," a muscle structure resembling a demon's face that grants immense power when activated. [1] Diverse Opponents: Baki fights death row inmates, prehistoric cavemen, and legendary historical figures like Musashi Miyamoto across various series arcs and Netflix adaptations. Baki Hanma is raised by his wealthy mother, Emi Akezawa, who also funds his training in the hopes that he can be a powerful warrior like his father, Yujiro Hanma. 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. Emi, who tries to save him, is killed by Yujiro, causing Baki to hate him. After being beaten, Baki travels around the world continuing his training. Years later, he finds an underground fighting arena where he fights some of the most powerful fighters of various styles of martial arts. It is here that he truly begins to hone his martial arts skills. He intends to get stronger, surpass his father, and continue to endure and survive the numerous hurdles he encounters in his journey. Baki the Grappler (グラップラー刃牙, Gurappurā Baki) Tells the story of the young Baki Hanma who enters a world of illegal underground fights and quickly becomes the champion of the fighting arena below the Tokyo Domestadium. Later in the story, Baki's past is shown, in which a 13-year-old Baki trains to defeat his father Yujiro Hanma in battle, doing so to earn his mother's love. After Emi interrupts Baki and Yujiro's fight, the latter murders her and Baki swears revenge. Back in the present day, the promoter of the underground arena, Mitsunari Tokugawa arranges for a special tournament titled the "Maximum Tournament" to be held in order to decide who is the strongest fighter in the world. After winning all of his fights, Baki fights Jack Hammer, his half-brother and another son of Yujiro. Baki (バキ; officially romanised as New Grappler Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero) Set shortly after the conclusion of the previous series, it showcases Baki's attempts at going to study at high school like a regular teenager. However, his efforts are cut short when five death row inmates escape confinement and head to Tokyo in order to "know defeat". These inmates are the American Kung-fu fighter Dorian, the British assassin Hector Doyle, the Russian convict Sikorsky with a powerful pinching ability, the American Spec with a formidable lung capacity, and the Japanese poisoner Ryuko Yanagi. Following Baki's fight with Yanagi, the former becomes fatally poisoned and is flown to China to participate in the Chinese "Great Raitai Tournament" to save his life. Following a match against a Chinese poison master who reverses Baki's poisoning, Baki is saved and proceeds to fight alongside his allies in the tournament. Following the tournament's conclusion, the son of Mohammad Alai, Mohammad Alai Jr., challenges Baki to win over the heart of Baki's girlfriend, Kozue. When the fight between the two ends, Baki challenges his father for a rematch to conclude his career as a fighter. Yujiro accepts this invitation and declares Baki to be worthy of being his "prey". Baki Hanma (範馬刃牙, Hanma Baki; officially romanised as Baki: Son of Ogre – The Boy Fascinating the Fighting God) Begins with Baki meeting an elementary school student named Rumina, who challenges him to a fight after being pressured to do so by bullies. Baki "defeats" Rumina and shows him a shadow boxing fight against a 100-kilogram praying mantis. Following this fight, Baki kidnaps George W. Bosch to enter Arizona State Prison, home of the strongest man in America, Biscuit Oliva. In the prison, Baki meets with Jun Guevara and later fights Oliva. In the meantime, scientists in Colorado find and reanimate a man who lived in the Jurassic era. The man, named "Pickle", only eats those he defeats in battle, and after he assaults a news reporter on live television, the various fighters of the story take an interest in Pickle and proceed to fight him. Baki eventually matches against Pickle as well, driving the ancient man to his limits. After the conclusion of the fight, Baki finishes training for the fight against his father. Later, Baki and Yujiro dine in a high-class restaurant, but when Baki questions Yujiro regarding the death of his mother, their battle finally erupts. After a long fight that takes place over the entire night in Shinjuku, the clash concludes. Baki-Dou (刃牙道, Baki-Dō; lit. 'Baki's Way';[2]officially romanised as Baki-Dou: New Story of "Baki" – The Strongest Boy on the Earth) Following the conclusion of the fight between Baki and Yujiro, the fighters of the story find themselves dealing with an incredible amount of boredom, as the clash between the father and son was the "peak" of what the world had to offer fighting-wise. This changes when Tokugawa utilises cloning technology to revive Musashi Miyamoto, the legendary Japanese samurai of the 17th century. The revived Musashi battles some of the world's strongest fighters; however, his unique approach to fighting brings about different results than some of them initially expected. Bakidou (バキ道, Bakidō; lit. 'Baki's Way') Nomi no Sukune II, a descendant of the legendary figure Nomi no Sukune, who is said to be the founder of sumo wrestling, decides to take part in Tokugawa's underground arena. Former yokozunaKinryūzan succeeds in getting several active professional sumo wrestlers to also compete against regulars of the arena, such as Baki. Baki Rahen (刃牙らへん, Baki Rahen; lit. 'Baki and Others') Follows Baki's half-brother, Jack Hanma, and his clashes with the series' other warriors as he utilises his new original martial art "Goudou" ('The Way of Biting') in his battles. These occur after Jack challenged most of the series' cast to fight near the end of the fifth series. Eventually, Jack has a rematch with Pickle in the underground arena. He does so after wishing to see Pickle suffer in despair like he did following his initial defeat against the ancient man in the third series. Main Characters * Baki Hanma: The main hero and underground arena champion. His goal is to surpass his cruel father. * Yujiro Hanma: Baki's father. He is known as "the Ogre" and "the Strongest Creature on Earth". * Jack Hanma: Baki's tall, aggressive half-brother who relies on extreme body modification and brutal biting. * Kaoru Hanayama: A young yakuza boss famous for his raw grip strength and refusing to use traditional martial arts. * Doppo Orochi: A grandmaster of karate called the "God of War." * Katsumi Orochi: Doppo's adopted son, a prodigy karateka who develops the supersonic "mach punch." * Gouki Shibukawa: An elderly master of Aiki and jujutsu who uses an opponent's momentum against them. * Kaioh Retsu: A master of Chinese Kenpo known for his incredible speed and honourable spirit. * Biscuit Oliva: A heavily muscled convict known as "Mr Unchained," employed by the US government. Mitsunari Tokugawa: The wealthy billionaire sponsor of the underground arena who loves chaotic fights. The character of In the universe are Underground Arena Saga * Oowada * Shigeru Akatsuka * Atsushi Suedou * American Pro Wrestler * Bunkichi Kitou * Shingo Soejima * Isao Yoshimura * Yasumasa Ooki * Musashi * Kinuyo Matsumoto * Mai * Takayama * Miyasaka * Takagi * Mitsunobu Tokugawa * Ryuukongou * Kouhei Kuzumi * Matsuo * Hayashi * Koushou's Master * Doctor * Chang * Takada * Naitou * Kurokawa * Satou * Junichi Hanada * Bob Marsh * Mount Toba * Kaneda * Rikigouzan * Lou Thesz * Kojushakin * Youichi Tatsumi * Ogino * Vale * Natsue Orochi * Yasuko Childhood Saga * Kido * Yanase * Kitazawa * Naitou (thug) * Baki's Coach * Emi Akezawa * Takemi Wakimoto * Katsutoshi Shibata * Tooru Nishida * Fumihiko Hirao * Susumu Murakami * Aota * Hitoshi Kuriyagawa * Jirou Shimizu * Kyuuichirou Kizaki * Tommy Carbine * Yajima * Ishimaru * Yuri Chakovsky * Vladimir * Sensarak Dinoi * Nina Chakovsky * Julio Seel Kebas * Reiichi Andou * Yasha-Zaru * Johnson * Sam * Don Stander * Yuri's Grandfather * Hanayama's Mother * Horitatsu * Yakichi Hanayama * Eiichi Akezawa * Nick Jagger * Lill Rogefeller * Salhador Dali * Stalone * George Harman * Lorion Grassy * Masanobu Kobayashi * Hikoichi Tanuma * Chiba Brothers * Sanada * Kuraishi * Gaia * Sir * Billy Milligan * Nakasone * Chinen * Kurokawa (swordsman) * Kanamoto * Kimoyama * Hiro * Maa * Dickson * Kanji Igari * Shuumei Kanou Maximum Tournament Saga * Shou * Takeda * Inoue * Richard Filth * Chiharu Shiba * Sergio Silva * Kouhei Hatanaka * Mike Quinn * Jagatta Shaman * Iron Michael * Roger Harlon * Dentoranee Sitpika * Bunnoshin Inagi * Kengo Misaki * Kinryuuzan * Sergei Taktarov * Mouko Ri * Andreas Regan * Raberto Gueran * Roland Istaz * Zulu * Rob Robinson * Minoru Yamamoto * Francis Xavier * Takuji Kuriki * Yasha-Zaru Jr * Bunnoshin's Master * Bill Riley * Sam D'Amato * John L. Sullivan * Yuu Amanai * Suzumoto * Chamoan * Sam (coach) * Francisco Filho * Andy Hug * Masutatsu Ooyama * Oyakata Fujimaki * Kaiou Ryuu * President of Russia * Makoev * Alexander Gallen * Hector Maren * Dr. John * Tom Harrison * Kihei Mikoshiba * Kaiou Ri (from the story) * Dryes * Bill * Diane Neil * Sam Gary * John Baki Most Evil Death Row Convicts Saga * Ryou * Kaiou Dorian * Hector Doyle * Sikorsky * Jim * Spec * Ryuukou Yanagi * Harajima * Morio Sonoda * Nakamura * Tateoka * Tsuneo Katahira * Jack Lee Bionde * Mitsuomi Hasegawa * Kitaarashi * Ashida * Umezawa * Hidenobu Nago * John Spencer * Bart Allen * Julius Norton * Valentin Sokolov * Michael Holes * Jeff Markson * Tawaraya * Terada * Kunimatsu * Shou (long-haired man) Great Chinese Challenge Saga * Mohammad Alai Jr * Dave * Mohammad Alai * Youou Chou * Kaiou Ri * Kaiou Han * Kaiou Son * Kaiou You * Kaiou Chin * Kaiou Jo * Kaiou Mou * Kaiou Samwan * Kaiou Jaku * Kaiou Kaku * Ryuushou So * Shunsei Kaku * Shobun Ron * Shikai Bun Godlike Clash of the Kids Saga * Bryan London * Sugar Ray Robinson Combat Shadow Fighting Saga * Saman * Julio * Rumina Ayukawa * Amon Shuu * Tsune Ogura Great Prison Battle Saga * Kenichi Yamamoto * John F. Kennedy * George Bosch * Old Prisoner * Kent * Jun Guevaru * Self-Styled First * Chamomile Lessen * Samuel * Sonny Liston * Mouth * Maria * Jean Gilberto * Rich Cox * Edward Baccarat * Bob McCarthy Pickle Wars Saga * Pickle * Aizawa * Albert Payne * Tamotsu Ishizuka * Henry * Masuzoe * Takeshi Kenmochi * Sakimura * Gichin Funakoshi * Katsumi's Mother * Tsutomu Sakiyama * Royce Gracie * Kimo * Muhammad Ali * George Foreman * Barack Ozma * Kenichirou Mogi * Yukio Hatoyama * Kim Sang-Jung * Masamichi Yoda * Takeshi Kitano * Jakuchou Setouchi Warrior's Struggle Saga * Mark * Kure * Toshio Kitazawa * Tatsumi Kawabata * Ichirou Oosawa * Genichi Fukamachi * Akio Mani * Shougo Kakizaki * Garry * Kaiser * Rei Funai * Tsutomu Miyashita * Andrei Valev * Mills * Joe Cruiser * Yuuki Mimura * Wilbur Bolt Strongest Father and Child Quarrel Saga * Ryuuji Yashiro * Naoto Kanzaki * Takashi Kanemitsu * Mitsuo Nonaka * Akio Kamura * Tachibana * Kasuga * Kenichi Sawai * Rika Mizuhara * Yuujirou's Mother * Prof. Chris * Yuuichirou Hanma * Major General James * John Hayes Baki-Dou * Sam Atlas * Manny Pacquiao * Shinzou Abe * Hitoshi Nonomura * John Honer * Musashi Miyamoto * Kinichi Tanaka * Sabuko Tokugawa * Takashi Yasumoto * Kou Suemitsu * Eiichirou Hikigi * Tetsu Mishiro * Kojirou Sasaki * Shunzou Utsumi * Yasumune Abe * Takashi Yamane * Onisaburou Deguchi * Morihei Ueshiba * Gouzou Shioda * Takejou Miwa * Soukaku Takeda * Mitsuyo Maeda * Hacken Schmidt * Tetsu Takenaka * Yoshida * Haruhiko Ooyabu * Tadatoshi Hosokawa * Kenichi Taku * Manabu Uohori * Heibee Ootsuka * Tatsufumi Iwama * Tranp * Ronaldo Wilson Regan * Hinary * Yorichika Shimamoto * Hikoji Tanuma * Maki Inada * Isao Hiura * Bungo Samemura * Hasebe * Shuuichi Numadate * Fritz Von Erich * Tomoharu Kuwata * Bob Munden * Hajime Kuboi * Toyokazu Hino * Nao Mabuchi * Nomi no Sukune * Nomi no Sukune the 2nd * Saimei Koike Baki Dou * Taima no Kehaya * Harima * Scott Harris * Shouhei Arashikawa * Reihou * Honoo * Shishimaru * Shachihoko * Kyogei * Taketsurugi * Kaosu Iwanami * Fumiya Kainuma * Kanon Inoda * Takumi Kuwata * Aaron Murase * Rekizou Miyairi * Mineemon Tachiyama * Bidem * Oono * Kimiyoshi Hata * Joe William * Noro * Taima no Kehaya the 101st * Tameemon Raiden * Takeno * Genichi Sado * Tomofumi Matsunaga Baki Rahen * Father Samuel * Megacles * Elos * Takeru Hasegawa * Renji Mishima * Take * Tetsuzou Samukawa Grappler Baki Gaiden: Antonio Igari vs Mount Toba * Takeyoshi Toyomasu * Kengo Suga * Tsutomu Sekine * Ichirou Yamada * Ryouichi Sotodate * Karl Gotch * Kubo Baki Gaiden: Scarface * Hiroshi * Mitsuteru Ueda * Ken Tanaka * Yoshiharu Horio * Ryuuji Tokura * Tarou Akida * Tatsuomi Nagao * Yoshihisa Naitou * Keizou Hanayama * Natto L. Nerinho * Masa * Don Corone * Master Jihad * Masayuki Obu * Lucille * Lieutenant Arthur * General Winston * Toramasa Nakamura * J. Kelep * Jouichirou Nomoto * Jounosuke Yamanaka * Kayo * Tetsuhiro Kasuga * Kimihiro Iketobi * Tatsumi Okamoto * Kouichi Takagumo * Kenkichi Yashiro * Zenichirou Kawamura * Rikiya Mine * Zenji Kawamura * Masashi Yakushimaru * Tsunehiko Doi Hanma Baki 10.5 Gaiden: Pickle * Allen Baki Gaiden: Kizudzura * Hajime Amano * Tatsufumi Masuda * Kenichi Haga * Kouichi Imori * Yasukuni Hino * Atsushi Kurigami * Urakawa * Koga * Kitajima * Senkichi Sukegawa * Saeri Sugimura * Oyakata Naniwa * Takeshi Numao * Monma * Reimu Arishita * Kikuchi * Iwao Takebayashi * Kiichirou Wakakusa * Tateoka (thug) * Tabei * King Baki Gaiden: Kenjin * Kyouichirou Sabu * Reiichi Kurigami * Iwao Muneuchi Yuuenchi - Baki Gaiden Manga * Kouichi Nagashima * Mumon Katsuragi * Juumei Kuga * Crusher Itou * Bomba Densuke * Hedgehog Chuutarou * Goblin Kasuga * Hayato Machida * Koganemaru Mizuchi * Mizutsu * Taizan Matsumoto * Kurono * Hashimoto * Yamaguchi * Rofuu Isomura * Genzou Himekawa * Masa Honda * Nakamura (boxer) * Mori * Flash Hayata * Masaru Shibata * Jin Kanno Novel only * Kunpei Kitani Baki Gaiden: Gaia to Sikorsky * Dmitry Churekov * Landlady * Vladimir Lenin * Gennai * Shintarou Koizumi Baki Gaiden: Hana no Chiharu * Mike Tyson * Writer * Morita * Eddie * Tomoji * Haoran * Kouki Nishikawa * Hiroshi Yajima Grappler Baki (Remake) * Masayoshi Asou * Yuusaku Nara * Akira Kuga * Jim Campbell * Kim Naoya Hanma Baki VS Kengan Ashura * Ouma Tokita * Kazuo Yamashita * Metsudou Katahara * Saw Paing Yoroizuka * Raian Kure * Kaede Akiyama * Seishuu Akoya * Cosmo Imai * Kaolan Wongsawat * Jun Sekibayashi * Adam Dudley * Julius Reinhold * Sen Hatsumi * Muteba Gizenga * Agito Kanou * Hajime Hanafusa * Kokomi Yoshizawa * Sayaka Katahara * Jerry Tyson * Gensai Kuroki * Niko Tokita

Personality

Baki Hanma * Driven and resilient: The protagonist is motivated by a complex mix of trauma, respect, and a desire to surpass his father. * Evolving demeanour: He transitions from a hotheaded youth to a calm, deeply strategic, and mature martial artist, though a fierce competitive spark remains. * Compassionate contrast: Unlike most fighters, Baki is capable of empathy and does not fight purely out of cruelty or malice. [1, 2, 3] Yujiro Hanma * Arrogant and violent: Known as the "Strongest Creature on Earth," he views mercy as a weakness and treats human life with total disregard. * Force of nature: He acts with absolute dominance, commanding fear and instinctive submission from everyone around him. * Manipulative: He is deeply sadistic and emotionally manipulative, viewing his own son largely as a toy or future challenge. [1, 2] Core Universe Traits * The Blood Knight Mentality: Most characters live entirely for the thrill of battle, testing their limits through brutal, no-rules combat. [1, 2] Over-the-top Intensity: Personalities are amplified by sheer willpower, bizarre mental visualisation (like shadowboxing or hallucinations), and an absolute hierarchy where strength decides reality.

Stats