According to Baki Hanma, it’s not just lonely at the top; it’s totally boring, too. Following the conclusion of the legendary battle against his father, Yujiro Hanma, Baki and his fellow fighters feel restless and uninspired, wondering if there are any new, powerful opponents left to face. Luckily, their prayers are answered when a group of scientists successfully resurrects a clone of Japan’s greatest swordsman from the Edo period: Musashi Miyamoto. Baki and other warriors like Doppo Orochi, Jack Hanma, and Kaoru Hanayama prepare their return to the arena to prove their brawn in a series of battles that transcends time and space. Who will prevail in the clash between today’s strongest martial artists and history’s most powerful samurai?
BAKI-DOU: The Invincible Samurai is the latest adaptation of Keisuke Itagaki’s hit manga BAKI-DOU. Like with the previous anime installments, Baki and Baki Hanma, both streaming on Netflix, this newest series is animated and developed by TMS Entertainment, the studio behind anime like Sakamoto Days, Dr. Stone, and Blue Box. “I hope you enjoy the tension of the battle as they anticipate each other’s moves, as well as the shocking conclusion that awaits,” says Toshiki Hirano, who returns as the series’ director.
Part 2 of the series is on the way. Featuring fierce life-or-death battles between the legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto and the strongest underground fighters, Part 2 will see even more intense combat.
The use of weapons, says producer Kei Watabiki, will change the dynamic of the fighters: “Unlike the hand-to-hand, fist-against-fist battles seen so far, this time the introduction of swords and weapons brings a distinctly different and heightened sense of tension to the fights. I hope you look forward to seeing how this life-or-death battle unfolds between Baki and Musashi Miyamoto.”
“Those who have read the original manga will already know how it ends, but for those who haven’t, I encourage you to hold off and experience it through the anime,” cautions Director Hirano. “The impact will be all the greater for it. That said, I know it’s not easy to resist — I can’t wait myself!”
Check out the English-dubbed trailer for Part 2 at the top of the page.
Every fighter in BAKI-DOU is physically massive, and ripped beyond belief. Their over-the-top physiques are the result of the characters’ drive to become the strongest beings on Earth, though each fighter goes about achieving that goal in a different way.
Some characters, like Baki and Hanayama, develop their own unique fighting styles. Others rigorously follow traditional martial arts and philosophies, like Retsu Kaioh, a practitioner of Chinese Kenpo. Musashi Miyamoto employs the fighting style Niten Ichi-ryū, created by real-life samurai, in which a swordsman simultaneously wields a large and a short sword. However, that’s not the only trick he has up his sleeve, as some of his abilities are supernatural, the most powerful of which is called the Imitation Cut.
“One of the highlights this time is the wide variety of fighting styles showcased by each character. Every matchup has its own distinct personality, making the battles especially engaging,” Director Hirano told Tudum. “The series incorporates notable sci-fi elements throughout, which gives a sense of Itagaki-sensei’s familiarity with the genre. At the same time, an almost supernatural sense of Musashi’s “spirit” is woven into the story, adding an eerie depth and making it all the more compelling.”
The English dub cast includes:
Born the son of the strongest man alive, Yujirou Hanma, Baki was always destined to fight. When he was 13, he decided to undergo an extreme training regimen that would push his body to its absolute limit. By the time he reaches adulthood, Baki is in his peak physical state, acquiring not only an incredibly muscular and ripped physique, but also a level of strength and speed so absurdly high that he can pull off awe-inspiring feats of physicality with ease, like dodging bullets and punching concrete. In a world where strength is valued above all else, Baki stands out as one of the strongest characters, even becoming the champion of Mitsunari Tokugawa’s Underground Arena.
Baki’s fighting style is heavily reminiscent of mixed martial arts. During his training, he integrated various martial arts that he learned from past opponents or taught himself. He is always refining his distinct combat approach, and one of his techniques is to conjure a formidable imaginary fighter, and start shadowboxing. Baki is always excited by a challenge, so whenever he hears of a new, powerful opponent (whether it’s a legendary swordsman or a giant praying mantis), he goes out of his way to find and fight them, no matter how tough they are.
However, as BAKI-DOU: The Invincible Samurai begins, Baki has become so bored that he is fighting the urge to yawn, even as he’s flying down a flight of stairs or defeating an MMA heavyweight champion. While he does everything he can to ward off his restlessness, his efforts only make his yawns louder and more frequent. Nothing seems to give him a rush of adrenaline. However, his boredom will soon end when he gets the chance to confront the clone of the legendary samurai warrior Musashi Miyamoto. For more about the greater Baki universe and its legendary fighters, read our guide to Baki lore.
WANIMA will perform the series’ opening theme, “FURUBOKO,” while Novel Core will perform the ending theme, “Mountain Top.” Their powerful tracks underscore the intense battles of Baki Hanma, Musashi Miyamoto, and the fighters of the underground arena. “I grew up reading and watching BAKI from a young age, captivated by its world beyond common sense and its many iconic scenes, often reenacting them with my friends,” WANIMA told Netflix. “For the Musashi Miyamoto arc, I wrote this song by overlapping the idea that ‘one’s way of life itself is a battle’ with the feeling of continuing to stand up, even after being completely beaten down. I’m truly happy and grateful to be involved in this work.”
Novel Core also shares his excitement about the ending theme: “Yujiro is the strongest— and therefore the loneliest,” he said. “Writing from Baki’s perspective as he seeks the source of that strength, I titled the song ‘Mountain Top’ to reflect the cost of strength, like how the air grows thinner the closer you get to the summit. The philosophy of strength that Baki has long portrayed is woven into the lyrics. I believe it resonates with the drama and intensity of the fierce battles against Musashi. I hope viewers enjoy discovering the many musical details and hidden elements throughout the track, alongside the anime itself.”
The first 13 episodes of the series are available to stream now. They are:
