Baki the Grappler

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Baki the Grappler
グラップラー刃牙 (Grappler Baki)
Genre	Action, Martial arts
Manga
Authored by	Keisuke Itagaki
Publisher	Akita Shoten Raijin Comics (former)
Serialized in	Shonen Champion
Original run	1991 – 1999
No. of volumes	42[1]
TV anime : Grappler Baki TV
Directed by	Hitoshi Nanba
Studio
Network	TV Tokyo FUNimation channel & CoLours TV
Other networks: GMA 7
Original run	8 January 2001 – 25 June 2001
No. of episodes	24[2]
TV anime : Grappler Baki: Maximum Tournament
Directed by
Studio
Network
Original run	23 July 2001 – 24 December 2001
No. of episodes	24[3]
OVA: Grappler Baki: The Ultimate Fighter
Directed by
Studio
No. of episodes	1[4]
Released	21 August 1994

Baki the Grappler or Grappler Baki (グラップラー刃牙) is a manga and anime series by Keisuke Itagaki.

The 24 episode anime aired in Japan between January 8, 2001 and June 25, 2001. A second 24 episode series called Grappler Baki Maximum Tournament was released on 22 July 2001. The story revolves around Baki Hanma and his quest to proclaim himself as the strongest grappler in the world, thus taking the title from his father. Baki also fights to gain the trust of his overly psychotic mother, which gives Baki a minor Oedipus complex.

Contents 1 Characters 1.1 Tournament Contenders 1.2 Other Characters 2 Manga volumes 3 Airing outside Japan 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Characters

• Baki Hanma (範馬刃牙 Hanma Baki): The main character, and son of Yujiro Hanma. He has been training in martial arts since the age of three, and has trained under various teachers and coaches throughout his life. At the age of thirteen, he decided to take his training into his own hands and left the coaches to perform more intense training "in his father's footsteps." He later meets with his father and becomes disillusioned as to his father's true character, and afterwards, aims to defeat and kill him. His fighting style is called "total fighting," and includes techniques from many different martial arts. He fights Arudi Regan in round 1, Zool in round 2, Igari Kanji in round 3, Retsu Kaioh in round 4 before facing his brother in round 5 and the finals of the tournament. He eventually develops the demon face on his back when fighting his brother, but manages to suppress it. Unlike Yujiro, he chooses to control his killing intent and fight his battles fair & honorably no matter what the outcome.
• Yujiro Hanma (範馬勇次郎 Hanma Yūjirō): The father of Baki and Jack Hammer/Hanma. He is the strongest creature in the world, and is known to have mastered all styles of unarmed combat. His repertoire apparently includes all of the well-known fighting styles (such as boxing, tae kwon do, judo, jujutsu, wrestling, street-fighting, and so on) as well as some more esoteric ones (such as the udonde or uzunde style, an actual system used in the Motobu style of karate). He has been fighting on the battlefields, using only his bare hands, since the age of sixteen, when he fought against both American and Vietcong in the Vietnam War. Since then, it appears that he has obtained respect from the American forces, and has begun fighting as a kind of mercenary for them. It is said that when he stopped fighting for survival but for pleasure during the wars the image of the demon's face appeared on his back. He refuses to fight "weaker" foes (or those unwilling to fight) and will only fight when anyone retaliates against him.

Below is a list(no order) of styles Yujiro has fought and won against:

• • Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
  • Karate
  • Kickboxing
  • Judo
  • Sumo Wrestling
  • Greco-Roman Wrestling
  • Various forms of Karate including Doppo's Shinshinkai
  • Aikido
  • Street Fighting and Baki
  • Jujutsu
  • Boxing
  • Military fighting tactics of Green Berets, Navy Seals, and Army Airborne Ranger
  • Muay Thai
  • Yoga
  • Tae-kwon-do
  • Tonfa
  • Chinese Kung Fu
  • The Forces of Nature itself
• Doppo Orochi (愚地独歩 Orochi Doppo): A karate master and head of the shinshinkai-kan (a karate style which seems to be inspired by the real-life style of kyokushin karate). One of the only people in the world able to stand toe-to-toe with Yujiro. He whips his students into shape by fighting them regularly, and practices all of his karate techniques at least one thousand times daily. A very devoted karate practitioner, and a mentor of Baki's. Also the instructor of Katou and father of Katsumi. He eventually fights the escaped American convict Dorian in the 'Search of our Strongest Hero' manga series. Dorian manages to cut off Doppo's hand with a strange wire-cutting technique in which he uses a wire blade projected from a lighter. Doppo later avenges this loss when he, Katsumi, and Retsu track Dorian down. Shortly after this however, Dorian escapes from the hospital and uses an explosive that is implanted into his hand to blow off part of Doppo's face. He fights Richard Phyllis in round 1, Amanai Ryu in Round 2 before facing another master Gouki Shibukawa in round 3 which he loses after a brutal match.
• Gouki Shibukawa: Master of the ancient jujutsu arts used by the samurai soldier-warriors of feudal Japan. Is sixty years of age, and has trained since prior to WWII, in the "old days" of the martial arts. His art makes use of the martial arts principle of aiki, which uses the opponents' attacks against him. Manages to make it all the way through to semi-finals in the Maximum Tournament series and battles against Jack Hammer. He later teams up with Baki to face the Japanese convict Yanagi Ryukou in the 'Search of our Strongest Hero' series. He faces Roger Harlon in round 1, Shinogi Koushou in round 2 before facing Doppo in round 3 and losing to Jack Hammer in round 4. When not fighting, he's quite eccentric (as well as a bit senile) as he lives the day and fears nothing.
• Kaoru Hanayama: Fifteen-year-old yakuza leader and strongman. His grip is so strong that if he grabs an opponent's arm, he can usually cause it to explode from restricting the blood flow. He is also a street fighter and it is unknown if he has trained in martial art styles. He broke Yuri Chakosky's arm, thus ending his boxing career, but when then cross paths again they hold no grudge against each other understanding each other's warrior spirit. He has memorable battles with Baki Hanma, Katsumi Orochi, and the infamous showdown with the convict Speck. Speck manages to place a handful of bullets into Hanayama's mouth and slam it shut, causes them to explode and creating two large holes in Hanayama's mouth. Although Hanayama won the battle, he wears a facemask for most of the series. Later on, he is shown surgically treated. His code of honor is great as he chooses not to fall in battle even if it means his death; a family vow which has been held in a long tradition passed from generations. Even after 3 direct strikes from Katsumi, he still chose not to fall and chose to risk death. Katsumi even admitted that he lost his battle to him despite winning the match. He faces Bunnoshin Inagi in round 1, before losing to Orochi Katsumi in round 2.
• Amanai Yuu: Yujiro's apprentice. Yujiro meets him in America, where he is serving as a bodyguard to the President. It is unknown whether he is Japanese or American, but it is most likely that he is American but of Japanese descent. His style is based on "love," in contrast to Yujiro's style, which is more aggressive and based on rage. He fights Yamamoto Minuru in round 1 before battling Orochi Doppo in the Maximum Tournament.
• Retsu Kaiou: Kenpo practitioner. Trained in China and became the heir to the kenpo style in his temple. He fights Sergei Tactorof in round 1, Mount Toba in round 2, and destroys Orochi Katsumi in round 3 he then makes it to the semi-finals of the Maximum tournament and is pitted against Baki Hanma where he loses. Despite his great knowledge in his style, there is one flaw in his system that Baki seems to possess. In the 'Search of our Strongest Hero' saga, he has encounters with the British convict Hector Doyle and American convict Dorian. Teams up with Baki, Yujiro, and Mohammad Ali Jr. in the Chinese tournament saga.
• Jack Hammer (or Jack Hanma): Baki's half brother, like Baki, must follow the Hanma path. He's Pitfighter from Canada. He is the son of Yujiro and a Canadian soldier woman who Yujiro met in Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. Like Baki, he has since childhood wished to surpass his father Yujiro in strength and martial ability. His obsession to defeat his father led to extreme over training and overworking of his body which led to the deterioration of his body, claiming he will never be able to defeat his father with normal training. After his encounter with the Yujiro inspired scientist, he received from him steroids to match his overtraining and has gained his immense power. One of his main techniques is biting, and he can bite hard enough to easily crush wood with his teeth. He fights Shenusiba in round 1, Misaki Kengo in round 2 before beating the unbeaten Andre Ancof Gerrard in round 3.In round 4 he fights Gouki Shibukawa and fights Baki Hanma in the finals of the Maximum Tournament where he congratulates his brother for a well fought victory. Afterwards, he takes on his father and his soundly defeated. Makes an appearance in the "Search of our Strongest Hero' series and battles against the Russian convict Sikorsky and Mohammed Ali Jr.
• Strydum: An American soldier and Yujiro's companion and comrade-at-arms. Originally met Yujiro as an enemy in the Vietnam War. Developed an admiration for Yujiro, and now he travels, fighting with him on the battlefields of the world. He somewhat understands Yujiro's mentality and mentions that he is the only person to bring the United States to its knees. He is also a friend and mentor of Baki's, who keeps him up to date about Yujiro's whereabouts.

[edit] Tournament Contenders

• Artemis Regan: A man of immsense size, he is over 12 feet tall and weighs over 600 pounds, easily the biggest man in the tournament he makes Mount Toba look small. He fights using professional wrestling and loses to Baki in round 1. According to Toba, just one small strike from Regan can knock a person out and because of it many Wrestling Promoters got angry at him for ending matches quickly. Baki convinces him to use all of his might which surprises him because no one has ever asked him to use all his power.
• Zool: More of a beast than a man, he is a large fighter from Africa that uses Vale Tudo. He beats Danny Shubaka in the first round before losing to Baki in the second.
• Danny Shubaka: A kickboxer that got destroyed by Zool in the first round of block A. He is one of many fighters that continue to get their faces punched in after the fight is over.
• Rob Robinson: The kickboxing champ, he fights Igari Kanji in the first round. Thinking he will have an easy win over Igari because Igari is old he proceeds to beaten senseless by Igari. He later gets his leg broken by Yujiro.
• Igari Kanji: An old Pro Wrestler known all over the world, he fights and defeats Rob Robinson in the first round and Kin Ryuzan in the second round before losing to Baki in the third. He is well known for fighting dirty going as far to kick Baki in the balls.
• Motobe Izo: An old Japanese jujutsu master, he is beaten in the first round by Kin Ryuzan, but continues to offer commentary for future jujutsu matches. He later appears again in the 'Search of our strongest hero' manga, this time fighting against the convict Ryuuko Yanagi.
• Kin Ryuzan: The current yokozuna, he beats Motobe Izo in round 1 before having his arm and shoulder broken by Igari Kanji in round 2 and having his trainer throw in the towel. Afterwards he rips off his top knot as a sign of disgrace only to be congratulated by Ignari for a good fight and convinces him to never stop fighting. Later almost has his back broken by Yujiro.
• Sergei Tactarof: A sambo fighter from Russia, he breaks Regan's arm before his match with Retsu Kaioh as a show of strength. Though he is almost killed by Retsu in round 1, he is again brutally beaten by Andre Ancof Gerrard.
• Katao Kyosume: A student of Doppo orochi he originally is supposed to fight Mike Gerald, but both of them are beaten senseless by a Giant Red Gorilla called Ghost Monkey. their match is declared a no contest. Katou shows up in the 'Search of our strongest hero' and fights against the convict Dorian in his secret underground hiding place. Katou has his face scarred horribly from a broken glass bottle and is announced "dead" upon his body being found by Retsu Kaiou in the Shinseikai building. It is later revealed that Katou is alive.
• Yasha Zaru Jr. (The Ghost Ape): A giant red ape that fights Katou in the first round though he beats Katou, Orochi Katsumi proceeds to almost kill the ape before the intervention of Baki. Baki beat the apes father years ago. He is the son of Yasha (The Beast of Yasha Crag), although he is not as big as his father. He crashed the tournament to avenge his father by hunting for Yujiro. Baki promised him that he would avenge him and his father.
• Bunnoshin Inagi: Inagi fights Hanayama Kaoru in the first round using a style called Nippon Kenpo a form of full contact fighting in Japan that uses many elements from different styles.
• Orochi Katsumi: Doppo's son and current prodigy of shinshin kai karate. He fights Ronan Tekustar in round 1 defeating him easily before fighting Hanayama Kaoru and fighting a more even round 2 using his sonic fists technique. In round 3 he loses miserably to Retsu Kaioh getting knocked out in 1 punch. Retsu was impressed that Katsumi could take one of his punches.
• Roland Tekustar: A catch wrestler user who is beaten by Orochi Katsumi in round 1, he is fairly well known as Doppo knew quite a bit about him. He is (fictionaly) trained by Billy Riley. He later fights and is choked out by Yujiro.
• Mount Toba: A large Pro wrestler known all over the world he fights as a replacement for the Katou/Monkey fight and goes up against Retsu Kaioh in round 2 losing by submission to kneebar. He later provides commentary for Igari's matches in the tournament.
• Lee Monhu: The only Taekwondo user in the tournament he is knocked out in round 1 by Ian McGregor. He later fights and is knocked out in one kick by yujiro.
• Ian McGregor: The heavyweight boxing champ, he knocks out Lee monhu in the first round and fights Shiba Chiharu in the second where he loses when his trainer throws in the towel after both his hands are broken. He is later knocked out by Yujiro.
• Shiba Chiharu: Leader of the yokohama racing gangs, he is a street fighter that doesn't seem to feel pain. He fights Hatataka Kouhei in round 1 where he severely breaks his own arm before viscously beating Kouhei. In round 2 he fights Ian McGregor and wins by breaking both of McGregors hands with his rock hard skull. Though he wins he is unable to continue due to injury. He is replaced By Andre who also proceeds to throw him through the ceiling.
• Hatataka Kouhei: A judo practitioner he breaks Chiharu's left arm before being beaten senseless by Chiharu. He later fights Yujiro who destroys him again.
• Mike Crintai: An American Pro Wrestler he loses by submission to Misaki Kengo.
• Misaki Kengo: A shaolin fist user he beats Mike Crintai in round 1, before having his wrist broken by Jack Hammer and getting knocked out in round 2.
• Shensuiba: The only Brazilian jujutsu user in the tournament he is brutally knocked out by Jack Hammer in round 1.
• Andre Ancof Gerrard: A giant greco Roman wrestler he has over 600 wins he replaces the injured Chiharu and is beaten by Jack Hammer who almost bites off his hand leaving it dangling by a piece of skin.
• Yamamoto Minuru: A shoot wrestler he loses to Amanai Ryu in round 1 before even laying down an offense in the fight.
• Richard Phyllis: Though his style would be described as boxing he more less just stands there and takes punishment though this works with 3 men armed with baseball bats this does not work with Doppo. He wears a tuxedo to the ring and Doppo complied wearing a nice suit of his own, he later fights and loses to Yujiro in one punch.
• Roger Harlon: A greco Roman wrestler he loses to Gouki Shibukawa in round 1. He is also one of the many people Yujiro beats on his rampage.
• Shinogi Koushou: The younger brother of Shingi Kureha, he fights using a technique called cord cutting which involves cutting your opponents nerves so they can't move. He fights his brother in round 1 who gives up after seeing Koushou's resilience. In round 2 he fights Gouki Shibukawa and though he breaks Gouki's fake eye he still loses.
• Shinogi Kureha: The older brother of Shinogi Koushou, he is very narcisistic and trains alot. He is also a surgical genius able to do surgeries that normally take an several hours in only 30 minutes, though he does not have a license. He fights Baki Hanma and is destroyed by him after Baki meets the people that got screwed over by him. In the tournament he fights his younger brother Koushou and though he destroys koushou he decides to give up to let his younger brother continue in the tournament.

[edit] Other Characters

• Keechi Ando - Once a friend of Yujiro's. Keechi Ando is a mountain of a man, comparable in size to the yasha ape. he lives as a hermit secluding himself deep in the woods on a treacherous mountain. Few could even survive the journey to his home, much less eek out a life there. But because of Ando's physical and mental strength, he thrives. His trains by eating a lot and chopping logs with his heavy ax.

• Yasha (The Yasha Ape, The Beast of Yasha Crag) - While training in the mountains, Baki encountered this legendary monster. It is said that it stands 9 ft. tall. Warriors who went to face the beast were never seen again. He was able to fight Ando and injuring him despite being struck by Ando's ax. In his rematch with Baki, its eye was gouged out only to be eaten by him afterwards. In the end, Baki won his fight with him showing Baki a sign of respect. It was revealed that Yujiro killed his wife. In return, Baki returned the skull of his wife as a sign of respect. Likewise, he gave Baki one of his fangs as a gift. It's shown that it is a docile creature and only fights to survive. As Baki departs, it reveals that he was raising three children on his own. Later, it is revealed that he is murdered by Yujiro, who then showed his head to Baki.

• Yuri Chakovsky - The first opponent to ever soundly defeat Baki. He was a Welterweight Boxing Champion moving up to Heavyweight. He was injured by Hanayama, due to his impatience to fight Baki. As a result, his arm was broken and could not compete in boxing again. However, his will enables him to fight anyway. He holds no grudge against Hanayama for what he has done and understands why Hanayama did what he did. He is cheered on by his little sister, Nina.

• Gaia/Nomura - The leader of a mercenary group sent to take on Baki. Once a reckless mercenary who loved killing, but feared death when faced with a firing squad, thus losing his hair. As a result, Gaia manifested from Nomura because of Nomura's fear of death. It is said that Gaia is Yujiro's equal in combat. However, when it comes to jungle warfare, he is king. As Nomura, he best described as a weakling, who acts as a medic for the team. However, when the situation is right and adrenaline starts pumping, Gaia will come out to fight. He utterly despises Yujiro stating he's nothing but a thrill seeker that fights for pleasure. He fights Baki and honorably loses to him. When he crossed paths with Yujiro, Gaia told him that Baki is a better warrior than Yujiro can ever be before the two fight. Gaia makes an appearance in the 'Search of our strongest hero' manga by replacing Jack Hammer during his fight with the Russian convict Sikorsky. His three philosophies when fighting is one, take care of your body and give it rest; two, free your body from the control of your mind, and finally, use every part of your surroundings as a weapon.

• Copperhead - Baki's first opponent from Gaia's squad. His expertise is knife combat.

• Kuraishi - Baki's second opponent from Gaia's squad. His specialty is grappling. Baki learns from him how to fight "dirty".

• Chiba & Sanada - Twin brothers in Gaia's squad who fight as one. Usually, the two have to wear disguise so their allies won't be confused. But against the enemy, they can fight as one person shifting back and forth against an opponent. Chiba is a close combat and blade expert, while his brother, Sanada, is a wire and trap specialist.

• Biscuit "Oly" Oliva (AKA the Dark Arrow) - An assassin working for the US. He possess an iron body and is almost invulnerable to about anything. He and Yujiro crossed paths while he was sent to assassinate a drug cartel leader. At the same time, he ran into Yujiro. He refers Yujiro as "Mr. Ogre" and tends to be polite and eccentric before fighting. Yujiro mentions to him that he should take time with his kills rather than being quick about it. Oly understands Yujiro's blood lust, but prefers to do his job than play around. His trademark is his punch which can go through his opponent's heart. Is brought in by the US government to track down and capture the escaped convicts in the 'Search for our strongest hero' manga series. He is currently with Baki in the Arizona Prison fighting with Gebaru for supremacy.

[edit] Manga volumes

Baki mangas so far (chronologically):

• Grappler Baki (Real fighting action) - (1rst series Volume 1 to 42, complete)(The champion saga, the kid saga, and the maximum tournament saga).

• Grappler baki Gaiden :Igari vs mount toba - (Complete)(immediately after the maximum tournament).

• Baki: The search of our strongest hero (The strongest is the beautiful) - (2nd series Volume 1 to 31, Complete) (The prisoners saga, the Chinese challenge saga, the Ali jr saga). These volumes are also being translated into English via the Wild Fang Project.

• Baki saga -(The romantic contact chapter) (Complete)(Side story that develops at the same time as volume 15).

• Grappler Baki: Scarface, the legend of the invincible fist - (Volume 1 to 5, ongoing)(Hanayama Kaoru's yakuza adventures outside the world of Grappler Baki).

• Grappler Baki: red Dragon side, Grappler side - (Complete)(compendium of the characters and events of the world of Grappler baki/Baki , covers until volume 23 of the 2nd saga).

• Grappler baki: blue tiger side, fighting side - (Complete)(Compendium of every battle fought and its results on the world of Grappler baki/Baki, also covers until volume 23 of the 2nd saga).

• Hanma Baki : Son of ogre, The boy fascinating the fighting god (3rd series finale Volume 1 to 6, ongoing)(Training with the strongest saga, Baki American prisoner saga ongoing).

[edit] Airing outside Japan

Hawaii-based TV station KIKU aired the FUNimation Productions licensed version of the series during the August and October 2006 period. Dubbed in English, the episodes were edited for time but does not appear to be edited for content. The Opening Theme for the anime is a song titled Child prey by popular Japanese rock band Dir en grey.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official japanese website
• Site from FUNimation Productions
• Site about Baki the manga