How Watch Baki Anime Order Including Baki Hanma
Baki, also known as Grappler Baki, is a manga series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. It began serialization in the Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine in 1991, and was given an anime adaptation by Group TAC, first airing on January 8, 2001. Although the series is easy to follow, the different titles in the series may make you confused, so we will see all the Baki seasons and their correct order.
Baki itself is really not that difficult to follow. The only problem is that there is a lot of material and that not all of it has been released in the right order. This is everything that constitutes the franchise, by release date:
- “Baki The Grappler: The Ultimate Fighter” (OVA, 1994)
- Baki the Grappler (anime series, 2001)
- “Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts Special Anime” (OVA, 2016)
- Baki (ONA series, 2018–2020)
- Baki Hanma – Son of Ogre (ONA series, 2021–ongoing)
Baki: The complete watch order
This is the section in which we are going to explain how to watch the series in proper order, related to the in-universe chronology.
Baki the Grappler (Season 1): Kid Saga/Underground Arena Saga (2001)
The original anime series aired from January 8 to June 25, 2001. It was a faithful adaptation of the manga series, but it did not follow the chronological order of Itagaki’s manga, and some chapters were left unadapted. Here is a list of episodes that tells you how you should watch the series:
| No. | Central Park Media title/Translated title Original Japanese title |
Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Stirrings of Destiny / Moving Towards Destiny” Transcription: “Shukumei e no Taidou” (Japanese: 宿命への胎動) |
January 8, 2001 |
| 2 | “Those Who Squirm / The Ones that Squirm” Transcription: “Ugomeku Mono-Tachi” (Japanese: 蠢く者たち) |
January 15, 2001 |
| 3 | “The Beast of Yasha Crag / The Monster of Yasha Cave” Transcription: “Yasha Iwa no Majuu” (Japanese: 夜叉岩の魔獣) |
January 22, 2001 |
| 4 | “The Fang and the Tears / The Fang and Tears” Transcription: “Kiba to Kizuna” (Japanese: 牙と絆) |
January 29, 2001 |
| 5 | “A Warrior’s Heart / A Warrior’s Heart” Transcription: “Senshi no Kokoro” (Japanese: 戦士の心) |
February 5, 2001 |
| 6 | “Spirit / A Man’s Stand” Transcription: “Kyoukaku Tachi” (Japanese: 侠客立ち) |
February 12, 2001 |
| 7 | “Gripper / Gripping Attack” Transcription: “Nigiri Geki!” (Japanese: 握撃!) |
February 19, 2001 |
| 8 | “Demon” Transcription: “Oni” (Japanese: 鬼) |
February 26, 2001 |
| 9 | “The Division / Parting” Transcription: “Ketsubetsu” (Japanese: 訣別) |
March 5, 2001 |
| 10 | “Battlefield” Transcription: “Senjou” (Japanese: 戦場) |
March 12, 2001 |
| 11 | “Gaia” Transcription: “GAIA” (Japanese: ガイア) |
March 19, 2001 |
| 12 | “Bite Marks” Transcription: “Kami Ato” (Japanese: 噛み跡) |
March 26, 2001 |
| 13 | “The Midnight Hour / Challenge” Transcription: “Idomu!” (Japanese: 挑む!) |
April 2, 2001 |
| 14 | “Lullaby / After Having a Dream” Transcription: “Yume wo Mita ato” (Japanese: 夢を見たあと) |
April 9, 2001 |
| 15 | “Reflections / Slave” Transcription: “Aitsu” (Japanese: 彼奴) |
April 16, 2001 |
| 16 | “Coming Home / Road to the Sacred Land” Transcription: “Seichi e no Michi” (Japanese: 聖地への道) |
April 23, 2001 |
| 17 | “Champion / The Gathering” Transcription: “Shuuketsu” (Japanese: 集結) |
April 30, 2001 |
| 18 | “The Cord-Cutter / The Chord-Cutter” Transcription: “Himo Giri” (Japanese: 紐切り) |
May 7, 2001 |
| 19 | “The Right To Fight / Opponent” Transcription: “Taisen Sha” (Japanese: 対戦者) |
May 14, 2001 |
| 20 | “An Honorable Loss” Transcription: “Meiyo aru Haiboku” (Japanese: 名誉ある敗北) |
May 21, 2001 |
| 21 | “An Unlikely Challenger / Killer Instinct” Transcription: “Sasshou Honnou” (Japanese: 殺傷本能) |
May 28, 2001 |
| 22 | “Head-On Collision” Transcription: “Ryouyuu Gekitotsu!” (Japanese: 両雄激突!) |
June 4, 2001 |
| 23 | “Medical Miracle / Fighting God, Satan!” Transcription: “Bushin, Shinigami” (Japanese: 武神、死神) |
June 18, 2001 |
| 24 | “The King’s Ransom / The Devil’s Payback” Transcription: “Akuma no Houshuu” (Japanese: 悪魔の報酬) |
June 25, 2001 |
Baki the Grappler (Season 2): Maximum Tournament Saga (2001)
A second 24-episode season was soon produced and aired from July 23 to December 24, 2001. It followed the same pattern as the first season by faithfully adapting the manga, but not all of it and not in chronological order. The episodes you need to watch are as follows:
| No. | Central Park Media dub title/Translated title Original Japanese title |
Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “The Opening / Start” Transcription: “Hajime! Kaishi!” (Japanese: 開始!) |
July 23, 2001 |
| 2 | “Reverse / Super A-Class Reserver” Transcription: “Chou A kyuu RIZAABAA” (Japanese: 超A級リザーバー) |
July 30, 2001 |
| 3 | “Darkness from Light / The Ultimate Goal” Transcription: “FAINARUTAAGETTO” (Japanese: ファイナルターゲット) |
August 6, 2001 |
| 4 | “The King Returns / Here comes the King” Transcription: “OUGA Kourin” (Japanese: オーガ降臨) |
August 13, 2001 |
| 5 | “User / The Right to Fight Him” Transcription: “YATSU to Touru Kenri” (Japanese: ヤツと闘る権利) |
August 20, 2001 |
| 6 | “The Tigerslayer Returns / The Professionals” Transcription: “Tatsujin” (Japanese: 達人) |
August 27, 2001 |
| 7 | “Fighting the Past / The Surpasser” Transcription: “Koeru Beki Mono” (Japanese: 超えるべき者) |
September 3, 2001 |
| 8 | “Eras End / The Reason why He Can’t Lose” Transcription: “Makerarenu Riyuu” (Japanese: 負けられぬ理由) |
September 10, 2001 |
| 9 | “Measure of a Man / The Warrior VS. The Chivalrous” Transcription: “Takehito tai Kyoukaku” (Japanese: 武人対侠客) |
September 17, 2001 |
| 10 | “Robe of Death / The Fighter” Transcription: “FAITEINGUKIZZU” (Japanese: ファイティングキッズ) |
September 24, 2001 |
| 11 | “The Chained Patriot / The Fang” Transcription: “Kiba” (Japanese: 牙) |
October 1, 2001 |
| 12 | “Survivor / Extreme! Orochi Ryu” Transcription: “Kyuukyoku! Guchiryuu” (Japanese: 究極! 愚地流) |
October 8, 2001 |
| 13 | “Misdirection / All Out!” Transcription: “Soroi Fumi” (Japanese: 揃い踏み) |
October 15, 2001 |
| 14 | “Deception / Pro Wrestling Show” Transcription: “PURORESU Shoubu!” (Japanese: プロレス勝負!) |
October 22, 2001 |
| 15 | “The Ace and the Serpent / Fate! Sonic Fists” Transcription: “Hiun! Onsoku Kobushi” (Japanese: 悲運! 音速拳) |
October 29, 2001 |
| 16 | “How to Build a Better Monster / Men Who Threw Away their Future” Transcription: “Ashita wo Suteta Otoko” (Japanese: 明日を捨てた男) |
November 5, 2001 |
| 17 | “Doppo vs Shibukawa / Doppo Orochi, Being Active!” Transcription: “Doppo, Mau!” (Japanese: 独歩、舞う!) |
November 12, 2001 |
| 18 | “Warriors Legacy / The Successor” Transcription: “Tsugu Mono” (Japanese: 継ぐ者) |
November 19, 2001 |
| 19 | “Monster / Tatsujin VS. Monster” Transcription: “Tatsujin VS Kaibutsu” (Japanese: 達人VS怪物) |
November 26, 2001 |
| 20 | “The Finals / Fight for Victory” Transcription: “Kesshou (FAINARU)” (Japanese: 決勝（ファイナル）) |
December 3, 2001 |
| 21 | “Blood Battle / Secret War in Vietnam” Transcription: “SHIIKURETTOUOU” (Japanese: シークレットウォー) |
December 10, 2001 |
| 22 | “Soldiers Misfortune / The Evolved Genius” Transcription: “Shinka Suru Tensai” (Japanese: 進化する天才) |
December 17, 2001 |
| 23 | “Final Strike / Resolution” Transcription: “Kecchaku” (Japanese: 決着) |
December 24, 2001 |
| 24 | “Public Enemy Zero / Encounter” Transcription: “Kaikou” (Japanese: 邂逅) |
December 24, 2001 |
“Baki The Grappler: The Ultimate Fighter” (1994)
The first OVA episode aired on August 21, 1994 and forms an integral unit with the 2001 anime series, although the series’ plot precedes the plot of the older OVA. It had a duration of 45 minutes and it adapted some of the initial volumes of the manga, some of which ended up being re-adapted in the 2001 anime.
“Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts Special Anime” (2016)
The second OVA, with a runtime of 15 minutes, was included with the limited edition of the 14th volume of Baki-Dou on December 6, 2016. It adapted the manga arc of the same name, but it was an arc from the second manga series, Baki. This, as it turned out, was a prelude to a new series.
Baki (Season 1): Most Evil Death Row Convicts Saga (2018)
Not long after the second OVA, it was announced that the “Most Evil Death Row Convicts” arc would be adapted in the form of an anime series, which aired on Netflix from June 25 to December 16, 2018. The adaptation had a total of 26 episodes:
| No. | Title | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Synchronicity” Transcription: “Shinkuronishiti” (Japanese: シンクロニシティ) |
June 25, 2018 |
| 2 | “Dark Martial Arts” Transcription: “Kuro Kakutōgi” (Japanese: 黒格闘技) |
July 2, 2018 |
| 3 | “They’re Finally Here!!” Transcription: “Kita! Kita!! Kita!!!” (Japanese: 来た！来た！！来た！！！) |
July 9, 2018 |
| 4 | “The Battle Begins!!” Transcription: “Shitō Kaishi!!” (Japanese: 死闘開始!!) |
July 16, 2018 |
| 5 | “Want Some More?” Transcription: “Mada Yaru Kai” (Japanese: まだやるかい) |
July 23, 2018 |
| 6 | “Sergeant Katahira’s Report” Transcription: “Katahira Junsa no Hōkoku-sho” (Japanese: 片平巡査の報告書) |
July 30, 2018 |
| 7 | “A Formidable Team” Transcription: “Saikyō Taggu” (Japanese: 最強タッグ) |
August 5, 2018 |
| 8 | “A Match vs a True Fight” Transcription: “Shial to Honban” (Japanese: 試合と本番) |
August 13, 2018 |
| 9 | “Shaken Shinshinkai!!” Transcription: “Shinshinkai Gekishin!!” (Japanese: 神心会激震!!) |
August 20, 2018 |
| 10 | “Air Duel” Transcription: “Kūchū Kessen” (Japanese: 空中決戦) |
August 27, 2018 |
| 11 | “Tiger Killer” Transcription: “Tora Koroshi” (Japanese: 虎殺し) |
September 3, 2018 |
| 12 | “Candy” Transcription: “Kyandi” (Japanese: キャンディ) |
September 10, 2018 |
| 13 | “Mr. Oliva” Transcription: “Misutā Oriba” (Japanese: ミスターオリバ) |
September 17, 2018 |
| 14 | “Ungranted Freedom” Transcription: “Yurusa Renu Jiyū” (Japanese: 許されぬ自由) |
September 24, 2018 |
| 15 | “Tremendous Muscle Power” Transcription: “Chō Kinryoku” (Japanese: 超筋力) |
October 1, 2018 |
| 16 | “Slash” Transcription: “Zangeki” (Japanese: 斬撃) |
October 8, 2018 |
| 17 | “Dad!” Transcription: “Oyaji~tsu!!” (Japanese: 親父ッ!!) |
October 15, 2018 |
| 18 | “Thanks” Transcription: “Arigatō” (Japanese: アリガトウ) |
October 22, 2018 |
| 19 | “Admission of Defeat” Transcription: “Shitatameru Kai?” (Japanese: 認めるかい？) |
October 29, 2018 |
| 20 | “Saga” Transcription: “Sāga” (Japanese: ＳＡＧＡ) |
November 4, 2018 |
| 21 | “Punishment” Transcription: “Seisai” (Japanese: 制裁) |
November 11, 2018 |
| 22 | “Clash of the Alphas!” Transcription: “Chō o Taiketsu!” (Japanese: 超雄対決！) |
November 18, 2018 |
| 23 | “The Real Attack” Transcription: “Hontō no Kōgeki” (Japanese: 本当の攻撃) |
November 25, 2018 |
| 24 | “Defeat” Transcription: “Haiboku” (Japanese: 敗北) |
December 2, 2018 |
| 25 | “God and the Devil” Transcription: “Kami to Oni” (Japanese: 神と鬼) |
December 9, 2018 |
| 26 | “The Centennial Tournament” Transcription: “Dà Lèitái Sài” (Japanese: 大擂台賽) |
December 16, 2018 |
Baki (Season 2): Great Chinese Challenge Saga/Godlike Clash of the Kids Saga (2020)
A second season of the Netflix show, consisting of only 13 episodes, was released on June 4, 2020 on Netflix. This is how you should watch it:
| No. | Title | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Begin! The Centennial Tournament” Transcription: “Kāimù! Dà Lèitái Sài” (Japanese: 開幕！大擂台賽) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 2 | “Turnaround” Transcription: “Uragaeri” (Japanese: 裏返り) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 3 | “Revived!” Transcription: “Fukkatsu~tsu~tsu!!” (Japanese: 復活ッッ！！) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 4 | “Team Formed!” Transcription: “Chīmu Kessei!” (Japanese: チーム結成！) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 5 | “Hand Pocket” Transcription: “Handopoketto” (Japanese: ハンドポケット) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 6 | “Excellennnnt!” Transcription: “Subarashii~tsu~tsu” (Japanese: スバラシイッッ) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 7 | “Kaioh” Transcription: “Kaikō” (Japanese: 海皇) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 8 | “The Title of the Strongest” Transcription: “Saikyō no Shōgō” (Japanese: スバラシイッッ) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 9 | “The Master vs the Boxer” Transcription: “Tatsujin vs Bokusā” (Japanese: 達人ＶＳボクサー) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 10 | “Stand and Fight” Transcription: “stand and fight” |
June 4, 2020 |
| 11 | “Awakening” Transcription: “Kakusei” (Japanese: 覚醒) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 12 | “Completion” Transcription: “Kansei” (Japanese: 完成) |
June 4, 2020 |
| 13 | “Revenge Tokyo” Transcription: “REVENGE TOKYO” |
June 4, 2020 |
Baki Hanma – Son of Ogre (2021)
A third season of the Netflix series, consisting of 12 episodes, was released on September 30, 2021.
To gain the skills he needs to surpass his powerful father, Baki enters Arizona State Prison to take on the notorious inmate known as Mr. Unchained.
Do you need to watch Baki in order?
The answer to this question depends heavily on how you like to watch your anime. If you’re a fan of vintage anime, then watching Baki the Grappler, the original anime series, is highly recommended, as it is truly a good anime and it does reveal a lot of plot details.
When Netflix relaunched the series in 2018, Baki was not marketed as a reboot but rather as a continuation of the original 2001 series. The plot is a continuation, but it is only loosely based on the original anime and you don’t really have to watch the one to follow the other.
So, if you like vintage anime and you want to get a complete idea of the series’ plot, you should watch the series in the above-written order but if you don’t want to bother yourselves with that, you can just start from the 2018 series and you won’t be missing out on anything.
