Baki the Grappler
Encyclopedia
Grappler Baki or Baki the Grappler, is a manga
series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki
. It was originally serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1991 to 1999, lasting 42 collected volumes. It was followed by two sequel series, (serialized from 1999 to 2005) and (which began in 2005 and currently in serialization).
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 aired from July 22, 2001 to December 24, 2001.
in the US. The OVA was released by Manga Entertainment
in Australia and the UK and previously released by Central Park Media
in the US. Gutsoon! Entertainment
released the first 46 chapters of the original manga in English in the pages of Raijin Comics
, their anthology magazine.
Raijin Comics
began work on this arc, and got through about 1-3 volumes of the Japanese version, give or take, before discontinuing manga publication altogether. The company only had the rights to the magazine edition of this series, and not the graphic novels, a rarity in the American manga publication industry.
" by popular Japanese rock band Dir en grey
. The anime was produced by their record label, Free-Will. All of the Japanese opening and closing songs were done by Baki Project.
A second 24 episode series called Grappler Baki Maximum Tournament aired from July 23, 2001 to December 24, 2001.
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 do not appear to have been edited for content. FUNimation also aired their dub on the COLOURS channel on weekends at 10pm. Currently however, they have taken all anime off of the channel.
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki
Keisuke Itagaki
is a Japanese manga artist. His most famous works are Grappler Baki. Prior to becoming a manga artist, he served 5 years in the 1st Airborne Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. During his service he practiced amateur boxing, and has competed in the National Sports Festival...
. It was originally serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1991 to 1999, lasting 42 collected volumes. It was followed by two sequel series, (serialized from 1999 to 2005) and (which began in 2005 and currently in serialization).
The 24 episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
aired in Japan between January 8, 2001 and June 25, 2001. A second 24 episode series called Grappler Baki Maximum Tournament aired from July 22, 2001 to December 24, 2001.
Plot
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. The anime was licensed and distributed by FUNimation EntertainmentFUNimation Entertainment
Funimation is an American entertainment company. Originally founded in 1994 by Gen Fukunaga, the company became a subsidiary of Navarre Corporation on May 11, 2005...
in the US. The OVA was released by Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment is a producer, licensor and distributor of Japanese animation in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand...
in Australia and the UK and previously released by Central Park Media
Central Park Media
Central Park Media was an American multimedia entertainment company based in New York City, New York, that was active in the distribution of East Asian cinema, television series, anime, manga and manhwa titles in North America prior to its bankruptcy in 2009...
in the US. Gutsoon! Entertainment
Gutsoon! Entertainment
Gutsoon! Entertainment, Inc. is a now defunct publisher of English translated manga. The company, headquartered in Encino, Los Angeles, served as the US subsidiary of Coamix, which was founded by Nobuhiko Horie and manga artist Tsukasa Hojo. The company published the English manga anthology Raijin...
released the first 46 chapters of the original manga in English in the pages of Raijin Comics
Raijin Comics
Raijin Comics was a manga anthology published in North America by the now-defunct Gutsoon! Entertainment and largely backed by the Sega Corporation at its inception. The collected volumes of Raijin Comics titles were published under the Raijin Graphic Novels imprint.The comics were aimed at an...
, their anthology magazine.
Manga volumes
Baki manga so far (chronologically):- Grappler Baki (Real fighting action) - (First series Volume 1 to 42, complete, Deluxe version 1-24 complete) (The Champion Saga, the Kid Saga, and the Maximum Tournament saga).
Raijin Comics
Raijin Comics
Raijin Comics was a manga anthology published in North America by the now-defunct Gutsoon! Entertainment and largely backed by the Sega Corporation at its inception. The collected volumes of Raijin Comics titles were published under the Raijin Graphic Novels imprint.The comics were aimed at an...
began work on this arc, and got through about 1-3 volumes of the Japanese version, give or take, before discontinuing manga publication altogether. The company only had the rights to the magazine edition of this series, and not the graphic novels, a rarity in the American manga publication industry.
- Grappler Baki Gaiden: Igari vs Mount Toba - (Complete) (immediately after the Maximum Tournament).
- Baki: In 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). This series is also referred to as New Grappler Baki.
- 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 28, ongoing, weekly published on Shōnen Champion Weekly) (Training With the Strongest saga, Oliva's Fortress saga 9-10 , The Prehistoric Menace chapter (Pickle wars, the rise of Katsumi, Jack's ambition, Baki's confrontation) (Vol 21) (Tied to the manga Hanma Baki 10.5 Anecdote Pickle: The man from 65.000.000 years ago) Retsu kaiou's boxing saga, The Hanma Yuujiro, father's story (vol 22-29) Yuujiro vs Baki: second encounter (30+) .
Anime
The 24 episode anime aired in Japan between January 8, 2001 and June 25, 2001. The opening theme for the American version was the song "Child PreyChild prey
"Child Prey" is a single released by Dir En Grey on July 31, 2002. It is the band's first single to feature live recordings, which were taken during the Rettou Gekishin Angya tour. The title track was also used in the anime series Baki the Grappler as an opening theme.-Track listing:...
" by popular Japanese rock band Dir en grey
Dir en grey
Dir En Grey is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2011, they have recorded eight full-length records...
. The anime was produced by their record label, Free-Will. All of the Japanese opening and closing songs were done by Baki Project.
A second 24 episode series called Grappler Baki Maximum Tournament aired from July 23, 2001 to December 24, 2001.
Airing outside Japan
Hawaii-based TV station KIKUKIKU
KIKU-TV is an independent television station based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Currently, KIKU broadcasts on DTV channel 19, Time-Warner Cable 9/Digital 89 , Time-Warner Cable 10/Digital 89 , Time-Warner Cable Digital 89 , Hawaiian Cable 12, and Hawaiian Telcom Cable 20...
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 do not appear to have been edited for content. FUNimation also aired their dub on the COLOURS channel on weekends at 10pm. Currently however, they have taken all anime off of the channel.