Beginning back in the early 1990s, Baki the Grappler is one of the oldest and most enduring sports manga franchises. The manga itself continues to be published to this day and has inspired several animated adaptations. The most recent series has been airing through Netflix, and a new season has just had a trailer and release date announced.
Later this year, grappler Baki will finally return to Netflix for a new season to battle some of his strongest opponents yet, including his supremely powerful father. Here's what viewers should know about the new season of Baki, which part of the manga it's based on and when exactly it'll be hitting Netflix.
The series was created by Keisuke Itagaki in 1991, and centers around Baki, a young man who wishes to become the strongest fighter that he can be. His ultimate opponent is his father Yujiro, who defeats Baki in a fight and sends him across the world to train for a rematch. While on his journey, Baki battles a multitude of other fighters and even other species, honing his skills against the greatest foes that the world has to offer.
Baki Hanma, or Baki: Son of Ogre is based on the third part of the manga, which is also the last entry in the main canon before the story went in a new direction. The season will have Baki finally facing his father for one epic final battle, testing his skills and training throughout his journey. The show's first two seasons aired in 2018 and 2020 on Netflix, and the ONA is the second major adaptation of the source material following an early 2000s OVA and later TV series.
The recent trailer for the new season gives a look at some of its impressive fight scenes and animation. The central premise of Baki fighting his father is established from the opening scenes, as is the gigantic size of Ogre, Baki's father. Baki is shown facing not only his dear old dad, but also several other incredibly odd opponents. These include a ghost-like vapor, as well as various giant bugs like a massive praying mantis.
It was announced almost a year ago that Season 3 would be based on the Hanma Baki manga that ran from 2005 to 2012 in the pages of Weekly Shonen Champion. This third entry in the franchise was ultimately comprised of 37 volumes, so there's plenty of material to adapt.
Netflix, TMS Entertainment and director Toshiki Hirano will also be behind this season, and the voice cast of the previous seasons will reprise their roles, as well. This includes Nobunaga Shimazaki as Baki himself, as well as Megumi Han as Rumina Ayukawa, Takaya Hashi as Gerry Strydum, Akio Otsuka as Yujiro Hanma and Hochu Otsuka as Oliva Biscuit.
The third season of Netflix's Baki will be here in only a few short months, just in time for an important anniversary. The show will continue this September to coincide with the manga's 30th anniversary, making Baki's bout with his dad all the more important. This release date is worldwide, so international fans will be able to enjoy it alongside viewers in Japan. There's also a recently launched website that also celebrates this date, with the new episodes of the show being the tip of the iceberg for the commemoration.
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