What’s the difference between Baki and Baki Hanma?

The Baki series is more complicated than its simple subject matter would suggest, with the story of Baki Hanma requiring much more than just one part.

The new Baki anime has resulted in an explosion of fan interest, and the latest season featuring Pickle has only stoked the flames higher. However, Baki enthusiasts looking to get into the manga may be confused by the series’ unusual pacing. The tale of the young fighter is actually made up of several smaller series that share main characters, storylines, and sometimes even a name, with the only real difference being antagonists. If you want to see the divide between the saga’s two most popular parts, here’s everything you need to know.

The Baki manga is divided into multiple parts. Here are all of them in chronological order.

• Grappler Baki (1991 – 1999)
• Baki ( 1999 – 2005)
• Baki Hanma (2005 – 2012)
• Baki-Dou (2014 – 2018)
• Bakidou (2018 – 2023)
• Baki Rahen (To begin in 2023)

Time is the only difference between Baki and Baki Hanma 

Baki and Baki Hanma are the two most popular arcs of the series, thanks to the anime, but they cover two very different parts of the young fighter’s life.

Baki starts with the titular character facing his strangest challenge yet with the Death Row Convicts arc. It then moves on to the Great Raitai Tournament arc, where Baki takes a backseat to further develop the supporting cast and overarching antagonist, Yujiro. Finally, Baki ends on the Muhammad Ali Jr. arc, where Baki takes on the son of the legendary boxer and progresses his relationship with Kozue.

The first season of the Netflix anime revival covers the entirety of this saga, so if that’s how you’ve experienced the series, you’ve already seen everything this part has to offer. Baki Hanma, however, is still in the process of being adapted.

Baki Hanma begins with an exploration of Baki’s shadow boxing techniques, which involve conjuring imaginary praying mantises and elephants to fight. The central conflict of the saga revolves around Pickle, a fearsome prehistoric fighter who has been revived in the present day. Barack Obama makes a surprise appearance. The majority of the saga revolves around the race to defeat Pickle as well as the aftermath of various characters’ defeats. After checking in with Kaioh Retsu’s recovery, Baki Hanma ends with a showdown between the father and son.

Baki Hanma is still in the process of being animated, with the aftermath of the Pickle saga yet to be adapted. Since Baki is currently in its sixth part, it’s safe to say that Baki-Dou and Bakidou will get animated shows once Baki Hanma finishes.