Baki vs Baki Hanma: What is the Difference?

If you are in the cadre of people who are confused about whether Baki and Baki Hanma are the same show since their names are very similar, here are the answers you are looking for. Just to be clear, Baki and Baki Hanma are essentially the same anime show. The major difference between the two is that Baki Hanma is a Netflix original anime and that it begins from where the Baki series left off. The Baki Hanma series gave both productions all the fame and spotlight effect they needed to stay famous to date.

Baki the Grappler has been in existence in the manga genre for over 30 years and in this time, sequels and spin-offs have been made that collectively crowned it one of the most famous martial arts manga in current times. It was first Baki the Grappler which was also called Baki. Byliner’s analysis of the two shows will give you a better understanding of Baki and Baki Hanma.

All About Baki 

Baki the Grappler the anime first premiered in 2001 when it was aired on TV Tokyo with 24 episodes. Even though it was adapted from the Manga, it was not created directly as written because a lot of the arcs were rearranged to better fit the story told in the anime even though they maintained the central story in the manga and only left out the chapters in the previous OVA of 1994. In the same year, a second season of Baki the Grappler titled “Maximum Tournament Saga,” was released with 24 episodes, the same as the first.

💥 BAKI HANMA season 2 💥
Coming Soon to Netflix pic.twitter.com/qcGCkgQJNI

— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) March 28, 2022

Baki Hanma Overview

Many years after fans thoroughly enjoyed the first and second seasons of Baki the Grappler, another adaptation was announced which fans of the manga and initial series were overjoyed about. This time, the series was adapted from the second manga in the arc of Most Evil Death Row Convicts. It premiered on Netflix as one of its originals in 2018 with a first season on 26 episodes. A second season with just 13 episodes followed two years later in 2020. 

By this time, the series had gathered a following eager for the next season. The producers did not disappoint because a third adaptation titled Hanma Baki—Son of Ogre was made and released in 2021 with just 12 episodes. 

Difference Between Baki and Baki Hanma

When we come down to the differences and similarities between Baki and Baki Hanma, it all begins with the fact that they were both crafted from the same manga that has existed for nearly 40 years. The chief difference between the two series is that Baki was adapted first and the more recent Baki Hanma was a direct sequel to the events of Baki.

Hanma begins after Baki’s victory over Mohammad Alai Jr. and centers on his training for a battle with Yujiro, which includes fights with Oliva and other characters. Compared to what fans first saw in Baki, Hanma’s plot is a major shift, with more focus on the titular character. However, both Baki and Baki Hanma are characterized by exaggerated fight scenes and characters with over-the-top musculature.

The style and concept of Hanma have mostly not changed from the original Baki series, with the notable exceptions of plot changes. While in the Baki series, new characters that were introduced along the way had a lot of screen time, with Mohammad Alai Jr. effectively taking on the role of the series’ main character in the second half, after the first half of the Baki series focused on the five escaped death row inmates, Baki Hanma puts the spotlight and focus back on the character Baki.

Baki Hanma also surpasses Baki in terms of visual aesthetics, but that is to be expected given that Hanma is a more recent anime series than the original Baki, which is about 20 years old. It makes sense that Baki Hanma would be significantly superior in visual aesthetics, given the numerous recent advancements in anime animation standards.

Overall, Baki Hanma is more entertaining than the original Baki because Hanma Baki develops the plot and gives fans more information about Itagaki’s world. Also, Baki Hanma’s animation is far better than that of Baki; not that Baki’s animation is poor, but Hanma Baki has made good use of modern animation standards. Finally, Baki Hanma is generally better in narration and character development.

How Tall is Baki Hanma?

Baki is and has always been an exceptional character what with his physically appealing looks and the fact that he is the hero most fans of the show adore. This is also why his height has been a thing of interest to fans of the show, so if you are among the people dying to know, the hunky Baki is just 5 ft 6 inches tall. In the first adapted series Baki the Grappler, he was depicted to be a teen at 17 years of age. For this reason, he had a rather childish look and personality with short spikey hair. During this period, he was sometimes depicted to be a few inches shorter at 5 ft 2 inches.

The third manga series’ depiction of Baki as an 18-year-old isn’t different from his earlier physique. The only changes are a curlier hairstyle.

Is Baki Hanma a Prequel, or Is It After Baki?

As previously mentioned, Baki Hanma is the sequel to Baki and not the prequel. Based on the manga of the same name by creator Keisuke Itagaki, Baki Hanma is a Netflix Original martial arts anime series. The protagonist of the story is Baki, a 17-year-old fighter who is regarded as the second-strongest fighter in the world, after his father Yujiro.

Baki fights death row convicts, martial arts gurus, and everyone in between on his quest to become the best fighter. The production company for the anime is still TMS Entertainment.

Should I Watch Baki or Baki Hanma First?

To better understand the story, you should watch Baki The Grappler and the Baki series before Baki Hanma. Even though Baki and Baki Hanma can be enjoyed on their own, watching Baki the Grappler first adds some much-needed context to the proceedings. After watching Baki the Grappler, watch Baki, and then finish up with Baki Hanma on Netflix.

In addition to two OVAs, three Baki series have been released. The OVAs provide an interesting snapshot at the history of the series, but the OVAs can be skipped because the events they cover are largely covered in the three Baki series.

The three series that make up the Baki franchise are Baki The Grappler, Baki, and Baki Hanma. They are parts of the single and extensive story about Baki Hanma’s quest.

When Does Baki Hanma Take Place?

The Netflix Original Anime Baki Hanma, first aired on Netflix in June 2018, takes place after the main character (Baki) defeats Mohammad Alai Jr. The plot of this series follows Baki’s preparation to become the strongest fighter in the world as he trains to battle his father, Yujiro Hanma.

List of Baki Characters Compared to Baki Hanma Characters

Baki and Baki Hanma are characterized by numerous characters, although Baki Hanma has more characters than Baki. It is noteworthy that Baki and Yujiro Hanma are the true main characters of the series. New characters are routinely introduced in the Baki Franchise, and after they establish themselves, they disappear.

Here is a list of the important characters in Baki and Baki Hanma.