User:Minedor/Baki Hanma

"I'm not all that book smart. But... My Body... It's telling me to finish you off!!"

- Baki Hanma, New Grappler Baki Chapter 188: Revival

Baki Hanma (範馬 刃牙) is the main protagonist of the Baki the Grappler franchise. Baki is a high-school student living in Tokyo, and in secret, the "Champion" (チャンピオン, Chanpion) of the Underground Arena in Tokyo Dome.

Baki, the son of Yujiro Hanma and Emi Akezawa, has been raised with a relentless determination to surpass his father and emerge victorious in combat. However, his match against his father lead to a humbling defeat at the hands of Yujiro. Tragically, witnessing Baki's severe injuries, Emi confronts Yujiro and loses her life in the process.

Fueled by a resolute desire for revenge, Baki embarks on a two-year journey across the globe, honing his skills through intense training. Upon his return to Tokyo, he joins the Underground Arena and quickly rises to become its renowned champion fighter.

While Baki doesn't possess any supernatural abilities, his Shadow Boxing (シャドーファイティング) ability is powerful enough to visualize opponents that can be seen by onlookers.

Appearance
Baki is a character known for his evolving physical appearance throughout the series. Initially portrayed as a muscular yet slightly short boy with a childlike demeanor and short hair that extends longer in the back, his image undergoes significant changes as he grows older. Notably, Baki's body bears extensive scars, a testament to his unwavering commitment to intense and uncompromising training. Surprisingly, his face remains unblemished, setting it apart from the rest of his heavily marked physique. Additionally, a distinctive mole above his upper lip, inherited from his mother Emi Akezawa, adds to his recognizable features.

During the Childhood Saga, at the age of 13, Baki sports a spikier, shorter hairstyle, colored in a vibrant orange shade, possibly an attempt to emulate his father's appearance.

In "New Grappler Baki," Baki matures to 17 years old, reverting to his initial appearance seen at the start of "Baki the Grappler." He adopts a more mature and relaxed demeanor, shedding his childlike nature. Notably, his hair grows considerably longer, extending below his ears.

In "Baki: Son of Ogre," at the age of 18, Baki's appearance remains largely unchanged from "New Grappler Baki." However, his hair exhibits more pronounced curls, and he has experienced a slight increase in height.

Baki's extraordinary physical attributes stem from his rigorous training regimen, endowing him with exceptional muscularity, flexibility, and durability. His physique surpasses that of the average adolescent due to his constant engagement in intense combat training. Remarkably, his bones and muscles are often described as superior to those of an Olympic athlete.

Personality
Baki is a multifaceted character who embodies a carefree and laid-back demeanor, but beneath that exterior lies a determined and hard-training teenage boy. Throughout much of the series, his primary goal is to defeat his father, Yujiro Hanma, renowned as the strongest entity alive. However, Baki's aspiration isn't to replace his father as the most potent force on the planet; rather, he yearns to acquire enough strength to conquer Yujiro in battle. This deep-seated desire to surpass his father is fueled not only by a natural instinct to prove himself but also by the need to avenge his mother, Emi Akezawa, who tragically fell victim to Yujiro's brutality. Baki's commitment to self-improvement is unwavering, and he engages in near-constant training day and night, relentlessly striving to refine his martial skills as rapidly as possible. As a relatively well-known martial artist, especially among those familiar with the Underground Arena, Baki often finds himself in skirmishes with various opponents, either intentionally or by unfortunate circumstances. His belief in the importance of challenging adversaries stronger than himself is deeply ingrained, as it is a core principle of the Hanma bloodline – battling formidable opponents not only strengthens his body but also allows him to learn and grow from the experience.

However, Baki's way of fighting sets him apart from his father. He values building relationships with his formidable foes, drawing incredible strength from these connections. On the other hand, Yujiro's philosophy centers around the relentless pursuit of absolute power, often leading him to crush opponents without mercy. Baki's compassionate approach and occasional leniency towards adversaries infuriate Yujiro, creating tension between them. Despite Baki's fierce determination in combat, he displays a softer side when it comes to those close to him. He harbors a profound love and respect for his girlfriend, Kozue Matsumoto, and becomes fiercely protective whenever she faces danger. This deep emotional bond with Kozue serves as a wellspring of strength, empowering Baki in his quest for greatness.

Apart from his impressive physical abilities, Baki possesses an exceptionally high level of martial intelligence. He exhibits resourcefulness and tactical acumen, often employing a combination of combat styles to outmaneuver his opponents. His imaginative approach to training, such as visualizing and interacting with mental representations of creatures and individuals to develop new techniques, showcases his creativity and dedication.

During his formative years, Baki briefly goes through a cocky and hot-headed phase, yearning to prove himself to others and match his father's strength. However, this aspect of his personality evolves over time, and he reverts to his laid-back self while retaining his desire to surpass Yujiro. Baki eventually accepts that his ambition is not to be the strongest man alive, but rather to achieve a level of strength surpassing his father's.

Outside of training and combat, Baki displays good manners and politeness, likely stemming from his upbringing in a wealthy family until the age of 13. However, he can be provocative to goad opponents into fighting him at their full strength, as he believes that true fighters don't need rules or conditions to engage in battle.

Baki's relationship with his father is complex and tinged with sadness. He rarely speaks about Yujiro with enthusiasm, often expressing reluctance and anger. Nevertheless, Baki seems deeply affected by Yujiro's opinion of him, hinting at an intricate father-son dynamic between the two. Despite their status as deadly enemies, they occasionally cooperate as a team when the situation demands it.

The depth of their complicated relationship is most evident during their final confrontation in the third manga series. Baki's conflicting emotions towards his father and his admiration for Yujiro's unparalleled strength add layers of complexity to their interactions.

In a pivotal moment during his battle with his brother, Baki briefly unleashes a fearsome demon-like face, which illustrates his profound control over his killing intent. He chooses to engage in honorable combat, regardless of the outcome, setting him apart from Yujiro's more ruthless approach.

Shadow Boxing
Baki possesses the ability to materialize an array of historical fighters, whether human or otherwise, through his vivid imagination. Though not physically present, these "manifested beings" can inflict real damage upon Baki if they attack him. A notable instance of this ability occurred when he manifested the legendary Mike "Iron Michael" Tyson to showcase his Shadow Boxing prowess to Rumina. In a swift encounter, Baki engaged in a brief bout with the champ, ultimately emerging victorious. Later, driven by a desire to surpass his father's extraordinary feat of defeating an African prehistoric-era-looking Elephant, Baki manifested a formidable 100kg praying mantis in his basement. This endeavor was not without peril, as the fight against the mantis pushed Baki to the brink of death, causing him to teeter on the verge of losing consciousness. Such exceptional manifestations exemplify the extent of Baki's remarkable capabilities and the risks he willingly undertakes to achieve his aspirations.

Fighting Knowledge
Baki possesses an unparalleled depth of fighting knowledge, constantly honing his skills through rigorous training and relentless battles. From his early days as the champion of the Tokyo Underground Dome to his encounters with formidable adversaries like Shinogi Kureha and Yujiro Hanma, Baki's strength continues to grow, making it challenging to pinpoint a definitive level of his prowess.

Endorphin manipulation
Baki possesses a unique and special ability that allows him to elevate his endorphin levels, resulting in increased durability and pain resistance. By twisting his right ear, Baki can activate the production of endorphins within his body, effectively inhibiting the transmission of pain signals. This ability sets him apart from other characters in the series, as he is the sole practitioner of harnessing endorphins to enhance his combat capabilities. Baki first discovered this power during intense training before facing Yasha-Zaru in the initial series, marking a significant turning point in his fighting prowess.

Miscellaneous
Throughout his battles, Baki exhibits an impressive array of techniques that demonstrate his exceptional fighting prowess. Some of his notable moves include the Eye-Poke, Endorphin release, Death Concentration, Ippon Ken, Rear Naked Choke, Roll Kick, and the powerful King Tiger.

He employs the Bow and Arrow technique, and relies on Seiken, a basic karate move. The Submission move, one of Baki's signature techniques, makes a significant impact on his battles. Baki showcases his agility with the Dropkick and Suplex, both used effectively. The Goutaijutsu, based on Seiken from karate, proves formidable against adversaries. In the heat of combat, Baki deploys various original moves, such as New Cobra, Single-Leg Figure-Four, and New Swastika.

Techniques like Jumping Backdrop and Antonio Driver provide him with a tactical edge. The Spinning Lotus, Soccer Ball Kick, Shining Wizard, and Cord-Cut display his versatility in battle. Baki's speed and precision are highlighted through the execution of the Mach Punch, while the Arm Breaker and Demon Back attest to his fierce fighting spirit.

Against some opponents, Baki employs the Backhand Blow and Axe Kick to great effect. The Whip Strike, utilized against formidable foes, demonstrates his resourcefulness. Baki also showcases unique skills like Yawara and the remarkable 0.5 Second Unconscious, which he employs strategically. In a decisive moment, he uses a Slap to assert dominance. Baki's diverse and dynamic repertoire of techniques makes him a formidable and versatile combatant.

Childhood Saga
Baki trains rigorously from birth to surpass his father, Yujiro, and gain his love. His mother, Emi Akezawa, ensures he has top-notch training resources and staff. He becomes feared for fighting local thugs, eventually challenging five elite school martial artists, each whom he defeats effortlessly. His next goal is the boxing champion, Yuri Chakovsky, whom he challenges and loses to.

Following this defeat, Baki goes into the mountains to train, meeting an old friend, Reichi Ando. Baki decides to camp near the territory of the Yasha Ape, a monstrous creature only his father has survived fighting. Despite Ando's warnings, Baki confronts and is beaten by the Yasha Ape, even as he manages to set the creature on fire.

Ando gets severely injured in the process but before being taken to hospital, he warns Baki against reckless behavior. Undeterred, Baki continues his relentless training and goes on to fight the Yasha Ape again. After an intense battle, Baki wins and returns a memento from the Ape's deceased wife that his father had killed. The Yasha Ape gifts Baki one of its fangs in gratitude.

Later on, Baki's rival Yuri Chakovsky is defeated by yakuza street fighter Kaoru Hanayama, who then targets Baki. After a violent confrontation, Baki manages to win but his victory is overshadowed by his father, Yujiro, brutally attacking both Hanayama and Baki. Yujiro challenges Baki to a fight, presenting him the head of the Yasha Ape to provoke him.

Gerry Strydum, a companion of Yujiro, advises Baki to gain experience by battling five formidable soldiers in Hokkaido. Baki, accompanied by Strydum, lands there only to be captured and intended to be used as food by these soldiers. He escapes and battles each of them. His notable opponents include Sanada, a knife specialist, and Kuraishi, an incredibly resilient fighter. Baki defeats them and the less skilled Nomura before engaging with the twins, Chiba. As he overcomes them, Nomura's alter ego, "Gaia", emerges as a formidable foe.

Gaia believes he's the god of the battlefield and proves tough to hit due to his control of adrenaline. Baki counters using endorphins but is almost killed when Gaia uses his environment-based techniques. In a decisive move, Baki lands a non-damaging, "loving" attack, causing Gaia to lose consciousness. Upon Gaia's awakening, the soldiers share a meal with Baki, further solidifying bonds with those who have forced him to become stronger.

Returning home, Baki encounters Kurokawa, a master swordsman whose skills inspire Baki to challenge him. Baki emerges victorious and extends an invitation to Kurokawa to witness his upcoming fight against Yujiro. Baki also duels with Chinen, a Kenpo master, and defeats him as part of his preparation for the battle against his father.

As the fight nears, Baki's relationship with his mother, Emi, becomes strained as she lashes out at Baki out of frustration with Yujiro's indifference towards her. Baki comforts her, seeking reassurance of her love if he emerges victorious in his duel with Yujiro. Baki then spends time with Hanayama, sharing intimate conversations about their mothers and growing their bond.

On the day of the fight, Baki undergoes an intense warm-up, aided by fellow fighters including Yuri Chakovsky and Hanayama. The fight commences dramatically, with Yujiro halting an earthquake with a single punch, leaving the spectators in awe. Despite his best efforts, Baki proves to be no match for his father, but Yujiro takes pride in his son's tenacity.

In a shocking turn of events, Emi intervenes in the fight to save her son, earning her death at Yujiro's hands. As she dies, Baki, in a hallucination, shares tender moments with her, believing her to be alive. He carries her body through the city, causing panic, but he manages to escape the police and lays his mother to rest in a meadow.

In the aftermath, Baki embarks on a two-year journey across the globe, challenging and defeating various martial artists. At 15, he reaches Brazil and encounters Dickson, a crippled fighter who informs him about the Underground Arena in the Tokyo Dome.

Arriving in Tokyo, Baki visits Mitsunari Tokugawa's household where he meets Kanji Igari, a fighter he warns not to stand in his way. He then battles Tokugawa's bodyguards and his best bodyguard, Shumei Kano, whose defensive style initially surprises Baki. However, Baki's offensive prowess proves superior, and he emerges victorious. Impressed, Tokugawa grants Baki permission to join the Underground Arena, setting the stage for new battles.

The Underground Arena Saga
The saga begins with a Shinshinkai Karate tournament. Baki, now 17, impresses with his skill despite being new to karate. He swiftly makes it to the finals, where he faces off against Atsushi Suedo. Prior to their match, Baki encounters Doppo Orochi, the grandmaster of Shinshinkai Karate. Baki provokes Suedo into breaking a rule, resulting in Suedo injuring his hand and Baki's victory. Afterwards, Baki meets Kiyosumi Kato, who challenges him to a fight. However, their confrontation is interrupted by Izo Motobe, an old jujutsu master. Overwhelmed, Baki returns home to his loyal dog, Musashi, and his neighbors Kinuyo Matsumoto and her daughter, Kozue.

Despite being a rare sight at school, Kozue encourages Baki to attend more regularly. At school, he easily defeats the boxing star, Takayama.

Baki's next fight is in the Underground Arena, where he is pitted against Shinogi Kosho, the "cord-cutter". During the battle, Kosho injures Baki's nerves, but Baki perseveres, knocking out Kosho instead of breaking his arm. Post-fight, Baki encounters Strydum, who asserts that despite his victory, Baki is not yet strong enough to take on Yujiro.

Later, Mitsunari Tokugawa selects Baki's next opponent, Junichi Hanada. However, after Hanada fails a "test" from Tokugawa, Baki ends up fighting Mount Toba, a pro wrestler. Despite Toba's initial advantage, Baki wins by attacking Toba's knee joint. After the fight, Baki's father, Yujiro, who had been watching, knocks Baki out when Baki attacks him.

Baki tries to dissuade Doppo from fighting Yujiro but is impressed by Doppo's skill at a Shinshinkai event. After their skirmish, Baki revises his opinion of Doppo's chances against Yujiro. Baki rescues Takayama from thugs and learns his next opponent will be the doctor Shinogi Kureha, arranged to fight after Doppo and Yujiro's duel.

The day of Doppo and Yujiro's fight comes. After Doppo's dramatic loss, Baki, shaken, has to face Kureha. Former patients of Kureha's who have suffered from his medical experiments fuel Baki's rage for the battle. He attacks Kureha relentlessly and, despite Kureha's attempts to use his medical knowledge in the fight, Baki wins with a Goutaijutsu punch, leaving Kureha with ruptured intestines. A former patient, Yasuko, steps forward to donate blood to save Kureha. Afterwards, Baki retreats to the mountains to meditate.

The Maximum Tournament Saga
Baki Hanma discovers that Tokugawa is orchestrating a grand martial arts tournament. The prize for the victor is a coveted belt, historically bestowed upon the champions of Roman pankration. He extends an invitation to Kozue Matsumoto to join him at Tokyo Dome, providing her with a glimpse into his clandestine world. In the subterranean arena, Baki reunites with several old friends who are also competitors in the tournament. The initial battle pits him against an imposing wrestler, Andreas Regan. Regan initially underestimates Baki due to his size, but quickly recognizes the young champion's formidable prowess, which encourages Regan to push his abilities to their limit. Nevertheless, Baki skillfully parries Regan's attacks and triumphs in the duel.

Post-match, Baki and Kozue converse in the hallway, where he shares his philosophy. He expresses his belief that all young men dream, at least once, of being the strongest in the world, and for some, this ambition persists into adulthood, leading to deadly confrontations in places like the Underground Arena.

When Kiyosumi Kato's turn to fight arrives, his opponent is revealed to be Yasha-Zaru Jr, the offspring of Yasha-Zaru. Baki objects to this pairing, arguing that the ape agreed to participate solely for a chance to battle Baki in retribution for his father's defeat. Consequently, Baki intervenes in the match, which he deems Kato has no chance of winning. However, even Baki struggles against the powerful Yasha. It's then that Katsumi Orochi, the adoptive son of Doppo, makes his appearance. Katsumi incapacitates the ape and nearly kills it before being halted by Baki, thereby igniting a rivalry between them. The defeated ape is subsequently taken to receive medical care.

Later in the tournament, Baki encounters Kaoru Hanayama and wishes him luck. However, the Yakuza dismisses the courtesy, viewing the tournament as an act of war. Following Katsumi's brutal defeat of Roland Istaz, Baki confronts him, expressing his disapproval of Katsumi's methods. Their brief skirmish is interrupted by Hanayama, who lands a punch on Baki's face. Suddenly, Yujiro Hanma appears in the underground area of the Tokyo Dome, introducing his companion Amanai Yu, who will also compete.

At a certain juncture, Jack Hammer encounters Kozue in the corridor while she's waiting for Baki. He strikes up a conversation and makes flirtatious overtures. This provokes Baki's ire, who assumes a combative stance, but Jack merely turns and expresses a desire to meet him in the tournament finals. Following Jack's fight, he and Yujiro engage in a dialogue that nearly escalates into a brawl. Baki, however, intervenes, jealous of someone usurping his chance to defeat his father. He interrupts by striking Jack in the face. Subsequently, Jack whispers something into Yujiro's ear, which triggers uncontrollable laughter from the latter, leaving Baki pondering the nature of Jack's remark.

In the second round, Baki takes on Zulu, a formidable Brazilian vale tudo fighter. Prior to the match, Baki and Kozue share their first kiss. The fight commences with Zulu surprising Baki and swiftly knocking him out, leading to Zulu being declared the victor. However, the audience protests, arguing that a proper fight hasn't taken place. Tokugawa retorts that a true fighter should always be prepared for battle, and a surprise attack cannot be used as an excuse. Nonetheless, when Baki regains consciousness and attempts to exit the arena, Zulu attacks him once more, prompting Tokugawa to acknowledge that the fight isn't over, given that both fighters are still willing to compete. Baki eventually overpowers and terrifies Zulu into submission. After the fight, he extends a hand to his fallen opponent, indicating that just as Zulu gave him a second chance by initiating another attack, Baki is extending the same courtesy. Zulu recovers and they commence a "third round", where Baki's superior skills prompt Zulu to surrender. Following the fight, Kanji Igari approaches Baki, declaring his intention to be the next challenger.

In the third round, Baki's contender is Kanji Igari. Prior to the commencement of the bout, Igari entreats Baki to permit him victory. Baki, taken aback and offended by this display, refuses. As the duel progresses, it becomes apparent that Igari's plea was a calculated performance. The wrestler had realized that he stood little chance against the underground arena champion in a straightforward contest and thus opted for unconventional tactics. When Baki has him in a headlock, Igari feigns surrender, only to launch a surprise attack. Despite Baki's superior strength, Igari manages to inflict significant damage. He further introduces psychological warfare, manifested by a woman resembling Baki's mother, Emi Akezawa, in the audience. This is intended to disconcert Baki, but Baki thanks him for the chance to see his mother again. Baki then goads Igari into a classic pro wrestling match, and despite Igari's efforts, Baki emerges victorious by deploying a series of professional wrestling moves. A friendly post-match conversation transpires between the two.

Baki's opponent in the subsequent round is Retsu Kaioh, a formidable Chinese Kempo practitioner. Before the match, Baki prepares by visualizing his fight against Retsu, learning his opponent's movements through mental simulation based on past observations. Once the match begins, Baki withstands Sunkei, Retsu's most potent technique. Baki employs his unique ability to release endorphins in his brain, a skill he has refined to the point where merely pinching his ear triggers the release. Baki sustains extensive injuries during the match but successfully defends against Retsu's top techniques. The climax of the duel sees a primal surge in Baki, reminiscent of his father Yujiro, where he nearly breaks Retsu's neck. Baki displays a momentary murderous intent, but soon regains his composure. Retsu ultimately survives, though defeated. Post-match, Yujiro expresses his disappointment in Baki's compassionate restraint.

The tournament culminates in Baki facing his final adversary, Jack Hammer. In the arena, Jack divulges his true identity as Baki's brother, Jack Hanma. Both fighters express mutual respect and pledge to give their all. In the ensuing battle, they unleash their best techniques against each other. At one point, Jack injures an artery in Baki's hand, leading to blood loss, which Baki mitigates by tying a bandage around his hand. When Kozue implores Baki to forfeit, arguing that they have inflicted enough pain on each other, Baki remains resolute. Their intense duel continues even after Jack suffers an adverse reaction to performance-enhancing drugs, resulting in his body undergoing bizarre transformations. Despite this, Jack poses an even more formidable challenge. Ultimately, Baki withstands all of Jack's wild onslaughts and secures victory with a Front Neck-Lock. As Baki claims the victor's belt from Tokugawa, Jack extends his hand to raise Baki's in a show of respect for the champion. All tournament participants congratulate Baki on his triumph. The closing scene presents Baki alone in the now-empty arena, clutching a handful of sand, acknowledging his insatiable thirst for combat.