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 is the son of Yujiro Hanma and Emi Akezawa and since birth, Baki's mother has pushed Baki to train in order to eventually surpass his father, Yujiro, and defeat him in battle. This culminates in a one-sided bout where Yujiro defeats Baki with ease. Seeing Baki being beaten nearly to death by his father, Emi challenges Yujiro to a fight and dies shortly after. Swearing to take revenge, Baki travels across the world for 2 years, continuing to train and returns to Tokyo to fight in the Underground Arena, quickly becoming its 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.