Baki Hanma (範馬 刃牙 , Hanma Baki) 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, Shadōfaitingu) 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.
Abilities
Shadow Boxing
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
The skill possessed by Baki Hanma is 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.