Baki Hanma
|
Note: This is a user's personal page attached to their profile! This is not an actual article, may not be related to JoJo or Araki, and is not associated with the wiki. As such, it may not adhere to the policies. |
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
Baki possesses a truly remarkable ability, allowing him 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
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.
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.
History
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.
