Grappler Baki¹

Series (season 1)

I guess the best way to describe this is like Initial-D or Shadow Skill, either you love it or hate it. The story is ridiculously simple that there is no deep thinking required at any level.

But why do people waste time watching this? Same reason I guess why I wasted my time watching it. CUZ IT’S FUN TO WATCH!

This is definitely a Shonen² anime as it is about a quest of Baki Hanma to defeat his father and earn the title the “strongest” in the world.

The intro credits already give a dead ringer about the whole gist of the series:

If one is born male, at least once in his lifetime, he will dream about being the strongest man in the world.

Go figure. Definitely a sentiment the alpha-males could relate to.

This is all about fighting, blood, broken bones, blood, kicks, blood, punches, blood, muscles, blood… you get the picture. So I guess the sheer enjoyment for guys is the same enjoyment why we watch wrestling… but better because though it’s not real, it isn’t fake. In the anime, though fictional, you get to quench your thirst for seeing raw unadulterated violence for the sheer heck of it.

It’s pointless to discuss the story in detail because it’s really about the violence in itself. But if I must, then the first part would be Baki as a kid developing his skill and strength in order to be worthy of his mother’s pride (which ultimately meant being a decent match with his dad, the strongest man alive). He gains friends who share the same passion as him (pure sportsmanship or the thrill of the fight). Here you can see people beat the shit out of each other and end up becoming friends cuz they had a great fight… sick but fun. He ultimately fights is dad midway and of course loses as he is still a child. Which prompts him to travel in order to improve his craft further.

The second part I guess is Baki as a teenager/adult, who becomes very mature and skilled, and eventually catches wind of an underground tournament where the best of the best slug it out (sort of like Ultimate Fighting Challenge). The rest of the episodes and end of the season describes Baki’s progress as part of that tournament wink.gif

Again, this anime is enjoyable to watch. This I guess is what the infamous “tournament series” of Flame of Recca should have been as it engages the viewer and does not piss them off. Of course the story isn’t finished, as there still is a second season… what is in story for our Baki?

Movie

The movie actually focuses on one major battle in the first season. So I guess it’s just a retelling of that battle… but with better animation. There’s nothing much to be said about the movie other than that.

post updated on July 10, 2006 @ 12:02PM