BAKI

Baki is in an odd position where Netflix promotes it as a good place to start for new viewers, but the series itself doesn't quite fit the bill. Baki is a manga and anime franchise that began in 1991 and continues to this day. It's also one of those shows that hasn't been effectively translated into English in the West. The manga's initial run was handled by a lesser manga business. Unfortunately, that company went bankrupt, and the collected volumes were never issued. The second run is now licenced to a new media business, but not the first. Funimation licenced the anime in the early 2000s, but it hasn't been renewed since then.

Interestingly, Netflix did not purchase the rights to Baki's first two seasons. It's either because they couldn't or didn't want to. I'm not sure, but it makes Baki a tough sell because new viewers will immediately understand they've stumbled into the middle of a much lengthier plot. There are numerous moments, dialogue, and flashbacks that help to illuminate this, but never enough to make one feel as though its enough. It doesn't help that our titular character doesn't get a single full fight in the first 13 episodes, despite the fact that the show is called Baki. Baki has the weird impression that the series has moved on from its protagonist.

Every episode introduces new characters as additional fighters of various martial arts. Baki encounters a girl who believes she will assist in the struggle. Villains don't die when there's a chance for them to die even when there are several chances, they just keep coming back thanks to some miracle revealed in a flashback to assist the plot progress. Characters are too similar and confusing, as are powers and combat techniques, and Baki becomes arrogant and believes he can face on the entire crew. There is no true linear plot to tie anything together. It's an entertaining programme for fans of fighting, martial arts, and bloodshed. However, this show does not have a consistent plot.

Taken at face value, this anime is similar to Dragon Ball Z. When you start to think about it, it's literally insane. The bad guys and good guys are ridiculous, and you never know who will win because of things like: the bad guy has a bomb in his chest and maims the other guy. Not to mention the fact that the good guys turn out to be a little sadistic as well.

Baki has the feel of a fighting game from an anime perspective. Given the problems in the show, it also has no right to be as interesting to watch as it is. The fighting itself, with little care for anything else, is the actual pull. There's a rough tale bringing it all together and pockets of characterization here and there, but the true appeal comes from the fighting itself. Baki is a lot of fun in that regard. Baki sacrifices storey nuance for an abundance of fighting, and if that's what you're looking for in an anime, you'll have a nice time...