The opening shot of Baki Hanma (2021) is a close-up of sweat glistening on rippling muscles, the camera pulling back to reveal yet another hyper-masculine brawl in Arizona State Prison. This is the show’s world: a brutal, testosterone-fueled arena where every fight scene is a grotesque ballet of distorted anatomy and exaggerated violence.

Directed by Toshiki Hirano at TMS Entertainment, this Netflix original net animation adapts the third part of Keisuke Itagaki’s Baki the Grappler manga. The series follows Baki Hanma (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki), a young fighter determined to surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma (Akio Otsuka), by battling Arizona State Prison’s most dangerous inmate, Mr. Unchained.

The show’s strengths lie in its hyper-stylized action sequences and the grotesque, muscular designs of its fighters. The animation team delivers visceral fight choreography, with each punch landing like a sledgehammer and every grapple feeling like a life-or-death struggle. The series also benefits from strong voice performances, particularly Akio Otsuka’s portrayal of Yujiro Hanma, who oozes charisma and menace in equal measure.

However, Baki Hanma stumbles in its character development. Baki himself is often criticized for being a bland protagonist, lacking the depth and complexity needed to anchor the series. The show’s relentless focus on hyper-masculine aggression also limits its emotional range, making it difficult to invest in the characters’ personal struggles.

The second season, released in 2023, splits into two sagas: “Pickle Wars Saga” and “Father VS Son Saga.” While the action remains intense, the narrative becomes increasingly convoluted, with too many subplots vying for attention. The show’s themes of father-son rivalry and the pursuit of strength are compelling but often buried under layers of excessive violence.

In terms of originality, Baki Hanma stands out for its unapologetic embrace of hyper-masculine aesthetics and brutal action. However, it struggles to differentiate itself from other martial arts anime in terms of storytelling and character development.