Netflix’s Baki Hanma Anime Shows a Dramatic Version of Shadow-Boxing

One of the most awaited shows of the fall season is finally here, and all the anime fans are going crazy over it. 

Netflix released all 12 episodes of Baki Hanma: Son of Ogre anime on their platform, and all we have to say is that the show is worth an all-night binge before the spoilers come out.

This is the third season of the Baki anime series, which adapts the Combat Shadow Fighting Saga and the Great Prison Battle Saga. Not to spoil it for you guys, but Baki and Biscuit Oliva’s showdown is so thrilling that it cannot be expressed in words.

Although that was the highlight of this season, the shadow-boxing storyline is not far behind in terms of action. In this training, Baki uses the shadow-boxing method to train himself to fight his father, Yujiro Hanma.

The first two episodes covering the Combat Shadow Fighting Saga are slow-paced but gripping enough to have you on the edge of your seat. As absurd as it sounds, one should not take Baki’s training methods lightly.

As Yujiro achieves another incredible feat by defeating a monster-sized African elephant, Baki makes a new buddy from elementary school. The strongest high-schooler goes around training and giving essential lessons to his new friend, who is amazed at Baki’s fighting prowess.

Baki gets engrossed in his shadow boxing training while the elementary schooler Rumina Ayukawa explains what others couldn’t comprehend. Rumina being a boxing fan, knew about this training method and could picture whom Baki was fighting.

For starters, as a warm-up, he goes up against Iron Michael, who was once considered the world’s strongest. Next up, Baki faces a formidable opponent, a 100kg giant praying mantis. While it was still imaginary, the effects of the insect’s blows felt real.

Baki explains to Rumina how insects would be undefeatable opponents if they were human-sized as they can carry and defeat creatures much bigger than themselves. This fact alone makes the praying mantis the perfect sparring partner.

Rumina watches Baki fight the insect and is awestruck at how powerful Baki is and how much he pushes his limits to get even better. The arc concludes in a total victory for Baki against the praying mantis as the fighter prepares for another bloody battle in the US Arizona prison.

The arc sets the tone for the upcoming episodes and gives us a hint at Baki being proud of his father’s strength. This is Baki’s sole motivation to defeat his father.

We all know that Yujiro is far more superior than his son but still considers him an equal and a threat to his title. Only time will tell what comes out of this much-awaited battle.

Fans were again left devoid of the Baki vs. Yujiro fight this season, but we’re hoping that it’s going to happen soon. That is, if he manages to defeat Biscuit Oliva, who’s sheer strength is terrifying and overwhelming.

Baki aims to become just a bit stronger than his father, and for that, he’ll have to cross many hurdles. 

If you still haven’t watched the latest season, then you’re missing out on some dramatic and spine-chilling action.

About Baki

Grappler Baki known as Baki the Grappler in North America, is a manga series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion, and collected into 42 tankōbon volumes by Akita Shoten.

The story follows teenager Baki Hanma as he trains and tests his fighting skills against a variety of different opponents in deadly, no rules hand-to-hand combat.

He spends every waking moment training and fighting so that he may someday surpass the fighting abilities of the strongest being on Earth – his father Yuujiro Hanma, a cruel man who lives only to fight and hurt people.

Sometimes we include links to online retail stores and/or online campaigns. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. For more information, go here.