The Baki Isekai Spinoff Manga Gets TV Anime
The Baki Isekai Spinoff Manga, titled Baki Gaiden: Retsu Kaioh wa Isekai Tensei Shitemo Ikkō ni Kamawan, is set to receive a TV anime adaptation. This spinoff manga, launched in Akita Shoten's Monthly Shōnen Champion magazine in 2020, centers on the Kenpo-style master Retsu Kaioh reincarnating into another world after losing his life in a battle with swordsman Musashi Miyamoto. The manga is drawn by Eiji Mutsui, with the original concept and story credited to Keisuke Itagaki and Sai Ihara, respectively.
The series has over 2 million copies in circulation, with the 17th volume set to be released on September 8. The manga's success has led to a stage play adaptation titled Baki The Grappler STAGE Gaiden -Retsu Kaioh wa Isekai Tensei Shitemo Ikkō ni Kamawan, which will run from March 19-22, 2027, at Owl Spot in Tokyo.
Keisuke Itagaki's original Baki The Grappler martial arts manga ran for 42 volumes from 1991 to 1999. The Baki sequel manga ran for 31 volumes from 1999 to 2005, and Hanma Baki, the 37-volume manga, ran from 2005 to 2012. The first Baki-Dou manga, the overall fourth in the franchise, launched in 2014 and ended in 2018 with 22 volumes. A new Baki-Dou manga launched in 2018 and ended in 2023, and Baki Rahen, the latest manga in the franchise, launched in August 2023.
The new anime of Itagaki's Baki manga, titled Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero, debuted its first season on Netflix in June 2018, followed by the second half of the first season in March 2019. Baki: Dai Raitaisai-hen, the second anime series, debuted worldwide on Netflix in June 2020. Baki Hanma, the third series, debuted worldwide in September 2021, and the second season premiered in July 2023.
BAKI-DOU: The Invincible Samurai, the anime of Keisuke Itagaki's first Baki-Dou manga, premiered worldwide on Netflix on February 26, 2026, with the first 13 episodes available all at once. The second part of the series premiered on June 18, 2026, with all 12 episodes available at once.
