The Creators Of Netflix's Biggest Action-Martial Arts Series Reveal How They Made It To The Top (Exclusive)

Possibly the most eclectic high-profile anime to get frequent Netflix-exclusive installments, this anime had plenty of hurdles to clear.

Shonen manga and anime make for an incredibly competitive scene, given it caters to the most voracious demographic of all. This can drive many shonen series to either follow a formulaic premise or even blatantly resemble a certain style, visual tropes, or general tournament arcs which, while popular, can risk feeling homogenous at times. But one shonen series remaining unabashedly original and truly, wonderfully odd, is that of Baki, running across six iterations so far by the eclectic visionary Keisuke Itagaki. Maintaining its vibe and absurd character designs while evolving the series as a manga was challenging enough, but its editors have also provided valuable insight into the hurdles in adapting that into its various anime.

Baki has now had four main anime series since 2001, with Netflix's recent three telling each of the subsequent manga stories across several dozen episodes apiece. It is, to this day, one of the oddest, most memorable cluster of fighting anime in existence, owing their lasting appeal to a recurring group of staff members across its animation direction team and character designer. ScreenRant was able to interview TMS Entertainment production manager Takayoshi Aso and longtime Baki editor Yuki Yokoi, who graciously shed some light on the process of bringing this anime to life as the franchise celebrates its 35th anniversary, with hopeful eyes looking forward to more milestones ahead.

Netflix's Biggest Martial Arts Anime Studio Production Manager Talks Its Biggest Hurdle

Bringing Baki to Netflix began in earnest with the eponymous anime release on June 25, 2018, with subsequent seasons and anime carrying Baki Hanma's peculiar story into the future as he fights in high-stakes tournaments. Striving to defeat his father, Baki has faced down many impressive opponents of his own, such as literal cavemen and, most recently, a legendary samurai proving to be Baki's latest benchmark.

But in creating each of these odd enemies, including characters who undergo brutal enhancement like Baki's half-brother Jack, all while each boasting olympian physiques to the point of absurd extremes. It is undeniably memorable if done right, and can result in a truly unforgettable addition to Netflix's streaming library to stand tall against other martial arts shows. However, that level of anatomy and exaggerated facial detail, when transferred from Itagaki's original designs, proved quite tricky in the anime.

Takayoshi Aso: In anime production today, there are almost no characters as distinctive and richly drawn as these. Because of that, the reality is that only a small handful of animators can really draw the artwork of "Baki" properly. With so few creators capable of it, keeping the overall quality even and consistent across the entire series was an extremely difficult challenge for the production team, and our single biggest hurdle.

Only a handful is an understatement, as the primary team, particularly the character designers and animation directors, remained very similarly assembled throughout Baki, Baki Hanma, and now Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai. It's far too plain and reductive to focus on the animating studio TMS Entertainment alone. From Toshiki Hirano's overall direction, to Fujio Suzuki as the character designer for Baki, with Shingo Ishikawa serving in the role for Baki Hanma and Baki-Dou's recent installments, the vision of Baki is incredibly hard to nail down while feeling authentic and remain consistent.

This is especially true when one observes the animation directors for both Baki and Baki Hanma, with the first featuring Suzuki and Ishikawa, as well as Kenji Fujisaki, Makoto Takahoko, and Noriyuki Fukuda. Fujisaki, Takahoto, and Ishikawa even rejoined for Baki Hanma, ensuring a similarly consistent direction even then. In an industry that often relies on specific creative professionals for embodying a certain style, these staff in particular help keep the series clearing its biggest hurdle, that is, feeling as visually authentic as possible for the anime. Yokoi in particular is also a trustworthy voice on the matter, having a hand in ensuring its consistency for 35 years.

Baki's Longtime Editor Talks 35 Years Working On The Iconic Manga

Yokoi's work on Baki the Grappler through its years and evolution has shown itself well, allowing the series to lean harder into its absurdity seemingly with every development. It's only recently gained more global visibility, such as with Baki's shockingly recent English-language localization, despite high demand for print copies long before then. It doesn't hurt that its over-the-top moments have quickly become immortalized and created viral moments aplenty, although Yokoi speaks to a simpler appeal at its core.

Yokoi: Over the span of 35 years, we've been able to create touchpoints with fans around the world through all sorts of channels: the anime, English-language publication, merchandising from global licensees such as Bandai, products from overseas manufacturers, and more. The work spread in a form close to internet memes, and I think the fact that it stayed with people is what made the anime resonate with every viewer.

That said, it was really only that it hadn't been discovered yet; because at heart it is a universal story of a father-and-son fight, a supreme tale woven by extraordinary characters each pursuing their own idea of ultimate strength, I believe that is what gripped everyone and never let go. I'm certain Itagaki-sensei will keep weaving stories that capture people's hearts and won't let go, on to the 40th and 45th anniversaries. We hope for your continued support.

Baki, as odd as it is, is still ultimately about the underlying mission of its eponymous protagonist through his early-to-late teen years as he vies to be strong like his father, the "Strongest Creature on Earth", Yujiro Hanma. The inevitable clash between them even leaves a void, as if nothing can match their mutual drive in their battle from Baki Hanma: Baki's desire to avenge his lost mother and crawl out from Yujiro's shadow, and Yujiro to find a worthy rival. While this boredom most recently led to the resurrection of historical samurai Musashi Miyamoto, don't be surprised by either the anime or indeed the manga continuing to jump the shark, for another decade or more if Itagaki and Yokoi have their way.