Baki the Grappler is one of the most popular and best martial arts manga and anime in history. Although somewhat bizarre and full of male hormones, Baki is still interesting enough to attract a diverse fandom. Now, the martial artists and their fights are undoubtedly the best things about this show, which is why we have decided to focus on two of them in this article. We are about to tell you whether Baki Hanma is stronger than his father, Yūjirō Hanma (a.k.a. The Ogre), i.e., who would win in a fight between them.
Baki Hanma is still not stronger than his father Yūjirō, although he has finally gotten close enough for Yūjirō to consider him a threat to his powers. Based on Baki’s evolution as a character, we have absolutely no doubt that they are almost equal and that it will be sooner rather than later before Baki actually surpasses his father.
Our comparison is going to be divided into three sections. The first two are going to bring an overview of the two characters, in whose scopes we are going to compare their powers, including their signature techniques. Finally, we’re going to bring you a detailed analysis of the two characters to determine which one would win in a direct clash.
Baki Hanma and his powers
Baki Hanma is the main protagonist of the story is the son of the ogre, Yūjirō Hanma. He only lives to overtake (or at least overtake) Yūjirō. The manga sees him confronting ever stronger opponents, so he can move forward on the path that will allow him to catch up with his father.
Being 13 years old at the start of the story, he turns eighteen at the end of the original plot. His genes, inherited from the Ogre, sometimes lead him to acts of rare violence during his battles. Behind his back will be the grim “Face of the Demon” as he battles Jack Hammer in the Underground Arena Tournament Final.
Physical skills
Measuring at 1.67 m, Baki Hanma, despite his age, still performs daily strength training and tai chi chuan.
Techniques
Known techniques used by Baki Hanma, with their explanations, include:
- Endorphin – used against Gaia for the first time.
- Death Concentration – used against Yasha-Zaru for the first time.
- Ippon Ken – used against Kaoru Hanayama.
- Rear Naked Choke – used against Kuraishi and Yuujiro Hanma, for example.
- Roll Kick – used against Kurokawa and Yuujiro Hanma.
- Bow and Arrow – used once against Atsushi Suedou.
- Seiken – basic karate’s technique; used once against Koushou Shinogi.
- Armlock – one of Baki’s signature moves from first series; used against Koushou Shinogi for the first time.
- Kinteki Geri – used against Doppo Orochi and Zulu.
- Suplex – used against Mount Toba, for example.
- Goutaijutsu – powerful fighting move based on the seiken from karate; used against Kureha Shinogi for the fist time, and later against Biscuit Oliva.
- Enzuigiri – used against Kanji Igari.
- New Cobra – Baki’s original move; used against Kanji Igari.
- Single-Leg Figure-Four – also Baki’s original move; used against Kanji Igari.
- New Swastika – another Baki’s original technique; used against Kanji Igari.
- Backdrop – used against Kanji Igari, for example.
- Antonio Driver – Igari’s original move; used once against Kanji Igari.
- Spinning Lotus – used against Kaiou Retsu and Jack Hanma.
- Soccer Ball Kick – used once against Jack Hanma.
- Shining Wizard – used once against Jack Hanma.
- Cord-Cut – involves cutting a nerve of an opponent; used once against Jack Hanma.
- Mach Punch – an extremely fast punch executed using progressive movement of the big toe, ankle, knee, hip, waist, shoulder, elbow and wrist; used once against Jack Hanma.
- Arm Breaker – Igari’s original move; used once against Jack Hanma.
- Front Neck-Lock – used against Jack Hanma.
- Demon Face – used once against Jack Hanma.
- Backhand Blow – used once against Sikorsky.
- Axe Kick – used once against Sikorsky.
- Whip Strike – the user loosens up the whole body and treats it like a whip; used against Ryuukou Yanagi, Pickle and Yuujiro Hanma.
- Yawara – used once against Kaiou Ri.
- 0.5 Second Unconscious – Baki’s special skill; used against Biscuit Oliva and Yuujiro Hanma.
- Slap – used once against Pickle.
- Triceratops Fist – used against Pickle and Yuujiro Hanma.
- Cockroach Dash – used against Chiharu Shiba and Yuujiro Hanma, for example.
- Hand Pocket – used once against Yuujiro Hanma.
- King Tiger – used against Shuumei Kanou for the first time, later used against Yuujiro Hanma.
- Aiki – used against Yuujiro Hanma.
Yūjirō Hanma and his powers
Yūjirō Hana is the father of Baki, and Jack Hammer; he is also called “The Ogre” because of the evil face that appears on his back muscles when they are stretched to the extreme. His prowess dates back to his childhood since he had already mastered all martial arts from the age of sixteen. He is also behind the destruction of several units of Green Berets, SEAL, and DELTA FORCE, when he was still only a teenager.
He perfected his combat techniques on various battlefields including Vietnam, killing Americans and Vietnamese just in order to improve his skills. It is on this occasion that he will meet Oliva Biscuit. He is the end goal of most fighters Baki faces, and of his son himself.
He is a ruthless, cruel being who lives only to crush and subdue his adversaries. The one and only person to have earned his respect to date is none other than Mohammed Ali, or at least his alter ego: Mohammad Alai, featured in the manga.
Martial arts skills
Yūjirō has mastered many different fighting styles such as ju-jitsu or kenpō, but always fights with bare hands.
Techniques
Known techniques used by the Ogre, with explanations, include:
- Axe Kick – one of Yuujiro’s most common move; used against Kaiou Kaku, for example.
- Roll Kick – used against Baki Hanma.
- Death Concentration – never seen him use it, but he confirmed it during his fight with Doppo.
- Udonde – used against Doppo Orochi.
- Finger-Grab – used once against Doppo Orochi.
- Demon Face – used on many occasions against opponents considered to be worthy challengers.
- Bite – used once against Jack Hanma.
- Crotch Kick – used once against Richard Filth.
- Front Neck-Lock – used once against Roland Istaz.
- Nukite – used once against unnamed soldier on the battlefield.
- Vietnam Whip – used once against unnamed soldier on the battlefield.
- Backhand Blow – used against Koushou Shinogi and Ryuukou Yanagi.
- Defensive Shaorii – used once against Kaiou Kaku.
- Aiki – used once against Pickle.
- Pinch – used once against Baki Hanma.
- Whip Strike – used against Baki Hanma.
- Hand Pocket – used against Baki Hanma.
- 0.5 Second Unconscious – Baki’s signature skill from third series; used against Baki Hanma.
- Dress – a special technique of his father; used against Baki Hanma.
Baki vs. Yūjirō: Who wins?
At this very moment, the comparison between Baki and Yūjirō is still a relatively simple one. Namely, Baki has evolved a lot since his first appearance and is, as the titular protagonist, certainly going to keep on evolving as the show progresses. On the other hand, Yūjirō has reached such an enormous and incredible level of power that we don’t see how he could improve in the future.
But, at this moment in time, Yūjirō is still more powerful than his son, Baki. Namely, Baki has finally attracted the attention of his father as a fighter worthy of being stopped but at his current power level, we just don’t think that he can be a challenge for Yūjirō. Still, keeping his progression and evolution in mind, we’re almost sure that Baki will surpass Yūjirō sooner rather than later.
And that is why we have Yūjirō as the winner at this point, since he is undoubtedly the strongest fighter in the franchise. But, Baki has by now become the second best and we can see him take over the list very, very soon.
