Anime is still something I very much intend on keeping up with going into the new year, even on certain shows I still haven’t finished this year (I’m pondering if whether or not I should catch up with Black Clover…maybe?).
Next year will see the premiere of Baki, a fresh new look at the hit IP that began as a hit manga in 1991 and essentially grew in popularity through OVAs, animated shows and video games. Hirano Toshiki (Rayearth, Dangaioh) directed the new series for its Japan premiere back in June, for which Netflix is poised to broadcast the 26-episode series beginning December 18.
The protagonist, Baki Hanma, trains with an intense focus to become strong enough to surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma, the strongest fighter in the world. Five of the world’s most violent and brutal death row inmates are gathering to face Baki. Their objective is to taste defeat — their unmatched strength and skill have led them to grow bored of life itself, and they now seek out Baki in the hopes that he can overwhelm and utterly crush them. In this crisis, other underground martial art warriors gather to fight by Baki’s side: Kaoru Hanayama, Gouki Shibukawa, Retsu Kaioh, and Doppo Orochi. An epic showdown between violent death row inmates and Baki and his friends begins!
I haven’t quite gotten around to the classic animes, regrettably. Hopefully that will change in due time while I personally look forward to Netflix’s ramping-up of Japanese animated shows. Some of these are licensed to certain companies that prevent other platforms from sharing them, which is kind of shitty. The floodgates deserve opening, in my view at least.
