In the world of fighting manga, few have the same kind of history of brutality and personal growth as Baki the Grappler. The series has been serialized for nearly 35 years, which is a remarkable achievement in any medium. Baki combines intense personal drama with brutal fighting and over-the-top stakes in a way that few can.

To celebrate the upcoming English release of Baki the Grappler, the manga that started it all, we spoke to Yuki Yokoi, assistant general manager of the business IP department at Akita Shoten. Yokoi has worked closely with Baki creator Keisuke Itagaki for many years and has been part of both the Baki manga and anime’s production teams. We spoke to him shortly after the NYCC 2025 panel, where Akita Shoten, the Japanese publisher of the Baki manga, confirmed that Baki the Grappler is getting an English release in partnership with Kodama.

Note that this interview took place over email and via a translator.

Popverse: Baki is one of the most enduring manga properties in history. It has a distinctive look and feel to it that has kept it going for more than 30 years. What is it that makes this story so popular? Why does it speak to generation after generation of manga and anime fans?

Yuki Yokoi: I think it all comes down to the appeal of the characters Itagaki-sensei brings to life. Each character has some kind of “extremely ___” trait that leaps a bit too far from reality, yet at the same time they possess a sense of realism that makes them feel as if they truly exist in the real world. I believe that this coexistence is what makes them so captivating.

What is one word you would use to describe Baki, both the character and the series?

Yuki Yokoi: Here lies the answer to what “strength” truly is.

At New York Comic Con 2025, Kodama announced the upcoming English release of Baki the Grappler. Why has it taken so long for this series to get a new official English release? Are there plans to rerelease the subsequent series in English as well?

Yuki Yokoi: Because it is a long-running series and an important work for Akita Shoten, it took time to choose the right publishing partner, and we ultimately decided to work with Kodama. As for the release of the sequel, nothing has been decided yet. However, as a company, we want to make sure that this valuable series does not end halfway and that we can continue delivering it to all of you.

Baki the Grappler was first published in 1991. We’re about to be 35 years into its publication history. Why is the series still relevant now? How does it stay relevant in the future?

Yuki Yokoi: Itagaki-sensei sometimes says that when creating his stories, he feels as though he brings a camera into the world where Baki and the others exist, pointing it at whichever characters are moving in interesting ways. I believe that the new information he takes in, along with the continually changing social and historical background, is reflected in the story as he “steps into” that world, allowing its sense of the times to be preserved.

We’ve seen some brutal fights in the series so far. What is your favorite and why? 

Yuki Yokoi: This is greatly influenced by the period when I served as an editor, but personally, the fight between Katsumi Orochi and Pickle left a particularly strong impression on me.

The Katsumi vs. Pickle arc began with a decision, during a meeting with Itagaki-sensei, to really build Katsumi up. When Sensei said he wanted to evolve the Mach Punch, I provided data on what would actually happen to the human body if one were to exceed Mach speed, and—using whips as a reference—how the very tip of a whip is the fastest part. I suggested that instead of striking with the physical fist, it might be more effective to hit the opponent with a sonic boom created by surpassing Mach speed and compressing the air.

This idea was accepted, and when the “True Mach Punch” episode was completed, I felt a real sense of fulfillment as an editor, a feeling that I had done my job well. I also remember the response from readers confirming that this fulfillment translated into their satisfaction as well.

Next year, we’re getting the anime of Baki-Dou. How is production coming along? Any release window news you’d like to share? 

Yuki Yokoi: Currently, the storyboard work for the final episode has been completed, and we’ve finished recording the latter half of the episodes. As for the release period, the only information available at this time is what has already been announced—distribution is planned for 2026.

As for the highlights: Miyamoto Musashi, considered the originator of the Japanese concept of “the strongest,” is revived in the modern era, where he clashes with arena fighters using both sword and fist.

In the Baki world, where warriors have fought using only their bodies as weapons, Musashi becomes the strongest by wielding a blade. Please look forward to seeing how he becomes involved in the story.

Is the plan to eventually animate every arc of Baki?

Yuki Yokoi: Of course, as the publisher of the original work, we would love to have every episode animated if possible, so that everyone enjoying the series through the anime can fully experience it. Bringing the foundational series, Grappler Baki, to the screen has long been one of our greatest wishes.

Furthermore, we hope to adapt the spin-offs as well, so that fans can enjoy the entire BAKI world in animated form.

What do you think is Baki’s most enduring legacy? How do you think it has changed anime and manga? How do you want to see its influence spread in the coming years?

Yuki Yokoi: I believe the methods used to clearly express “strength” to readers and viewers have had a significant influence on many other creators. For example, the depiction of Yujiro’s birth—when, at the moment the strongest character in existence is born, every other character who prides themselves on their strength instinctively feels their own ranking drop by one—has been echoed in other works as well. By expressing “strength” through every conceivable approach, I think this narrative technique has had a major impact on other creators.

When can we expect to see more announcements about the Baki 35th anniversary celebrations?

Yuki Yokoi: September 2026 marks the exact anniversary timing.

I expect that various announcements will be made sometime after the beginning of the new year.

Baki the Grappler was created before MMA fighting was mainstream. How do you think that affected its creation? And how do you think the popularity of MMA these days has led to a deeper embrace of Baki from today's audience?

Yuki Yokoi: Back when mixed martial arts was still in its early days, Mr. Itagaki even went to cover events such as the first UFC. At that time, there were fighters using styles described as ninjutsu, and the scene had a much more rough, unrefined feel—closer to “interstyle combat” in its purest form.

I believe that this directly connects to the excitement in the Baki series of “A versus B”: two fighters with completely different styles, entirely different body weights, and no clear basis for comparison—making you wonder, If these two fought, who would win?

The series conveys a sense of danger that is harder to feel in modern, regulated combat sports with weight classes and standardized rules.

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