Baki Watch Order: Complete Seasons, Episodes & OVAs Guide

Watching martial arts anime has always been a great way to get that sudden burst of testosterone that you sometimes need. But any mention of some of the best anime that seem to fit that label would be incomplete without Baki, a series that’s hailed as a pioneer of the shōnen and martial arts genre.

The amazing sights of hand-to-hand brutality in Baki are jaw-dropping, and the stellar sound design accompanied by an even better story to add to that just makes the entire experience unforgettable. Originally published under the name Grappler Baki, the manga launched in 1991, and since then, the franchise has amassed a whooping 140+ Volumes and multiple adaptations, so it’s easy to get lost wondering where to start. Due to that, we’ve compiled a Baki watch order that’ll have you up and running in no time.

 

Baki Watch Order

In total, there are six seasons and two OVAs for the Baki franchise, and yes, all of them are canon. Though the OVAs are canon adaptations, you can skip them as you won’t miss out on something very pivotal, so that’s totally up to you. Starting off with Baki The Grappler (2001), here’s the complete watch order for the anime:

• Baki The Grappler (2001)
• Grappler Baki: The Ultimate Fighter (1994) (OVA)
• Baki The Grappler Season 2: The Ultimate Tournament (2001)
• Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts Special Anime – Special Episode (2016) (OVA)
• Baki (2018)
• Baki Season 2: The Great Raitai Tournament (2020)
• Baki Hanma: Son of Ogre (2021)
• Baki Hanma: Son of Ogre – Season 2 (2023)

The watch order is a bit tricky if you try searching for it on your own, so hopefully this guide has helped. Everything that’s been released from the Baki (2016) OVA onwards is a part of Netflix’s anime line-up, although you needn’t worry as they are all still direct continuations to the previous seasons.

 

Should You Watch The OVAs For Baki?

Usually, OVAs aren’t that big of a deal and studios make them as extra content for die-hard fans of a specific anime, but they also direct them in a way that doesn’t affect the plot much. The 2001 OVA is a recollection of the first season mixed in with a few new clips, and ultimately, it’s not something you’ll regret not watching.

But if you really enjoy the anime and feel like it’s fun, the 2001 OVA does a fantastic job of adding more to the story. As for the 2016 OVA, it’s basically a prelude to Netflix’s 2018 Baki adaptation, so in our opinion, this one’s a hard pass.

 

Where Can You Watch Baki Online?

If you thought the watch order was tricky, you’ll be surprised by the fact that the seasons are a bit complicated to find online too. While everything from the 2016 OVA onward is readily available to stream on Netflix, the same can’t be said for the original two seasons and the 2001 OVA.

Due to some licensing issues, both seasons of Baki The Grappler aren’t available to stream anywhere— officially. Luckily, an alternative that seems to work is by ordering a Blu-ray version of the anime from Amazon, so physical seems the only way to go for now.

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