The Fight Club of Anime

Anime has long been a hub for diverse storytelling, captivating audiences with its rich tapestry of genres. Within this vast landscape, the world of fighting anime stands as a distinct and electrifying category. Recently, I’ve been obsessed with the fight club of anime i.e. fighting genre in Anime, mainly two popular titles, Baki and Kengan Ashura. They have garnered widespread acclaim for their intense action-packed narratives and compelling characters. Let’s have a talk about their intense and thrilling universes. These are two fighting anime juggernauts, with unique elements of their own.

Baki

Baki ventures into the gritty underworld of martial arts, delivering a raw and unfiltered portrayal of intense hand-to-hand combat. Set in the world of underground fighting, it follows the journey of Baki Hanma, a young martial artist eager to prove his worth. The series delves deep into the complexities of physical and mental strength, pushing the boundaries of human capability. With a focus on primal instincts and the pursuit of martial mastery, Baki weaves a narrative that resonates with fans seeking adrenaline-fueled battles and unyielding determination.

In Baki, the show is carried by the unique art style and narrations explaining different phenomenon relevant to martial arts. From back school brawls to official tournaments to a single man fighting an entire military, Baki has done it all. Legendary Names such a ‘Miyamoto Mushashi’ have been brought back to life just so that ‘Baki Hanma’ can get a challenge for once.

In Baki the testosterone levels keep sky rocketing, their muscles have muscles and the side characters like Doppo Orochi, Kaioh Retsu, Kaoru Haneyama, Gouki Shibukawa and Biscuit Oliver are just great even on their own, focusing on different martial artforms and techniques. Honestly, there’s only a few anime that I have rewatched and Baki is one of them. Badass characters, entertaining tournaments, perfect amount of anime logic and a fresh take on a father and son’s relationship.

Baki has been publishing for the last 30 years and it’s still ongoing both in manga and anime. Once you’ve watched Baki then I’m sure ‘Yujiro Hanma’ will be on your list of Badass Characters for sure. The man can fight giant elephants, stop earthquakes, make entire countries surrender to him all while being a Human, actually cross that, He’s definitely beyond human and maybe a different species altogether. These are just theories and we’ll have to wait out and see how the rest of the story unfolds.

Kengan Ashura

In stark contrast, Kengan Ashura immerses viewers in a high-stakes corporate world where powerful corporations settle disputes through brutal, no-holds-barred gladiator-style fights. The story revolves around Tokita Ohma, a formidable fighter representing the powerful Nogi Group, as he battles adversaries in the underground Kengan matches. With its focus on corporate intrigue, strategic combat, and high-octane action sequences, Kengan Ashura offers a unique blend of adrenaline-pumping fights intertwined with a complex web of power struggles and ambition.

Kengan Ashura released as a web manga, and became a top hit and even got a Netflix adaptation and currently has a sequel manga ongoing with more than 200 chapters already, titled ‘Kengan Omega’. The story is structured around the Kengan Tournament and have a line up of matches between a variety of interesting characters representing huge corporations.

Tokita Ohma, ‘The Ashura’ enters the tournament with his unique style of martial arts called the ‘Niko Style’ taught by his mentor and it has different forms and mastery level that you can combine called ‘Katas’. Even being a tournament style story with backstories between battles, I’ll say it never felt boring. All the contenders were very unique from grapplers and boxers to death row convicts and martial art experts. The pacing is really good and moreover it’s still a very grounded world compared to other animes.

If you can get used to the Netflix adaptation’s art style then you’ll notice it suits the manga very well with all the detailed and exaggerated expressions on the faces to one of the most realistic choreographed fighting sequences. If you liked Baki then don’t miss out on Kengan Ashura, the manga art is amazing and anime fans should definitely give it a try.

Comparing Baki and Kengan Ashura

While both Baki and Kengan Ashura belong to the fight club of anime, they each carve out their distinct niche. Baki emphasizes the psychological and physical aspects of martial arts, exploring the depths of human capability and the relentless pursuit of strength. On the other hand, Kengan Ashura delves into the intricacies of power dynamics within the corporate world, intertwining political maneuvering with high-energy combat sequences. While Baki thrives on the raw intensity of personal growth and primal battles, Kengan Ashura draws its allure from the calculated strategies and power plays that unfold within the ruthless corporate arena.

Here’s a list of few other anime titles that are included in the fight club of anime

1. Hajime No Ippo: An inspiring journey of a determined young boxer striving to become the best in the ring.
2. Megalo Box: A futuristic tale that combines boxing with high-tech enhancements, delivering adrenaline-fueled matches.
3. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple: Chronicles the journey of a timid high schooler as he trains in various martial arts to become stronger.
4. Yu Yu Hakusho: A gripping series exploring the supernatural world and featuring intense martial arts showdowns.
5. Record of Ragnarok: A captivating narrative that showcases epic battles between gods and legendary fighters throughout history.

The world of fighting anime continues to move forward, captivating audiences with its diverse narratives, dynamic characters, and adrenaline-fueled action. Whether it’s the raw intensity of Baki or the strategic combat of Kengan Ashura, these series exemplify the enduring appeal of the fight club of anime, drawing viewers into a world where strength, strategy, and resilience collide in spectacular fashion.