The Ultimate Powerhouses in Baki Hanma—Unveiling the Unstoppable Top Fighter!

Baki Hanma, a martial arts battle shonen anime, recently premiered on Netflix as a sequel to the popular Baki series. Both series are based on a manga by Keisuke Itagaki, which follows the journey of Baki, a young martial artist. His aim is to surpass his father, Yuujiro Hanma, also known as "the Ogre" and considered the strongest man alive.

Although Baki and his personal growth are the main focus of the franchise, they are often overshadowed by an exceptional cast of unique characters. These characters are powerful fighters and masters of martial arts, each driven by a desire to prove themselves, challenge formidable opponents, and ultimately reach the pinnacle of their violent world. While it is difficult to rank them precisely in terms of strength due to their constant training and progress, their battles in the series provide some insight.

Please note that this list only includes the first three manga series, namely Grappler Baki, New Grappler Baki, and Baki: Son of Ogre, which were later adapted into the anime series Baki the Grappler, Baki, and Baki Hanma.

10 Kaiou Kaku

At 146 years old, Kaiou Kaku is revered as the mightiest of the Kaiou and holds the esteemed title of Supreme Grandmaster in Chinese Kenpo. He is a living legend in the realm of Chinese martial arts, having dedicated his formative years to rigorous training in pursuit of strength and power. However, Kaku eventually unraveled the profound secret that lay within these ancient techniques - the power of "weakness". By cultivating a state of utmost relaxation and flexibility, he harnesses an extraordinary ability to absorb any onslaught unharmed.

Kaku's remarkable expertise in the technique known as Xiaoli enables him to engage in combat on nearly equal footing with Yujiro Hanma, even enduring two full-force punches without any discernible impact. However, Yujiro ultimately effortlessly overwhelms Xiaoli and emerges victorious against Kaiou Kaku. Despite Kaku's impressive experience and profound understanding of Chinese Kenpo, his obstinate mindset, combined with his advancing age, impedes his further progression in the realm of martial arts, thus placing him at a slight disadvantage compared to the younger fighters in the series.

9 Kaiou Retsu

Retsu, another adept of Chinese Kenpo, was recognized as a truly exceptional talent from a young age. His unwavering commitment to Chinese martial arts has shaped his entire existence. Possessing a younger, more formidable physique and an open-minded approach, Retsu is believed to have surpassed Kaiou Kaku, even though the two have never engaged in direct combat. Furthermore, Retsu's desire to expand his knowledge and challenge himself in diverse settings is evident through his close friendship with Katsumi Orochi, his time spent at the Shinshinkai dojo, and his previous experience as a boxer in the United States.

8 Katsumi Orochi

Despite his impressive abilities, Retsu suffered defeat in two crucial battles. The first occurred during the semifinals of the Maximum Tournament in the Underground Arena, where he faced off against Baki and demonstrated that even the extensive lineage of Chinese martial arts spanning 4,000 years could not overcome the formidable Hanma bloodline. In his second bout, he confronted Pickle, resulting in the tragic loss of his leg, inevitably causing a significant decline in his combative prowess.

The God of Karate, Orochi Doppo, has an adoptive son named Katsumi. From a young age, Katsumi showcased impressive athletic abilities, which caught the attention of his father. Originally a child acrobat in a circus, Katsumi was chosen by Orochi Doppo due to his exceptional skills. Despite being fortunate enough to receive training from the world's strongest karateka, Katsumi's progress has often been hindered by his arrogance. However, his character has developed and improved over time, especially after taking on the responsibility of guiding Shinshinkai. Moreover, a turning point in his growth was a fateful battle against Pickle.

In fact, while Katsumi lost against Retsu in the Maximum Tournament, his display of incredible technique during his battle against Pickle establishes his superiority over his Chinese friend. By utilizing Baki's renowned "imagination technique" and envisioning his body comprising numerous joints, Katsumi successfully executes the Hitless Blow, a powerful strike that surpasses the speed of sound and manages to forcefully push back the formidable caveman, a feat that eluded Retsu. Unfortunately, this extraordinary move takes a toll on Katsumi's limbs, resulting in the complete loss of one of his arms to Pickle.

7 Doppo Orochi

Renowned as "the God of War," "Man Eater," and "Tiger Slayer," Doppo stands unrivaled as the paramount karate exponent in the world. He personifies the essence of traditional karate, embodying its noble principles and unwavering discipline. However, he also possesses an air of peril, recognized as an intimidating and lethal force. Doppo's relentless training regimen compels him to repetitively practice every technique a staggering one thousand times daily. His karate style hinges on a combination of sheer strength and lightning-fast precision, precisely targeting his adversary's vulnerabilities.

6 Gouki Shibukawa

: Doppo possesses a rare ability to engage in a formidable battle with Yujiro Hanma, a distinction few individuals in the world can claim. In their second encounter, which was depicted in the first installment of the manga and anime series, Doppo demonstrated his strength by successfully pushing Yujiro backward. This compelled Yujiro to unleash his formidable "demon back" power, ultimately overpowering Doppo and causing severe damage to his left eye. Astonishingly, despite having officially retired, Doppo has devoted himself to the pursuit of martial arts once again, starting from the fundamentals. This remarkable commitment serves as a testament to the unwavering determination of a true karateka, who relentlessly strives to become stronger.

This Aikido and Jujitsu practitioner holds a higher rank than Doppo, having emerged victorious in their clash during the Maximum Tournament. However, both these esteemed masters are closely matched in terms of their formidable skills. Widely regarded as a living legend, Shibukawa assumes the crucial role of training the Japanese police and security forces. His mastery of Aiki is his most valuable asset, enabling him to deftly redirect the force of any incoming attack. Despite his deceivingly compact stature, Shibukawa's technique predominantly revolves around executing flips, implementing holds, and employing submission moves that can effortlessly topple even the most imposing adversaries.

While Aiki can be incredibly effective, it ultimately functions as a defensive technique, requiring Shibukawa to constantly anticipate the opponent's initial move. Furthermore, as demonstrated in his defeat against Jack, exceptionally skilled or formidable fighters can circumvent Aiki and overpower Shibukawa. Nonetheless, despite his advanced age, this venerable master remains resolute and continues to enhance his abilities by relentlessly challenging himself.

5 Jack Hanma

Jack's relentless ambition to surpass his half-brother Baki sets him apart. He resorts to using drugs and enduring excruciating bone-elongating procedures to enhance his strength. Unlike others on this list, Jack's pursuit of power knows no bounds. He lacks any moral values, codes, or reservations, making him an exceptionally "pure" character in the series. Jack's biting technique serves as the perfect embodiment of his unwavering determination.

4 Biscuit Oliva

Jack's advancement to the finals of the Maximum Tournament was a testament to his undeniable power, as he effortlessly defeated the esteemed martial artist Shibukawa. Not only does Jack possess a remarkable physicality, thanks to a combination of drugs, surgeries, and an intense training regimen, but he also embodies the Hanma family's unwavering fighting spirit. This was evident when he effortlessly replicated Aiki. However, despite his exceptional abilities, Jack ultimately succumbed to defeat at the hands of Baki and faced further embarrassment from Pickle, highlighting the existence of an unyielding barrier that he has yet to overcome.

Mr. Oliva, also known as "Unchained," possesses an enigmatic fighting style that makes it challenging to accurately gauge his true strength. As a result, his encounters with the majority of characters on this roster remain unknown. Nonetheless, his abilities have left a lasting impression on Yujiro and garnered special attention from the United States Government, who continuously monitors his actions. Undoubtedly, Oliva's remarkable power lies in his superhuman strength, enabling him to effortlessly punch individuals through concrete walls. Moreover, his muscles possess a steel-like resilience capable of deflecting both bullets and swords.

3 Baki Hanma

However, Oliva possesses not only a keen intellect but also impressive technique, as demonstrated when he effortlessly threw Shibukawa during a Judo match, despite inadvertently dislocating the master's wrist. However, Oliva's "love" for his muscles and his unwavering confidence in his own strength may be considered his greatest weakness. This was evident when he suffered defeat in a straight punch-out against Baki, and it is safe to assume that he would also be overpowered by both Pickle and Yujiro in terms of sheer raw strength.

Baki, the protagonist of the series, has undeniably experienced the most profound growth throughout the story, ascending to the pinnacle of the martial arts realm. Initially driven by the desire to avenge his mother's death at the hands of Yujiro, Baki ultimately attains acceptance of his father's true nature. Along his martial arts journey, he not only becomes physically stronger, but also gains wisdom and equilibrium. Through rigorous daily training and intense battles, Baki has assimilated numerous fighting styles and eventually forged his own, which emphasizes speed and precision strikes, while also utilizing the innate power of his Hanma lineage.

2 Pickle

Baki possesses an array of remarkably innovative and awe-inspiring techniques in the series. For instance, his Cockroach Dash enables him to attain the astounding speed of a Bullet Train. Furthermore, his training techniques showcase his extraordinary ability to utilize his imagination in conjuring formidable opponents as sparring partners. In combat, he exhibits his prowess with his Triceratops Fist. Nevertheless, despite his formidable skills, Baki ultimately suffered defeat against Pickle, even though he managed to compel Pickle to employ a technique. One could argue that Baki imprudently engaged in a direct confrontation with Pickle, thereby relinquishing his tactical advantage. However, the fact that Pickle only needed to replicate a single martial arts technique to overpower Baki highlights the discernible disparity between the two.

Pickle, a prehistoric man hailing from the ancient Cretaceous era, has astoundingly been discovered in an immaculately preserved state within a saline rock formation. Revived in the modern age by pioneering scientists, Pickle possesses a truly awe-inspiring attribute - his penchant for hunting and devouring dinosaurs, including the formidable T-Rex. Diverging from contemporary humans, Pickle's very physique was intricately designed to effortlessly pursue and exterminate these colossal beasts. Naturally, the present-day fighters eagerly anticipate pitting their martial arts expertise against Pickle's primordial might.

1 Yujiro Hanma

Clearly, Pickle's greatest asset lies in his remarkable physical capabilities, surpassing any of his adversaries. Remarkably, Pickle's formidable body not only endured the force of a Brachiosaurus' tail and the menacing jaws of a T-Rex, but also rendered Retsu and Katsumi's most formidable strikes utterly ineffectual. While Baki demonstrated superior speed and precision, managing to rattle Pickle's brain and give him a concussion, he ultimately succumbed to defeat. What truly astounds is that, at the pinnacle of their fierce clash, Pickle even unleashed a martial arts technique, illustrating that if he were to acquire true fighting knowledge, his invincibility would be undisputed.

Yujiro cannot be classified as a martial artist; his relentless pursuit of "strength" surpasses all else. Gifted with the ancestral lineage of the Hanma and an innate inclination for combat, Yujiro stands unrivaled as the most powerful figure in the series. While Pickle's deficiency lies in his lack of technique, Yujiro possesses an impressive raw strength comparable, if not superior, to that of prehistoric man, in addition to unparalleled knowledge and mastery of martial arts. Such is Yujiro's might that the United States pledges allegiance and non-aggression with him every time a new President is elected.

His final battle against Baki sparks controversy as Yujiro acknowledges that his son has pushed him to do the impossible - cooking for him - and consequently dubs him "the strongest". However, it is Yujiro who emerges victorious in the end, even though Baki himself refuses to accept this outcome. Considering his demonstrated superiority to all other characters in the series, there is undeniably no doubt that Yujiro Hanma is the most formidable character in Baki.

The Baki franchise stands as one of the most thrilling and successful in the realm of martial arts manga. Despite its style and themes not being particularly groundbreaking, Baki continues to enthrall fans over 25 years since its inception through its emotionally charged clashes between mighty martial artists and fighters. Currently, the anime adaptations have only covered up to the third manga series, Hanma Baki. However, subsequent series introduce even more dominant characters, offering fans of the Netflix anime an array of anticipation for future installments.