It’s hard to dislike the enthusiastic fighter Baki and seeing him return in this third entry puts a smile on our face. Baki has definitely begun to grow as a man and warrior but in this third story, we begin to see his maturity take shape.

Baki is still a bit of a meathead who fights with very little care for his own personal welfare—he will use his face to smash an opponent if he has to—but his understanding of hard work and dedication is proving to be his saving grace. In Hanma Baki: Son of Ogre—or Hanma Baki for short—we see our warrior put himself in a dangerous setting but rise to the challenge by being smart and cunning. Baki quickly discovers that his new opponent—Oliva Biscuit—isn’t a pushover and begins to analyze his fighting style and methods. Likewise, when Baki faces off against Jun Guevaru who looks normal but is ranked #2 in the Arizona Prison for a reason!

Hanma Baki is easily one of the more brutal fighting anime we’ve witnessed here at Honey’s Anime and that is quickly realized when you see fighters get their faces punched in and their bodies destroyed. However, that visceral combat makes even the sillier fights in Hanma Baki—we will make note of those in a minute—thrilling and exciting. We just wish Baki had a few more battles to really make this third entry a bit more lengthy.

Do you know who Baki first fights in Baki Hanma? Not Jun or some stronger opponent like his dear dad who literally felled a Dinosaur-like elephant. No, Baki fights the following in the first two episodes: a middle schooler who he slaps on the butt and sends flying with all his strength, an invisible Iron Michael—a thought-to-be-dead world-famous boxer— and an invisible giant praying mantis. Yes, Baki Hanma’s first three fights might turn off those unaware of the craziness that is Baki but even we have to admit these battles were a bit goofy.

Olivia is hyped up early on in Hanma Baki to be this almost perfect weapon warrior who might truly end Baki’s life but wow…he was a bit of a disappointment in the end. Acting as the literal last fight, Baki versus Olivia and the two do duke it out with some cool martial arts moments but the end result is a quick fight that almost feels like a draw. Hanma Baki lacked many impactful warriors in this third part and with how Olivia turns out, we have to admit we were a bit let down by Baki’s new enemies.