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Information

Title (English) Grappler Baki - Tournament

Title (Japanese) Grappler Baki TV 2

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Fantasy Novel

Notes New anime, 2001. Sequel to "Grappler Baki."

Classification -

Synopsis

Review I just watched the first episode of the sequel/continuation series "Grappler Baki - Tournament" and I have the feeling that this is another case of anime "sequel-itis" that just isn't going to work. "Grappler Baki" was a fairly bizarre but entertaining late night anime on the TV Tokyo network that started at the beginning of the year and ran for 26 episodes. It was the story of Hammer Baki, a 13 year old who is determined to be the best no-rules fighter in the world. He has the right genes for it - his father is an unstoppable killer, mercenary and fighter who has beaten anyone who has gotten in his way. Baki also wants to prove himself by beating his father.
The first half of the series showed Baki developing his already great talents through a series of ever increasingly difficult fights. Then an apparent climax was reached - but it turned out to be a false climax and Baki went off on his own to wander the world for three years. The series then continued as Baki, now older, smarter and bigger came back to compete in a world championship for fighting. Then at the end of what appeared to be just another "tougher" opponent, the original series ended with Baki as champion. But another series was promised.
"Tournament" is that follow-up series. It starts out differently - the opening animation is a full 3-D CG work, with characters designed to look more like animated figures than the typical "game-style" 3-D CG, but never-the-less, no one quite looks right. Then the show started and even more things were changed. First of all, the animation in the episode itself was very "flat" compared to that of the first series. Then the story structure felt more like a set up for a console fighting game. A whole bunch of competitors for Baki's title were introduced and there were two fights. Worst of all, the melodrama and character development that made the original series campy fun was missing. The opening and closing themes are also forgettable. The best part of the show was the commercial for the "Grappler Baki" DVD's.
I'll watch a couple of more episodes to see if the series can regain some of the panache that made the original series interesting, but I don't have high hopes at this time.
(Dave Baranyi)

Credits

Episodes 24

Release

TV Showing See the whole series for free? This series may be syndicated to regional cable, satellite or terrestial TV stations. For Europe click here.

Date 2001-07-24

Production

Broadcaster

Animation

References & Help Look up the latest data on this title at:
Richard Llewellyn's Animated Divots, or
Anime News Network (see Encyclopedia section) ,
or in "The Anime Encyclopedia" (Clements & McCarthy, Stone Bridge Press, 2001).
Help & further information.

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Information
Title (English)	Grappler Baki - Tournament
Title (Japanese)	Grappler Baki TV 2
Advertising Fantasy Novel
Notes	New anime, 2001. Sequel to "Grappler Baki."
Classification	-
Synopsis
Review	I just watched the first episode of the sequel/continuation series "Grappler Baki - Tournament" and I have the feeling that this is another case of anime "sequel-itis" that just isn't going to work. "Grappler Baki" was a fairly bizarre but entertaining late night anime on the TV Tokyo network that started at the beginning of the year and ran for 26 episodes. It was the story of Hammer Baki, a 13 year old who is determined to be the best no-rules fighter in the world. He has the right genes for it - his father is an unstoppable killer, mercenary and fighter who has beaten anyone who has gotten in his way. Baki also wants to prove himself by beating his father. The first half of the series showed Baki developing his already great talents through a series of ever increasingly difficult fights. Then an apparent climax was reached - but it turned out to be a false climax and Baki went off on his own to wander the world for three years. The series then continued as Baki, now older, smarter and bigger came back to compete in a world championship for fighting. Then at the end of what appeared to be just another "tougher" opponent, the original series ended with Baki as champion. But another series was promised. "Tournament" is that follow-up series. It starts out differently - the opening animation is a full 3-D CG work, with characters designed to look more like animated figures than the typical "game-style" 3-D CG, but never-the-less, no one quite looks right. Then the show started and even more things were changed. First of all, the animation in the episode itself was very "flat" compared to that of the first series. Then the story structure felt more like a set up for a console fighting game. A whole bunch of competitors for Baki's title were introduced and there were two fights. Worst of all, the melodrama and character development that made the original series campy fun was missing. The opening and closing themes are also forgettable. The best part of the show was the commercial for the "Grappler Baki" DVD's. I'll watch a couple of more episodes to see if the series can regain some of the panache that made the original series interesting, but I don't have high hopes at this time. (Dave Baranyi)
Credits
Episodes	24
Release
TV Showing	See the whole series for free? This series may be syndicated to regional cable, satellite or terrestial TV stations. For Europe click here.
Date	2001-07-24
Production
Broadcaster
Animation
References & Help	Look up the latest data on this title at: Richard Llewellyn's Animated Divots, or Anime News Network (see Encyclopedia section) , or in "The Anime Encyclopedia" (Clements & McCarthy, Stone Bridge Press, 2001). Help & further information.