In June 2024, a moment long-awaited by fans of martial arts anime has arrived. 'Baki Hanma' and 'Kengan Ashura', two colossal anime franchises, have crossed over, with exclusive streaming starting on Netflix. This series features the strongest warriors from each work battling it out in a best-of-three match in an underground arena.
First Match - Kaoru Hanayama vs. Serpentine
Kaoru Hanayama, an especially popular character from 'Kengan Ashura', faces a new challenger named Serpentine. This match was a clash of power and technique, with Hanayama's overwhelming strength against Serpentine's cunning tactics. While Hanayama's hammer punch excited the crowd, Serpentine's counterattacks brought the match to a tense pitch.
Second Match - Jack Hammer vs. Raian Kure
The second match saw Jack Hammer, Baki Hanma's arch-enemy, confront Raian Kure from 'Kengan Ashura'. The match captivated the audience with Jack's beast-like ferocity intermingling with Raian's calm and calculated tactics. As both fighters' pride and determination clashed, it was a battle you couldn't take your eyes off until the very end.
Third Match - Baki Hanma vs. Ohma Tokita
And to climax, the protagonist of 'Baki Hanma', Baki himself, faced off against Ohma Tokita from 'Kengan Ashura'. This final showdown was the moment when the rivalry built up throughout the series reached its peak. The battle woven by Baki's unparalleled martial arts sense and Ohma's strategy was truly breathtaking, sure to captivate not just fans but anyone's heart.
“Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura Opening Video”
Thoughts
The quality of the animation is extremely high, with detailed depictions of the characters' expressions and movements, beautifully recreating the charm of the original manga. The intensity of the battle scenes, in particular, is overwhelming, making it impossible to look away from the screen. While there are some parts where the anime has its own interpretation and arrangement compared to the original, these add a new appeal. However, I have many more favorite characters, so I wish they would feature more characters, not just the famous ones. Well, I guess it turned out this way due to time constraints...
Conclusion
'Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura' can be said to be a new milestone in martial arts anime. It's a must-watch not only for fans of the original works but also for anime fans in general. The anticipation for future developments is high, and the impact this anime will have on the fan community is immeasurable. Let's continue to watch over this heated battle.
