It has been revealed that the total number of copies of the popular fighting manga series "Baki" by Keisuke Itagaki has surpassed 100 million. The series began serialization in Weekly Shonen Champion (Akita Shoten) in 1991 with the first part, "Grappler Baki", and the latest, sixth part, "Bakirahen", is currently being serialized in the same magazine. It has been about 33 years since the series began and has reached the 100 million mark. To commemorate the milestone, "Baki Rahen" will be featured in the cover color of the 25th issue of Weekly Shonen Champion, which goes on sale on May 23rd.
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To commemorate the 100 million copies sold, a special PV with a comment from popular character Yujiro Hanma was released on YouTube. In the PV, voice actor Akio Otsuka plays Yujiro. The PV will also be shown on the large screen at Studio Alta in Shinjuku East Exit, Tokyo.
It was also announced that an 18-karat yellow gold figurine of Yujiro would go on sale. The figurine is a three-dimensional representation of Yujiro doing the splits, and a jeweller has recreated every detail, from his facial expression to his toes and muscles. Only 30 units will be made, priced at 3.85 million yen. A 925 silver (rhodium-plated) figurine will also be sold, limited to 100 units, priced at 385,000 yen. Reservations are being accepted at the online shop, "U-TREASURE Online Shop".
The "Baki" series is a fighting manga that depicts the battles between fighters such as underground arena champion Baki Hanma and Baki's father, Yujiro Hanma, who is also known as "the strongest creature on earth." The first part, "Grappler Baki," began in Weekly Shonen Champion in 1991, and the second part, "Baki," was serialized from 1999 to 2005, the third part, "Baki Hanma," from 2006 to 2012, the fourth part, "Baki-Dou," from 2014 to 2018, and the fifth part, "Bakidou," from 2018 to 2023. The latest work, "Baki Rahen," has been serialized since August 2023.
The anime is also gaining popularity, with the third part of the original anime "Baki Hanma" currently streaming on Netflix. It has also been announced that "Baki-Dou" will be made into an anime. The anime "Baki Hanma Baki VS Kengan Ashura", a collaboration between "Baki Hanma" and the anime "Kengan Ashura", which is based on a fighting manga, will be streamed on Netflix from June 6th, which is also a hot topic.