Wondering if the Baki manga is finished? You’re not alone. Many fans get lost in the long, complex history of the franchise, trying to figure out if the story has a true ending.
No, the Baki manga is not finished as of 2026. While major parts of the story, like the original Grappler Baki and Baki Hanma, are complete, the franchise continues with a new series. The latest installment, Baki Rahen, began in August 2023 and is currently ongoing, meaning author Keisuke Itagaki is still releasing new chapters.
Based on a detailed analysis of the series’ entire publication history, this guide will provide a definitive answer. We will break down the status of every single Baki manga series. You’ll discover exactly which parts are finished, what is still ongoing, and the correct order to read everything.
Key Facts
- Franchise Status: The Baki manga franchise is not finished; the latest series, “Baki Rahen,” began serialization in August 2023 and is currently ongoing.
- Core Story Conclusion: The central narrative of Baki Hanma’s quest to defeat his father, Yujiro Hanma, officially concluded in the “Baki Hanma” manga series, which is a primary source of the “is it finished?” confusion.
- Series Structure: The mainline Baki story is composed of six distinct, sequential parts, with the first five being complete and the sixth currently in publication.
- Author Involvement: Series creator Keisuke Itagaki remains the active writer and artist for the franchise, continuing to expand the story as of 2026.
- Total Volume: The main Baki saga consists of over 150 collected volumes, not including numerous spin-off series, making it one of the longer-running manga franchises.
Is the Baki Manga Finished? A Complete Guide to the Series’ Status in 2026
The short answer is both yes and no, which is the primary source of confusion for fans. To be precise: specific, major sagas within the Baki manga are absolutely finished, including the one most international fans are familiar with. However, the overall Baki franchise is still very much alive and ongoing as of 2026. Author Keisuke Itagaki continues to write and draw new chapters for the latest installment.
The structure of the Baki manga is unique. Instead of being one single, continuous series, Itagaki concludes a major story arc and then relaunches the manga under a new title. Each new title functions as a direct sequel to the last. This is why you see different series names like Baki, Baki Hanma, and Baki-Dou. While parts have definitive endings, the complete story of the Baki world has not concluded. Think of it as a collection of finished seasons in an ongoing television show.
What Is the Current Status of Each Baki Manga Series?
The Baki manga franchise is made up of six main parts, five of which are complete. To provide a clear overview, here is a complete breakdown of each series, its publication dates, and its current status as of 2026. This table serves as the definitive reference for understanding the franchise’s timeline.
| Series Title | Serialization Dates | Volume Count | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Grappler Baki | 1991 – 1999 | 42 | Finished. |
| Part 2: Baki (New Grappler Baki) | 1999 – 2005 | 31 | Finished. |
| Part 3: Baki Hanma (Son of Ogre) | 2005 – 2012 | 37 | Finished. |
| Part 4: Baki-Dou (The Way of Baki) | 2014 – 2018 | 22 | Finished. |
| Part 5: Bakidou (Sumo Arc) | 2018 – June 2023 | 17 | Finished. |
| Part 6: Baki Rahen | August 2023 – Present | 4+ | Ongoing. |
Has the Main Story of Baki Hanma vs. Yujiro Concluded?
Yes, the main plot of Baki versus his father Yujiro is finished. This long-running saga, which formed the narrative backbone of the franchise for over two decades, reached its definitive conclusion in the manga series Baki Hanma: Son of Ogre. Their final, epic battle provided an end to Baki’s primary life goal of surpassing his father. This is why many fans believe the entire manga is over. Subsequent series like Baki-Dou and Baki Rahen are effectively epilogues or new stories set in the same world, exploring other characters and challenges now that Baki’s central conflict is resolved.
What Is Baki Rahen, the Newest Series?
Baki Rahen is the newest Baki manga, which started in August 2023 and is ongoing. It serves as the official sixth part of the main story, picking up after the conclusion of Bakidou (the Sumo Arc). The story pivots away from Baki Hanma as the central protagonist and shifts its focus primarily to his half-brother, the imposing fighter Jack Hanma. The series explores Jack’s own brutal path to gaining strength through extreme body modification and combat. As is common with author Keisuke Itagaki, Baki Rahen often takes short, frequent breaks (hiatuses) between chapter releases.
What Is the Correct Reading Order for the Baki Manga?
Navigating the different series can be confusing, but the main story follows a strict chronological order. To experience the Baki saga as the author intended, you must read the six main parts in the sequence they were released. This path will take you from Baki’s origins to the most current events in the Baki world.
Here is the correct reading order for the mainline Baki manga:
- Grappler Baki (42 Volumes): This is the foundation of the entire franchise. It introduces Baki, his father Yujiro, and culminates with the iconic Maximum Tournament arc.
- Baki / New Grappler Baki (31 Volumes): This sequel picks up right after the tournament. It features the escaped death row convicts arc and introduces many key themes for the rest of the series.
- Baki Hanma / Son of Ogre (37 Volumes): This is where the story zeroes in on Baki’s preparation to finally face his father. The series ends with their conclusive battle.
- Baki-Dou (22 Volumes): The first series with this title, this part focuses on the shocking revival of the legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto and his clash with the modern world’s fighters.
- Bakidou (17 Volumes): This is the second series with a similar title. It centers on the introduction of ancient Sumo techniques and the “god of Sumo,” Nomi no Sukune II.
- Baki Rahen (Ongoing): The current, ongoing series. This is the latest part of the story, focusing on Jack Hanma’s journey.
What About the Baki Anime? Is It Finished?
The popular Netflix anime adaptation has a similarly nuanced status. The part of the anime that covers the main Baki vs. Yujiro story is finished. However, the adaptation of the entire Baki manga franchise is not yet complete. This often leads anime-only fans to believe the whole story is over when, in reality, there is much more manga content waiting to be adapted.
Here’s how the anime adaptations line up with the manga parts:
* Grappler Baki (Manga Part 1) -> Adapted as the 2001 anime series Baki the Grappler.
* Baki (Manga Part 2) -> Adapted as the 2018 Netflix ONA (Original Net Animation) titled Baki.
* Baki Hanma (Manga Part 3) -> Adapted as the 2021-2023 Netflix ONA titled Baki Hanma. This part, including the “The Father VS Son Saga,” is now concluded.
* Baki-Dou (Manga Part 4) -> An anime adaptation for this next part of the story has been officially announced by Netflix.
FAQs About is the baki manga finished
Is Baki-Dou finished?
Yes, both manga series titled Baki-Dou are finished. The first series, which features the cloned swordsman Musashi Miyamoto, ran from 2014 to 2018. The second series, which focuses on the god of sumo, Nomi no Sukune II, ran from 2018 to June 2023.
Is Keisuke Itagaki still drawing Baki?
Yes, as of 2026, Keisuke Itagaki is actively writing and drawing Baki. He is currently working on the sixth main part of the series, Baki Rahen, which began in August 2023. While he takes frequent breaks (hiatuses), he has stated his intention to continue the series indefinitely.
How many volumes of Baki manga are there?
There are over 154 collected volumes in the main Baki manga series as of early 2026. This total includes 42 volumes of Grappler Baki, 31 of Baki, 37 of Baki Hanma, 22 of the first Baki-Dou, 17 of the second Bakidou, and the ongoing volumes of Baki Rahen. This does not count numerous spin-off series.
What comes after the Baki Hanma manga?
Directly after the Baki Hanma manga concludes, the story continues with Baki-Dou. The first Baki-Dou series (2014-2018) deals with the revival of Musashi Miyamoto. This is followed by a second series of the same name (2018-2023) focusing on ancient sumo, and then the current series, Baki Rahen (2023-present).
Why does the Baki manga go on hiatus so often?
Manga hiatuses are common in the industry and author Keisuke Itagaki takes them frequently for various reasons. These can include needing time for research, recovering from the demanding schedule of weekly serialization, or planning the next story arc. Given that Itagaki is over 60 years old, these breaks are a normal part of his creative process.
Are the Baki spin-offs (Gaiden) finished?
Most of the Baki spin-off series, known as “Gaiden,” are either ongoing or have an unclear status. For example, Baki Gaiden: Scarface and Baki Gaiden: Kenjin have had long, intermittent runs. It’s best to consider these as side stories that are not essential to the main plot and may not have definitive conclusions.
Did Baki really become the strongest after fighting Yujiro?
Yes, Baki was given the title of “Strongest Creature Alive” by Yujiro after their final battle. While the fight was brutal, Yujiro ultimately conceded the title to his son, providing a conclusion to Baki’s primary goal. The story since then has explored other characters and challenges, as Baki’s main narrative arc is considered complete.
Where can I read the Baki manga?
Official English translations for parts of the Baki manga can be found on digital platforms. For example, Media Do International has released the second series, Baki, digitally. For the most recent chapters of Baki Rahen, many international fans rely on scanlation sites, though the availability and quality can vary.
Is the original Grappler Baki manga finished?
Yes, the original Grappler Baki manga is completely finished. It was serialized from 1991 to 1999 and consists of 42 volumes. This series covers Baki’s childhood and culminates in the Maximum Tournament arc, laying the foundation for all subsequent series.
Is the Baki manga better than the anime?
This is subjective, but the manga provides a more complete and detailed story. The anime, especially the Netflix series, is an excellent and faithful adaptation, but it has not yet covered all the material from the manga (like the Baki-Dou arcs). The manga also includes more internal monologues and details that sometimes get cut for pacing in the anime.
Key Takeaways: Baki Manga Status Summary
Here’s a quick summary of the most important points to remember about the Baki manga’s current status:
- The Franchise is Ongoing: The Baki manga is not finished. The current series, Baki Rahen, began in August 2023 and is actively being published, though with frequent breaks.
- The Main Baki vs. Yujiro Story is Over: The central plot of Baki’s quest to surpass his father, Yujiro, concluded at the end of the Baki Hanma (Son of Ogre) manga series. Everything after is a continuation of the world’s story.
- The Manga is Divided into Six Main Parts: To read the story chronologically, you must follow the sequence: Grappler Baki -> Baki -> Baki Hanma -> Baki-Dou (Musashi Arc) -> Bakidou (Sumo Arc) -> Baki Rahen.
- All Series Before Baki Rahen are Complete: The first five parts of the manga have all been officially concluded, with defined start and end dates and volume counts.
- The Netflix Anime Has Not Covered Everything: While the Baki Hanma anime on Netflix finished the Father vs. Son saga, it has not yet adapted the Baki-Dou arcs. An anime adaptation for Baki-Dou has been officially announced.
Final Thoughts on the Baki Manga’s Journey
In conclusion, the Baki manga is a living, evolving story. It’s a testament to Keisuke Itagaki’s unique storytelling that he can bring a character’s central lifelong quest to a satisfying close, yet continue to find compelling new conflicts within the same world. While the foundational narrative of Baki Hanma versus his father is complete, the franchise itself remains an ongoing journey as of 2026, constantly expanding with new fighters and philosophies.
For fans, this means there is always more to look forward to. For new readers, it means there is a massive, rich, and mostly complete library of brutal martial arts action to dive into. Now that you understand the full picture, you can use the reading order provided to confidently start your own journey through one of manga’s most enduring and hyperbolic fighting series.
