The formidable martial artist Retsu Kaioh is set to embark on an otherworldly adventure once more, but this time, it is live on stage! Fans of the brutal Baki universe and its charismatic characters have reason to celebrate, as a stage play adaptation of the popular spinoff manga, Baki Gaiden: Retsu Kaioh wa Isekai Tensei Shitemo Ikkō ni Kamawan, has been officially announced.
The Isekai Adventure on Stage
The new production, titled Baki THE GRAPPLER STAGE Gaiden -Retsu Kaioh wa Isekai Tensei Shitemo Ikkō ni Kamawan, promises to bring the unique blend of martial arts and fantasy to life. The stage play is scheduled to run from March 19-22, 2027, at the Owl Spot (Toshima Ward Performing Arts Exchange Center) in Tokyo. This highly anticipated event will transport audiences into Retsu Kaioh's post-mortem journey into a new world.
The manga, which launched in Akita Shoten's Monthly Shōnen Champion magazine in 2020, centers on the Kenpo-style master Retsu Kaioh. Following his tragic demise in an epic battle against the legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto, Retsu finds himself reincarnated in an entirely different world. The spin-off manga, drawn by Eiji Mutsui with original concept by Keisuke Itagaki and story by Sai Ihara, has captivated readers with its unique premise and continues to release new volumes, with the 16th volume published on March 6.
Familiar Faces Return
Adding to the excitement, Riku Noma, who skillfully portrayed Retsu Kaioh in the two previous Baki stage plays, will reprise his iconic role for this Isekai adaptation. His return ensures continuity and a familiar presence for fans who have followed the stage productions. Daisuke Tanaka, the visionary director and writer behind the previous Baki stage plays, will also be returning to helm this new show, promising a faithful and dynamic rendition of the manga.
This will not be the first time Baki characters have graced the stage. The first stage play, Baki THE GRAPPLER STAGE -Chika Tōgiba-hen- (Underground Arena Arc), ran at Shinjuku Face in December 2024, featuring intense fight choreography by Hideaki Okuzumi. The second stage play, Baki THE GRAPPLER STAGE 2 -Saikyō Shikeishū-hen- (The Most Sinister Death Row Convict Arc), also ran at Shinjuku Face from July 23-28. Yūgo Satō played the titular protagonist Baki Hanma in both earlier stage productions, delivering powerful performances that resonated with the audience.
The Vast Baki Universe
The Baki franchise, created by Keisuke Itagaki, boasts a rich and extensive history in manga. The original Baki The Grappler martial arts manga captivated readers for 42 volumes in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 1991 to 1999. Kodama Tales began publishing the manga worldwide in English in October 2025, bringing the classic series to a global audience.
Following its success, the Baki sequel manga continued the saga for 31 volumes from 1999 to 2005, with Media Do releasing its English version. The narrative then progressed with the 37-volume Hanma Baki manga, serialized from 2005 to 2012. The overall fourth manga in the franchise, the first Baki-Dou, ran from March 2014 to April 2018 across 22 volumes.
A new Baki-Dou manga, distinct yet retaining the familiar title, launched in October 2018 and concluded in June 2023. The latest installment in this enduring martial arts epic, Baki Rahen, began its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Champion in August 2023, ensuring that the Baki legacy continues to evolve and expand for dedicated fans worldwide.
Baki Dominates Streaming
Beyond the manga and stage, the Baki franchise has also achieved significant global recognition through its anime adaptations on Netflix. The new anime of Itagaki's Baki (New Grappler Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero) manga first debuted its 26-episode season in Japan in June 2018, with international releases following shortly after. Netflix posted the first 13 episodes outside of Japan in December 2018, and the latter half in March 2019.
Further expanding the animated universe, the Baki: Dai Raitaisai-hen anime premiered worldwide with all episodes in June 2020. This was followed by Baki Hanma, the third Baki series on Netflix and a direct sequel. It launched worldwide in September 2021 with 12 episodes, delving deeper into the intense rivalry and unparalleled strength of Baki Hanma.
The second season of Baki Hanma continued the narrative, debuting globally on Netflix in July 2023 with the enthralling "Tale of Pickle and The Pickle War Saga." The dramatic "The Father Versus Son Saga" then followed in August 2023, providing fans with some of the most anticipated confrontations in the series. Most recently, BAKI-DOU: The Invincible Samurai, an anime adaptation of Keisuke Itagaki's first Baki-Dou manga, premiered on Netflix. Its first 13 episodes became available worldwide on February 26, with the second part, comprising 12 episodes, exclusively released globally on June 18. This continuous stream of adaptations highlights the enduring appeal and popularity of the Baki universe across various media platforms.
