Baki Hanma
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
The mauling of a vicious, prehistoric-sized African elephant makes international headlines. Featured in reports of the aftermath, the sole survivor of one of the animal's rampages attributes its death to a lone, unarmed man—unknowingly describing Yuujirou Hanma, nicknamed the "Ogre" and often labeled as the "strongest creature on Earth." Elsewhere, Yuujirou's 18-year-old son Baki spars with an equally formidable beast: a praying mantis. Content with his training and determined to overtake his father, Baki abducts American President George Bosch to begin his plans. This leads to his deliberate imprisonment at the infamous Arizona State Prison where Oliva Biscuit resides—the strongest man in the United States and an inmate allowed to leave of his own volition. Hoping to gauge his abilities, Baki challenges Oliva to a fight; but Oliva is preoccupied with his eccentric rival, Jun Guevaru. Known as the "Second," he is the only other prisoner to receive special treatment from the guards. Bewildered yet intrigued, Baki learns about his fellow inmates and tolerates the hellish conditions of prison life while waiting for an opportunity to present itself.
Audience Consensus
Audience reception for Hanma Baki: Son of Ogre is noticeably divided. While many long-time fans appreciate the continuation of the series' signature hyper-masculine action and stylistic elements, a significant portion of viewers find the season lacking in fights, suffering from slow pacing, and relying too heavily on exposition over action. There's a clear split between those who embrace the show's over-the-top nature and those who find it nonsensical and tedious.
Strengths
- Animation and art style are maintained or improved, with detailed line art and character designs.
- The iconic Baki confrontation soundtrack is revived and fitting for the tense atmosphere.
- Characters, including Baki and Oliva, are highlighted, with some character development explored.
- Dialogue can be witty and interesting, contributing to the character-heavy episodes.
- The series builds tension effectively, especially for significant fights.
Weaknesses
- The series is criticized for being less action-heavy than previous seasons, with a focus on exposition and dialogue.
- Pacing issues are prevalent, with explanations and repetitions that can drag out the narrative.
- Animation can be inconsistent, with 'peaks over consistency' and some scenes being just slides or low-quality CGI.
- The realism is often sacrificed for over-the-top, nonsensical scenarios and 'cringe' techniques.
- Some characters are underdeveloped or disappointing, failing to meet expectations.
- Narrators and unnecessary exposition interrupt the fights, detracting from the viewing experience.
- The prison setting is criticized for not feeling rigorous or dangerous.
- The show's hyper-masculine themes and dialogue are perceived as "macho bullshit" or even "pathetic" by some.