Baki the Grappler has built a real following among viewers who do not usually seek out animation. 2 seasons in, and the quality has not slipped. 350 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. The visual style is immediately recognisable, but the writing is what keeps you watching. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

Baki the Grappler arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The look of Baki the Grappler gets people in the door, but the writing is what keeps them there. Baki Hanma is a young fighter who yearns to follow in the footsteps of his father, Yujiro, and become the strongest fighter in the world. Through that he trains tirelessly and fights constantly to hone his skills and develop his body to achieve these goals. Many intense battles lay ahead of Baki as he goes about his quest to be the best and ultimately take the title of "King" from his father. Every line from Masami Kikuchi and Kazuhiro Nakata lands with more craft than you'd expect. 2 seasons from 2001 gave the story room most shows never get. Baki the Grappler uses the freedom of animation to tell stories live-action could not attempt. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

Animation fans will appreciate the craft, but Baki the Grappler works for viewers who do not typically seek out animation too. Fans of BAKI will recognise the sensibility here immediately. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. The writing operates at a level the format's reputation does not fully prepare you for. Adult animation that actually works for adults.

Baki the Grappler wrapped up in 2001 — and 2 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.