Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura Is A Disappointing Crossover That Fails To Deliver

Netflix‘s biggest fighting anime crossover had the chance to become the biggest fictional martial arts event in years, but it missed the mark. Anime has skyrocketed in mainstream popularity for almost two decades, as proven by the massive success of anime movies like Your Name, The Boy and the Heron, and Demon Slayer: Mugen Train and Infinity Castle.

Apart from recent box office hits, series like My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, Dandadan, and Solo Leveling have dominated the streaming rankings in recent years. While Crunchyroll is the go-to platform to watch these phenomena, Netflix is quickly expanding its anime authority to become the second biggest platform for anime content.

Sometimes, however, a few projects that should find a spot among the heavy-hitters simply don’t land despite their strong premise, as is the case with Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura.

Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura Failed To Live Up To Its Potential

Baki vs Kengan Should Have Been Better Than The Sum Of Its Parts

Netflix’s decision to pit the two heavyweights of the human-vs-human martial arts subgenre against each other should have led to a cultural milestone for anime fans. Both Baki Hanma and Kengan Ashura are the gold standard for visceral, high-stakes martial arts, both with massive global fanbases and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of human anatomy. Individually, Baki and Kengan are the epitome of their respective styles; Baki with its grotesque, over-the-top muscularity and Kengan with its polished technicality. However, their 2024 crossover plummeted to a dismal 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, and with good reason.

The most glaring issue lies in its identity crisis regarding animation and choreography. Kengan Ashura is famous for its fluid, 3D-heavy combat that allows for complex grappling and bone-shattering impacts, while Baki Hanma relies on hyper-detailed 2D illustrations that emphasize static, explosive power. Their crossover attempts a visual middle ground that strips the impact from all hits and leaves the choreography feeling generic. The plot is paper-thin, even by fighting anime standards, and at a mere sixty-two minutes, the pacing feels like a highlight reel.

When compared to its solo counterparts, Baki Hanma and Kengan Ashura fails to deliver what fans love about each world. It misses the bizarre, philosophical fever dream elements of Baki, and it ignores the intricate bracket-style tactical detail of Kengan. What it does do well is the character interactions outside the ring. Still, to have succeeded, Netflix should have expanded this crossover into a limited miniseries that would allow for more under-card matches and a slower buildup.

Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura Already Deserves A Remake

Baki & Kengan Are Popular Enough To Warrant A Bigger, Better Version Of Their Face-Off

Baki and Kengan Ashura’s sheer brand power warrants a superior version of their crossover. Both franchises are currently at the zenith of their global popularity, with Netflix’s algorithm proving there’s a massive, underserved appetite for martial arts content. A Baki vs. Kengan remake could be a multi-part miniseries, with a considerably longer runtime, more consistent animation, and a beefier story.

The idea of remaking or remastering a recent anime project is far from unheard of in the industry. A prime example is Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, which is set to reimagine the much-criticized “Battle of Gods” arc from the original Super run. Much like Beerus aims to replace inconsistent animation with film-quality visuals, a Baki vs. Kengan remake could present the best possible version of a strong concept. Other titles like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and the Evangelion rebuilds have also taken existing concepts and elevated them to meet fan expectations.

Which series do you like more, Baki or Kengan?