Kodama Tales to Publish Baki the Grappler Manga Series in English Worldwide

Kodama Tales, a subsidiary of Kyodo Printing, has announced that it will be publishing Keisuke Itagaki’s Baki the Grappler manga series in English worldwide. This marks the first time the long-running martial arts manga will be officially translated and released in English. 

The company will release the Baki the Grappler manga in “Complete Edition” format, containing 24 volumes, and begin publishing the series worldwide, starting in October 2025. Pre-order dates will be announced later in the future, as well as more updates on the project, per the company’s official Twitter/X account. The English print editions will be produced in Japan by Kyodo Printing. 

David Evelyn is translating the manga series in English, while Rafael Zaiats is handling the lettering. 

Hey there, amigos! I’m working tirelessly with @KodamaTales on the release of their title, Baki the Grappler. I’ve been using my combat sports know-how to provide the best possible TL, so I hope you all pick it up when it drops in October! https://t.co/AcbQZsjgeB pic.twitter.com/dWwWMEbrR3

— David Evelyn 🇯🇵4月9日～5月21日 (@shinhoroko) May 15, 2025

I AM LETTERING THIS FOR @KodamaTales GGGGGET READY for a million hand-drawn sfxs https://t.co/nnNUbqxUyA

— rafael zaiats (@bakajimadance) May 15, 2025

Kodama Tales also teased that it will publish works from other Japanese publishers such as Asahi Shimbun Publications, Coamix, Daiwa Shobo, HERO’S, Nihonbungeisha, Shodensha, and Shonengahosha.

Itagaki first launched the Baki manga in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shonen Champion in October 1991, where it has spawned multiple installments. A total of six main Baki manga entries and various spin-offs have been published. 

The first main entry was 1999’s Baki the Grappler, while the latest entry, Baki-dou, began serialization in Weekly Shonen Champion on March 8, 2019. The latter is inspiring a new anime adaptation from TMS Entertainment. 

The Baki manga inspired two OVAs in 1994 and 2016, as well as its first TV anime adaptation that ran for 48 episodes from January 8, 2001 to December 24, 2001. A new ONA series began streaming on Netflix from 2018 to 2020 for 39 episodes. Another follow-up titled Baki Hanma was also released on Netflix from 2021 to 2023.  

Netflix describes the most recent Baki Hanma anime series as: 

After overcoming countless intense battles with powerful enemies, the time is finally ripe for Baki to face his father, Yujiro Hanma, who is said to be “the strongest creature on Earth.” Before this battle, Baki chooses Biscuit Oliva—also known as Mr. Unchained—as an appropriate sparring partner.

Oliva is currently incarcerated in a prison called the “Black Pentagon,” home to only the most violent criminals. In order to fight Oliva, Baki gets himself imprisoned in the Black Pentagon. However, in addition to his desired sparring partner, a number of terrifying fighters also await him here!

Source: press release