One of the most anticipated anime releases of 2026 has officially landed. Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai premiered on Netflix on February 26, 2026, and the anime community is already buzzing. Carrying an impressive 8.8 rating on IMDb from early viewers, this new chapter in the legendary Baki franchise is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s biggest anime events of the year.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Baki universe or stepping into this world for the first time, here’s everything you need to know — plot, cast, review, and whether it’s worth your time.
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What Is Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai?
Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai is the latest anime adaptation of Keisuke Itagaki’s iconic martial arts manga franchise, Baki the Grappler. Produced by TMS Entertainment — the studio behind Sakamoto Days, Dr. Stone, and Blue Box — and directed by Toshiki Hirano, this new series picks up where Baki Hanma left off.
After Baki’s earth-shattering showdown against his father, Yujiro Hanma — widely considered the strongest creature alive — the underground fighting world has fallen into an unusual lull. That changes dramatically when a secret scientific experiment deep beneath Tokyo Skytree successfully clones and resurrects Miyamoto Musashi, Japan’s greatest samurai from the Edo period.
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Full Cast & Voice Actors
- Baki Hanma — Nobunaga Shimazaki
- Musashi Miyamoto — Naoya Uchida
- Yujiro Hanma — Akio Otsuka
- Sea King Retsu — Rikiya Koyama
- Kaoru Hanayama — Takuya Eguchi
- Doppo Orochi — Takayuki Sugo
- Jack Hanma — Kenta Miyake
The series features an original opening theme “FURUBOKO” by rock band WANIMA, and an ending theme by rapper Novel Core — both perfectly underscoring the raw intensity of the show.
Plot Overview: Who Is Musashi Miyamoto?
Miyamoto Musashi was a real Japanese swordsman from the early 17th century, celebrated as an undefeated duelist and the author of The Book of Five Rings. In Baki-Dou, scientists clone him from his remains, bringing him back to the modern world. His mastery of the Niten Ichi-ryu dual-sword technique puts him in a class of his own, forcing Baki and the underground arena’s elite to rethink everything they know about combat.
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Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Early reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The show earns high marks for balancing hyper-violent action with deep philosophical themes around purpose, power, and what it means to be the strongest. The animation frequently slows down to highlight the precision behind each move, making the action feel grounded even at its most exaggerated. One minor criticism: like many shonen series, the show occasionally over-explains in dialogue. But for both newcomers and longtime fans, this is one of the better anime seasons to land on Netflix in 2026.
How Many Episodes? Full Watch Order
Season 1 consists of 13 episodes, all available now on Netflix (~25 minutes each). New to the franchise? Here’s the full Baki watch order:
- Baki the Grappler (2001)
- Baki (2018, Netflix)
- Baki Hanma (2021, Netflix)
- Baki Hanma Season 2 (2023)
- Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura (crossover special)
- Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai (2026) ← You are here
Final Verdict
Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai is a thunderous return for one of Netflix’s best action anime franchises. With a legendary antagonist, brutal yet technically impressive fight scenes, and enough philosophy to give the violence real weight, it’s a must-watch for anime fans in 2026. Stream all 13 episodes now on Netflix.
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Have you started watching? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
