The highly anticipated crossover between the Baki Hanma universe and Kengan Ashura has finally arrived, delivering a unique and entertaining experience for fans of both series. This hour-long special pits some of the strongest and most beloved characters from each anime against each other in a hidden arena beneath the Tokyo Dome. While the crossover has its strengths, it also falls short in several areas. Here’s an in-depth look at what worked and what didn’t in this crossover event.
Director: Toshiki Hirano
Screenplay: Atsuo Ishino
Music: Kenji Fujisawa, Yasuharu Takanashi
Original Creators: Daromeon, Keisuke Itagaki, Yabako Sandrovich
Character Design: Shingo Ishikawa, Makoto Takahoko
Art Director: Shunichiro Yoshihara
Sound Director: Yasuyuki Urakami
Director of Photography: Tatsuo Noguchi
Exciting Character Match-Ups and Interactions
The most enticing aspect of the Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura special is the unexpected character match-ups. Rather than simply pairing characters who practice similar fighting styles, the special wisely pits characters against each other based on their personalities and backgrounds. This approach adds depth to the fights, making them feel like conflicts of identity rather than mere showcases of combat skills.
Key Match-Ups:
- Yoroizuka Saw Paing (Kengan Ashura) vs. Kaoru Hanayama (Baki Hanma): The loud and extroverted Saw Paing faces off against the usually strong and silent Hanayama.
- Kure Raian (Kengan Ashura) vs. Jack Hammer (Baki Hanma): The genetically engineered Raian battles the born weak but now roided-out Jack Hammer.
- Tokita Ohma (Kengan Ashura) vs. Baki Hanma (Baki Hanma): The final showdown between the titular characters.
These match-ups make each fight feel more personal and engaging. However, the fights ultimately boil down to characters firing off their signature moves and delivering amusing or badass one-liners, which may leave some fans wanting more strategic depth and exploration of the various fighting styles.
Memorable Supporting Character Interactions
One of the best parts of the crossover is how the supporting characters interact with each other. Notable moments include:
- Adam Dudley and Chiharu Shiba: The resident dumb-ass punks of each series get into a metaphorical pissing match over who gets to use the bathroom first.
- Iconic narrators from both series take turns discussing the characters and events of the episode, adding a fun touch.
The voice actors in both the sub and the English dub excel in making these moments work, with the lack of overall dialogue making each character’s lines feel punchier.
Also read One Punch Man Season 3: All details about the One Punch Man Season 3 Release Date, Cast,…
Art and Animation: A Mixed Bag
Unfortunately, the animation in this special is fairly lackluster and doesn’t match the spectacle of these iconic characters duking it out. Kengan Ashura characters, in particular, struggle to look interesting or good in any art style. For example:
- Tokita Ohma: Despite no longer looking like a character from a PS1 FMV cutscene, Ohma still has an incredibly bland design akin to a random thug in a side-scrolling beat-em-up.
- Sekibayashi Jun and Julius Reinhold: Both characters look uncanny and lack depth in their facial features.
The music in this crossover is similarly middling, being neither memorable nor notably bad.
A Puzzling Ending
The crossover concludes with Yujiro Hanma from Baki demanding to fight the strongest people present, which makes sense. However, the appearance of Kuroki Gensai from Kengan Ashura is more puzzling. Considering where the Kengan anime left off, Kuroki’s stand-off with Yujiro implies that he is the strongest in that series, potentially spoiling the outcome of the ongoing Kengan Annihilation Tournament.
Conclusion
While the Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura crossover special has its shortcomings, particularly in animation and fight choreography, it still offers a fun and engaging experience for fans of both series. The unexpected character match-ups and entertaining interactions between supporting characters are the highlights of this special. Despite the flaws, it’s a crossover worth watching, especially for die-hard fans eager to see their favorite characters in action.
Pros:
- Unique and engaging character match-ups
- Entertaining interactions between supporting characters
- Fun narrative touches like alternating narrators
Cons:
- Lackluster animation and character design
- Limited strategic depth in fights
- Middling music and puzzling narrative choices
In the end, this crossover serves as effective marketing for the upcoming second part of Kengan Ashura’s second season and offers a taste of more Baki Hanma content, even if it isn’t at its best. For fans of either series looking for an introduction to the other, this special is a great starting point.
