Ep 3. Prison and Hell

After an intense battle between Baki and his father Yujiro in the previous episode, "Prison and Hell" takes a step back to showcase some of the other powerful fighters in the series. The episode begins with an introduction to a new character, Spec, an American inmate who is known for his immense strength. Spec is rumored to have killed his entire family, earning him a spot in death row at the toughest prison in the United States.

Meanwhile, Baki continues to train with his tough-as-nails mentor, Doppo Orochi. Doppo urges Baki to have a clear goal in mind for his training, but Baki insists that he is simply training to become stronger. The two engage in a training session, which starts off relatively easy but quickly ramps up in intensity. The scene showcases the series' signature over-the-top action and gore, with Doppo using powerful techniques that break bones and impair Baki's ability to move.

While this training session is taking place, we also get a glimpse into the lives of some of the other fighters in the series. One of the most notable is Kaoru Hanayama, a wealthy yakuza boss who has a reputation for being nearly invincible in a fight. We learn about Hanayama's backstory, including how he was born with an unusual body that makes him resistant to pain and able to withstand extreme physical trauma. Despite his yakuza origins, Hanayama is fiercely loyal to those he cares about and is widely respected in the criminal underworld.

As the episode progresses, we see Spec arrive at the prison that houses death row inmates. He quickly makes a name for himself by challenging and defeating other dangerous inmates in one-on-one fights. His ultimate goal is to face off against the man he believes to be the strongest in the prison: legendary death row inmate Hector Doyle. The looming threat of a confrontation between these two powerhouse fighters sets the stage for the remaining episodes of the season.

Overall, "Prison and Hell" is a great showcase of some of the different characters and their strengths in the Baki Hanma universe. The episode packs in plenty of intense action and gore, as well as some character development that helps make the various fighters more human and sympathetic. While the main plotline of the episode is somewhat secondary to the character work, it sets up some important threads that will likely be explored in future episodes. Fans of the series won't want to miss this one.