Ep 4. The Battle Begins

In Baki season 1 episode 4, titled The Battle Begins, the audience is treated to the start of the tournament where Baki and his eight competitors will fight for the title of strongest champion. The episode opens with Baki arriving at an impressive arena, underground and surrounded by chanting fans. Baki meets and sizes up his competitors, including the massive Doppo Orochi, the fierce Yujiro Hanma and the flamboyant Kaoru Hanayama.

We see Baki effortlessly defeat his first opponent, drawn to the fight purely by the adrenaline he gets from fighting. During the match, Baki showcases his incredible strength and fighting prowess, making quick work of his opponent.

Next, we meet our first antagonist, a vicious and cunning fighter named Kaioh Retsu. Retsu is an expert in Chinese martial arts and mocks Baki's fighting skills, calling him inexperienced. Baki doesn't take kindly to this and challenges Retsu to a fight. Despite being a formidable opponent, we see more of Baki's fighting style in action as they battle it out and Baki ultimately emerges victorious.

As the tournament lineup progresses, we see some of the other fighters clash with one another, such as Hanayama and Retsu, in a battle of brawn versus technique. Watching these different fighting styles collide is thrilling, and the animation is particularly notable during the fight scenes.

While there is plenty of action in this episode, the more interesting aspects are the glimpses we get into the personalities of the various fighters. We see a glimpse of Yujiro's evil nature and get a sense of his close relationship with his son, Baki. There's also a fascinating interaction between Orochi and his wife, who seems to know a great deal about the underground fighting world. And of course, we get more insight into Baki's character and motivation for fighting, which is ultimately what makes him such a compelling protagonist.

One of the standout scenes of the episode involves Baki's grappling match against a former wrestling champion named Kiyosumi Katou. Katou has retired from wrestling but is still a fierce competitor, and he tests Baki's limits in a grueling battle. Watching the two fighters roll around on the mat is incredible, and the animation perfectly captures the struggle and intensity of the moment.

Overall, The Battle Begins is an exciting and action-packed episode that sets the stage for what promises to be an intense tournament. The characters are well-developed and interesting, and the animation is top-notch. Fans of martial arts and action anime will no doubt be captivated by the tournament's twists and turns, rooting for their favorite fighter all the while.