Netflix has revealed a knockout punch of a crossover, with two beloved anime about fighting set to square off against each other.
Baki Hanma, currently midway through Season 2, follows the titular fighter on a journey from underground bareknuckle grappling right up to legitimate martial-arts championships. Kengan Ashura is a little darker, focusing on a gladiatorial circuit overseen by rich benefactors where a novice prizefighter rises through the ranks.
They’re two of the best anime if you want to see some bloody combat, and Netflix is putting them in the ring together to see who emerges as the true champion. Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura will be ananime movie, and fans can’t believe it’s finally happening.
“I actually can’t believe this is happening,” one fanexclaimson X, formerly Twitter. “Oh my God, I can’t believe this, so hype! Biscuit vs Julius, clash of the muscle titans,” anotheradds.
The subject evokes other popular crossovers, like the genre-defining fighting game X-Men Vs Street Fighter from 1996. “This is probably one of the best crossovers since [the] Cyclops and Ryu handshake,” another Xaccountpoints out.
Seeing Baki Hanma and Kengan Ashura on-screen together is surreal. Such a project shows the investment and ambition of Netflix’s anime output, with the company demonstrating that if there’s keen interest, anything can happen.
We’ll find out who will reign supreme on June 6. In the meantime, check out our guides toDemon Slayer Season 4andMy Hero Academia Season 7for more great upcoming releases. I wonder if we’ll ever see Tanjiro and Deku team up? One can dream!
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Anthony McGlynn is a Senior Anime Writer on Dexerto’s UK team. An expert on animes like Demon Slayer, Solo Leveling and My Hero Academia, he also has over 10 years experience covering games and pop culture for outlets such as Variety, IGN, Den of Geek, PCGamesN, PCGamer, The Digital Fix, and many more. You can contact him at: anthony.mcglynn@dexerto.com
