REVIEW: ‘Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura’ Is About The Fights And Not Much Else

From Batman vs Superman to Godzilla vs King Kong, fans are always eager for the next big clash of titans. Anime fans, maybe more than any other fandom, love pitting their favorite Shonen heroes together in theoretical battles. It’s not often that we see those crossovers to life, though. While we may still be waiting for that ultimate Big 3 crossover, we have Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura by director Toshiki Hirano to tide us over for now.

Don’t worry too much about the storyline behind why these characters are fighting in Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura because the film doesn’t either. And that’s okay because everyone knows the reason was always going to be secondary to the spectacle of seeing them face off. The matchups are presented in a way that aligns with their respective manga runs. Baki’s team is the seasoned veterans and Kengan’s team is raw, up-and-coming fighters.

Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura opts for Baki’s signature 2D art style and incorporates Kengan Ashura’s killer soundtrack. Both anime series’ trademark brutal and powerful action are present. While the styles go back and forth throughout the matches, the clash of styles makes the fights. More importantly, all three fights come complete with all the necessary commentary, providing compelling enough backstories to make sense even for those new to the series.

Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura clocks in at just one hour, which can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you get an hour of exactly what you expect: intense, over-the-top battles without any unnecessary filler. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a deeper plot or significant character development, you might find yourself lost. Despite both franchises’ long-standing, intricate stories, this crossover film doesn’t spend much time delving into them, leaving you with an hour of action but little narrative depth.

There aren’t any real consequences for either franchise in this Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura, and that’s okay, to a certain extent. You wouldn’t expect Sailor Moon destroying Goku to end the Dragon Ball franchise. However, given the inherently goofy concept, it would have been more exciting if the writers found a way to allow the fighters to truly go all out. Even the most intense fights are stopped just before they go too far, making the tournament feel more like a glorified sparring match than a high-stakes battle at times.

At its heart, Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura captures the feeling of a cross-promotional MMA pay-per-view event. If you’re not familiar with the characters, the commentary provides all the background you need, explaining the significance of the battles and the fighters’ histories. Fans of the different approaches and styles will enjoy seeing them face off, all leading up to the main event that everyone has been waiting for.

For fans following the fighters, there’s likely someone to root for, even if you don’t know all of them on both sides. The fights vary in length, keeping the audience on their toes, and the downtime shenanigans keep you entertained until the next bout. At the end of the day, if you’re here for the violence, the Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura delivers on that front.

However, if you’re unfamiliar with any of the fighters, you might question why you’re watching. For someone like me, who loves violence and tournament arcs of anime, I don’t need the buy-in from the respective franchises to hit play. For many viewers, though, a connection to the characters might be necessary to fully enjoy the film. Otherwise, you might find yourself as the person at the PPV impatiently waiting for the next fight to start, wondering how many more there are until you can move on to something else.

Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura provides an hour of exactly what it promises: intense, adrenaline-fueled battles that fans of both series will appreciate. While it may lack a deep narrative and significant consequences, the film successfully delivers thrilling match-ups and showcases the unique fighting styles that make each franchise special. So, if you’re in it for the fights and not much else, Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura is well worth the watch.

Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura is streaming now exclusively on Netflix.