Tetsuya Chiba’s Sumo Wrestling Manga is the Real Inspiration Behind Baki Hanma’s Strongest Character
Keisuke Itagaki probably wrote one of the most iconic action mangas with his Baki Hanma Series. Most of the characters in his manga have a physique that look like they were chiseled out of marble. Over the past few decades, Itagaki’s manga has been a stable set for bodybuilders to achieve similar physiques.
Among the characters in Baki Hanma, there is one who stands above the rest, Yujiro Hanma. Yujiro is known as the strongest character in Keisuki’s popular manga series, having inhumane-like feats. However, this begs us to question where the 67-year-old got his inspiration for the monstrous character.
Keisuke Itagaki explains where he got the inspiration for Yujiro Hanma
Keisuke Itagaki is a manga artist who is known for handing out credit where it’s due. This is exactly what he did during a Q&A session of his manga where he talked about where he got the inspiration for one of the most iconic characters in Baki Hanma.
Keisuki revealed that he found the inspiration for the Ogre from Notari Matsuro and Tetsuya Chiba’s hit manga and anime series, Notari Matsutaro. Matsutaro is portrayed as a massive force of nature in Notari Matsutaro’s manga series with great physical attributes. Yujiro Hanma in Keisuke’s series is similar, but more turned up given the prowess of the anime.
The 67-year-old mangaka also claimed to have taken inspiration for Yujiro’s appearance from Matt Dillon and later from Paul Stanley. However, despite the inspiration, Keisuke Itagaki managed to make Yujiro Hanma into a character of his own, making him one of the most menacing characters in all of anime.
Though both Matsutaro Sakaguchi and Yujiro Hanma are characters known for being incredibly strong, how Matsutaro uses his strength is completely different from Yujiro Hanma. And if you haven’t watched the sumo anime from the 1990s, here is why you give it a try.
3 reasons why you should watch Notari Matsutarō
1. Gives you an insight into Edo Period Law: Step back in time to Edo-era Japan (1603-1868) and explore the fascinating world of samurai law. Notari Matsutaro follows Matsutaro, a low-ranking notary with a sharp mind and an even sharper sense of justice. The anime lets you inside the complexities of the legal system and the challenges of upholding fairness in a society steeped in tradition.
2. Uncover Human emotions: This show isn’t just about legalese and dramatic courtroom scenes. Notari Matsutaro delves into the human stories behind the cases. Prepare to be moved by tales of love, loss, betrayal, and the fight for what’s right.
3. An underdog story: Matsutaro isn’t your typical hero. He’s a commoner in a world dominated by samurai, and his unconventional methods often raise eyebrows. But his unwavering determination and genuine empathy for the oppressed make him a character you just can’t help but root for from the very beginning.
You can stream Baki Hanma on Netflix and Notari Matsutarō on Crunchyroll
