© Keisuke Itagaki, Akita Shoten
Kodama Tales, a branch of Kyodo Printing, has revealed that it will be publishing Keisuke Itagaki’s Baki the Grappler manga series in English across the globe. This signifies the first occasion the lengthy martial arts manga will be officially translated and distributed in English.
The company will issue the Baki the Grappler manga in “Complete Edition” format, which will include 24 volumes, and start rolling out the series globally in October 2025. Details regarding pre-order dates and further updates on the project will be shared at a later time via the company’s official Twitter/X account. The English print editions will be manufactured in Japan by Kyodo Printing.
David Evelyn is tasked with translating the manga series into English, while Rafael Zaiats is responsible for the lettering.
Hey there, amigos! I’m working tirelessly with @KodamaTales on the release of their title, Baki the Grappler. I’ve been using my combat sports know-how to provide the best possible TL, so I hope you all pick it up when it drops in October! https://t.co/AcbQZsjgeB pic.twitter.com/dWwWMEbrR3— David Evelyn 🇯🇵4月9日～5月21日 (@shinhoroko) May 15, 2025
I AM LETTERING THIS FOR @KodamaTales GGGGGET READY for a million hand-drawn sfxs https://t.co/nnNUbqxUyA— rafael zaiats (@bakajimadance) May 15, 2025
Kodama Tales also hinted that it plans to release works from other Japanese publishers including Asahi Shimbun Publications, Coamix, Daiwa Shobo, HERO’S, Nihonbungeisha, Shodensha, and Shonengahosha.
Itagaki originally launched the Baki manga in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shonen Champion in October 1991, giving rise to multiple installments. In total, there are six main Baki manga entries alongside various spin-offs that have been published.
The first main entry was 1999’s Baki the Grappler, while the latest installment, Baki-dou, commenced serialization in Weekly Shonen Champion on March 8, 2019. The latter is the inspiration for a new anime adaptation from TMS Entertainment.
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