‘Baki’ Manga Pays Tribute to Late Wrestler Antonio Inoki in Epilogue Story

Baki manga creator Keisuke Itagaki is penning an epilogue storyline centered on the character Kanji Igari for the forthcoming issue of Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion, Anime News Network reported. The story pays tribute to wrestler Antonio Inoki, who Itagaki based the character on.

The real-life Inoki passed away on October 2 due to a rare organ disease called amyloidosis. He was 79-years-old. The Japanese wrestling legend became known around the world for his 1976 mixed-rules bout with Muhammad Ali. After retiring from wrestling, he had a second career as a politician before ultimately retiring in 2019.

The memorial story will debut in the Weekly Shōnen Champion's 48th issue, hitting store shelves on October 27.

Earlier this month, Akita Shoten's Manga Cross site published all nine chapters of Baki The Grappler Gaiden (Outside Story) manga for free. Written by Keisuke Itagaki and illustrated by Yukinao Yamauchi, the spinoff series launched in 1999.

In other entertainment news, the winter 2022 issue of JOJO Magazine celebrated the 35th anniversary of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.