The plot of this saga tells the story of a great martial arts tournament, which is organized by Mitsunari Tokugawa in the Underground Arena. At the very beginning, Tokugawa meets with various people from the upper classes and tells them to bring the strongest fighters from around the world. He also explains that the prize for the winner will be a great Pankration belt.
Episode 1
The Opening
Jul 23, 2001
Mitsunari Tokugawa announces his plans for a world martial arts tournament, and fighters from around the world gather for it. In the first fight of round one in the A-Block, Baki Hanma fights Artemis Regan, a professional wrestler; in the second fight of round one in the A-Block, Vale Tudo master Zulu fights Muay Thai master Dentoranee Jitpika.
Episode 2
Reverse
Jul 30, 2001
In the third A-Block match of round one, heavyweight kickboxing champion Rob Robinson takes on the professional wrestler Anton Igari; in the fourth A-Block match of round one, Motobe Izo fights the grand sumo Kinryuzan; in the first B-Block match of round one, the Sambo master Sergei Taktaroff fights Retsu Kaio, a master of Chinese Kenpo; in the second B-Block match of round one, Kato fights the son of the Yasha Ape.
Episode 3
Darkness from Light
Aug 6, 2001
Baki saves the Yasha Ape's son from Katsumi; in the third B-Block match of round one, Hanayama fights the Japanese Kenpo master Inagi Bunnoshin; in the fourth B-Block match of round one, Roland Gustaf, a catch-as-catch-can wrestler, fights Orochi Katsumi.
Episode 4
The King Returns
Aug 13, 2001
Yujiro arrives and enters his protégé Amanai Yu in the tournament; in the first C-Block match of round one, heavyweight boxing world champion Ian McGregor fights Taekwondo master Li Moko; in the second C-Block match of round one, biker gang leader Shiba Chiharu fights judo master Hatanaka Kohei; in the third C-Block match of round one, Shorinji Kenpo master Misaki Kengo fights pro wrestler Mike Queen.
Episode 5
User
Aug 20, 2001
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu master Sergio Silva faces pit-fighter Jack Hammer in the fourth C-Block match of round one; Yujiro tries to fight Hammer, but Baki intervenes; shoot wrestler Yamamoto Minoru faces Amanai Yu in the first D-Block match of round one.
Episode 6
The Tigerslayer Returns
Aug 27, 2001
Richard Filth, a bouncer, faces Orochi Doppo in the second D-Block match of round one; Roger Harlon, an amateur wrestler, faces the jujutsu master Shibukawa Goki in the third D-Block match of round one; Shinogi Kureha faces Shinogi Kousho in the fourth D-Block match of round one.
Episode 7
Fighting the Past
Sep 3, 2001
The fourth D-Block match of round one continues as Shinogi Kureha and Shinogi Kousho continue to fight; Baki faces Zulu in the first A-Block match of round two.
Episode 8
Eras End
Sep 10, 2001
In the second A-Block match of round two, Igari faces Kinryuzan; in the first B-Block match of round two, Retsu Kaio faces Mount Toba.
Episode 9
Measure of a Man
Sep 17, 2001
In the second B-Block match of round two, Hanayama faces Orochi Katsumi.
Episode 10
Robe of Death
Sep 24, 2001
In the first C-Block match of round two, Shiba Chiharu faces Ian McGregor.
Episode 11
The Chained Patriot
Oct 1, 2001
Andreanof Garland, the last reserver, is introduced when it is deemed that Shiba is in no condition to fight in the next round; in the second C-Block match of round two, Jack Hammer faces Misaki Kengo.
Episode 12
Survivor
Oct 8, 2001
In the first D-Block match of round two, Doppo faces Amanai Yu; Baki takes Kozue to the site of his mother's death.
Episode 13
Misdirection
Oct 15, 2001
Yujiro fights against all of the tournament losers; in the second D-Block match of round two, Shibukawa Goki faces Shinogi Kousho.
Episode 14
Deception
Oct 22, 2001
Igari begs Baki to let him win, and they fight in the first match of the quarter-finals.
Episode 15
The Ace and the Serpent
Oct 29, 2001
In the second fight of the quarter-finals, Katsumi faces Retsu Kaio; Andreanof Garland fights an anaconda to make things fair, since he hasn't fought in the tournament yet, and then he faces Jack Hammer in the third fight of the quarter-finals.
Episode 16
How to Build a Better Monster
Nov 5, 2001
Andreanof Garland and Jack Hammer continue to fight in the third match of the quarter-finals. Also, Hammer's training history is revealed.
Episode 17
Doppo vs Shibukawa
Nov 12, 2001
Shibukawa Goki faces Doppo in the fourth match of the quarter-finals.
Episode 18
Warriors Legacy
Nov 19, 2001
Baki fights Retsu Kaio in the first match of the semi-finals.
Episode 19
Monster
Nov 26, 2001
In the second match of the semi-finals, Shibukawa Goki faces Jack Hammer.
Episode 20
The Finals
Dec 3, 2001
Baki and Jack Hammer think about the training and hardships they've endured to reach their current level of ability.
Episode 21
Blood Battle
Dec 10, 2001
Baki faces Jack Hammer in the final match of the tournament. Also, in flashback Yujiro meets Jack's mother in Vietnam.
Episode 22
Soldiers Misfortune
Dec 17, 2001
Baki and Jack Hammer continue to fight in the final match. In flashback to Vietnam, Yujiro breaks into an American base and terrorizes the soldiers; later, Jack is born.
Episode 23
Final Strike
Dec 24, 2001
Baki and Jack Hammer continue to fight in the finals as Jack's body breaks down.
Episode 24
Rencounter
Dec 24, 2001
In flashback, the United States government sends its special forces to South America to kill a young Yujiro.