At New York Comic Con 2025, one of the world’s largest pop culture events, fans stepped into the underground arena with Baki & Beyond during Kodama’s special panel in Room 408. Titled “Beyond Baki: Cosplay, Editing & New Challenges,” the panel brought together the world of Baki like never before, with MC Seb Baik and panelists Pierre Dubost, Sullivan Rouaud, Logan Chitwood, and Michael Lacerna, setting the stage for an hour of discussion, behind-the-scenes insights, and exclusive announcements that highlighted the core traits of the Baki franchise and its publisher: strength, legacy, and artistry.
The panel kicked off with brief greetings from the panelists before spotlighting the main event: the 35th anniversary of the Baki series, marking its milestone year in 2026. The official anniversary logo was revealed for the first time in the U.S., giving fans at New York Comic Con a look at upcoming projects, including a trailer for the long-awaited global English release of the iconic Baki the Grappler manga and other celebrations planned for the milestone year.
Following the anniversary reveal, the discussion shifted to the series itself, with panelists exploring why Baki the Grappler remains a must-read and must-buy work, diving into its history, cultural impact, and enduring fan appeal. Michael Lacerna, editor of Baki, shared his initial reaction to discovering he would work on the English translation before reflecting on how the series has not only grown, but also heavily influenced both the anime world and beyond. “It’s a huge honor to work on this title, knowing how much it means not only to everyone on this panel, but to you, the fans. Coming from a fighting game background, it’s impossible not to see Baki’s influence everywhere, from anything involving underground arenas to unexpected places like a horse girl racing simulator.”
Logan Chitwood, a world-renowned Yujiro Hanma cosplayer, shared how Baki changed his life, giving him an avenue to pursue his dreams in ways that mirror the resilience of Baki. “Baki, for me, is motivation. At first, it pushed me to hit the gym more, but over time, it became motivation and inspiration to change my life. There are so many characters people cosplay, but getting to embody Yujiro Hanma and have others recognize you as a character you love is incredible. Especially with Yujiro, I’ve been able to humanize him in my own way and bring my own style to the role.”
The panel wrapped with an audience Q&A, where fans had the chance to ask about Baki and its 35th anniversary, Kodama’s upcoming titles, and learn more about Logan’s journey in becoming Yujiro Hanma. To close the event, the panelists took a commemorative photo with attendees, thanking them for their support and encouraging everyone to stay tuned for future updates and announcements.
With over 100 million copies in circulation and more than three decades of storytelling across multiple manga and anime eras, Baki stands as one of the world’s most influential and celebrated franchises. Fans at New York Comic Con 2025 were the first in the world to witness the unveiling of the official 35th anniversary logo, kicking off a landmark year that will include new manga editions, fresh anime adaptations, and global initiatives honoring the series’ enduring impact. As Baki continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its raw intensity and unforgettable characters, the franchise is poised to enter its most exciting chapter yet.
