>>212099073that´s fair as a general point, but Baki never sold itself on internal logic, but "flair" and "using characters to explore certain concepts", as well as a general theme of enjoying fighting for fighting´s sake and the camaradie that arises from pursuing strenght together. There´s always a kind of "gentle madness" to it all, where this cast of high-functional petty socipaths can also act as absolute bros to each other at the tip of a hat. It romanticizes being a battle junkie to a degree few authors have ever been able to imitate.
Kengan Ashura definitely started with this same intention. Most of the high points of the Tournament are the moments when all these different characters with their own unique personalities and backgrounds crack a psycho smile and go "THIS IS FUN, I WANT TO WIN, I WANT TO BEAT THIS GUY".
And this is pure Baki, as well as all those scenes where we go with in-depth narration of esoteric concepts.
The more Kengan has deviated from this particular vibe, the more it has suffered.
Without its "Baki Cape" on, Kengan is like one of those short manga adaptations of fighting games like Street Fighter or King of Fighters, "here, there is a tornament, these guys are fighting, let´s see who´s going to win!".... without that hint of "friendly brutality", it´s just uninspired and bland.
Kengan Omega has gotten rid of the Baki influences and did not replace it with anything valuable, and it shows in the final product.
