Musashi Remarks
As an outsider to the Baki series who started with B.D. Invincible Samurai, I find this anime incredibly entertaining, comical, and appreciate the homage to historical figures, albiet, exaggerated (and derpy).
Having had conversations with fans, some view Musashi as an antagonist with too much aggro. I'll argue the antagonist perspective and encourage folks to offer discussion- I want to better understand how folks view this first season. Desperately waiting for the next season, I check nearly every day for news of a release date.
Can we truly say Musashi is an antagonist? His whole existence from a historical perspective was born out of the demand for survival, discipline, and perhaps fame/fortune (as the show hinted). He's a victim to the unethical behaviors of Tokugawa and his sister (? Don't recall for certain if it wad a truly a sister).
In modern martial arts, the skirmishes ended in submission or incapactance. Retsu volunteered for a lethal match and perhaps this seen as an upset to fans. Nonetheless, consenting. Musashi stood to face death as Retsu went for the "finishing blow".
So far Motobe seems to be the one disrupting matches and really causing the stir in the community. Was it necessary he shatter Jack's teeth? Disturbing. Was it necessary he disrupt Yujiro? Perhaps. But - Musashi was unarmed before he jumped in (had no physical weapon).
I hope in Season 2 Motobe gets his ass whopped. He's not playing well with others and disrupting consenting fights. Tokugawa is solely responsible for this grievance, while I think Musashi is just a transient entity adapting to a modern world without the demands he once faced. Team Musashi (until he demonstrates a truly dishonorable affect). He's simply a superior fighter who accepts battle as it presents and is the victim of circumstances that fell beyond his control. Hustler gonna hustle.
Nonetheless, super excited to see where this goes 😀