Move over Mike Tyson, there’s a new fighter in town. Developer Purple Tree and Publisher Purple Play have announced a 2D fighter for a new generation. Developers Purple Tree are no newcomer to these arcade boxing games having previously released Thunder Ray in 2022. This time, you’ll play as legendary anime character Baki Hanma in a Punch-Out!! style game.

Players will get the opportunity to control Baki who anime fans may recognize as “the Strongest Boy on the Earth”. As Baki, you’ll have the opportunity to go up against 12 different opponents each with their own fighting style and different sets of challenges. Baki will need to change up their fighting strategies in order to win. Fights will not take place all in the same location as the game promises 5 diverse locations from underground fight clubs to tournament stages. As you progress through the fights, win or lose, players will see special moves reminiscent of the anime series. The Steam description promises a blend of “precision, timing, and shonen-style flair” in Baki Hanma: Blood Arena. The real question is, can Baki win against the ultimate enemy to earn the title of god of combat?

For those unfamiliar with Baki, the series is a manga series that began back in 1991. The plot is fairly simple, Baki is the son of one of the strongest men alive. However, since his dad is a bad guy, Baki wants to grow stronger to take him down. At least, that is how it starts. If you’re looking for an entry point prior to the game, now’s a great time to get caught up on the manga. The series has also spawned anime adaptations including one currently on Netflix.

We’ll be keeping an eye on Baki Hanma: Blood Arena and see just how far the game will push the boundaries of a fairly violent series. Baki Hanma: Blood Arena will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and Steam in the second half of 2025.