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Baki Dou (2018) or Sumo-Dou as it came to be known, could generously be called inventive and more realistically could be called "controversial". The fifth Baki series by Keisuke Itagaki, this series is no stranger to mixed opinions by the general public, with many people being turned off by the artstyle of the series, which really couldn't be called pretty by any stretch of the imagination. But Sumo-Dou feels unique in that it's the first of Itagaki's series that seemed intensely polarizing to people who were already fans of the manga. I feel this reason is the management of expectations. To be 100% clear, this series is basically a gaiden or a side story to Baki. I expect if the average reader were to go from the 4th to the 6th series of Baki there would be little confusion or need to backtrack. Because relatively nothing of consequence to the main plot of Baki happens. Now if this were marketed as a sidestory or some kind of break for Itagaki from the main story as it were, I think far, far fewer people would have a negative opinion of this manga. But let's say you're a fan of Itagaki's writing and style, and you simply want to read more of his fights. I think this series is perfectly adequate in that regard. Itagaki is a master of his craft, and some of the action stands on par with his best work in the past. The reason I called it inventive because the opponents are by and large a completely different style the previous fighters in Baki's series, with not focusing on one singular character with multiple fights but more hopping around with different perspectives.
Now the one aspect of this story I think will be relevant in the next series by Itagaki is definitely the parts of the story focusing on Jack Hanma, a beloved fan favorite from earlier parts who returned after a extended absence in the story. Really this series amounts as a set-up for the next series to focus on Jack, (Baki Rahen, out now!) already dubbed Jack-Dou by the fans. Realistically, I'm not sure if it would be considered required reading for a undecided reader. I think this particular entry in the Baki Saga will mostly have it's fate decided by it's following series.
