Iron Fist: Who Is Bakuto?

Marvel’s Iron Fist is now streaming on Netflix, and as fans get yet another chapter added onto the Marvel Cinematic Universe saga, there are new characters, storylines, and Marvel Comics Easter eggs to unpack. And one of them fans are talking about is the introduction of the character Bakuto to Marvel Cinematic Universe.

So who is Bakuto and what is his Marvel Comics connection? Read on to find out, but be warned: SPOILERS for Iron Fist Episodes 1 – 10 Follow!

In Iron Fist‘s seventh episode we meet Colleen Wing’s mysterious sensei; in episodes 9 and 10, he’s revealed to be Bakuto (Ramon Rodriguez), a leader within The Hand’s ranks responsible for finding orphaned or outcast children, and training them to become warriors of The Hand. Bakuto quickly finds himself at odds with Danny Rand/Iron Fist (Finn Jones), and during the final arc of season 1, he becomes a major “big bad” for the heroes (Danny, Colleen, Davos) to defeat. With his calm and insidiously well-mannered manipulative ability (like an expert cult leader) Ramon Rodriguez’s Bakuto was an intriguing part of Iron Fist – but even the most Hardcore Marvel fans may not know his comic book book history…

…Because it’s not that extensive.

In the comics, it would be a gift to even call Bakuto a “minor character” in the Marvel universe. Bakuto was The Hand’s Daimyo of South America; when Daredevil took over as leader of The Hand in the early 2010s, Bakuto was one of the leaders at a Hand summit Daredevil held. Bakuto had a falling out with Angela del Toro, aka White Tiger, who ultimately killed him and was appointed one of the five Daimyos of North America. That’s about it insofar as Bakuto’s illustrious Marvel Comics history.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Marvel Netflix series follow the comic books into the “Shadowland” storyline (where Daredevil takes over The Hand). For now, the Iron Fist version of Bakuto is a yet another case of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Netflix corner making the most out of a minor villain. Kilgrave, Cottonmouth, Black Mariah, Diamondback and now Bakuto; the movie side clearly needs to do better with the major villains it wastes!

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Fifteen years after being presumed dead in a plane crash, Danny Rand (Finn Jones) mysteriously returns to New York City determined to reclaim his birthright and family company. However, when a long-destined enemy rises in New York, this living weapon is forced to choose between his family’s legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist.

Marvel’s Iron Fist was developed by Scott Buck. The Netflix series stars Finn Jones as Danny Rand, a martial arts expert with the ability to call upon the power of the Iron Fist. The cast also includes Jessica Henwick, David Wenham, Jessica Stroup, Tom Pelphrey, and Rosario Dawson.

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