Exciting fight scenes are usually what makes or breaks an anime series with a focus on action. From exciting hand-to-hand combat to flashy sword fighting styles, the entries on our list of best martial arts anime will have you glued to the screen with riveting and well-choreographed fight sequences.
Image credit: Eiga.com
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit follows Balsa, a skilled spear-wielding wanderer who is suddenly tasked with the responsibility of protecting young Prince Chagum. Possessed by a water demon who is prophesied to bring ruin to the kingdom, the young Chagum has been sentenced to death.
Image adapted from: Production I.G
While it has a few action scenes here and there, especially in the initial episodes, don’t expect the series to be only filled with riveting sequences as the focus is mainly on character development. In particular, the story explores the beautiful familial relationship that blossoms between two strangers of different ages and from drastically different backgrounds.
Image adapted from: Production I.G
The series is also directed by Kenji Kamiyama, who is most famous for his work on Ghost in the Shell, so you can look forward to polished animation work and character writing.
Length: 26 episodes
Available on: Amazon Prime
Often credited as the series that pioneered the harem genre before it was even a thing, Ranma ½ is a martial arts anime with a focus on comedy and everyday life. The premise is simple – Ranma, the protagonist of the series and a skilled martial arts practitioner, accidentally falls into a cursed spring when he was training in China.
Image adapted from: Studio Dean
In the aftermath of the accident, his body is irrevocably changed. He now transforms into a girl whenever he comes into contact with cold water, and can only be turned back to his original form with hot water.
The series follows Ranma as he navigates through daily life and his arranged engagement to Akane, a fellow martial artist with a deep disdain for men.
Image adapted from: Studio Dean
As with most anime series in the 90s, Ranma ½ had a long-running airtime, accumulating over 160 episodes alongside movie adaptations and OVA specials. In other words, you’d be able to binge to your heart’s content.
Length: 7 seasons, 161 episodes, 3 movies, 12 OVAs
Available on: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
Sick and tired of being pushed around and inspired by his classmate Miu’s close combat prowess, high school student Kenichi took it upon himself to enrol in Ryōzanpaku, a renowned dōjō run by Miu’s grandfather.
At the dōjō, which teaches a range of martial arts, the titular Kenichi undergoes a series of arduous training, and slowly but steadily learns to become stronger.
Image adapted from: TMS Entertainment
The series portrays martial art realistically – while the protagonist improves his craft relatively quickly throughout the story, the power progression doesn’t feel out of place. Despite it being a 2000s anime series, the fight scenes in Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple are fluid, fast, and exciting.
That said, the series has received some flak for its tendency to lean towards fan-service scenes. So if over-sexualised female characters are a deal breaker for you, you might want to give this series a skip.
Length: 50 episodes, 11 OVAs
Available on: Crunchyroll
Image credit: MyAnimeList
Despite his small stature and being told repeatedly that he can’t make it as a pro sumō wrestler, Hinomaru is determined to push against the odds to reach yokozuna, the highest rank in the Japanese martial arts.
Hinomaru Sumo follows Hinomaru and his attempt to revive a dying high school sumō club, with the unlikely team aiming for a win in the nationals.
While the series doesn’t stray away from the standard shōnen sports anime plot – a passionate protagonist influencing an underdog team to fall in love with the sport and leading them to defeat strong opponents – it focuses on an underrepresented martial art in anime.
Overall, it’s worth a watch if you’re aching for action-packed scenes and want to learn about the traditional Japanese martial arts while you’re at it.
Length: 24 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Funimation
Image credit: MyAnimeList
When Yawara is not choking an opponent in a judo match, the teenage schoolgirl is busy catching up on the latest fashion trend and crushing on boys.
Although she is immensely gifted in the modern Japanese martial art, she prefers to lead an ordinary life, much to the dismay of her grandfather who happens to be a renowned judo master.
Image credit: GYAO!
Like Ranma ½, the anime was first aired from the late 80s to early 90s. Though it’s old, the series is often praised for its accurate depiction of judo matches, down to the hand grips and complicated movement of body positions.
Length: 124 episodes
Available on: DVD
Image credit: Kengan Ashura News
In a world where violence and physical strength takes precedence over diplomatic negotiations, fighters known as gladiators are hired by the rich and powerful to settle business disputes.
Employed by Hideki, the CEO of the Nogi Group, Ohma finds himself getting an invitation to the Kengan Annihilation Tournament and winds up participating in a series of high stakes battles.
If you’re a stickler for hand-drawn animation, Kengan Ashura might not be the anime for you as the series relies quite heavily on CGI. The use of CGI is especially pretty noticeable in fight scenes as you’ll be able to tell that the motion is much more fluid and dynamic than traditional animation.
Length: 24 episodes
Available on: Netflix
Image credit: IMDb
Baki The Grappler, which was aired nearly two decades ago, tells the story of Baki and his dream to one day become a powerful fighter surpassing his father, who is both feared and revered for his strength and martial skills.
Breaking free from his strict mother, Baki ventures out to seek powerful opponents and to reach the pinnacle of martial arts.
Expect brutal and highly entertaining fights as the protagonist faces off various opponents and different fighting styles. As the prequel to the 2018 Netflix original series Baki, the 2001 series introduces key characters and their relationships with each other, providing the context for newer seasons.
Length: 2 seasons, 48 episodes
Available on: Amazon Prime, DVD
Unlike a normal high school where students compete with their grades, students in the world of The God Of High School gain recognition for their hand-to-hand combat prowess. An expert in taekwondo, Mori Jin is invited to take part in a prestigious martial arts tournament where the winner gets his wish fulfilled.
He then meets other equally talented martial arts practitioners, including karate expert Daewi Han and swordswoman Mira Yoo, and gets exposed to a myriad of interesting fighting styles.
Image adapted from: MAPPA
Don’t expect a stellar plot as the series has gotten criticism for its poor pacing and ambitious adaptation of the original webtoon, covering 112 chapters in 13 episodes. But if you just want to enjoy fast-paced animation with perfectly choreographed fight scenes, The God Of High School will be a short watch to breeze through.
Length: 13 episodes
Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Image credit: Katanagatari Official Website
Though the premise of a sword-wielding brother travelling with his sister in olden Japan sounds strangely familiar, Katanagatari is nothing like the demon slaying franchise.
As an adventure quest anime with a focus on the martial arts, the series follows Shachika Yasuri, who practises Kyotouryū – a form of barehanded fighting that involves no blades. Together with strategist Togame, the pair seeks to hunt down 12 unique swords known as the Deviant Blades.
Though it’s centred on the martial arts, the dialogue is arguably its strongest suit. The source material is written by Nisio Ishin, the same author behind the Monogatari series, so you’ll find plenty of wordplay and cultural references in the conversation between characters.
Even if the references go completely over your head, you can still enjoy the unique animation style and longer episodes, with each lasting around 50 minutes.
Length: 12 episodes
Available on: Amazon Prime
What’s the best way to win when facing an armed opponent? Apparently in Shura no Toki: Age Of Chaos, your chances of winning are drastically increased if you have the Mutsu Enmei Ryu down pat. The series is divided into three distinct arcs, each telling the story of a practitioner of the said deadly martial arts style.
The art style of the series is fairly simple, but what shines through is their fairly accurate depiction of martial arts movements. We get to see main characters fight barehanded against armed opponents in a realistic manner.
Length: 26 episodes
Available on: Amazon Prime
Whether it’s pure martial arts anime with brutal fight scenes or drama-driven shows with a side of adrenaline rush, our list of shows to watch will surely keep you on the edge of your seat. Be sure to share this article with a fellow martial arts lover.
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Cover image adapted from: Katanagatari Official Website, MyAnimeList, and Eiga.com
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