Unleash Your Inner Warrior: Top Hand-to-Hand Combat Anime You Must Watch!

Summary

Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple starts as an ordinary kid & hones skills through consistent training.
The God of High School follows Jin Mori relying on his own strength & martial arts to beat god-powered opponents.
Fist of the North Star features distinct combat techniques challenging Kenshiro & inspiring future shōnen heroes.

When considering action anime, viewers might envision the spectacular fight scenes seen in shows such as Dragon Ball Z, where characters exchange energy blasts. They may also recall more recent productions like Sword Art Online or Vinland Saga, which differ greatly in mood but share a common theme of martial arts-oriented battles.

Instead of using weapons or energy blasts, some shows opt for close-combat martial arts, making the protagonist’s success dependent on their physical skills. Although they might be more challenging to animate, these shows can deliver more intense, exhilarating fight scenes. If you’re looking for top-notch hand-to-hand combat anime, here are some recommendations to get you started.

7. Kenichi The Mightiest Disciple

From A Shrimp To A Fighting Shrimp

Many of these stories begin with their protagonists already possessing solid introductions, which subsequently grow even stronger as they further develop their abilities. However, Kenichi is initially an average child who is often picked on, until he encounters Miu and her grandfather’s dojo, the Ryōzanpaku. It is through consistent learning from him that Kenichi transforms into the Mightiest Disciple, Kenichi.

From my perspective, the series presents an intriguing blend of elements. It’s filled with humor and nostalgic nods reminiscent of the mid-2000s, but it also strives for a more authentic portrayal of martial arts. Real techniques are interwoven with flamboyant, fictional ones, creating quite a spectacle. Despite its occasional corniness, Kenichi delivers enjoyable fight scenes that consistently improve as the story unfolds.

6. The God Of High School

A Seemingly Ordinary Mortal Outfights The Divine

For several years now, Korean comics known as Manhwa have been on the rise in popularity. Some even receive equally powerful anime (or aeni in Korean) adaptations. One such example is The God of High School, a series that follows Jin Mori’s journey to win the national tournament and elevate Korea to the pinnacle of the global stage.

Despite the fact that many of the competitors possess “lent power” from gods to defeat their adversaries, Jin Mori instead depends on his own might and his Re-Taekwondo, which is potent enough to conquer opponents who appear divine. This fighting style is visually impressive with its quick maneuvers and crushing blows, making it seem as if the combatants are themselves gods. It’s a breathtaking display of strikes that becomes faster and more intense as it progresses.

5. Fist Of The North Star

Its Competitors Are Already Dead

The classic action anime, Fist of the North Star, is renowned for its emphasis on rapid fists and feet movements, along with disintegrating body parts and repetitive animation. Despite being an older series that occasionally pushes the limits of its budget, some of its unconventional animating methods, such as simulating a dying villain’s perspective by manipulating and tearing actual film frames, add a unique appeal.

Despite being seemingly invincible, Kenshiro is often faced with unique fighting styles from various characters, each one a testament to their own skills. As the master of Hokuto Shinken, I’m constantly amazed by the new abilities that surface in every episode. My go-to move, the Hokuto Hyakuretsuken, is an impressive multi-punch technique that has influenced later shonen heroes, such as Luffy and his Gum-Gum Gatling Gun from One Piece.

4. Kengan Ashura

The Argument For 3D Anime

The manga or anime titled “Kengan Ashura” is often a subject of debate, not so much for its storyline which revolves around Tokita “Ashura” Ohma being dragged into the underground fighting scene through the Kengan Annihilation Tournament. Instead, it’s frequently discussed due to its 3D presentation, which sometimes triggers unfavorable comparisons with the slow-motion movement in shows like “Berserk 2016” or “Souten no Ken: Regenesis”, leaving some viewers with less than pleasant memories.

Fortunately, Kengan Ashura avoids the issues found in some other shows. It’s meticulously edited, allowing viewers to easily follow each strike and countermove. The fights are powerfully portrayed, with every strong blow seeming as if it could shatter the universe itself. Whether rendered in 3D or not, these intense battles are certainly worth watching.

3. Baki The Grappler

Can’t Spell Insanity Without “Sanity”

Although a hand-to-hand fight might seem ordinary, it can still be extremely intense. At first glance, the plot of Baki the Grappler appears quite simple: a boy is growing stronger in order to overcome his father and seek vengeance for his mother’s death. Interestingly, Baki’s father, Yujiro, possesses such immense strength that countries are required to negotiate peace treaties with him to prevent conflict.

In this wild and outrageous world we delve into, I can’t help but marvel at the electrifying battle sequences! It might seem like Yujiro shattering a glass barrier with his face is pure insanity, yet there’s a logic behind the chaos. Each combatant’s style, though it may appear fantastical, draws inspiration from real-life techniques (such as wrestlers conditioning themselves to endure powerful blows). The show amplifies these scenes to extraordinary levels, resulting in heart-pounding, adrenaline-fueled confrontations!

2. Megalo Box

How Sci-Fi Boxing Can Feel More Real Than Other Combat Shows

Megalo Box presents a challenge due to its unique blend of science fiction and anime boxing. The majority of the characters in this series employ mechanical exoskeletons, known as Gears, which amplify their punching strength. In essence, these could be considered weapons because they are physically held objects, unlike the magical abilities showcased in The God of High School.

Instead of serving primarily for throwing weapons like blades, these gears are mainly designed to augment basic punching attacks. Interestingly, the main character Junk Dog eventually discards their use altogether, defeating his armed opponents purely through hand-to-hand combat. The series adopts a realistic and tough style when it comes to boxing, with Junk Dog’s fights and the physical strain they cause feeling genuine and harsh.

1. Hajime No Ippo

Arguably The Best Boxing Anime Around

A significant element of the grit found in the anime Megalo Box is drawn from its predecessor, Ashita no Joe, often considered the foundation for all subsequent boxing-themed anime such as Hajime no Ippo, also known as Fighting Spirit. This long-standing series is renowned for its precise portrayal of the complexities of boxing, and how it impacted the resilient character, Ippo Makunouchi, along with his fellow gym members.

In this series, the creators take creative liberties to depict the emotions and movements of the boxers (such as putting them in water to show they’re struggling, figuratively speaking), yet it mostly lets the fights unfold naturally, keeping viewers on edge until the final gong sounds. If you’re looking for an anime about bare-knuckle fighting with little embellishment and maximum excitement, Hajime no Ippo is a great place to start.

2025-01-27 05:34