Summary
When people think of action anime, they might think of the flashier sequences inDragon Ball Z, where characters blast one form of beam or another at each other. They may even think of more modern shows likeSword Art OnlineorVinland Saga, which are nearly polar opposites from each other in tone except for their focus on weapons-based combat.
However, some shows eschew weapons and energy waves in favor of hand-to-hand combat, where the protagonist’s only hope lies in their limbs. They can be more testing to animate, but they can produce more visceral, thrilling fights in return. So, if viewers want to check out the best hand-to-hand combat anime, they can start by checking out these examples.
A lot of these entries start with their leads already being fairly strong, then only get stronger as their skills get more honed. By contrast, Kenichi starts as an ordinary, if frequently bullied, kid until he comes across Miu and her grandfather’s dojo, the Ryōzanpaku. It’s only by learning from him consistently that he becomesKenichi the Mightiest Disciple.
It’s a mixed bag of a show, asits frequent fanserviceand gags are as mid-2000s as they come. Yet it aims to be a more realistic take on martial arts shows, sprinkling real techniques with more flashy, fictional ones. As corny as it can get,Kenichioffers some fun fight scenes that only get better as the show progresses.
Manhwa strips (Korean comics) have been rising in popularity for years, with some gainingequally strong anime(or aeni in Korean) adaptations.The God of High Schoolis another standout, which follows Jin Mori as he aims to win the titular tournament at the national level, and then take Korea to the top of the world stage.
Not that it’s an easy feat, as many of the combatants use “borrowed power” from the gods to overcome their rivals. But Jin Mori relies on his own strength and his Re-Taekwondo, which is powerful enough to overcome his seemingly divine opponents. They certainly look like it too, thanks to its zippy choreography and devastating heavy strikes. It’s a tour de force of strikes that only gets faster and harder as it goes on.
The granddaddy of action anime,Fist of the North Staris famous for its focus on swift punches and kicks, as well as exploding body parts and repeated animation. It’s an old show that stretches its budget, though some of its guerilla animating techniques hold some charm (e.g. showing a dying villain’s POV by distorting and tearing actual film frames).
Nonetheless, it manages to give its characters distinct techniques that manage to challenge the seemingly invincible Kenshiro. The master of Hokuto Shinken himself practically produces a new skill every episode. His standby technique, the Hokuto Hyakuretsuken, may also be the first multi-punch flurry that would inspire later shōnen heroes, like Luffy’s Gum-Gum Gatling Gun inOne Piece.
Kengan Ashurais a controversial pick. Not necessarily for its content, which follows Tokita “Ashura” Ohma as he gets pulled into the world of underground fighting via the Kengan Annihilation Tournament. Instead, it’s usually because it’s in 3D, leaving viewers with bad memories ofBerserk 2016orSouten no Ken: Regenesis’ slow-motion movement.
But thankfully,Kengan Ashuradoesn’t suffer from either of their faults. It’s competently edited, where viewers can tell when one strike leads into the other, or when it gets countered. They hit hard as well,with decisive blowsfeeling like they’ll end the world, let alone who they’re hitting. 3D or otherwise, they’re impressive bouts that deserve a watch.
Just because the action is hand-to-hand doesn’t mean it can’t be insane. On paper,Baki the Grappler’s story is as straightforward as they come: a young boy gets stronger to defeat his father and avenge the death of his mother. Baki’s father, Yujiro, just happens to be so strong that nations have to sign treaties with him to keep the peace.
But behind the insane scenes, like Yujiro breaking a glass barrier by smooshing his face into it hard enough, there are some thrilling fight scenes. They have a method to their madness, as each fighter’s style has some basis in reality (e.g. wrestlers training to tank through hard strikes). They’rejust as exaggeratedas everything else in the show, producing some intense fighting scenes.
Megalo Boxis a tricky one to add, as it’s a sci-fi take on a boxing anime where most of its fighters use mechanical exoskeletons called Gear to increase their punching power. Technically, that could count as using weapons, since they’re physically wielded objects (as opposed toThe God of High School’s magic).
But they’re ultimately there to enhance regular punching attacks, rather than throwing out blades or the like. Even then, the series’ hero Junk Dog eventually skips using them entirely, beating down Gear-equipped rivals with his bare hands. Gears aside, it takes a gritty approach to boxing, as Junk Dog’s fights and the toll they take feel authentic and harsh.
Part ofMegalo Box’s grit comes from its inspiration,Ashita no Joe, which essentially wrote the blueprint for all subsequent boxing anime, includingHajime no Ippo(akaFighting Spirit). The long-running series is famous for adaptingthe intricacies of the sweet science, and how it affected its plucky protagonist Ippo Makunouchi, and his gym mates.
The show uses artistic license to illustrate how the boxers feel and move (e.g. placing them underwater to show how they’re floundering, so to speak), but otherwise lets the action speak for itself, which will keep viewers guessing which way it’ll turn until the final bell is rung. If viewers want a bare-handed fighting anime with minimal frills and all thrills,Hajime no Ipposhould be their first port of call.
