When it comes to raw power, martial arts anime are especially loved by fans thanks to their ability to put you on the edge of your seat. Their balance between the action of regular shonen and the realism of sports anime attracts many audiences. Thanks to their general focus on the protagonists' growth, many series have people hooked from the beginning.

Some stories take a more realistic approach, focusing on the protagonist's struggles and with a solid portrayal of real-life martial arts. Others just use them as a starting point and decide to expand on them, creating fights and characters beyond our imagination. Whatever the case, these animes are sure to raise viewers' heartbeats with each encounter.

10 Megalobox

Set in a dystopic future in the late 21st century, Megalobox tells the story of Joe, better known as Junk Dog, as he makes a name for himself in the fighting scene. In this world, the new most popular sport is known as megaloboxing, a modification of classic boxing enhanced by mechanical limbs called Gear.

With each match being harder than the last, Megalo Box is a textbook story of an underdog fighting his way up to the top. When lucky people live in the city while the rest are forgotten in the slums, Junk Dog will rise to the top the only way he knows how: with his fists.

9 Tiger Mask W

Forty years after the main events from the original Tiger Mask aired in 1969, Tiger Mask W follows Naoto Azuma as he enters an underworld wrestling organization. Like the previous Tiger Mask, Naoto's mission is to destroy the group from within, but a surprise awaits him behind his biggest opponent.

While wrestling is considered a show more than a sport, Tiger Mask W shows the prowess and ability needed to survive in a world like this. Every fighter has their own style, making each match different from the last. And fueled by revenge, Naoto will stop at nothing until he sees the organization crumble to the ground. A fun fact about the series is that it was sponsored by real-life Japanese wrestling promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling, which resulted in the main character making an appearance during some NJPW shows (portrayed by Kota Ibushi).

8 The God of High School

When Jin Mori is invited to join a tournament that will define the strongest high schooler from Korea, he doesn't think about it twice. Even if the organization behind it is as shady as they come, Jin just wants to prove his Taekwondo is the best there is, and earning a wish as a final prize is a welcome bonus.

Thanks to one of the best anime tournament settingsThe God of High School is packed with fights left and right, each better than the last. Participants with all kinds of styles give it their all to reach the top, and despite weapons like bats or swords being allowed in the tournament, the best encounters are definitely fought hand-to-hand.

7 Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple

After suffering from bullying for years, 15-year-old Kenichi decided enough was enough when he met Miu Furinji. Seeing Miu beat some people trying to hurt her, Kenichi asked her to teach him how to defend himself. This marked the beginning of their friendship/love and Kenichi's path through martial arts.

Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple honors its name as we see our protagonist join the Ryouzanpaku, a dojo where several masters from different martial arts train Kenichi in their respective styles. Anyone else would use their new abilities to enact revenge on their bullies, but like a true martial artist, Kenichi uses his newfound strength for good. The hook of the story is that Kenichi lacks the natural talent of his fellow martial artists, but his determination to endure the hellish training of his masters will push him to unbelievable heights.

6 Hinomaru Sumo

Among martial arts, sumo is the one where size matters the most. Big bodies that can handle extreme pushing force without buckling are a requisite, but Hinomaru Ushio is the exception. What the protagonist of Hinomaru Sumo lacks in size, he makes up in guts. Hinomaru knows he's at a disadvantage, so he works harder than everyone else.

Sports anime focusing on the underdog are some of the fan favorites, and Hinomaru Sumo is a prime example. From episode one Hinomaru shows he has what it takes to reach the peak of the sumo world. His path is harder than everyone else's, but that will just make victory sweeter.

5 Fist of the North Star

Despite its old look, Fist of the North Star inspired present series that are true landmarks nowadays. It's a classic that many fans know without realizing it. The anime follows Kenshirou as he traverses the wasteland left after a nuclear war while trying to save Yuria, his fiancé.

Kenshirou will face many dangers and vicious enemies. However, he has an ace under his sleeve: The Hokuto Shinken, an ancient martial art that makes him nigh invincible. Little by little he will become the hero that this dystopian world needs even if his methods can be considered rather graphic. However, his only goal is to catch the man who kidnapped his true love.

4 Baki

More than a decade after the original Baki The Grappler first aired, a sequel simply named Baki arrived at Netlfix in 2018. The anime shows Baki Hanma, son of the strongest creature on earth, during his journey to defeat his father. It quickly became one of the most popular animes on the platform, earning a sequel titled Baki Hanma.

Baki is not the only one trying to prove he's the strongest though. Several different masters will fight for the title in a clash of different styles: Judo, Karate, Aikido, Boxing, and many more. People from all around the world will arrive in Japan to prove their might, ending in action-packed encounters beyond imagination.

3 Ashita no Joe

No list about martial arts' anime would be complete without Ashita no Joe. The boxing story is considered one of the most influential series in Japan, even inspiring Megalobox. Despite being our oldest entry in the list, finishing its TV airing in 1981, the legacy it has in Japanese media can't be denied.

At its core, Ashita no Joe is a boxing story, but it's also much more than this. It is a story about determination, about giving it all until the last breath. Sure, the boxing action is impressive, but Joe as a character shows that one can always bounce back, no matter the number of falls. This anime became the blueprint for a lot of underdog sports or martial arts stories that followed.

2 Kengan Ashura

In the world of Kengan Ashura, disputes between companies aren't solved by talking. Instead, each company will send a representative to settle their disagreement in a fighting match. And with power, money, and prestige on the line, every CEO makes sure they have the best fighters available.

From Karate to Judo, Sumo to Muay Thai, MMA to Systema, or just plain raw power, Kengan Ashura showcases a plethora of martial arts like no other anime has. This is possible thanks to its writer Yabako Sandrovich being a martial artist himself. The series makes sure to also explain each technique used, giving it a fresh touch of realism. Of course, impossible feats still make most of the fights.

1 Hajime no Ippo

Martial arts not only train the body, but they also forge character, becoming a way of living, and no martial arts anime reflects this better than Hajime no Ippo. When Ippo Makunouchi crossed paths with Mamoru Takamura while the latter was doing his morning run, Ippo couldn't imagine how his life would change.

Under the wing of coach Kamogawa, Ippo will enter the world of professional boxing along Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura. All the figthers at the Kamogawa gym have the same objective: become the champions of their respective weight classes, facing formidable opponents along the way. With incredible fights and a deep respect towards boxing, Hajime no Ippo reflects what martial arts are like no other anime can.

Some love the fights, others prefer the journey to the top, but martial arts anime excel at showing both. Anime fights are always more enjoyable when there are big things at stake, but sometimes personal reasons weigh more than the future of the earth. Audiences feel a closer connection with protagonists when the stories are more realistic, even if it's just a little. This is why martial arts animes never fail to excite the hearts of fans, the conflict feels closer, and if the series play the right strings, they can become timeless classics.