Greetings, anime fans, martial arts aficionados, fighting game devotees, and enthusiasts of all things pertaining to anime, martial arts, video games, and fighting tournaments. Antoni here with another written entry. The UFC, Pride FC, World Combat League, martial arts tournament, and fighting game junkie in me has struck again. Deservedly so. I love the result of combining anime with martial arts tournaments because of how well they can correlate with each other in terms of strength, excitement, thrills, and formidability. One can never go wrong with such a combination, and I am one of the many people pleased to have done so.
When I first made my anime martial arts septet line-up, I initially believed that some of the entries made sense. However, looking back at it, some of them have not held up that well. This time I will bump my list up to fourteen team-ups because, after all, fourteen is a number divisible by seven. It is also better that I work with this number because eight just seemed too deficient. Moreover, I based it on my Toonami-era Inurangers headcanon team line-up, which serves as a fictional counterpart to the real-life Saban-era Power Rangers teams. As I said, looking back at the martial arts I gave some of the teams, they could be better.
The same rule applies I will list down the characters I caught on Animax, Adult Swim, Hero TV, and even on the internet. Therefore, do expect some of my favorite characters from Inuyasha, Baki the Grappler, Shura no Toki, Shootfighter Tekken, Hajime no Ippo, Texhnolyze, Wolf’s Rain, Fullmetal Alchemist, Solty Rei, Ultra Maniac, Detective School Q, Chrono Crusade, Geneshaft, Galaxy Angel, Hungry Heart, GetBackers, Full Metal Panic, Gokusen, UFO Baby, and Cardcaptor Sakura to show up. Characters from Cowboy Bebop, Baccano, Hellsing Ultimate, Trigun, Outlaw Star, Fist of the North Star, YuYu Hakusho, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Stratos 4, Witch Hunter Robin, Saiyuki, Saber Marionette J, Otogi Zoshi the Legend of Magatama, Rurouni Kenshin, R.O.D. the TV, Ayakashi Samurai Horror Tales, Dragon Ball Z, Bleach, Jungle no Ouja Tar-Chan, Great Teacher Onizuka, Flame of Recca, Gun X Sword, Tsukihime, Ghost Stories, Haibane Renmei, and many other anime series that I could barely name off the top of my head deserve separate lists too because they are a class of their own, especially the first seven I just mentioned, and I would not want to oversaturate this entry. Furthermore, the now grown-up Inuyasha kids as well as my anime OTP next-generation characters from Inuyasha x Ayame to Hakkaku x Shunran x Ginta to many others I would have loved to mention are also going to be featured in another entry. With that said, let us commence that great kick-butt, high-octane martial action. Osu! Hajime!
The Splendid Seven (Sesshoumaru, Shuran, Inuyasha, Hakkaku, Ginta, Ayame, and Shunran)
These seven Yokai martial artists consisting of two dog yokai brothers in Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha, three spiky-haired brothers in Shuran, Hakkaku, and Ginta, and two auburn-haired sisters in Ayame and Shunran can make their opponents tremble when they enter the arena. When combining Sesshoumaru’s ground and pounds, Shuran’s piledrivers, Inuyasha’s tracheal grip chokes, Hakkaku’s elbow strikes, Ginta’s flying knees, Ayame’s uppercuts, and Shunran’s nerve strikes, they become an unstoppable force. What keeps them together is ferocious formidability, for they can never be knocked down from every grueling challenge.
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Sesshoumaru (Inuyasha) – Mixed Martial Arts
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Shuran (Inuyasha) – Professional Wrestling
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Inuyasha (Inuyasha) – Pankration
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Hakkaku (Inuyasha) – Muay Boran
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Ginta (Inuyasha) – Lethwei
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Ayame (Inuyasha) – Kyuk Too Ki
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Shunran (Inuyasha) – Shaolin Kung Fu
The Honorable Budoka (Kuranosuke, Kisuke, Shinosuke, Toran, Wakana, Enju, and Karan)
Honor, decorum, valor, stamina, respect, cooperation, and confidence are what define these seven incredible martial artists. Kuranosuke Takeda, Kisuke, and Shinosuke are valiant combatants of the Kyokushin Kaikan discipline because of how these three gentlemen throw unapologetically hard blows against their opponents. Toran is like water when she makes her enemies fall on their knees. Wakana and Enju possess strikes so painful that they can make any perpetrator’s limbs go numb. Karan has lightning-fast attacks that see her go zero gravity into the air and land sharp blows. Therefore, any bum would be foolish to take them down.
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Kuranosuke Takeda (Inuyasha) – Ashihara Karate
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Kisuke (Inuyasha) – Enshin Karate
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Shinosuke (Inuyasha) – Seidokaikan Karate
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Toran (Inuyasha) – Jeet Kune Do
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Wakana (Inuyasha) – Nippon Kenpo
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Enju (Inuyasha) – Shorinji Kenpo
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Karan (Inuyasha) – Taekwondo
The Noble Karate Warriors (Hoshiyomi, Suikotsu, Amari, Tsukyiomi, Sara, Kikyo, and Shima)
Abundant decorum and sharp focus are these seven Karatekas guiding lights as combatants and as individuals. There is no strike, no takedown, no punch, and no kick strong enough to take these warriors down who all have the mindset of a samurai ready for either battle or death. Their enemies need to be wary of Hoshiyomi’s and Suikotsu’s penchant for full-contact strikes, Amari’s deadly precision, Tsukiyomi’s accuracy, Sara’s focus, Kikyo’s relentlessness, and Shima’s agility. Any blow these seven Karatekas have in store can either gain their opponents’ respect or break and burn them on the inside to ashes and cinders.
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Hoshiyomi (Inuyasha) – Kyokushin Karate
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Suikotsu (Inuyasha) – Shotokan Karate
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Amari Nobunaga (Inuyasha) – Goju-Ryu Karate
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Tsukiyomi (Inuyasha) – Shukokai Karate
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Sara Asano (Inuyasha) – Shito-Ryu Karate
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Kikyo (Inuyasha) – Shorin-Ryu Karate
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Shima (Inuyasha) – Motobu-Ryu Karate
The Kings of Formidable Fists (Baki, Ryoma, Takeshi, Kiibo, Alexander, Ichiro, and Ippo)
Boxing or Mixed Martial Arts? Who gives a damn? Seven strong and sturdy dudes who are Mixed Martial Boxing? You’re going to give a damn! This is especially true when Baki Hanma, Ryoma Sakamoto, Takeshi Sendo, Kiichi Miyazawa, Alexander Volg Zangief, Ichiro Miyata, and Ippo Makunouchi are prepared to give a whole array of painful uppercuts, jabs, hooks, straight punches, submission holds, ground and pounds, and armbars. Having furious fists and fine footwork may not be enough in the long run, but combining those attributes with abundant physical strength and brutal ferocity is enough to send their foes to the hospital.
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Baki Hanma (Baki the Grappler) – Total Fighting Mixed Martial Boxing
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Ryoma Sakamoto (Shura no Toki) – Pride FC Mixed Martial Boxing
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Takeshi Sendo (Hajime no Ippo) – Naniwa Mixed Martial Boxing
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Kiichi “Kiibo” Miyazawa (Shootfighter Tekken) – Nanshin Shadow Mixed Martial Boxing
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Alexander Volg Zangief (Hajime no Ippo) – Otowa Mixed Martial Boxing
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Ichiro Miyata (Hajime no Ippo) – Kawahara Mixed Martial Boxing
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Ippo Makunouchi (Hajime no Ippo) – Kamogawa Mixed Martial Boxing
The Queens of Scintillating Strikes (Rosé T, Rose A, Winry, Megumi, Maya, Solty, and Kaoru)
Abandon all hope of escaping from these seven sultry babes because their strikes are going to shellshock their opponents to their knees, thanks to their fancy footwork and speedy stealth in Korean martial arts. Rosé Thomas’s joint locks, Rose Anderson’s ankle locks, Winry Rockbell’s submission holds, Megumi Minami’s spear hand strikes, Maya Orihara’s palm heel strikes, Solty Revant’s shin kicks, and Kaoru Ichinose’s axe kicks can do untold damage to their opponents’ heads and limbs if they are not careful. These seven scintillating sirens may be beauties, but they are not afraid to fight like ferocious beasts full of power and timing.
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Rosé Thomas (Fullmetal Alchemist) – Yongmudo
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Rose Anderson (Solty Rei) – Gongkwon Yusul
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Winry Rockbell (Fullmetal Alchemist) – Kuk Sool Won
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Megumi Minami (Detective School Q) – Hwa Rang Do
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Maya Orihara (Ultra Maniac) – Tang Soo Do
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Solty Revant (Solty Rei) – Kong Soo Do
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Kaoru Ichinose (Detective School Q) – Soo Bakh Do
The Vicious Emperors (Yoshiki, Mamoru, Tsume, Mitsuhide, Masaru, Tatsuya, and Ryuichi)
Heavyweight champions do not even begin to describe who Yoshiki Takaishi, Mamoru Takamura, Tsume, Mitsuhide Kuroda, Masaru Aoki, Tatsuya Kimura, and Ryuichi Hayami are as combatants and as men of strength and ferocity. The most intimidating attributes about these ballistic bruisers are the towering fortitude found in Yoshiki, Mamoru, Tsume, and Mitsuhide and the unrelenting fierceness found in Masaru, Tatsuya, and Ryuichi. Therefore, when combining Yoshiki’s, Tsume’s, and Mitsuhide’s submission holds with Mamoru’s, Masaru’s, Tatsuya’s, and Ryuichi’s punches, they would be an unstoppable force.
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Yoshiki Takaishi (Shootfighter Tekken) – Combat Sambo
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Mamoru Takamura (Hajime no Ippo) – Kamogawa Mixed Martial Boxing
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Tsume (Wolf’s Rain) – Kapu Kuialua
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Mitsuhide Kuroda (Shootfighter Tekken) – Vale Tudo
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Masaru Aoki (Hajime no Ippo) – Kamogawa Mixed Martial Boxing
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Tatsuya Kimura (Hajime no Ippo) – Kamogawa Mixed Martial Boxing
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Ryuichi Hayami (Hajime no Ippo) – Otowa Mixed Martial Boxing
The Fearsome Empresses (Blue, Satella, Mika, Takako, Akemi, Sakurako, and Kuniko)
Hell hath no fury like fiery women armed with lethal strikes, overpowering takedowns, and ballistic takedowns that can make their opponents squirm and run as fast as they can. Blue, Satella Harvenheit, Mika Seido, Takako Kawashima, Akemi Takaishi, Sakurako Yukihira, and Kuniko Touya encapsulate the utmost importance of never underestimating one’s opponents. Just because these seven ladies are gorgeous and elegant on the outside does not mean that they cannot dish out some severe punishments against their opponents. They can pull off some brutal offensive attacks and still look great in doing so when entering the ring.
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Blue (Wolf’s Rain) – Pencak Silat
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Satella Harvenheit (Chrono Crusade) – Krav Maga
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Mika Seido (Geneshaft) – Bokator
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Takako Kawashima (Shootfighter Tekken) – Hapkido
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Akemi Takaishi (Shootfighter Tekken) – Systema
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Sakurako Yukihira (Detective School Q) – Musti-Yuddha
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Kuniko Touya (Detective School Q) – Adithada
The Explosive Attackers (Ichise, Kintaro, Kiba, Ran, Ayu, Nina, and Cheza)
What happens when you combine the powers of three Nak Muay Farangs in Ichise, Kintaro Toyama, and Kiba and four capoeiristas in Ran, Ayu Tateishi, Nina Sakura, and Cheza? You receive a septet of formidable fighters who will never give their foes any form of rest until they are knocked down to the ground. Once Ichise’s sharp elbows, Kinta’s rock-hard knees, and Kiba’s steel shins unite with the dancelike yet ruthless movements of Ran, Ayu, Nina, and Cheza, they will unleash a series of painful strikes that could last for hours or even days. Caution should be practiced when facing such powerful and speedy fighters as they.
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Ichise (Texhnolyze) – Muay Thai
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Kintaro Toyama (Detective School Q) – Muay Thai
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Kiba (Wolf’s Rain) – Muay Thai
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Ran (Texhnolyze) – Capoeira
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Ayu Tateishi (Ultra Maniac) – Capoeira
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Nina Sakura (Ultra Maniac) – Capoeira
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Cheza (Wolf’s Rain) – Capoeira
The Relentless Strikers (Kyuzo, Hige, Heihachi, Katsushiro, Toboe, Myu, and Luna)
Every strike that Kyuzo, Hige, Heihachi Hayashida, Katsushiro Okamoto, Toboe, Myu, and Luna make is blindingly quick and doubtlessly brutal to the touch should opponents be foolish enough to mess with them. Each bruise their opponents acquire is enough to make them realize that they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nobody can stop Kyuzo, Hige, Heihachi, Katsushiro, Toboe, Myu, and Luna from delivering a bevy of sharp blows. Nobody can even escape the fierceness that they have to offer because these seven martial artists can never be knocked down even when the odds are stacked against them.
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Kyuzo (Samurai 7) – Kajukenbo
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Hige (Wolf’s Rain) – Bando
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Heihachi Hayashida (Samurai 7) – Qwan Ki Do
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Katsushiro Okamoto (Samurai 7) – Pongyi Thaing
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Toboe (Wolf’s Rain) – Okichitaw
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Myu (Wolf’s Rain) – Kuntao
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Luna (Ultra Maniac) – Vovinam
The Fierce Clinchers (Sousuke, Kaname, Tessa, Edward, Alphonse, Lan Fan, and Mei Chang)
Resistance is futile when Sousuke Sagara, Kaname Chidori, Teletha “Tessa” Testarossa, Edward Elric, Alphonse Elric, Lan Fan, and Mei Chang employ their quick reflexes, vice-like clinches, terrifying strikes, and raucous takedowns to have a go at their opponents. Military precision, relentless aggressiveness, and unparalleled fighting prowess are the names of their game and are also the codes that define them as fighters and as individuals. They have sufficient passion, discipline, and determination to keep on rising in all of their endeavors and are not the type of fighters who will fool around. The toughness they have is legendary.
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Sousuke Sagara (Full Metal Panic) – Kudo
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Kaname Chidori (Full Metal Panic) – Yoseikan Karate
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Teletha “Tessa” Testarossa (Full Metal Panic) – Bogutsuki Karate
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Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist) – American Kenpo Karate
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Alphonse Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist) – Shaolin Kenpo Karate
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Lan Fan (Fullmetal Alchemist) – Uechi-Ryu Karate
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Mei Chang (Fullmetal Alchemist) – Shuri-Ryu Karate
The Lightning Bullets (Shido, Ban, Ginji, Kyosuke, Rafael, Koji, and Hiroshi)
Bring on the furious fists, ferocious feet, stealthy speed, and superb stamina because Shido Fuyuki, Ban Mido, Ginji Amano, Kyosuke Kano, Rafael Rodrigo da Silva, Koji Jefferson Sakai, and Hiroshi Ichikawa are here to glove up, enter the ring, and deliver some serious punches, strikes, and kicks to their opponents. Any uppercut, cross punch, jab, hook, roundhouse kick, axe kick, and shin kick they deliver can paralyze their opponents until they feel nothing else. Speed, power, timing, and balance are on Shido’s, Ban’s, Ginji’s, Kyosuke’s, Rafael’s, Koji’s, and Hiroshi’s sides as kickboxers who never wave the white flag until their foes are down.
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Shido Fuyuki (GetBackers) – Muay Lao
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Ban Mido (GetBackers) – Pradal Serey
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Ginji Amano (GetBackers) – Sanda
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Kyosuke Kano (Hungry Heart) – Shootboxing
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Rafael Rodrigo da Silva (Hungry Heart) – Dutch Kickboxing
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Koji Jefferson Sakai (Hungry Heart) – American Kickboxing
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Hiroshi Ichikawa (Hungry Heart) – Japanese Kickboxing
The Snow Ladies Cometh (Forte, Kumiko, Shizuka, Ranpha, Millefeuille, Mint, and Vanilla)
When fortitude, agility, stamina, and stealth are at an all-time high, it is an indicator that Forte Stollen, Kumiko Yamaguchi, Shizuka Fujiyama, Ranpha Franboise, Millefeuille Sakuraba, Mint Blancmanche, and Vanilla H are on the move to implement their limbs of steel to triumph over any challenger who dares to underestimate them. Style and substance are what also propel these ladies to boost up their combat moves from their kicks to their punches to their takedowns. Any situation they are in, they will never surrender to mediocrity and will constantly keep themselves in motion to thoroughly persevere.
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Forte Stollen (Galaxy Angel) – Marine Corps Martial Arts
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Kumiko Yamaguchi (Gokusen) – Jieitaikakutojutsu
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Shizuka Fujiyama (Gokusen) – Combat Hapkido
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Ranpha Franboise (Galaxy Angel) – Kenko Kempo Karate
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Millefeuille Sakuraba (Galaxy Angel) – Liu Seong Kuntao
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Mint Blancmanche (Galaxy Angel) – Sanjuro
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Vanilla H (Galaxy Angel) – Bartitsu
The Speedy Snipers (Shin, Kanata, Miyu, Ryu, Kyu, Kazuma, and Leara)
Part of being a martial artist is knowing how to join physical prowess with mental awareness as one. Shin Sawada, Kanata Saionji, Miyu Kozuki, Ryu Amakusa, Kyu Renjou, Kazuma Narusawa, and Leara have that skill in spades and more. This is also evidenced in their takedowns and strikes from their sparring sessions to tackling tougher and stronger opponents. When it comes to their physical prowess, Shin’s quick reflexes, Kanata’s fierceness, Miyu’s speed, Ryu’s stealth, Kyu’s stamina, Kazuma’s relentlessness, and Leara’s kineticism are the traits that unite them and what their opponents need to look out for.
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Shin Sawada (Gokusen) – Shidokan Karate
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Kanata Saionji (UFO Baby) – Satojuku Karate
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Miyu Kozuki (UFO Baby) – Seido Juku Karate
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Ryu Amakusa (Detective School Q) – Japanese Jujutsu
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Kyu Renjou (Detective School Q) – Brazilian Jujitsu
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Kazuma Narusawa (Detective School Q) – Judo
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Leara (Wolf’s Rain) – Aikido S.A.
The Midnight Riders (Chrono, Rosette, Syaoran, Sakura, Tomoyo, Meiling, and Azmaria)
Do you believe in magic? Do you believe in mysticism? If your answers are yes, Chrono, Rosette Christopher, Li Syaoran, Sakura Kinomoto, Tomoyo Daidouji, Meiling Li, and Azmaria Hendric prove that they are more than just demon slayers and captors of evil spirits. They are also martial artists who combine punches, kicks, quick reflexes, and accurate timing to never surrender against dire obstacles. They are also global when it comes to their martial arts, with Chrono having a go at Japanese martial arts, Rosette at French, Azmaria at Ukrainian, and Syaoran, Sakura, Tomoyo, and Meiling at Chinese. They are a truly united team.
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Chrono (Chrono Crusade) – Gosoku-Ryu Karate
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Rosette Christopher (Chrono Crusade) – Savate
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Li Syaoran (Cardcaptor Sakura) – Wing Chun
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Sakura Kinomoto (Cardcaptor Sakura) – Baguazhang
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Tomoyo Daidouji (Cardcaptor Sakura) – Wushu
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Meiling Li (Cardcaptor Sakura) – Hung Gar
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Azmaria Hendric (Chrono Crusade) – Combat Hopak
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Fourteen seven-person anime martial arts teams who are ready and willing to give it their all. It was a lot more grueling having a go at this, but it was still enjoyable all things considered. I enjoyed going down memory lane once again, and I hope to do this again soon. I also hope you enjoyed this, and I will see you in the next submission. Take care, stay safe, and walk the way of the warrior, everybody.
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