Top 10 Asian Martial Artists in Fiction

Martial arts’ depiction in fiction, especially when on screen, is one of the most exciting pieces of action I’ve ever encountered.  There is something awesome with how the human body can perform close combat with such beautiful, fast, fluid, and masterful motions.  Of course, in real life, combat is actually brutal and messy, and not at all as elegant as a choreographed martial arts scene.  That’s why it is only in its romanticized depiction wherein we can best enjoy, appreciate, and gratify ourselves with displays of martial arts execution. 

Aside from mastery in close-combat, fictional martial artists also often share these common characteristics: determination, a sincere love for martial arts, confidence in their abilities, finding thrill or joy in sparing with other capable opponents, and a resolute desire to improve their skills.  Hence, despite ending up as clichéd sometimes, they still prove to be colorful and striking fictional characters due to these archetypal qualities.   

In this list are the fictional characters that I think have been made more interesting as characters because of their identities as martial arts practitioners.  As the title implies, I’ve limited this list to those characters that have explicit Asian racial origins and have been identified to practice an Asian martial arts discipline (real or fictional), regardless of citizenships, since the terms “martial arts” and “martial artist” are often typecast with “Asian” anyway.  So, non-Asian practitioners of some sort of Asian martial arts like Iron Fist, Beatrix Kiddo, and the “American Ninja” are not considered for this list (maybe they can be featured on another separate list someday).                     

10.) RANMA SAOTOME

Because he was trained in “Anything Goes Martial Arts” (just by the name alone of Ranma’s martial arts discipline is interesting already) since he was merely two years old, 16-year old Ranma is already a tough, versatile, and masterful martial artist.  Due to an accident while he was training with his father alongside some cursed springs (this plot device is the primary reason of Ranma ½’s uniqueness and charm as several characters are afflicted with different transformation curses from the springs), Ranma gained the peculiar but fascinating ability of transforming into a girl whenever he is soaked with water of cold or moderate temperature.  To return to his normal male self, he needs to be soaked in hot water.  Ranma is a stronger and more durable fighter with a longer reach when he is in male form, but is faster and more agile when in female form.           

9.) PO

Po is the main character of the delightful Kung Fu Panda movies.  At first, everyone found it hard to picture the fat, food-loving Po as the “Dragon Warrior” foretold by legend.   Though very enthusiastic about martial arts, Po was clumsy and inept.  Eventually, Po proved to possess a lot of heart, that he persevered, overcame his weaknesses and all the doubts, mastered Kung Fu, and turned out to be the hero that he was destined to be.      

8.) WONG FEI-HUNG (Once Upon a Time in China)

Wong Fei-Hung is a real-life folk hero in Chinese history (lived from 1847 to 1924), but his popularity allowed for many fictionally depiction of him in many films and TV shows.  One of these depictions, and my most favorite, is Jet Li’s character in the “Once Upon a Time in China” movies, which I adored when I was a kid (there was a period in the 90’s when I was so into Chinese martial arts flicks).  He was one of the early martial arts characters that charmed me with their Kung Fu awesomeness.          

7.) WONG FEI-HUNG (Drunken Master)

Many of the most entertaining martial arts sequences in film ever involve Jackie Chan (who choreographs them himself), so there are several interesting Jackie Chan-portrayed martial artist characters.  My most favorite, however, is his Drunken Master hero, Wong Fei-Hung (I’m not sure if it’s another depiction of the folk hero as the same with no. 8, or a spoof, or merely an incidental similarity).  What makes this character very interesting is that he requires to be intoxicated with alcohol to be highly proficient in combat.  With tipsy movements and form, he is able to fight – and win – in an extremely entertaining way.      

5.) & 6.) MIGHT GUY & ROCK LEE

Naruto has two enjoyable martial artists in Might Guy and his protégé, Rock Lee.  As ninjas, both have very low aptitude in ninjutsu (ninja techniques) and genjutsu (illusions) – though Might Guy has shown some mastery on some ninjutsu techniques (like dispelling genjutsu and summoning tortoises), while Rock Lee is currently still incapable of ninjutsu and genjutsu – hence, they have been primarily concentrating on taijutsu, or the ninja’s skills and strengths with regards to physical close-combat.  Since they are focused on taijutsu, they have become vastly adept in it that they have reached the point where their taijutsu prowess is adequate to allow them to comfortably do without ninjutsu and genjutsu in becoming successful and strong ninjas.   They have no trouble in standing on equal ground with talented ninjas that are capable in all three ninja skills. 

4.) SON GOKU

Son Goku is the hero of Dragon Ball Z, one of the most popular anime ever.  He is such an iconic character that there is no need to expound on who he is.  There is no need for any further explanation of his inclusion in this list. (Technically, Goku is an alien, so he does not have the “implied Asian racial origin” qualification.  But I have to make an exception for him.  Besides, he has already adopted an Asian characterization.)      

 

3.) SHANG-CHI

Shang-Chi is obviously conceived to exploit the popularity of Hong Kong martial arts films.  Nonetheless, he has remained a relevant Marvel Comics character ever since his creation.  He has been a secret agent, a crime fighter, and even become an Avenger. 

Shang-Chi has no superpowers, but being nicknamed “Master of Kung Fu”, it is presumed that he is one of the best, if not the best, martial artist in the Marvel Universe.  He has even been even able to best those that have superpowers in battle. Primarily using the discipline of Wushu, Shang-Chi is highly proficient in both empty-handed and armed aspects of close-combat.

2.) RYU

 

Ryu could be the most famous character, not only in the Street Fighterfranchise, but in all “beat-‘em up” games.  Even at first glance, despite the simple character design, Ryu has a distinct intensity and coolness that make him a memorable and likable character.  The character’s trademark moves and “Hadouken” projectile (though similar with his buddy, Ken – an American, hence disqualified from this list) are the main reasons he is a formidable and notable fighter.  His back story also portrayed him as a dedicated and focused martial artist that continually desire to improve himself, giving more depth to the character.     

  

1.) KATO                           

There is a reasonable general consensus that considers Bruce Lee as the greatest martial arts actor ever.  Many fictional martial artists are patterned to him or the characters he portrayed on screen.  But my most favorite Bruce Lee character is Kato. 

Kato is supposedly the sidekick of the Green Hornet, but, seriously, with no exaggeration, it is clear to me that Kato is a better character than the Green Hornet.  Kato is smarter, more badass, and a deeper character than Green Hornet.  He is a very skillful driver, the more capable fighter, and the creator of the car and gadgets that the duo uses in their crime fighting adventures.  So, Kato is more awesome.  And I think I’m not alone with this perception that Kato is more interesting than the Green Hornet.  Anyone who have watched The Green Hornet TV show (and even the awful 2011 movie) has to agree with me.  

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Thoughts on Combat, Martial Arts, and Self-Defense

Like most people, the initial concepts or ideas I had about martial arts and self-defense are derived from movies and TV shows I’ve watched since I was a kid.  I’ve always been deeply impressed by how knowing some martial arts is some sort of super power.  Here’s a kid who has been bullied all his life.  Fresh from suffering a recent humiliation from the hands of the bullies, he meets a wizened Asian geezer who happens to know martial arts.  The kid managed to convince the old man to teach him martial arts, and after a few sessions summarized by a montage, the kid becomes a “black belt”.  Later, the kid confronts his tormentors, and beat them all up at the same time.  With martial arts, you will be able to neutralize threats – regardless of extent or quantity – with your bare hands gracefully and efficiently.  Martial arts are the best tool for combat and self-defense.  Yes, all of these things are what pop culture taught us.   

But as I grow older, with increased common sense and experience, and learn more and more about the reality of combat, I discovered that most philosophies and ideas I had before about the matter are bullshit.  Real-life combat isn’t gracefully choreographed as it is portrayed in the movies.  Real-life combat is brutal and ugly.  Anything goes, and anything can happen.  Being a black belt doesn’t always translate into being a proficient combatant.  And becoming a skillful fighter requires hard, laborious, and intense training; not through a few lessons from a random Asian guy while “Eye of the Tiger” is playing the background. 

Most martial arts schools out there won’t really make you a fighting machine.  Yes, you might learn how to kick, punch, and a neat trick or two, but don’t ever mistake that these are enough to make you a badass that can take down a group of muggers all at once (In fact, if that martial arts school is actually legit, it would even advice you to just give those goons your money to prevent yourself from getting harmed.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Will talk about this later).  At best, what you will get from these martial arts schools is learning martial arts as a sport or exercise.  Maybe even enough fighting knowledge to allow yourself to run away from a threat… which is a good thing, actually (but, again, I’m getting ahead of myself).  But learn how to be an authentic, skilled fighter?  I doubt it.  Take note also that most martial arts schools out there are merely businesses.  And you will get your black belt if you invest enough time (i.e. money) in weekly sessions.

Indeed, there are legit and great fighting styles out there, with legit and proficient practitioners and masters.  But they learned how to fight through intense trainings and actual experience; their actions and reactions are instinctive and calculated, and their bodies are toughened up.  Examples are elite military men, who are among the most well-instructed and well-trained in combat in the world.   

Real instructions in self-defense and combat are practical and wise.  First, the romance, illusions, and false impressions of fighting obtained from pop culture should be shattered.  The actual reality and situation of combat should be vividly presented.  Fighting is a matter of survival.  If you find yourself in a fight, it’s going to be brutal and ugly, thus, you should be prepared to fight ugly and brutally.  You should be prepared to cheat (remember, this is no longer fighting as a sport, but actual life-or-death fighting!), and should have no qualms in killing if it’s the only option to get out alive.  Yes, kill.  And maybe even go to jail for it.  “But wait, isn’t killing in self-defense absolves you of any legal consequences?” you counter.  True.  But self-defense to the law means “just using the right amount of force to defuse the threat.”  Killing as self-defense is only permissible to the law if killing was the last option.  And it’s up to the court to decide if killing was indeed the only option.  Now, when you are in combat, you are lost in the moment of fighting for survival.  And you will react instinctively, especially if you have been well-trained.  You will further strike when the opponent is already down or deliver two blows when one is enough.  All because your instincts and training tell you to (for the purpose of certainty of the threat’s defusal).  Now, that extra blow could happen to be a lethal one.  And the court – if lacking understanding of the reality of being on a combat situation – might interpret that extra blow as going overboard, thus making the self-defense defense inapplicable.   And whether you successfully make a “self-defense” defense in court or not, you will still have the stressful inconvenience of undergoing the initial police detainment, the legal hassles, the court appearances, the stigma (real or imagined), and – most significantly – the traumatic burden of the fact that you have killed, since taking someone’s life will always cause impactful emotional strain and scarring, regardless if it was intended, accidental, indirect, or in self-defense. Being aware of this possibility will be very distracting indeed and will make you hesitant to strike.  Nonetheless, it is important to forget of the consequences whenever you are in that moment of real combat since your survival is paramount. 

Second, attack first!  As soon as you come into realization that you have your back against the wall already – that there is no chance of running anymore and to fight is inevitable – you have to make the first move.  Your opponent, especially if he’s a poor fighter, would be too surprised to think and respond quickly.  If you strike first, you have the momentum and the advantage of controlling the tempo of the fight.  After your first attack, continue to strike and strike until you win or, at least, have disabled or stunned your opponent enough to allow your escape.  That’s why it’s very invaluable if you are well-trained and that you have ample combos or succession of attacks put into mind.    

 

Third, it is important to fight smart.  Fighting is also a science.  There is a proper way to punch or kick, or if you need to punch or kick at all.  Let me give you an example: amateurs make the mistake of punching early on a fight, but palm strikes are actually more practical.  Since your opponent is still alert early on of the fight, he will instinctively brace himself for your blow and you might hit a hard part of his body – example, the skull (especially this).  If you punched and hit something hard, it will injure or pain your knuckles, making that hand useless for the rest of the fight.  But if you use palm strikes initially, even if your blow hit a hard part of your opponent, it won’t damage your hand (no bones in your palm).  So, use palm strikes first, to open up your opponent for a punch that would surely connect and cause great damage to an intended targeted body part (preferably, the “soft” or vulnerable parts like chest, solar plexus, groin, or jaw). Therefore, don’t use a punch as your first attack unless you are sure that your punch is fast, strong, and accurate enough take out your opponent.  (Personally, I think elbow strikes and knee strikes are better attacks than punches and kicks). 

Being smart also means being practical and using your advantages.  Make use of anything available that you think can be used as a weapon.  Some great fighting disciplines actually teach that anything – from pens to umbrellas – can be used as a weapon.  Moreover, don’t ever give up your advantages if you have them.  You shouldn’t be fooled of “fighting with honor” fantasies that would compel you to give up your advantages or putting a handicap to yourself to make it an even fight between you and your opponent.  That’s just stupid.  Remember, that when you find yourself in a real fight, it’s not a sport match at all, it’s going to be a matter of survival!  So, don’t give up your gun for a knife fight.  Don’t give up your knife to fight barehanded.  Don’t fight one-on-one when you have an ally with you.  But rather, use your advantages to win!

Now that there’s a mention of guns in the previous paragraph, I would like to express my opinion that using a gun is still the most efficient and convenient form of self-defense or combat.  No matter how greatly adept one is with a form of fighting style (unless this fighting style is gun kata), he would never win with someone who has a gun and the sense and know-how of using it.  Using a gun is less hassle and less physically demanding – though would take the same focus, if not more so – than using martial arts to fight in close quarters combat.  Moreover, the legal problem that will arise from killing in self-defense with the use of a gun is actually the same with that of killing in self-defense with the use of martial arts.  Considering this, the convenience of using a gun vs. the hassle and physical pain, with possibility of injury, derived from close-combat, isn’t using a gun more preferable in self-defense?  (The downside is it’s not easy to obtain a gun and permission to carry.  And even if you manage to get those, carrying a gun everywhere is uncomfortable.  Of course, if you actually don’t mind it, then you have no problem.)   

Fourth, and most importantly, is to avoid reaching the scenario of an actual fight as much as possible.  Even if you know how to properly fight, the wisest and most practical way is still to seek the option that would make you avoid getting into a fight.  To finally fight means all non-violent options have been exhausted.  Actually, if you are having legit and sensible self-defense lessons, you will be taught that when a mugger points a gun at you and asks for your wallet, your best option is to give the mugger your wallet.  And it’s actually a sound and wise advice!  Even if you are trained and know how to disable the mugger at that situation, there’s always a possibility that something might go wrong, which could harm or kill you.  That possibility could be small, but why risk it?  In Russian roulette, only one of the six chambers of the revolver is loaded with a bullet, giving you a 17% chance of ending up with the loaded chamber, but would you dare risk it?  It’s just money, it’s not worth risking your life over (the only reasonable grounds for you to make your move at that particular moment are if: a) the thing that the mugger is trying to take away from you is worth risking your life over, or b) you noticed that his gun is on safety or not loaded).  Usually, a typical mugger just wants your wallet and doesn’t really want to actually kill.  However, if the mugger is still pointing his gun at you after you finally gave him your wallet, and there are no signs of him letting you go, then your life is now very much endangered.  This is the time where you have to use your self-defense training and finally strike (remember that it is important to strike first as soon as you have determined that the danger is presently existent and the incoming violence is inevitable). 

I am no expert in martial arts or combat or such (I did have some martial arts training as a kid, but I admit, the knowledge I got there was not much).  The thoughts I have expressed here are merely out of common sense and some knowledge I got from reading books and articles and watching shows about the subject matter.  But I hope you obtain something valuable.  Let me leave you to ponder on with the lyrics of the two choruses of Kenny Rogers’ “Coward of the Country”, which kind of summarizes my thoughts on fighting: 

“Promise me, son, not to do the things I've done –
Walk away from trouble if you can
It won't mean you're weak if you turn the other cheek
I hope you're old enough to understand,
Son, you don't have to fight to be a man.”  

“I promised you, Dad, not to do the things you've done
I walk away from trouble when I can
Now please don't think I'm weak, I didn't turn the other cheek,
And papa, I should hope you understand –
Sometimes you gotta fight when you're a man.”

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Top 10 Fighting Styles

I was doing my own top ten lists before (but not in this site), and sites like toptenz, cracked, and listverse inspired me to start doing my own top ten lists again.  This time in this site.   

Before I start on these series of top ten lists, let me say that my ranking is not dependent on any criteria.  The only criterion is what I prefer or what my opinion is.  So, sometimes, in your perspective, it might not make sense.  So, let’s go on with my first top ten list in this blog… 

I am very fascinated with martial arts and self-defense.  Probably because of me growing up watching too much films with such action sequences.  Nonetheless, in my fascination, I had researched, read articles or books, watched documentaries about different martial art disciplines. I can say, I have a store of theoretical martial art knowledge in my head.  I know some things about what to do in a given combat situation or how to take out an opponent the quickest and most efficient way possible.  Sure, plenty of theoretical knowledge, but, actually having minimal training at all or conditioning or practice.  Thus, in the end, I am almost worthless in a fight.  (sigh)

Here we go then, my top ten fighting styles.

10.) PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

This is what I’m talking about when I said that what I may put in these top ten lists will sometimes not make any sense.  Were you expecting that this list would be made up entirely of real-life martial arts?

The trade of wrestling entertainment has a deep collection of entertaining moves and tricks that creates an illusion of a semi-realistic explosive fight, while minimizing the risk of pain or injury to the person the move is being performed on.  Consider that the spinebuster, suplexes, piledriver or RKO can really injure someone if not delivered properly… or when actually delivered as it is!  The ankle lock or crippler crossface can be actually pretty painful.  Wrestling is not fake.  Yes, it is scripted, but the dangers are real.   Scripted but not fake.  People get hurt, injured, even die.   Of course, since it is scripted, the fights can be choreographed.  Thus, we get entertaining fighting styles or concepts.  And, boy such great entertainment they bring.    

A simple straight kick to the chin can become so cool and lethal when it’s given the name of “Sweet Chin Music.”

Theatrics can make an ordinary move seems like explosive and fatal.  E.g. “The People’s Elbow”

And let’s not forget the top rope flashiness.  “The Shooting Star” is my favorite.
   

Forget that it’s scripted for a while, the moves of pro-wrestling totally rocks.  And to totally appreciate it, one should put it into context of it being hypothetically real.  Play “Smackdown!” in a console to see my point.


9.) SIKARAN

Sikaran is a martial art that is very similar with taekwondo, in which kicking is the only way to attack and the hands and arms are used for deflecting blows.  In its early days, it has been a gladiator-like game by farmers.  There are some variations with Taekwondo and Sikaran, such as in Sikaran, one can make a sweeping motion kick against an opponent’s feet to make him fall off balance, or in Taekwondo, one can punch downwards against an opponent’s chest to create space.  It’s a generally unknown martial art even in its home country, the Philippines.  I add this to the list because it’s the only martial art I got trained on (about several months of weekly sessions).

The “biakid” – a kick executed by pivoting to the back in a complete turn, much like a spinning hook kick or a reverse round house in other martial arts styles and targets the side or back of the head while the practitioner is in mid to punching range – is the deadliest move of Sikaran.  This technique was ripped off by the Koreans and added it to Taekwondo when they saw its effectiveness.

Filipinos actually have several badass traditional martial arts.  Heck, Filipino fighting disciplines are taught on Spetnatz trainees!  And even Bruce Lee found inspiration and ideas from Filipino martial arts.   It’s ironic that Filipino martial arts are endangered because Filipinos want to learn more mainstream martial arts (e.g. karate, taekwondo) rather than their own traditional fighting styles.  

8.) TAIJUTSU

There is actually a real life Taijutsu from Japan, but what I'm referring to is that of the variation in Naruto.  In the anime/manga “Naruto”, the ninja skills are ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu.  Taijutsu is the martial art aspect, or the close combat fighting technique a ninja uses. 

Taijutsu is mostly dependent on a ninja’s stamina, physical strength and speed rather than “chakra” – the energy needed to project or use jutsus.  It is mostly physical attacks but can be enforced or strengthened by chakra. Taijutsu incorporates the stereotype martial art disciplines we know of.  Heck, there’s even a drunken style technique, in reference to the popular “Drunken Master” Jackie Chan movie.   

  

Taijutsu is such fun to watch, especially when those ninjas who concentrate mostly on it (almost ignoring the other two aspects – genjutsu and ninjutsu) like Might Guy and Rock Lee – whose appearances are patterned with Bruce Lee – do it.  

7.) MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

There is no Judo or Taekwondo here in this list, because as graceful they appear in competitions, they are impractical martial arts.  It is because they are very limited by rules of the discipline.  In real life, in a combat, nobody is limited by rules or formalities.  In Taekwondo, close range attacks are difficult because punches are generally not allowed.  Judo concentrates on throws.  Limited.  They only look good on competitions. 

Now, we have mixed martial arts.  Thanks to UFC, it is now very popular. Principles of already deadly and practical fighting styles like boxing (I’ll explain later why boxing is better than taekwondo), Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai (the first two already hybrids themselves) are combined together with the toughness and street-smarts of “freestyle” street fighting and holds and grappling of wrestling.  With all these disciplines combined, a dangerous and deeper fighting style is created. 

Mixed martial knows how to take out an opponent, to knock him out with lethal blows or make him tap out with a submission hold (or in a real fight, until he passes out from pain).  Moreover, the style incorporates an environment on how a real-life fight goes: no limitations by a martial art’s rules, anything goes.

6.) JEET KUNE DO

This is the martial art that Bruce Lee invented.  The foundation of it is found in Wing Chun Kung Fu, the discipline Lee learned from his master Yip Man.  He created a better version of Wing Chun because he thinks it is too formal and too slow to be used in an actual fight. 

He called it “a style without a style.”  What does he mean?  Ad libbing in a fight.  In a real fight, there are no rules.  An opponent is not limited by any rule of a martial art (e.g. taekwondo only uses kicks to attack).  Thus, it is necessary to be able to, as Lee puts it, “…not to be thinking of anything but his [opponent] attack and your response. Clear all other thoughts from your head, or they will slow you down.”  To be able to instinctively respond, almost without thinking, to the opponent’s moves.

Bruce Lee is a student of martial arts.  He tried to learn most of the martial arts possible to serve as reference for his magnum opus of a martial art.  Along with Wing Chun, it has the principles of fencing (using the “en garde” stance as the basic stance, bouncing on the toes to be able to switch with either foot, kick with either foot, to advance or retreat), Jiu-Jitsu, and miscellaneous kung-fu disciplines.  It is actually not the ultimate (real) fighting style, but the philosophy of it is practical.    

5.) BOXING

So, I criticized limited martial arts like taekwondo.   Then why is a “limited” style like boxing, which only uses punches, rank high in this list?   Because punching is more accurate and can be made faster than a kick.  A kicking discipline has the advantage of the long range, but a kick is designed to hit a broader area – hoping to hit a general area of the body and not a specific part.  But the punch can hit that vulnerable part more easily. 

Example, why a punch is used when hitting the solar plexus instead of a kick?  Because the punch is more comfortable to use when targeting the solar plexus since a punch can bring the most concentrated force in that area, while a kick’s (front or side kick) force would be generally distributed in that area.  Thus, a punch can do more damage on the solar plexus.   Hitting the solar plexus with much force will render an opponent doubling up in pain, immobilizing the enemy.  The only other attack on the solar plexus that is more lethal than a punch that I can think of is a Muay Thai knee strike.  

The chin – another vulnerable part of the body – is also more easily accessible by a punch rather than a kick.  A punch also can hit the chin faster and with more concentrated force.   Hitting the chin will make the opponent unconscious if the punch is done properly, in which the opponent’s head will be thrown sideways, shutting off the brain by pinching the spinal cord in the neck.  The chance of doing this with a kick only becomes highly probable if one knows how to do a “Sweet Chin Music” like Shawn Michaels does. 

Boxing punches has the strongest, fastest, and most accurate punch in any discipline since boxing concentrates on using the fist 100%.  I saw on a documentary that a boxer’s punch is as lethal as a sledgehammer’s swing.  That is lethal indeed. 

Boxers also have tough bodies to take on the heavy pounding.  And their basic stance – hands staying on both sides of the head – is designed to be able to have optimum protection against attacks above the belt.  They also have excellent rhythm and quick reaction time, both very invaluable in an actual fight.

Moreover, boxing seems to have more science in it than taekwondo.  

Therefore, between a boxer and a taekwondoer fight and my money’s on the boxer.

4.) GUN KATA

Gun Kata is the coolest fighting style in my book.  In the first place, in real life, guns are the best and most efficient tools for killing or self-defense.  Regardless of what this guy, Mr. "Guns-Have-Limited-Range-of-Effectiveness", thinks:

Most of the time, fancy martial arts are inutile with someone with guns.  Add the grace and fluidity of a martial art discipline to the already efficient weapon of killing and it would be the most lethal fighting style we will ever see.

I would definitely put Gun Kata as number one if it’s real, or even at least feasible. But Gun Kata is not a workable martial art or science at all.  

The Gun Kata martial art is found in the movie “Equilibrium” – mediocre story, but awesome Gun Kata fight scenes.  The principle of it is that in a given position of a gunslinger and his opponent/s, the trajectories of the bullet fire is statistically predicted.   By taking into consideration all the positions, and perfectly analyzing it, the gunslinger can fire to the probable location the opponent will move towards.  At the same time, he can predict where the incoming bullets fired at him would go, thus he can react to avoid it.  With knowledge like this, one can do the most impractical thing to do in a fight when one has a gun: fight by close range.  Thus, two combatants of gun kata, analyzing and predicting, could fight aiming at each other in close range and knocking each other’s wrist to deflect the fire fired at them.  Until one makes the mistake of predicting it wrongly or reacting slowly, thus, getting himself shot.


3.) BARTITSU

Immortalized by Sherlock Holmes (“baritsu”), Bartitsu is a Victorian England eclectic martial art.  It has the elements of Jujutsu, Schwingen, Savate, Canne de combat, Judo, and Boxing.  The founder of this martial art, Edward William Barton-Wright, intended it as self-defense in all its forms.  In 1899, Barton-Wright summarized the essential principles of Bartitsu as:

1.) To disturb the equilibrium of your assailant.

2.) To surprise him before he has time to regain his balance and use his strength.

3.) If necessary, to subject the joints of any parts of his body, whether neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, back, knee, ankle, etc. to strains that they are anatomically and mechanically unable to resist.

Bartitsu has the appropriate techniques on both long and short range.   In long range, it is more dependent on the use of the walking stick (a popular weapon in the 19th century), while in short-range, it is dependent primarily to jiu-jitsu grappling.  Boxing is used in the middle of the two ranges.  It is emphasized in this discipline that one should be able to have smooth transition when alternating between the ranges.

Bartitsu is one of the most diverse fighting style in the world, and almost perfect.  There is just something classy about it.  Probably because the Victorian charm.  Some glimpse of bartitsu can be found in the Sherlock Holmes (2009) movie, where both Holmes and Dr. Watson used it in their fight scenes.

2.) KEYSI FIGHTING METHOD

Ever saw a movie where the hero is surrounded by a mob of opponents and take them all down?  Totally badass right?  It only happens in the movies, though?  Wrong.  This is what the Keysi Fighting Method can do.  The discipline is developed by Justo Dieguez and Andy Norman, heavily basing it on Dieguez’s street fighting experiences (I kid you not!). 

  

Keysi Fighting Method is a fast-paced, brutal, and efficient close-combat style that can take on ten or twenty opponents as they routinely attack.  It also has minimal usage of kicks (again, in real life, kicks are impractical, even dangerous for one to use.  I read somewhere that in military training, it is often advised to not use a kick as much as possible), and is instead consisted of close-quarters moves like head butts, variation of punches, and knee and elbow strikes. 

It is also a hybrid style like mixed martial arts since it also uses the principles of several practical and lethal martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, street fighting, Aikido, and even Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do.  It also has the same philosophy of Jeet Kune Do: to be able to think on one’s feet, to improvise and react on what is the current situation or movement of the opponent.   

  

To be able to master it, it takes nearly a decade of training.  Yes, it’s a long time of hard work but the rewards are worth it.  You would become an ultimate efficient fighting machine, a la Batman. 

Again, I kid you not.  This is the fighting discipline that the Christian Bale Batman of the Christopher Nolan films (“Batman Begins”, “The Dark Knight”) is using.   

1.) KRAV MAGA

The epitome of a practical no-holds barred, deadly fighting style is Israel’s national martial art which was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld.  Just like Mixed Martial Art, Keysi, and Bartitsu, Krav Maga is also a hybrid of martial arts. The best principle Krav Maga has is the philosophy of being able to attack and defend at the same time. Something that is also applicable in boxing by the use of the Dempsey Roll.  

Krav Maga’s moves and techniques carry military precision and efficiency, as well as the toughness of the mentality of the streets.  Attacks on vulnerable parts of the body – eyes, solar plexus, throat, groin knees, etc. – are given importance. Hand-eye coordination is heavily emphasized, until one’s movements became instinctive and would not require thinking any more.  As if the body is trained to automatically defend itself.  The concept of disarming someone with a gun or knife is also somehow unique in Krav Maga, as not only is the disarming is stressed, but actually using the opponent’s own weapons against himself.    

Like Keysi Fighting Method, Krav Maga will turn someone into an ultimate fighting machine.  But unlike Keysi, the best thing about Krav Maga (that is why it’s number one) is it can be learned, regardless of athletic prowess, in three to six months.

Don’t mess with Israel.  They have the Mossad.  They have the Shayetet 13.  And they have the most badass fighting style in the world.

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Iran Weapons Crisis

Iran’s nuclear program is something worth bothering about.  Sure, there is still no actual working nuclear weapon available in Iran.  But they do have enriched uranium for energy production - for "peaceful programs", as they claim. Moreover, they had already developed rocket technology that have long-radius range and are still working for rockets that can go further (see the image at the left).  It doesn’t take a genius CIA analyst to see where this is going.  (Besides, uranium for generation of electricity?!  Ha!  Doesn’t Iran have all the oil they need for that?)

Will the United Nations this time enforce their rules and regulations or remain passive as what they did with Iraq (which forced the US [Bush] to take the matter at their own hands)?  A deeper question: will a now liberal-governed US be able to take the initiative to pressure (even if it have to go to the point that it is necessary to insert military pressure) Iran in abandoning their WMD aspirations?  (This is no longer the Kennedy-era Democrats who can play hard ball… this is a political power-hungry “morally and intellectually bankrupt” – as David Limbaugh said – Democrat Party in the US today)

This is a different era than the Cold War.  At least, back then, the MAD (mutual assured destruction) gives an uncomfortable but effective impasse to stop the world from being blown up “ten times over.”  At least, we can trust the Soviets and the Americans not to mess the equilibrium because they are a more “practical” bunch – both are scared of upsetting the balance.  Now, we have Iran and North Korea with nukes. And WMDs at the hands of this type of countries – which are unpredictable and has the potential to just snap to insanity (thus fearing nothing) – is definitely scary.

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