Stripey was pimping the Negima 2 trailer to me on one of my visits to the den of siscon a few weeks ago and we both nodded appreciatively at this particular sequence. Having grown up watching lots of Hong Kong-made martial arts TV series which were, more often than not, adaptations of Jin Yong novels, it’s always a pleasure to see a good martial arts sequence. Especially since many of the HK-made series were mind boogling in their awfulness.
In the scene captured above, Asuna (I remember her name correctly) whips up such serious momentum into that attack and I really liked how the animation shows her throwing all her power right from her torso, up the shoulder, through her arm and projected from her weapon. Yet what I liked most was the rootedness of her lower body to the ground at the moment of release. Anyone whose ever had to hold a horse stance for an extended period knows how difficult is, much less combining offensive power with stability on your feet.
Taken out of context, it looks like Miki is smiting a lolicon but if you’ve seen the episode, it’s at the Nya guy’s desperate request to kill the momentum of his charge after he saves Wakana-chan from being run over by a Conveniently Timed Truck which is hired by studios whenever they need a truck to suddenly appear out of the blue. Which didn’t even stop to check if they were ok as it is probably responsible for all the near misses in anime, what a nerve! But then again it’s probably the same truck with Osaka’s shoe on the top so I guess I can find some forgiveness in my heart. In any case, Muteki Kanban Musume has been a real treat not just because of the really funny cast of OTT characters and the excellent excelleeeent voice acting but also the fighting. I find myself wanting to shout: ‘Onimaru ryuu souhei jutsuuu!!!’ sometimes.
The above scene is a wonderful showcase of Miki’s stopping power (and use of the ramen delivery box for fighting that recalls Shampoo from Ranma 1/2) - again, the scene is composed in such a way that shows a good understanding of a stance that combines power from the arms and upper torso and stability from the legs which is essential from being thrown away by the ongoing object or your own attack.
Of course, here’s another chance for Yuki praise and worship. Absolutely loved how her pose simply says, with her characteristic determination: ‘You shall not pass.’ Or as Sun Zi puts it: Immovable as the mountain (不动如山). It’s not a martial arts precursor move (though she does some fantastic blocks and jumps later in that scene), another one of those martial arts movie clichés is that a skilled pugilist will often be able to tell the level of another’s skill from mundane things like the potential opponent’s standing posture. Less skilled warriors are, of course, unable to read the signs and are then often trashed to demonstrate our hero’s correct assessment.
Always great to see good rendering of martial arts moves in anime!
No mention of Black Lagoon then? ^^; Although I suppose that is less of martial arts, and more on firearms. Hmm… usually if I want to watch really cool martial arts, I would just rent an old-school gongfu flick. Animation may be cool stuff, but watching martial arts in real life is so much cooler. I mean, those guys had sword swings that just defies adequate description.
What about Shadow Skill? That is probably the best fantasy martial arts anime ever.
There is quite a bit to be said about actual good martial art animation. Quite recently, the fights in Utawarerumono are worthy of praise especially Touka, Benwari, Oboro’s ep 17 scene, and of course Karura ^^.
Shura no Toki (Age of Chaos)is another one. My sword-fanatic friend got hooked as he could recongnize distinct styles AND tatics used by the characters in the show as being ‘true-to-life’. That and Emei Mutsu Ryu was just pwnage.
Cowboy Bebop/Samurai Champloo also had great sword/fighting animation and I have to say that Naruto uses nice animation for the hand skills displayed.
The one story I really REALLY wanted brought to life was Battle Angel Alita - some of the best fight choreography in a manga. Ever. An old two-ep OAV does NOT begin to do it justice.
Really? With the exception of that one Touka pwning scene (which they then ruined by reusing in the next episode) I always felt disappointed by the action in Utawarerumono.
Karura in particular, in fact… for all the devastation she lays out, it seems like the actual animation of her fighting is largely limited to those lazy one-handed downward chops… powerful, sure, but it’d be a lot more impressive if she really got that sword moving and let us see what that kind of damage that mass can do when she’s been building momentum for a few swings.
Ah bro, I forgot about Jubei chan 2’s katana action. Their battle stances are the win too.
>>But then again it’s probably the same truck with Osaka’s shoe on the top
Best. truck. appearance. EVAR.
Well, you saw how heavy that sword is in the first place. That and she doesn’t need to showcase more of her skills if one-handed swings get the job done. I believe they protray her type of fighting accurately enough. That and her little fight with Touka on the bridge was pretty good too.
No use building momentum on scrubs who can barely take half strength without their swords breaking, not to mention themselves.
OMG ARAKAN7! BROTHER.
Yeah, Shura no Toki was GREAT for me bcos it emphasised on the intent of physical conflict (which I believe in too) rather than a 60 seconds fight in a bout of street fighter II with all those awesome stance and pose.
Shura no Toki does the literal translation of DBZ power moves right, i.e., “Bi Sha Ji” aka “Sure Kill Hit”, like that fireball blast….but a sure kill hit used like so many times…. Shura no Toki fixes back the idea of that without referring to something fanciful like “Sure Kill Hit”. I think ALL of shura no toki’s physical engagement ends within 1 episode. No gathering of that spirit bomb for 5 episodes, lol.
Something interesting is that in 20 episodes, 3 generations were shown. The first and second owm themselves a scrapped princess ;) I forgot about the 3rd though.
Later on, the gun part might make some go o_O
But ancient guns used to suck so you know…
Samurai Champloo was awesome in most of the combat scenes becos the actions were not only fast, they seemed to follow up with very realistic retaliations attack at the same instance. Like, that sandal guy mid slash Jin, Jin dodged and slashed at his ankle at the same instance. That sandal guy did dodge too anyway and so on. Anyway, Sam Champ has too many other themes for me.
What made shura and sam champ stood out is becos most of the actions are portrayed to be within human ability (actually, some of them are).
In utaware, Touka has the best pose and Karura is a powerhouse. Touka is more realistic than Karura though becos I cant help but think that someone who can wield such a monstrous sword probably dont have all those awesome curves especially when they are ladies (consider the guy Guts in Berserk!).
Hokuto no Ken…I only watched the movie but I tot the big bad ass blocking everything with 1 hand was awesome. Kenshiro blocking the monster’s hundred hand slaps in a composed manner was cool too. But everything else tended towards fantasia.
Real Bout High School…ok, this one is a bit weird. When the girls fight each other (with a bit of fanservice), the actions are actually quite good (assuming my memory wasnt edited by fantasising as examplified by Ouran High School epi 23).
tj han>
ah, i only watched episode 17 of shadow arts i think. Their idea of displaying the skills name was kinda cool.
Stripey>
Jubeii Chan 1 was quite cool too :P
Jubeii Chan 2’s action seems more fantasia for me.
Zyl>
is this anime called Negima 2 as stated in your first line? I think i’m getting it bcos the chick seems to have a good (skimpy) fashion sense :DDDDDD
Anyway, I highly recommend Shura no Toki and Sam Champloo.
Shura no Toki for advocating a concept that is supposed to be important in one type of physical conflict.
Samurai Champloo for its awesome and fast-n-furious physical conflict interactions and a variety of other themes.
other rankings of the ones i’ve mentioned:
3. Utaware
4. Hokuto no Ken movie (1 nudity scene)
5. Jubei Chan I (ranked below hokuto becos the setting of Hokuto feels more real though the arts itself are as mind boggling as Jubei’s daddy being a ninja)
6. Real Bout High School
ok, DBZ has cool sound effects. Like the jet sound when their pple fly.
Anyway…i forgot Tenjo Tenje. A number of babes powermoves = quite a feast too (especially in the first few episode).
Later on, things just gets too out of the world (as in the manga).
I know that Naturo is tardy but come on. How could you forget about Freaky brows(Lee - even his name says it all)
You gotta love those GATES.
I put more coins on Jubei Chan 2. That was some awesome sword play there. The best sequel in my opinion. Hearts and Spades and all that…
I think we’re aiming for realistic martial art moves here. ^^;