Throughout the fighting genre of manga there are countless examples of jaw-dropping abilities and fights. Both the caliber of fighters along with their techniques can make for memorable storylines. Having read my fair share of fighting manga, I wanted to classify the sub-genres I noticed during my reading. The feats/abilities in a martial arts manga range from realistic to outright illogical. I aim to talk about the elements that create the sub-genres between technical and supernatural fighting.
Technical Martial Arts
Defining the technical aspects of martial arts manga is straightforward. Technical ability takes the character’s ability and grounds it into realism. All the techniques are entirely possible and have real world references to back it up. A major factor with technical style fighting manga is the application of training. Manga such as Shigurui, Teppu and All Rounder Meguru shows their protagonist constantly practicing in their respective martial arts. Training symbolizes hard work and a character’s mindset moving towards the next fight.
Another element in the technical field are injuries. These injuries are handled with real life healing methods and effects the characters mentality. Injured fighters create a dramatic narrative of whether the character can perform at their best conditions. It also creates build up and a sense of anxiety of victory or defeat over their next opponent. Technical fighting manga takes training and the potential threat of injury to make matches more theatrical.
Imagery in Technical Martial Arts
An amazing strength in a technical fighting manga is the implication of the supernatural. Attention to detail is a welcomed benefit but to momentarily subvert realism can enhance the manga’s flair. Unique interpretations of a technique like an impact of a slam creates visual metaphors for the reader to follow. To say that a person hits like a Mack truck is a fun exaggeration. Seeing a fighter hit someone with a figurative truck in the background creates a lasting spectacle.
Supernatural Martial Arts
Supernatural martial arts manga is more flexible than its counterpart. These types of mangas are riddle with physical ability and techniques that bend reality. A big focus is the explanation of the technique and how it applies in the fight itself. It is often performs through unfeasible physical prowess or a type of body defect (extra finger, curved spine, etc.). The pinnacle of this sub-genre would be Keisuke Itagaki’s Baki the Grappler. Baki illustrates everything how supernatural fighting uses unorthodox fighting styles and skill. While the practically of stopping bullets with muscles or surviving lethal injurie is ridiculous, it is cool to see.
Supernatural fighting manga’s biggest strength lies in the fighter’s abilities. Technical fighting normally includes rigorous training for the main character to achieve expertise. A protagonist in the supernatural subgenre is either talented from the start or possess extraordinary willpower. These traits are put to the test by other eccentric types of fighters that boast unorthodox fighting styles. In turn, the weirdness of each fight makes it a story of enjoyment rather than an insightful journey. At its core, a supernatural martial arts manga demonstrates the spectacle in a fight between two people.
Sharing Elements
Thankfully, martial arts manga is not opposed to mixing the two sub-genres to enhance the story. Some technical fighting manga use imagery in their fights while supernatural fighting includes detailed descriptions of certain techniques. Hajime no Ippo uses its technical knowledge of boxing and incorporates supernatural imagery to sell the fights. Something like Kengan Ashura has impractical combat while having the technical history and background for their techniques. Combining the two sub-genres ensures that the fights can be both parts believable and stylish.
Which Sub-Genre has the Better Storyline?
While you can enjoy both, technical martial arts have a stronger foundation. The technical side connects to a story structure that features proper motives and goals. A supernatural based fighter is more focused on the fight and tends to leave a one note main character. A one note character is not necessarily bad because they can benefit off their supporting characters and antagonists. However, a fighter that constantly works towards to the next fight while facing other factors outside fighting have better hype. A technical martial arts manga changes the protagonist’s reason from, “I want to fight” to “I have to fight”.
Conclusion
The two sub-genres are slightly different but stand comfortably on their own. The technical aspect feels more rewarding to see with hard work to a certain goal. The supernatural martial arts encourage the expression of the character and their fighting style. Both can also share elements to improve storytelling and world building. Either way, martial arts manga are separate through practical detail or exciting fights.
Hello, I figured I could recommend some fighting manga that fall in line with this article down below. I have read a total of 8 out of the 15 with Kengan Ashura and Vagabond being my favorites. This is also the second time I have mentioned Ippo in an article. It is definitely worth the read or watch if martial arts/boxing is your thing. Thanks again for reading.
https://www.gamersdecide.com/articles/best-martial-arts-manga
genuinely insane to say that all supernatural fighting is somehow worse than technical fighting because of…. character building??
You have a point because I should have said that technical fighting is my preference instead of generally stating that it is overall better than supernatural. I’ve watched more clips of Baki since this post and thought, “Story be damned, this shit is dope.” My go to will most likely go to technical fighting but getting enjoyment out of the supernatural can definitely hit better.
I enjoyed what you had to say here. I agree with the idea of supernatural fighting manga not inherently being worse off with their storytelling, but more often than not they will have weaker stories because of the focus in their supernatural fighting rather than the technical stories.