Let’s get one thing clear folks, anime and cartoons are different. Now, since that is cleared let’s move on! What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Anime? It’s probably the iconic series of Naruto that has a whopping 220 episodes spanning the life of Naruto, a young ninja. But any Otaku (anime lover in simple terms) will tell you that while Naruto is a blockbuster watch, there are so many other martial arts and fight anime we are missing out on!

With super forms, power-ups, flashy themes, and a groundbreaking back story with amazing character arcs, these can enthrall almost anyone. Some anime especially ‘Shonen’ anime have memorable fight sequences but which ones do we choose from in this plethora of stories? Well, worry not, because here are 5 combat-based MMA anime that every MMA fan must watch.

Dragon Ball Z

Let’s start with the OG, shall we? While fans of the Dragon Ball series today are more familiar with Goku’s life adventures in Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, the original Dragon Ball, the parent series if you will—is far more closely tied to the roots of martial arts. Akira Toriyama’s creation released in 1986 has brilliant storytelling about an ape-tailed kid named Goku and his adventures as he strives to become stronger with time. We cannot forget this highest-selling franchise of all time when speaking of MMA, can we?

Goku’s original journey begins when he meets Dragon Ball hunter Bulma in their quest to summon Shenron. Then they go on to meet other Z-Fighter staples such as Master Roshi, Yamcha, and even Chi-Chi. The OG Goku always relied on traditional martial arts and his fights included kicks, punches, jumps along with parries. Now the new series called Dragon Ball Z does have some flashy transformations and beam attacks but who can forget the origins right?

Naruto

If you are not looking for just the showdown fights but also want a dash of emotional backstories with drama and a sense of purpose, this anime is for you. Based on the manga of the same name by Masashi Kishimoto, this anime is an all-time favorite for most Otakus, and rightfully so! Despite the supernatural and fantasy elements inside the story, this is a captivating watch with ninjas who are as swift as a lightning bolt!

From Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu to Muay Thai and  Karate you’ll find every form of martial arts in this anime. It’s a perfect blend of mixed martial arts and mystical magic. Among these, Taijutsu is pure MMA combat with ninjas like Rock Lee and Might Guy presenting fans with the most electric fight scenes in anime. You know what’s more interesting? Even UFC 24-5-0 Middleweight star Israel Adesanya is a huge fan of anime, especially Naruto. He even answered a question about the same in his recent post-fight presser before clashing with Nassourdine Imavov.

Izzy was asked to choose which anime character he would like to fight and ‘The Last Stylebender’ chose Rock Lee. Now let’s come to the gist of the plot. This anime follows the story of a lively orphan boy who strives to be recognized by other ninjas in his village. He decides to become a ‘Hokage’ (head of the ninjas) but the journey is grueling with a big secret that is revealed later on. From frenemies like Sasuke and enemies who intrude on their village, what follows is an adventure that will make you cry, laugh, and make you want to become a martial artist.

Hinomaru Sumo

If you love MMA and want to start watching anime then this thrilling story is for you. Learning about the thrills of sumo wrestling becomes easier with Hinomaru Sumo, an invigorating tale of a sumo practitioner Hinomaru Ushio who wants to become the greatest sumo wrestler aka the  Hinoshita Kaisan.  However, just like becoming a UFC star is not a piece of cake, even Ushio has to go through several hurdles to get to the peak of success.  Let’s backtrack a bit and see where he has to start from.

First, he has to become the best sumo wrestler in Japan’s high school division aka the Yokozuna. But there’s a teeny tiny problem—he does not meet the size requirements to become a sumo wrestler. Does this stop him though? Not! The series shows the grit and resilience he has to become the best sumo wrestler and a threat to behold.

Jiujitsu Kaisen

Before going into the story a short disclaimer—this story is as much fantasy and fight as it is gory. So if you are not good with gore then skip this one maybe? Back to the plot—Itadori Yuji is everything else but a fighter at the start of the series created by Gege Akutami. He was expecting an ordinary school life but life had other plans—or let’s say, Gojo Satoru had different plans for him. Everything changed the day he decided to become curious and followed some supernatural shenanigans with his friends to ultimately swallow the finger of Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses.

He gets thrust into the world of supernatural demon fighters and evil curses (demons), where he learns about his destiny. This award-winning anime is going to make you love the complex characters, with amazing fight scenes with horrific monsters. Jiujitsu Sorcerers generally fight with magic and weapons but also use OG martial arts techniques like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Aikido.

Demon Slayer

Last but not least, we cannot forget the recent smashing hit Demon Slayer with its tear-jerking backstories and the magnificent fight between demons and demon slayers. With whirlwind swordfights to supernatural magical powers, this anime is a roller-coaster ride. It follows the story of Kamado Tanjiro, a kind-hearted boy who lives with his siblings and mother. He was not connected to the fight world whatsoever but an evil demon decided to kill his whole family and Tanjiro was forced to take the difficult road. With his half-demon half-human sister Nezuko, he traveled far and wide to learn the water-breathing technique that slayed many top dogs in the demon world.

This anime is a must-watch if you love MMA and swordsmanship because it’s a blend of magic, elemental inspiration, and Kenjutsu. So which of these animes will you watch first? Share in the comments below!