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One of the most exciting genres of shows is martial arts TV shows. These series have the right balance of otherworldly fight sequences and important themes of legacy and honor. Many of these martial arts TV shows also have an emotional core at the center, which makes the series even more heartfelt. From animated shows with stunning action choreography to gritty dramas packed with martial arts fights, here are 10 martial arts TV shows that will awaken one’s inner warrior and probably also motivate one to go to the gym.
Cobra Kai, Bloodhounds, and others martial arts TV shows that are a must-watch
1. Wu Assassins
Created by John Wirth and Tony Krantz, this is one of the must-watch supernatural and action martial arts TV shows. Starring Iko Uwais, Mark Dacascos, and others, the show is about a young Chinatown chef in San Francisco, Kai Jin (Uwais), whose life changes when he gets embroiled with the Chinese Triad’s pursuit of deadly ancient powers known as the “Wu Xing.” Kai Jin has an encounter with a mystical spirit and becomes the Wu Assassin, who has the skills and powers of 1000 monks. Kai Jin gets these powers from a special amulet. The show, therefore, has many fantastical elements. As the 1000th and the last Wu Assassin, it is up to Kai Jin to use his martial arts skills to recover the supernatural powers from five criminals that want to use them for evil. The series received positive reviews for its fight sequences, and even though it has one season, it spawned a movie sequel. It is one of the perfect martial arts TV shows for fans, as Iko Uwais is a martial artist himself.
2. The Brothers Sun
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien, and others, this action and comedy drama show is one of the must-watch martial arts TV shows. Created by Byron Wu and Brad Falchuk, the series focuses on Bruce Sun (Sam Song Li), who lives in Los Angeles, California, with his mother. However, his life turns upside down when his older brother, Charles Sun, arrives in the city as well, and Bruce learns that his family is one of Taipei, Taiwan’s most dreaded gangsters. As Charles’ father had an assassination attempt, Charles is sent to Los Angeles to be safe. While Bruce’s mother, Eileen (Yeoh), raised Bruce away from the family’s sordid past, Charles grew up to become a hardened criminal due to being raised by their dad. However, with Charles coming to Los Angeles, Bruce also has to adapt to the gangster life of his family. The show has plenty of martial arts action and rib-tickling laughter. While the show ended after one season, it is one of the perfect martial arts TV shows to watch. The fight sequences are slick and iconic and will leave the viewers on the edge of their seats.
3. Kengan Ashura
Written by Yabako Sandrovich and illustrated by Daromeon, this Japanese manga series became the inspiration for an original net animation that premiered in 2019. The show focuses on the Edo period in Japan and the presence of the gladiator arenas. These arenas host battles between wealthy business owners and merchants, who hire gladiators and fight in unarmed combat. These matches are called Kengan matches. Amidst all this, Yamashita Izuo is an average Japanese man who witnesses a street fight between two mysterious fighters. One of the fighters, Tokita Ashura Ohma, is managed by Kazuo, and the two have a troublesome relationship as Ohma prepares for a Kengan match and Kazuo tries to find out more about Ohma. The fights in the show are stylish and crisp, and the show has themes of legacy and honor. It is one of the must-watch martial arts TV shows and will definitely thrill the viewers who are fans of martial arts TV shows.
4. Into the Badlands
Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, this action and drama show is one of the most thrilling martial arts TV shows that one must watch. Starring Daniel Wu, Orla Brady, and others, the show is known for its high-octane martial arts scenes and has a tinge of the post-apocalyptic. The show focuses on a warrior, Sunny (Wu), and a young boy, M.K., who travel through a dangerous feudal land and must seek enlightenment. The show showcases a future where war has ruined civilization, and apart from electricity and ground vehicles, all other forms of technology, including firearms and other weaponry, have been shunned. Therefore, the show relies heavily on martial arts as a form of fighting. The ruined civilization has given way to a feudal society where powerful barons control land and fuel. The series has many martial artists, including Wu himself, and therefore the fight scenes in the show are authentic and gritty. It is one of the martial arts TV shows that combines post-apocalyptic horrors with martial arts action.
5. House of Ninjas
Starring Kento Kaku and Yosuke Eguchi, this Japanese drama and action series is one of the must-watch martial arts TV shows. Directed by Dave Boyle and Kento Kaku, where Boyle also created the show. The series revolves around the family of Tawaras, who are shinobis and live in a traditional house of ninjas in modern Japan. The family is descended from Hattori Hanzo. After the family’s eldest son died during a mission to rescue a kidnapped politician, the Tawaras stopped helping the government. The family struggles to be a normal family and has some strange and quirky dysfunctions. However, when a new problem arises, the family members must go back to their past. The show has only one season but is packed with adrenaline-pumping fights and action sequences. The show is one of the perfect martial arts TV shows, as it has thrills and family drama. The series has many thrilling fight scenes but also has an emotional core.
6. Bloodhounds
Written by Jack Park Sayean and directed by Jason Kim, this South Korean action-drama stars Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, and others. The show is based on the Naver Webtoon of the same name by Jeong Chan. It is one of the must-watch martial arts TV shows. It focuses on Kim Geon-woo (Do-hwan), who is a promising young boxer and wants to provide a better life for his single mother. However, when his mother falls into the trap of a ruthless loan shark organization, Geon-woo teams up with Choi Tae-ho (Huh Joon-ho), a moneylender with his own past, and Hong Woo-jin (Sang-yi), a delinquent who knows boxing. The three decide to fight against the loan shark organization even though they come from different backgrounds. The series is dark and gritty as the trio enter a world of ruthless financial fraudsters. The show has themes of loyalty, friendship, and freedom. It is one of those martial arts TV shows that offers plenty of pulse-pounding fight scenes.
7. Blue Eye Samurai
Directed by Jane Wu and created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, this adult animated action series is one of the must-watch martial arts TV shows with stunning visuals. Featuring the voices of Maya Erskine, George Takei, and others, the show focuses on Japan’s Edo period, where a half-white and half-Japanese onna-musha (female warrior), Mizu (Erskine), seeks vengeance against four white men. One of the men is her own father, as he illegally remained in Japan during the closing of its borders by the Tokugawa shogunate. The show has themes of bullying, freedom, and personal identity as Mizu faces discrimination because of her mixed status and grows up bitter and cold. She is even forced by her mother to disguise herself as a boy. Mizu decides to use this disguise into adulthood and seek vengeance. The show has both emotional storytelling and samurai action. It is one of those martial arts TV shows that also focuses on character development and has heartfelt moments.
8. Cobra Kai
One of the must-watch martial arts TV shows, this action and comedy drama is a sequel to the first three The Karate Kid movies by Robert Mark Kamen. Created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Jayden Schlossberg, the show features Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, and others. The series has six seasons and sees Macchio and Zabka reprise their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence from the film series. The series re-examines the movies and focuses on Daniel and Johnny, who are now at different points in their lives. The show is the perfect ode to martial arts and the famous film franchise. It has themes of redemption and second chances and is one of the must-watch martial arts TV shows. The series garnered high critical and commercial acclaim and was noted for its themes and strong action sequences. The martial arts in the show are breathtaking to watch and are razor-sharp.
9. Warrior
Created by Jonathan Trooper and based on the concept by Bruce Lee, this martial arts and crime drama is one of the most thrilling martial arts TV shows. Starring Andrew Koji, Olivia Cheng, and others, the series is set during the Tong Wars of the late 1870s in San Francisco. It follows Ah Sahm (Koji), who is a martial arts prodigy from Foshan, China. He travels to San Francisco in search of his elder sister Xiaojing, who emigrated many years before. However, life has something different in store for him as he gets sold to one of the most powerful tongs in Chinatown. The series is gritty and action-packed and has themes of racism and immigration. It has stunning fight choreography and stellar cinematography. Viewers who want to watch fast-paced martial arts and stylized action must watch one of the most successful martial arts TV shows.
10. Kung Fu
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Based on the 1970 show of the same name, this action and adventure series is one of the must-watch martial arts TV shows. Developed by Christina M. Kim and starring Olivia Liang, Eddie Liu, and others, the series has a predominantly Asian-American cast. It is one of the few martial arts TV shows that has a female lead in the center and has powerful themes of discrimination, identity, and legacy. The show focuses on a Chinese-American woman, Nicky (Liang), who is forced to leave college at Harvard and make a life-changing journey to a monastery in China. When she returns after a few years, she decides to use her martial arts skills and Shaolin values to protect her community from the crime and corruption in San Francisco. The show also focuses on the protagonist trying to find the assassin who killed her mentor and is now after her own life. The show blends high-octane martial arts fights with an emotional core. The series has well-developed characters and stellar fight scenes that make this show one of the must-watch martial arts TV shows.
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