Since 2007, DC has released a steady stream of direct-to-video/direct-to-streaming animated movies featuring their iconic characters. These ambitious features have been praised for their aim at a more adult audience with many even rated R/TV-MA for violence and language. While these may be animated films, the fight sequences don’t shy away from gore and even on-screen depictions of death.

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Batman: Soul of the Dragon features an all-star cast of martial arts characters including Richard Dragon, Ben Turner/Bronze Tiger, Lady Shiva, and the Dark Knight himself. These fantastic fight sequences are amplified by a voice cast who are trained in martial arts themselves like Richard Dragon’s Mark Dacascos who has studied Muay Thai, capoeira with Amen Santo, and Wushu. The film’s 83-minute runtime is packed with an impressive original story and DC’s most fierce fighters going hit for hit with gang members, snake demons, and even each other.

10 Bruce Wayne & Richard Dragon VS The Axe Gang

Bruce Wayne & Richard Dragon VS The Axe Gang (Batman Soul of the Dragon)

After Richard Dragon and Bruce Wayne reunite, Bruce’s nightclub is attacked by a group of ninjas who call themselves the Axe Gang.

The two use their training to make quick work of the gang members but Bruce disappears from the action, leaving Dragon surrounded by the Axe gang when suddenly the lights go out. Batman appears out of the shadows and swoops down from the rafters and takes out the rest of the gang.

9 Bruce Wayne VS Ben Turner

Bruce Wayne VS Ben Turner (Batman Soul of the Dragon)

In a flashback to the past, O’Sensei’s training causes stress and tensions to build amongst his pupils. One day while eating lunch Bruce Wayne takes the last of the rice which causes Ben Turner to slap Bruce’s bowl out of his hand.

The two spar off with Ben brutally beating Bruce to the ground. Bruce’s relentless spirit grants him the courage to keep getting up which ultimately wins over the respect of his fellow student.

8 Shiva VS Rip Jagger

Shiva VS Rip Jagger (Batman Soul of the Dragon)

In another flashback, O’Sensei bestows the legendary Soul Breaker sword to Shiva which Rip Jagger quickly scoffs at. O’Sensei decides to give Jagger a chance to win the honor and challenges him to fight Shiva but with the rule that Shiva is only allowed to use one finger.

Of course, Shiva defeats Jagger ultimately crushing his windpipe with her index finger.

7 Batman & Ben Turner VS Schlangenfaust

Batman & Ben Turner VS Schlangenfaust (Batman Soul of the Dragon)

In order to sneak on to Kobra’s secret island, Batman, Dragon, Shiva, and Turner parachute down into the catacombs. There they are met by Schlangenfaust, the right-hand man to Kobra’s leader, Jeffrey Burr.

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It’s revealed that Schlangenfaust posses snake abilities himself with his severed arm turning into another snake demon. While Dragon and Shiva go after Jeffrey Burr, Batman and Turner stay behind to defeat Schlangenfaust.

6 Richard Dragon, Shiva, Bruce Wayne, & Ben Turner VS Snake Demons

Richard Dragon, Shiva, Bruce Wayne, & Ben Turner VS Snake Demons (Batman Soul of the Dragon)

After Rip Jagger opens the mystical gate, Nāga’s four demon servants emerge and O’Sensei tells his students that this is what their training was for. Though the students are strong, it’s only through teamwork that they find an edge on the terrifying demons.

While the four are ultimately successful, O’Sensei, knowing that his students would be no match for Nāga, sacrifices himself in order to close the gate.

5 Richard Dragon VS King Snake

Richard Dragon VS King Snake (Batman Soul of the Dragon)

While going after Jeffrey Burr, Richard Dragon is forced to fight the mysterious King Snake, a blindfolded man whose heightened other senses make him a formidable force.

Dragon has a tough time making contact with King Snake's reflexes outpacing his own. But Dragon uses his intellect to use his opponent's power against him and confuses his senses to get the upper hand.

4 Lady Shiva VS Lady Eve

Lady Shiva VS Lady Eve (Batman Soul of the Dragon)

While Richard Dragon is fighting King Snake, Lady Shiva is forced to battle Lady Eve, another general in the Kobra cult. The two fierce ladies clash swords matching blow for blow.

Lady Eve seems to get the upper hand on Shiva but staying true to her title as one of the top fighters in the DC Universe, Lady Shiva breaks Lady Eve’s sword and defeats her with nothing but her fists.

3 Richard Dragon VS Casino Guards

Richard Dragon VS Casino Guards (Batman Soul of the Dragon)

The opening scene of the film sets the tone as Richard Dragon goes full James Bond with a hint of Bruce Lee. After breaking into the casino boss’s office and snapping some incriminating photos, Dragon is confronted by four armed casino guards.

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Dragon holds his apple in his mouth while he takes out the guards one by one. The scene ends with Dragon letting off a grenade in the office as he jumps out the window and parachutes down to a yacht floating in the distance.

2 O’Sensei VS Batman, Richard Dragon, Shiva, & Ben Turner

O’Sensei VS Batman, Richard Dragon, Shiva, & Ben Turner (Batman Soul of the Dragon)

After Jeffrey Burr successfully opens the gate, Batman, Richard Dragon, Shiva, & Ben Turner are reunited with their master only he is now possessed by the demon Nāga. The students are forced to take on their master whose power greatly exceeds their own.

They each try to fight O’Sensei but one by one they fall. Batman comes close to incapacitating O’Sensei but it ends up falling to Richard Dragon to defeat his former master. With Batman’s help, Richard stabs O’Sensei with the Soul Breaker sword forcing Nāga to lose his hold on O'Sensei's body.

1 Lady Shiva VS Kobra Cult

Lady Shiva sword in hand in the DCAU

When Bruce Wayne and Richard Dragon head to Chinatown to find Lady Shiva, her fighting ring is overrun by Kobra Agents who are trying to steal the Soul Breaker sword. The three fend off the agents but the Kobra cult ultimately escapes with the sword.

Shiva and Dragon hop in Bruce’s car and speed off after them but Lady Shiva goes rogue and ejects herself out of the car taking out a Kobra agent and stealing her motorcycle in the process. Shiva speeds up and uses a sword to slay the other agents all while trying to get back her Soul Breaker sword.

NEXT: 10 Things To Know Before Watching Batman: Soul Of The Dragon