The Shonen genre of anime and manga is meant for battle, and many of the most popular anime series out there are all about a clash of wills on the battlefield. Some classic series go back to the 1990s or even earlier, such as the huge Dragon Ball media empire, and newer series such as My Hero Academia and The Rising of the Shield Hero. A hero may fight with magic, swords, guns, or even their bare hands.
Martial arts can be an entire lifestyle in themselves, and there's more to it than just punching and kicking. In the Shonen world, who might be the top 10 martial artists of all, when you factor in everything? There's more to it than sheer hitting power; also consider speed and agility, magic enhancements, creativity, sheer grit and courage, and the righteous reasons why these warriors fight. With all that in mind, let's meet the top 10 bare-knuckle fighters.
10 Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
Luffy can hit really hard, but if a list like this only measured sheer strength, it would end up rather skewed. So, all things considered, Luffy is one of the greatest melee fighters, but not top of the world. What can he do? After eating the Gum-Gum fruit, he can stretch his body like rubber, and this makes him immune to bullets and resistant to melee attacks. He also innovated moves such as the Gum-Gum Pistol, Gatling, and much more, taking full advantage of how far he can stretch.
9 Saitama (One-Punch Man)
Saitama has maxed out his strength and speed stats to hilarious heights, and this easily puts him in the top 10 martial artists of all. No monster, even the biggest baddies, will last long once Saitama's knuckles make contact! He is easily worthy of the S-class, but something's holding him back. His charisma is minimal, and he does little to inspire hope or confidence among the people he saves. In fact, he's pretty unpopular. He also isn't terribly creative or cooperative, relying just on his outrageous strength. It's effective, but plain.
8 Negi Springfield (Mahou Sensei Negima!)
This one came out of nowhere, didn't it? How can a 10-year-old boy from Ken Akamatsu's comedy-action-harem series Mahou Sensei Negima! make a list like this? Don't underestimate this kid, because he's packing some unreal power.
He can use magic both from a distance and in his fists, and he learned from the top martial artists in Japan and the magic world alike. Evangeline, Ku Fei, and Jack Rakan honed him into a monster, especially when he uses dark magic to boost his strength even more.
7 Ranma Saotome (Ranma 1/2)
From the same creative mind that brought us InuYasha is Ranma Saotome, an action star in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His training was fairly routine at first, but over the course of the series, Ranma learns many new skills and techniques from just about anyone, and he's a quick learner. His speed was boosted to incredible heights, and he can use the anger energy of his opponent, mix it with his cold aura, and create a devastating tornado! He also took down most of the series' biggest monsters and villains, and he's also a very perceptive and sharp thinker in battle. It doesn't take Ranma long to find and exploit a weakness.
6 Yusuke Urameshi (Yu Yu Hakusho)
He's a punk with a good heart, and many aspects of this early 1990s series inspired both Naruto and Bleach. Yusuke has street smarts and charisma, and he's a tough kid, too.
Upon dying, he becomes a spirit detective, and his martial arts prowess just grows and grows. Like Ranma Saotome, he's got sharp intuition and is fearless in battle, and his instincts serve him well. Don't forget his pistol-like Ray Gun, either. By the series' end, he's fighting the world's most powerful demon lords on equal footing, all bare-handed.
5 Yoruichi Shihoin (Bleach)
Yoruichi was groomed from birth to be a great leader and Captain in the Soul Society. She was born into the noble Shihoin family and quickly became the commander of the ninja-like Omnitsukido. Her flash step talent earned her the nickname the Goddess of Flash, and no one can touch her if she doesn't allow it. Yoruichi also has incredible athletic ability and hitting power, not to mention stealth. With Shunko, she can boost her power even further!
4 Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
This petite alchemist is a lot tougher than he looks. Not only is Edward a natural scientist, but he learned martial arts from his teacher, Izumi Curtis. Like Yoruichi, he can move like an acrobat, and this makes him flexible and difficult to hit in battle. Not to mention his quick and creative thinking, such as when he altered Greed's carbon skin into a soft lead to allow an attack to get through
Edward can use his knuckles and alchemy alike to subdue just about anyone. He can even set trap snares to bloodlessly end a battle. Overall, his good heart, merciful nature, and varied skill set make him a unique fighter.
3 Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
Izuku Midoriya's quest to become the new Symbol of Peace has progressed in fits and starts. He wasn't even born with a quirk, but his incredible courage, selflessness, and idealism made a serious impression on All Might in the twilight of that hero's career. Once Izuku received One For All, he quickly rose to the higher ranks of his class and learning under Gran Torino accelerated his training even further. Everyone is taking notice, and Izuku's bottomless grit, courage, and strength allow him to fight on par with the biggest villains out there. Every day, All Might is proven correct to entrust One For All to this kid.
2 Rock Lee
In many ways, Rock Lee is like Izuku, but without the benefit of a quirk. This Leaf Village boy was born unable to perform either genjutsu or ninjutsu, but he didn't dare give up his dream to become a ninja. So, he poured all of his efforts into taijutsu, and what a ninja he became! Rock Lee's strength, speed, and battle instincts are through the roof, especially given his age, and he can even get through Gaara's seemingly invincible sand defenses. He can also activate inner gates to unlock godly power, though it's risky. Overall, Rock Lee's incredible grit, optimism, skills, and strength make him one of the finest fighters of all time.
1 Goku
You knew this was coming, didn't you? From his childhood in Dragon Ball to his career in Dragon Ball Z to Dragon Ball Super, Goku has proved himself time and again the Superman of Shonen action. Honestly, he's got it all. A heart of gold, the desire to protect the innocent and uphold freedom and justice, self-sacrifice (he's died more than once in battle), a great personality and optimism, and of course, near-godlike combat power. When Goku arrives and the fists start flying, you know the Earth is saved.