The isekai landscape isn’t short of novel premises and absurd narratives, yet the core of these storylines tends to revolve around magic and mythical powers. However, a few isekai anime and manga have deviated from this common trope by adding another element into the mix — martial arts. These protagonists are thrown into new worlds with nothing but bare fists as their weapon of choice.

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Martial arts come in various forms, and a few isekai anime and manga have taken up these ancient arts to come up with uniquely amusing narratives. With a break from traditional fantasy stories, these isekai narratives offer a refreshing take, especially for those who enjoy a bit of martial arts action.

5 Izumo: Flash Of A Brave Sword

Anime-Planet Rating: 2.97/5

Yagi Takeru had lived a blissful life in his hometown, practicing Kendo and spending his days with his best friend Takeshi. However, a strange earthquake flips his world upside down, transporting him and his friends to a barren world that seemed eerily familiar. His school and hometown are in ruins, with not a living soul in sight, and he eventually learns that he has been transported to a parallel world of sorts.

Lost in a fantasy world with evil spirits and occult groups, Takeru has to fend for himself using his Kendo skills. Takeru’s journey in this new world has a rocky start, but he has a long path ahead of him before he can reunite with his friends. Despite being confined to merely twelve episodes, Izumo: Flash of a Brave Sword features an oddly compelling story.

4 Doryoku Shisugita Sekai Saikyou no Butouka wa, Mahou Sekai wo Yoyuu de Ikinuku

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.36/5

Doryoku Shisugita Sekai Saikyou no Butouka wa, Mahou Sekai wo Yoyuu de Ikinuku is a story of a martial artist who is reincarnated in a fantasy-like world filled with swords and sorcery. Instead of further honing his mastery of martial arts, Ash turns to an entirely different art form — sorcery.

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The manga ups the ante on the overpowered protagonist trope, as Ash turns into a one-shotting menace with his newfound magic powers. Despite the absurdity of the premise, the mix of martial arts and sorcery is an intriguing mix for an isekai manga.

3 Hokuto no Ken Gaiden: Tensai Amiba no Isekai Haou Densetsu

AniList Rating: 6.8/10

Hokuto no Ken Gaiden: Tensai Amiba no Isekai Haou Densetsu is a parody isekai manga, serving as a spin-off to the original Hokuto no Ken manga. The story follows Amiba, a genius capable of learning any sort of martial arts fighting style almost immediately. However, Amiba is killed off by the original protagonist in Hokuto no Ken, but instead of dying, he is sent to an alternate world.

After suffering defeat in his previous life, Amiba sets out on a new adventure in this new world, but with considerable knowledge and skill of the ancient martial arts. Hokuto no Ken Gaiden: Tensai Amiba no Isekai Haou Densetsu is perfect for avid manga readers looking for a lightweight premise.

2 The Ride-On King

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.94/5

The Ride-On King offers an absurd isekai premise, though it isn’t that far off from the usual antics of this genre. Alexander Plutinov, the President of Pursia, is a martial arts master with an insatiable thirst for riding and conquering all things that society has deemed unattainable. From riding beasts and machines to even conquering nations, Alexander Plutinov has done it all, leaving the fantasy world as the only escapade left.

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After fending off a terrorist attack by himself, Alexander gets knocked out by an accident in the aftermath. The next time he opens his eyes, he finds himself in a fantasy-like world with all manners of mythical beasts and creatures. Alexander may have lost his nation and followers, but what remains is his desire to ride things, making the mythical beasts the next victim of his bridle.

1 Karate Survivor In Another World

Anime-Planet Rating: 4/5

Karate Survivor in Another World showcases the grim side of the isekai theme, as it presents a protagonist thrown into a dystopian world by a dismissive god. With not even clothes to cover himself, Nozaki Hitoshi has to fend for himself with just one skill – karate. With his bare hands, Nozaki manages to outlive the harshness of this new world, but a longing remains to find others like him in this strange place.

Karate Survivor in Another World is a refreshing isekai manga as it furthers a sense of realism, something that isn’t often found in these escapist fantasies. The story also differs from the norm as it pits bare fists and karate skills against creatures with magic and sorcery, resulting in a captivating premise that also presents the depravity of the isekai landscape.

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