Mini-vacation and Moving

Been taking a little break this Holiday season and will be moving to Charleston, SC very soon, so that's the reason for my internet absence. I'm looking forward to the beginning of 2012.  Going to make some more workouts, write some more articles, and finally be consistent with videos.  Also trying to get a couple of side projects up for you guys.

Definitely would like to thank all of our long time readers and anyone who just happens to stumble across us here at Real Anime Training. The goal of this blog has met a fair amount of success and people seem to be more and more interested in both anime and fitness/martial arts and I'm excited to be a part of that movement.

Look forward to more in 2012! Until then, good luck and train hard!

Hell yes!

Watch "Dragon Ball Episode Of Bardock - FULL VERSION - HD" on YouTube

MMA in Anime and Manga

Unfortunately, mixed martial arts does not always receive the warmest of welcomes in anime or manga. There are plainly some biases against it, even to the point of contradiction. Mixed martial artists are often portrayed as mere sportsmen, just playing at real combat (which I will allow this argument to a degree, but I will qualify it) or that they are strong, but have horrible attitudes and are beaten out of principle it seems.
In History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, there is a scene that shows Odin, right before he meets Ogata Isshinsai, where he had just won a martial arts match that looks very similar to an MMA competition. He appears to make light of the competition and you do not see him use any common MMA skills in his later fights. Ryouzanpaku itself is set up to be for pure non-sport Masters. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, the problem lies in the fact that it dismisses the combat effectiveness of MMA or its components just because they are used in sport.

Even Judo and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu are made to seem less than other martial arts. Ukita is a judoka, but always seems to be the weakest fighter in the group. And during the D of D tournament, the BJJ team got slaughtered by the Ancient Pancration team... Which should include wrestling as part of its skill set, but is never showcased. This is challenged slightly by the Command Sambo users, but it is an exception to the rule.
In Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru, Minoru learns Karate and a little BJJ and does very well and then Mutou just does Karate and is ridiculously more powerful; however, a fighter from the MMA club is taken down by a single front kick (mind you, from a very strong karateka, but all the same). In general, if someone does MMA in manga or anime, expect to see them get slaughtered.

There are exceptions to this in Grappler Baki, Tough, Teppu, All-Rounder Meguru, and some others, but in general, MMA catches a bad rap in anime and manga. There's nothing wrong with just Karate or just a style of kung fu or just boxing or whatever, but the problem is when an author belittles the fact that MMA has fundamentally changed martial arts for the better (another article) and that mixed martial artists defeat traditional martial artists on a regular basis. I've said this before and I'll say it again, if you want to be a pure karateka or boxer or wrestler or whatever you have got to push the limits of your fitness and strength and find ways to deal with your style's shortcomings. Don't blame your art. Pick your path and charge full speed ahead, but prepare for the trials and tribulations and don't expect to win just because you train hard. Scissors always beat paper, no matter how much you don't want it to.

Shootfighter Tekken

So... had no idea, but apparently there is an anime version of Koko Tekken-den TOUGH. It's pretty awesome, too, since it tends to cut through all the fluff and get straight to the action.

Definitely worth a look and it will give you a closer look at some of the training described in the previous posts.

Kiichi's Iron Kiba Training B

Kiichi's prep for Iron Kiba also included endurance training-- super endurance training. This is absolutely ridiculous, but there are some people who run ULTRA-MARATHONS!  In short, an ultra-marathon is anything over a marathon, but generally go in increments like 30, 50 and 100 miles. You'll run slower during these types of events, but for longer periods of time. Kiichi went on a run that lasted more than 24 hours in order to both push his physical and mental endurance to their limits and reach a super runner's high. So, this training is not to be entered without a fair amount of prep work. Ultra-marathoning, like any elite sport has the potential to be very dangerous, so keep that in mind as you progress.


Kiichi's Iron Kiba Training B


The Goal:

• Run continuously (if possible) for 24 hours. 

The Progression:

• Stage 1: Alternate running and walking 30 minutes each for as many rounds as possible.
• Stage 2: Alternate running 1 hour and walking 30 minutes each for as many rounds as possible.
• Stage 3: Alternate running 1 and a half hours and walking 30 minutes each for as many rounds as possible.
• Stage 4: Alternate running 2 hours and walking 30 minutes each for as many rounds as possible.
• Stage 5: Alternate running for as long as possible and walking 30 minutes for as many rounds as possible.

Notes:

• There are no predefined terms for you to get to each level, however, in general you should have several rounds under your belt of each level before progressing to the next stage. 
• Your feet will take the brunt of this training. If possible run on grass or dirt for as much as possible to spare yourself the beating. The first stage will really give you the ability to rest in between the pounding of your feet against the ground and you'll be able to build it gradually. 
• You will need to eat. Sports drinks, carb gels, and protein-type bars are going to be essential to keep you going in the later rounds. 
• This training is not to be done all the time and is designed to be just another workout thrown into the mix of Real Anime Training workouts. 

That's all for today. Until next time, good luck and train hard!

Kiichi's Iron Kiba Training A

This is most of the training that Kiichi did to prepare to face "Iron" Kiba in the stead of his father, after he is injured in a car accident. Some of his previous opponents and friends come to help him train for this match. The training contains power, endurance, and skill.


Kiichi's Iron Kiba Training- Workout A

LEVEL ONE

1. Power-chan #1- 3 x 3 Minute Rounds
2. No-hands Bull Riding- 3 x 1 Minute Rounds
3. Continuous Sparring- 20 Minutes
4. Continuous Grappling- 20 Submissions
5. Run- 30 Minutes

LEVEL TWO

1. Power-chan #1- 5 x 3 Minute Rounds
2. No-hands Bull Riding- 3 x 2 Minute Rounds
3. Continuous Sparring- 20 Minutes
4. Continuous Grappling- 20 Submissions
5. Run- 40 Minutes

LEVEL THREE

1. Power-chan #1- 5 x 5 Minute Rounds
2. No-hands Bull Riding- 4 x 2 Minute Rounds
3. Continuous Sparring- 20 Minutes
4. Continuous Grappling- 20 Submissions
5. Run- 50 Minutes

LEVEL FOUR

1. Power-chan #1- 5 x 5 Minute Rounds
2. No-hands Bull Riding- 5 x 2 Minute Rounds
3. Continuous Sparring- 20 Minutes
4. Continuous Grappling- 20 Submissions
5. Run- 60 Minutes

Notes: 

• This workout will require some equipment. Some of it is relatively expensive, so this may be one of those workouts you rarely get to do. 
• Power-chan #1 is an apparatus created by Kiichi's father to help him train. It is a series of springs attached to Kiichi's limbs and body and connected to the wall. This provides resistance for punches and kicks. But that's just the first part. There is a long heavybag about twenty feet away that he has to get to before he can actually throw any of those strikes. You would probably have to build something like this using bands, like from LifelineUSA, whose products I've mentioned previously.
• No-hands Bull Riding is not to be done as it is in the manga. Kiichi actually used a real bull... yeah, don't do that. Instead, you can tie your arms and then use a mechanical bull to simulate the training. What you'll have to do is really squeeze your legs together, which will build stability, leg strength and the ability to stay on a squirming opponent. If you can find a mechanical bull, start slow and please have large mats around to catch you when (notice I didn't say if) you fall. 
• For continuous sparring, you may do any kind of sparring you like, but do not stop for 20 whole minutes. As this gets easier, you can up the intensity of the spar or add more people. Whatever you'd like to do. 
• For continuous grappling, it is not twenty total submission, but the first one to twenty submissions. These do not have to be in a row, mind you. 
• This final run is a continuous, even pace. You won't add any sprints in here. The main purpose of this run is to build muscular endurance after all the other training. The low-end aerobic cardio is just a plus.
• If you wish to do this workout, but lack the necessary equipment, please feel free to modify it as you see fit. 

That's all for today. Until next time, good luck and train hard!

Kiichi's Growth Workout (Koko Tekken-den TOUGH)

This workout is a collection of the training the Kiichi did in preparation for several fights from the beginning of Koko Tekken-den TOUGH, as well as some insight based on what Kiichi is capable of. The training is unique in some fashions, but also rather simple. Fitting for the heir of the Nadashinkage.

Kiichi's Growth Workout (Koko Tekken-den TOUGH)

1. Underwater Punching- 5 Rounds to Failure 
2. Sprinting and Dodging- 10 x 20 Yards
3. Run 1 Mile with Heavy Bag on Shoulders
4. Kicking and Punching Tires- 3 x 3 Minute Rounds
5. Continuous Grappling- 20 Submissions

Notes:

• There's not much here, but there really doesn't need to be. The underwater punching is going to build lung capacity and stamina.  Sprinting and dodging is obviously speed and agility. The run with the heavy bag is going to build strength and stamina. The tires will help with toughness and power. The continuous grappling will push your skills and finish up your stamina. 
• Each of these things can be pushed to become more and more difficult. 
• For underwater punching, you will need a swimming pool; weighted sandals, shoes, or a weighted belt; and you'll need a rope to help pull yourself out of the water and a spotter so you don't drown. You'll be completely submerged for the round and so you will be holding your breath for the entire time you are throwing punches. Kiichi was hitting a punching bag under the water, but it would be difficult to submerge a bag and the equipment for it. After a time, you'll be able to stay under longer and longer. Rest for 1 minute in between rounds. 
• Sprinting and dodging is going to be slightly different than in the manga.  Instead of using metal pipes attached to rope (because cause that is absolutely insane!), you can put tennis balls on the ends of rope (you can add more as you need) and work your way on sprinting and slipping through them. 
• You can start with a 50lb heavy bag (or if you need to go lighter, you can use a sand bag), then move up to a 70lb, and maybe a 100lb. However, stick with the 50lb for a long time, because running a mile with a 50lb heavy bag across your shoulders is pretty freakin' ridiculous. 
• You can stack tires on top of one another (preferably with tougher edges, but you can always word up to that) and maybe bolt them together so they don't move and then you can perhaps bury it, two or three tires deep in order to keep it from moving. Be easy at first and then work up to hitting it harder. Punch, kick, knee and elbow. Focus on kicking it with your shins to build up the toughness of them. 
• Continuous grappling means no breaks at all until somebody gets 20 submissions.  After each submission, reset, and immediately begin again. 

That's all for today. Until next time, good luck and train hard!