Everybody Was Kung-Fu Fighting: Difference between revisions

Content added Content deleted
VisualWikitext
m (categories and general cleanup)
m (Mass update links)
Line 28: Line 28:
* ''[[Ranma One Half|Ranma ½]]''. Everyone knows some martial art variation, from Anything Goes Tea Ceremony to Martial Arts Figure Skating. You name it, it's a martial art. Even [[Martial Arts and Crafts|calligraphy]].
* ''[[Ranma One Half|Ranma ½]]''. Everyone knows some martial art variation, from Anything Goes Tea Ceremony to Martial Arts Figure Skating. You name it, it's a martial art. Even [[Martial Arts and Crafts|calligraphy]].
* Also, every dueling anime show of "[[To Be a Master]]" and "[[Gotta Catch Em All]]" type. Every opponent the main character meet will inevitably have a theme to their item or pet, which they will invariably ALSO be a martial arts master in this style as well. As they scream out the names of the attacks their item or pet does, they will also (pointlessly) perform shadow fighting techniques to point out how kick ass they are. Perhaps to convince us (and themselves) that they're not just, you know, ''fighting with cards and plastic toys.''
* Also, every dueling anime show of "[[To Be a Master]]" and "[[Gotta Catch Em All]]" type. Every opponent the main character meet will inevitably have a theme to their item or pet, which they will invariably ALSO be a martial arts master in this style as well. As they scream out the names of the attacks their item or pet does, they will also (pointlessly) perform shadow fighting techniques to point out how kick ass they are. Perhaps to convince us (and themselves) that they're not just, you know, ''fighting with cards and plastic toys.''
** Although in the case of [[Yu-Gi-Oh]], many characters actually are good fighters, which was particularly relevant in the first few volumes of the manga and the Toei Anime. Jounouchi is a skilled street fighter who knocks out a trained assassin and keeps up against a Leather Face expy, Honda isn't exactly a wuss either, Kaiba kicks the crap out of a couple of people, Anzu throws some mean punches, Yami Yugi is hinted at being quite capable (particularly in the Toei Anime, where he has no troubles slamming his puzzle into the wall or kicking the daylights out of two of Kaiba's mooks who where twice his size (off-screen, sadly) and Yami Bakura wasn't exactly weak either; let's not even start bringing up their past selves, who were all without a doubt trained in combat.
** Although in the case of [[Yu-Gi-Oh!]], many characters actually are good fighters, which was particularly relevant in the first few volumes of the manga and the Toei Anime. Jounouchi is a skilled street fighter who knocks out a trained assassin and keeps up against a Leather Face expy, Honda isn't exactly a wuss either, Kaiba kicks the crap out of a couple of people, Anzu throws some mean punches, Yami Yugi is hinted at being quite capable (particularly in the Toei Anime, where he has no troubles slamming his puzzle into the wall or kicking the daylights out of two of Kaiba's mooks who where twice his size (off-screen, sadly) and Yami Bakura wasn't exactly weak either; let's not even start bringing up their past selves, who were all without a doubt trained in combat.
*** Events like these in the card game/plastic toy show are not unique to Yu-Gi-Oh. It's more of an extension of [[Serious Business]] and [[What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?]] than anything else: it has to be shown that the game they are playing is not a game…even if it really is.
*** Events like these in the card game/plastic toy show are not unique to Yu-Gi-Oh. It's more of an extension of [[Serious Business]] and [[What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?]] than anything else: it has to be shown that the game they are playing is not a game…even if it really is.
* ''[[Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple]]''. Subverted in some characters, like Niijima or the girl who has a crush on Kenichi, but pretty much the whole cast has knowledge of martial arts, even Shigure's mouse.
* ''[[Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple]]''. Subverted in some characters, like Niijima or the girl who has a crush on Kenichi, but pretty much the whole cast has knowledge of martial arts, even Shigure's mouse.
* ''[[Naruto]]'' is a justified example, considering that most of the story takes place in hidden villages completely organized around training [[Highly-Visible Ninja]].
* ''[[Naruto]]'' is a justified example, considering that most of the story takes place in hidden villages completely organized around training [[Highly-Visible Ninja]].
* ''[[Ikki Tousen]]'', good God. Pretty much every character that gets any amount of screen time can be seen fighting at some point or another (and that's counting the minor ones).
* ''[[Ikki Tousen]]'', good God. Pretty much every character that gets any amount of screen time can be seen fighting at some point or another (and that's counting the minor ones).
* The ''[[Dragonball]]'' series. Everybody from the little old man to the evil bubble gum alien seems to know Kung Fu.
* The ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' series. Everybody from the little old man to the evil bubble gum alien seems to know Kung Fu.




Line 52: Line 52:
*** Which actually makes a little sense, considering some moves in breakdancing were inspired by kung fu films.
*** Which actually makes a little sense, considering some moves in breakdancing were inspired by kung fu films.
** A plot point in the movie ''[[Shaolin Soccer]]'': the hero wants to spread Shaolin Kung Fu and points out to a soccer coach how it could be used to improve peoples' lives (like avoiding [[Banana Peel|Banana Peels]] and [[What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?|parallel parking]]). After they win a soccer tournament with an entire team of Shaolin monks, the hero gets his wish, and we get a [[Montage]] of people using Kung Fu [[Mundane Utility|in their everyday lives]]. In the English dub, the song that plays in the background is a cover of ''Kung Fu Fighting'' by Carl Douglas.
** A plot point in the movie ''[[Shaolin Soccer]]'': the hero wants to spread Shaolin Kung Fu and points out to a soccer coach how it could be used to improve peoples' lives (like avoiding [[Banana Peel|Banana Peels]] and [[What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?|parallel parking]]). After they win a soccer tournament with an entire team of Shaolin monks, the hero gets his wish, and we get a [[Montage]] of people using Kung Fu [[Mundane Utility|in their everyday lives]]. In the English dub, the song that plays in the background is a cover of ''Kung Fu Fighting'' by Carl Douglas.
* Played with in the 2008 ''[[Speed Racer (Film)|Speed Racer]]'' film, as everyone in the Racer family is able to prodigiously defend themselves against enemy racers, ninjas, etc. Most of them somehow know Kung Fu, although Pops doles out a beatdown with [[Good Old Fisticuffs]]. The exception is the Racers' mechanic Sparky, who [[Non-Action Guy|is totally useless in a fight]] and repeatedly has to be bailed out by his infinitely more skilled companions.
* Played with in the 2008 ''[[Speed Racer (film)|Speed Racer]]'' film, as everyone in the Racer family is able to prodigiously defend themselves against enemy racers, ninjas, etc. Most of them somehow know Kung Fu, although Pops doles out a beatdown with [[Good Old Fisticuffs]]. The exception is the Racers' mechanic Sparky, who [[Non-Action Guy|is totally useless in a fight]] and repeatedly has to be bailed out by his infinitely more skilled companions.
* ''[[Blade]]''. Also ''[[Blade]]'', ''[[Blade]]'', and oh yes, ''[[Blade]]''.
* ''[[Blade]]''. Also ''[[Blade]]'', ''[[Blade]]'', and oh yes, ''[[Blade]]''.
* ''[[Enter the Dragon]]'' ends with a massive kung fu battle. On one side you have Han's army of martial arts students, trained to kill mercilessly with their bare hands. On the other side you have... a bunch of vagrants and runaways, kidnapped from the streets of Hong Kong and freshly released from Han's dungeons. The two sides appear to be about evenly matched.
* ''[[Enter the Dragon]]'' ends with a massive kung fu battle. On one side you have Han's army of martial arts students, trained to kill mercilessly with their bare hands. On the other side you have... a bunch of vagrants and runaways, kidnapped from the streets of Hong Kong and freshly released from Han's dungeons. The two sides appear to be about evenly matched.
Line 67: Line 67:


== Live Action TV ==
== Live Action TV ==
* Becoming a vampire on ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' didn't just mean gaining immortality or super strength... it also meant automatic Kung Fu prowess. [[Cursed With Awesome|Why is being a vampire bad again?]] Oh yeah, that [[Kryptonite Factor|sun]] thing. And that [[Our Souls Are Different|soulless monster]] thing.
* Becoming a vampire on ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' didn't just mean gaining immortality or super strength... it also meant automatic Kung Fu prowess. [[Cursed with Awesome|Why is being a vampire bad again?]] Oh yeah, that [[Kryptonite Factor|sun]] thing. And that [[Our Souls Are Different|soulless monster]] thing.
** [[Lampshaded]] in Season 7:
** [[Lampshaded]] in Season 7:
{{quote| '''Dawn:''' But he's new! He doesn't know his strength, he might not know all those fancy martial arts skills they inevitably seem to pick up.}}
{{quote| '''Dawn:''' But he's new! He doesn't know his strength, he might not know all those fancy martial arts skills they inevitably seem to pick up.}}
Line 86: Line 86:
* In one of JD's [[Imagine Spot|daydream sequences]] in ''[[Scrubs]]'', Turk and The Todd had to kung fu fight every other surgeon in the hospital for a briefcase. To the song ''"Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting"''. See it [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl9ZZsUX00s&feature=related here.]
* In one of JD's [[Imagine Spot|daydream sequences]] in ''[[Scrubs]]'', Turk and The Todd had to kung fu fight every other surgeon in the hospital for a briefcase. To the song ''"Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting"''. See it [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl9ZZsUX00s&feature=related here.]
** {{spoiler|"Betrayal five!"}}
** {{spoiler|"Betrayal five!"}}
* One episode of ''[[Charmed (TV)|Charmed]]'' had no supernatural enemies whatsoever. Instead the episode's villain was a corrupt District Attorney who was trying to frame his mistress for murder. Towards the end of the episode the mistress confronts the District Attorney and the two of them suddenly engage in a brief kung fu fight completely out of left field.
* One episode of ''[[Charmed]]'' had no supernatural enemies whatsoever. Instead the episode's villain was a corrupt District Attorney who was trying to frame his mistress for murder. Towards the end of the episode the mistress confronts the District Attorney and the two of them suddenly engage in a brief kung fu fight completely out of left field.
* On ''[[Lost]]'', everyone except Hurley is an expert marksman and close-combat fighter. Hurley makes up for this lack by [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|running people over with a bus.]]
* On ''[[Lost]]'', everyone except Hurley is an expert marksman and close-combat fighter. Hurley makes up for this lack by [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|running people over with a bus.]]
** He knows [[Car Fu]].
** He knows [[Car Fu]].
* In ''[[Community (TV)|Community]]'' episode [[Community (TV)/Recap/S1 E12 Comparative Religion|Comparative Religion]], every last member of the study group is shown to be capable of brawling.
* In ''[[Community]]'' episode [[Community/Recap/S1 E12 Comparative Religion|Comparative Religion]], every last member of the study group is shown to be capable of brawling.




Line 97: Line 97:


== Tabletop Games ==
== Tabletop Games ==
* In the roleplaying game ''[[Feng Shui (Tabletop Game)|Feng Shui]]'', one of the cardinal rules of combat is that everyone -- EVERYONE -- knows at least some kung fu. They might not have enough skill for it to register in their stats, but if a character is capable of more motion than your average baby, ''then they know kung fu''.
* In the roleplaying game ''[[Feng Shui]]'', one of the cardinal rules of combat is that everyone -- EVERYONE -- knows at least some kung fu. They might not have enough skill for it to register in their stats, but if a character is capable of more motion than your average baby, ''then they know kung fu''.
** Except for those who have just the Guns skill combat-wise, like the Killer or the Techie. Those guys just dive around, take cover, and use the [[Guns and Gunplay Tropes]] to full effect. Or the Sorcerer, who uses the Sorcery skill to rain all over his enemies' parade. Sometimes literally.
** Except for those who have just the Guns skill combat-wise, like the Killer or the Techie. Those guys just dive around, take cover, and use the [[Guns and Gunplay Tropes]] to full effect. Or the Sorcerer, who uses the Sorcery skill to rain all over his enemies' parade. Sometimes literally.
* ''[[Hong Kong Action Theatre (Tabletop Game)|Hong Kong Action Theatre]]'' may be a better example of this trope in tabletop games than ''[[Feng Shui (Tabletop Game)|Feng Shui]]''. In this game, every character, whether they specialize in melee, gunplay, sorcery, or just kicking ass [[Martial Arts Movie]] style, knows Kung Fu. You even get to select your character's specific style of Kung Fu upon creation!
* ''[[Hong Kong Action Theatre]]'' may be a better example of this trope in tabletop games than ''[[Feng Shui]]''. In this game, every character, whether they specialize in melee, gunplay, sorcery, or just kicking ass [[Martial Arts Movie]] style, knows Kung Fu. You even get to select your character's specific style of Kung Fu upon creation!
* The RPG ''[[Weapons Of The Gods]]'', and (one assumes) [[Adaptation Displacement|the Taiwanese comic book on which it's based.]]
* The RPG ''[[Weapons Of The Gods]]'', and (one assumes) [[Adaptation Displacement|the Taiwanese comic book on which it's based.]]
* One officially listed campaign suggestion for ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' is to have everyone be a gestalt monk (basically, add in the abilities of the monk class on top of whatever actual class any character has), specifically to evoke this kind of feeling in a campaign.
* One officially listed campaign suggestion for ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' is to have everyone be a gestalt monk (basically, add in the abilities of the monk class on top of whatever actual class any character has), specifically to evoke this kind of feeling in a campaign.
Line 108: Line 108:
* ''[[Fugitive Hunter]]: War on Terror'' is all about tracking down terrorists around the globe, taking them on in fistfights, and capturing them. Terrorists who, inexplicably, have the same martial arts skills as you do ? including ''{{spoiler|[[Osama Bin Laden]]}}''.
* ''[[Fugitive Hunter]]: War on Terror'' is all about tracking down terrorists around the globe, taking them on in fistfights, and capturing them. Terrorists who, inexplicably, have the same martial arts skills as you do ? including ''{{spoiler|[[Osama Bin Laden]]}}''.
* In ''[[Jade Empire]]'', almost every character or enemy seems to have some sort of training in a martial art. Even the lingering spirits of random dead people seem to be capable of martial arts skills as advanced as yours. Makes the sole case of a [[Distressed Damsel]] (Fuyao, the girl who you rescue from slavers in Gao the Greater's pirate base) stand out.
* In ''[[Jade Empire]]'', almost every character or enemy seems to have some sort of training in a martial art. Even the lingering spirits of random dead people seem to be capable of martial arts skills as advanced as yours. Makes the sole case of a [[Distressed Damsel]] (Fuyao, the girl who you rescue from slavers in Gao the Greater's pirate base) stand out.
* ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4]]''. Everybody seems to have a hardon for Big Boss's CQC system.
* ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots]]''. Everybody seems to have a hardon for Big Boss's CQC system.
** Somewhat justified in that everybody who knows it, knew, was trained by, or learned it from Big Boss or The Boss themselves. Doesn't explain the PMC [[Mooks]]' knowledge of it though.
** Somewhat justified in that everybody who knows it, knew, was trained by, or learned it from Big Boss or The Boss themselves. Doesn't explain the PMC [[Mooks]]' knowledge of it though.
* The two-person non-lethal takedowns in ''[[Deus Ex Human Revolution (Video Game)|Deus Ex Human Revolution]]'' often begin with the targets attempting to expertly melee Jensen followed by an equally expert counter and finishing move. Said takedowns can be done not just on enemies but also regular NPCs. Which means that you can witness elaborate martial battles not just between Jensen and soldiers, but between Jensen and ordinary civilians or even between Jensen and ''street prostitutes''.
* The two-person non-lethal takedowns in ''[[Deus Ex: Human Revolution|Deus Ex Human Revolution]]'' often begin with the targets attempting to expertly melee Jensen followed by an equally expert counter and finishing move. Said takedowns can be done not just on enemies but also regular NPCs. Which means that you can witness elaborate martial battles not just between Jensen and soldiers, but between Jensen and ordinary civilians or even between Jensen and ''street prostitutes''.
** [[Fridge Brilliance|If anyone needs adequate self-defense skills, it's them]].
** [[Fridge Brilliance|If anyone needs adequate self-defense skills, it's them]].
* From ''[[Assassin's Creed II (Video Game)|Assassin's Creed II]]'' onwards, if you pickpocket anyone and they catch sight of Ezio, the victim will attempt to punch him out. Key word being ''attempt'': It doesn't take many punches from Ezio to put them in their place.
* From ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' onwards, if you pickpocket anyone and they catch sight of Ezio, the victim will attempt to punch him out. Key word being ''attempt'': It doesn't take many punches from Ezio to put them in their place.




Line 119: Line 119:
* There was an unusual prevalence of combat skilled characters in ''[[Survival of the Fittest]]'' V3 and its Pregame, especially since the characters are all, at best, highschoolers. Averted in V2 and V1, mostly, since few characters got opportunities to engage in hand to hand fighting.
* There was an unusual prevalence of combat skilled characters in ''[[Survival of the Fittest]]'' V3 and its Pregame, especially since the characters are all, at best, highschoolers. Averted in V2 and V1, mostly, since few characters got opportunities to engage in hand to hand fighting.
** Seth vs. Walter in V2, though, was a notable exception to this aversion, with inordinate skill levels being displayed (although Seth was, admittedly, already established as fairly skilled), especially with Walter, who displayed abnormal levels of strength against both Seth and [[Villain Sue|Mariavel Varella]], along with skill in the earlier knife fight against Jin Li-Jen. The actual fight with Seth soon turned into a brutal slugfest on par with [[Good Old Fisticuffs|a bare-knuckle boxing match]].
** Seth vs. Walter in V2, though, was a notable exception to this aversion, with inordinate skill levels being displayed (although Seth was, admittedly, already established as fairly skilled), especially with Walter, who displayed abnormal levels of strength against both Seth and [[Villain Sue|Mariavel Varella]], along with skill in the earlier knife fight against Jin Li-Jen. The actual fight with Seth soon turned into a brutal slugfest on par with [[Good Old Fisticuffs|a bare-knuckle boxing match]].
* The [[That Guy With the Glasses]] First Anniversary Brawl, ''every single one'' of the site's contributors proved to be semi-competent, marginally deadly martial artists.
* The [[That Guy With The Glasses]] First Anniversary Brawl, ''every single one'' of the site's contributors proved to be semi-competent, marginally deadly martial artists.
** Except for poor Ma-Ti. [[What Kind of Lame Power Is Heart, Anyway?|Heart!]]
** Except for poor Ma-Ti. [[What Kind of Lame Power Is Heart, Anyway?|Heart!]]
* It seems that almost character in ''[[Darwins Soldiers]]'' is fairly skilled with firearms. [[Justified Trope|Justified]] in that firearms training and basic marksmanship are mentioned as being mandatory or that the employee in question enjoy recreational shooting.
* It seems that almost character in ''[[Darwin's Soldiers]]'' is fairly skilled with firearms. [[Justified Trope|Justified]] in that firearms training and basic marksmanship are mentioned as being mandatory or that the employee in question enjoy recreational shooting.
* ''[[Sockbaby]]''. In Sockb4by, even Ronnie's next door neighbor is one of the mook squad that attacks him.
* ''[[Sockbaby]]''. In Sockb4by, even Ronnie's next door neighbor is one of the mook squad that attacks him.
* Pretty much the case in ''[[Greek Ninja]]''.
* Pretty much the case in ''[[Greek Ninja]]''.
Line 127: Line 127:


== [[Web Comics]] ==
== [[Web Comics]] ==
* The heart and soul of ''[[What the Fu (Webcomic)|What the Fu]]''.
* The heart and soul of ''[[What the Fu (webcomic)|What the Fu]]''.
* Subverted in [http://www.webcomicsnation.com/eddurd/everydayheroes/series.php?view=single&ID=81803 this] ''[[Everyday Heroes]]'' episode, where Mr. Mighty and his wife engage in "Trial By Combat" {{spoiler|(actually "Trial By Guitar Hero")}} to determine who has to clean the cat box.
* Subverted in [http://www.webcomicsnation.com/eddurd/everydayheroes/series.php?view=single&ID=81803 this] ''[[Everyday Heroes]]'' episode, where Mr. Mighty and his wife engage in "Trial By Combat" {{spoiler|(actually "Trial By Guitar Hero")}} to determine who has to clean the cat box.




== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==
* One of the initial criticisms of ''[[The Batman (Animation)|The Batman]]'' was that seemingly every villain was an expert hand-to-hand combatant, especially the Joker and the Penguin.
* One of the initial criticisms of ''[[The Batman]]'' was that seemingly every villain was an expert hand-to-hand combatant, especially the Joker and the Penguin.
** Actually if you think about it, it was ''only'' the Joker and the Penguin affected by this, and even their fighting ability was downplayed after their introductory appearances.
** Actually if you think about it, it was ''only'' the Joker and the Penguin affected by this, and even their fighting ability was downplayed after their introductory appearances.
** Which [[Fridge Brilliance|makes sense]] if you notice the rarity of guns in that universe.
** Which [[Fridge Brilliance|makes sense]] if you notice the rarity of guns in that universe.
Line 142: Line 142:
** Not to mention the multiple chicken fights.
** Not to mention the multiple chicken fights.
* In ''[[The Penguins of Madagascar]]'' the penguins use violence to solve everything from runaways to making popcorn pop. Skipper, the leader, even says in one episode, "I find reason tedious and boring. We use force."
* In ''[[The Penguins of Madagascar]]'' the penguins use violence to solve everything from runaways to making popcorn pop. Skipper, the leader, even says in one episode, "I find reason tedious and boring. We use force."
* ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures (Animation)|Jackie Chan Adventures]]'' is the living embodiment of this trope, and it is awesome.
* ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures]]'' is the living embodiment of this trope, and it is awesome.
** In a time-travel ep set during the character Jackie's childhood during the 70's, a fight breaks out between present-Jackie, past-Uncle, present-Jade and the Dark Hand, prompting one of the kids to say [[Title Drop|'Everybody is Kung-Fu Fighting!']]
** In a time-travel ep set during the character Jackie's childhood during the 70's, a fight breaks out between present-Jackie, past-Uncle, present-Jade and the Dark Hand, prompting one of the kids to say [[Title Drop|'Everybody is Kung-Fu Fighting!']]
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''; almost every main-character, both good and evil, knows a version of kung-fu. Most of them know [[Elemental Powers|''superpowered'']] kung-fu. Exceptions are Sokka, who functions as the team's [[Badass Normal]] (eventually), and a few minor characters, like Yue, Yugoda and the Cabbage Merchant.
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''; almost every main-character, both good and evil, knows a version of kung-fu. Most of them know [[Elemental Powers|''superpowered'']] kung-fu. Exceptions are Sokka, who functions as the team's [[Badass Normal]] (eventually), and a few minor characters, like Yue, Yugoda and the Cabbage Merchant.
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Everybody_Was_Kung-Fu_Fighting"