History Main / KungFuWizard

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* An example of a CombatMedic meets the KungFuMagic are the monks and master monks in the VideoGame/{{Shining|Series}} franchise. ''VideoGame/ShiningForce'' gives us Gong, a monk who knows how to cast healing spells and can stand his own in combat. Then in ''VideoGame/ShiningForceII'', monks can be made even more powerful to near GameBreaker levels. Sarah and Karna gain the Blast spell, so they can not only send someone packing with their fists but can also inflict a little magic damage. The {{Remake}} of ''VideoGame/ShiningForce'' also allows Gong to attack with a wave of energy.

* Similarly in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', Ganondorf fights ''exclusively'' using his arms & legs in close-quarters combat (At least until ''Ultimate'', where he starts using [[{{BFS}} a massive sword]] as well), and is one of the game's heaviest hitters.

* ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2'' allows players to make a Kung-Fu Wizard character by combining a [[PowerFist Knuckle]]-wielding Fighter main class with a magic-using subclass like Force, Techer, or Bouncer. [[MagicKnight Bouncers]], themselves, can also use a variety of kicking techniques in conjunction with magic using [[ArmedLegs Jet Boots]].
* In ''VideoGame/DungeonCrawl'', transmuters start with skill in unarmed combat and better physical stats than most other spellcasting classes. This becomes especially useful when you get access to their [[ShapeShifterWeapon shapeshifting spells]].
* Xavier Pendragon from ''VideoGame/EternalChampions'' might count as one, since he uses a combination of Hapkido Cane and alchemy in his fighting style.
* ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' lets players mix and match multiple character classes, but the original campaign has a fine example of an [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot Elvish Kung-Fu Wizard Pirate]] who shows up as an EliteMook in Chapter 1, with very little explanation.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect'':
** When she doesn't have a gun on hand, [[AxCrazy Jack's]] preferred mode of combat is to deliver biotic charges by punching people.
** Thane, while lacking Jack's raw power, also combines hand-to-hand and biotics to lethal effect. His Shadow Broker dossier in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' details examples of this technique, such as his standard method for neutralizing asari targets. Said dossier also reveals that he's capable of killing ''krogan'' in hand-to-hand combat, though all things considered he thinks it's easier to just use a bomb against them.
** Vanguard Shepard definitely qualifies in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' with their heavy melee attack, which is a very Thane-esque biotic punch. With the right armors and talent build, it can even OneHitKill unprotected {{Mook}}s.
* Many ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' characters are Magic Knights, but the series' best example of this particular trope is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zOyZWl79xM& No Heart]], an OptionalBoss of Master Xehanort's armor in ''Birth by Sleep: Final Mix''. He ''could'' just hit you with his Keyblade, but why settle for that when he can morph it into a piece of armour and punch / kick you with it?
* Sveta in ''VideoGame/GoldenSunDarkDawn'' is a beast-girl who fights with a martial-arts style, casts powerful wind and lightning Psynergy, and turns into a giant werewolf... who can still use martial arts and Psynergy.
** Having been trained as a martial artist before becoming an Adept, it's reasonable to assume [[AnimeChineseGirl Feizhi]] grew up into one of these after ''VideoGame/GoldenSun''.
** Ivan's sister Hama trains the people of Xian in kung-fu, and Ivan and the aforementioned Feizhi in Psynergy, so this can be assumed of her, too.
** For a villainous ([[AntiVillain maybe]]) example, [[TheBrute Agatio]] in ''The Lost Age'' prefers bare fists to a weapon but has the largest variety of Psynergy attacks among the Fire Clan antagonists. His two signature attacks are Rising Dragon, which normally requires a specific sword and a high LuckStat, and Meteor Drop... which is to say, ''he casts the Meteor summon spell as a regular Psynergy attack''.
* Himika the red spirit in ''VisualNovel/AseliaTheEternalTheSpiritOfEternitySword'' is unique for her class time because rather than being a SquishyWizard, she's a straight-up brawler who does best in melee. While she ''can'' work as a caster, her effectiveness declines quickly due to dropping Mind values.
* ''VideoGame/RuneFactory4'' makes it possible to be a Kung-Fu Wizard along with a MagicKnight with the introduction of [[PowerFist Glove weapons]] that can, of course, be used in conjunction with magic skills.

* Hermana Larmo from ''VideoGame/TalesOfInnocence'' can utilize magic of every element, but is more adept at punching out her enemies. The Vita remake narrows her magic down to a few buffing spells, further emphasizing her fists.
* Bioware's {{wuxia}} Action/RPG game ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'' includes lots of examples. Many [=NPCs=] employ chi-based magical attacks, and so may the player-character. Two characters, Scholar Ling and Monk Zeng, are predefined to specialise in magic, but you can customise any character with this emphasis, and by the end of the game you too will be a KungFuWizard.

* Thonolan, the protagonist of the NES game ''Kick Master'', is a martial artist who learns spells he discovers along the way, such as healing, flight, and lightning.
* ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' has a cast of colorful psychic magic-wielding kids. Any of them can be unarmed, invoking this trope. Poo is definitely an example, however, as he's constantly wearing a Gi and doesn't even HAVE a weapon. Except for one really rare one, the Sword Of Kings, but even with it equipped the command is still "bash" as if he doesn't actually use it, and sticks to his bare hands. His psychic powers also rival Ness'.
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' has a few examples.
** [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Zelda and Ganondorf]] are both known as wizards in their home series. The former fights completely barehanded, though accentuated by magic, and the latter is a clone of Captain Falcon, except replace fire powers with dark powers (that the game still registers as fire).
** Ness and Lucas also both stick to barehanded fighting accentuated by their psychic powers. Ness only uses weapons for his Smash attacks, Lucas only does it for his Forward Smash. Everything else are unarmed strikes, with or without magical effects, or their PK attacks which are clear spell casts. And even then PK Thunder's main use is to direct it into themselves for flying headbutts.
* The Elf of ''VideoGame/DragonsCrown'' has this as one of her potential builds. Investing in both Elemental Lore and [[ArmedLegs Deadly Boots]] allows the Elf to rain FireBalls upon her enemies [[GeoEffects when the surroundings]] works to her favor and kick enemies to death when they don't.
* [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Bowser]] prefers to rely on pure physical strength and his BreathWeapon the majority of the time, and leave the magic to his Magikoopas, but some games show he is also quite adept at using magic himself. Multiple games involve him stealing some kind of magical artifact, which he is able to [[InstantExpert wield like a pro immediately]].
* ''VideoGame/Tekken7'' features a man named "Claudio Serafino" who fights using an arcane artform known as "Sirius-styled Black Magic". His main gameplay gimmick is, with certain attacks, he can store magical energy in his right arm (the one covered by black wrappings) that allow him to cash in later to tack on an extra hit for some of his attacks (his [[DesperationAttack Rage Art]] also involves constructing a magical bow and arrow from his power and harpooning the foe). However, ''Tekken'' being as it is he is still predominantly a fist-to-fist martial artist.
* ''VideoGame/{{Nethack}}'': The Monk. Uniquely among the playable classes, they're restricted from using weapons but are ''much'' more capable in unarmed combat than everyone else combined. They're also the second-best caster in the game, being the only class aside from [[SquishyWizard the Wizard]] that can gain proficiency in every school of magic- heck, Monks even start equipped with a Robe, which boosts their casting abilities even further.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'': Most Persona-users would qualify as {{Magic Knight}}s, but there's always one party member in each game who prefers using their fists or feet instead of a weapon (that said, you can equip them with special gloves, boots, etc.):
** The original ''VideoGame/Persona1'' has Reiji Kido, whose melee weapon is listed simply as "Fists".
** ''VideoGame/Persona2'': In ''Innocent Sin'', Lisa Silverman is a literal Kung Fu Wizard, while ''Eternal Punishment''[='s=] Ulala Serizawa is very much a boxer.
** ''VideoGame/Persona3''[='s=] Akihiko Sanada is the captain of the school boxing team and puts those skills to good use in battle.
** Chie Satonaka of ''VideoGame/Persona4'' is another literal example; she's obsessed with kung fu and her sole non-Persona-based method of attack is kicking things.
** In ''VideoGame/Persona5'', Makoto Niijima is a rather brutal fistfighter.
* ''VideoGame/DualBlades'' and ''Slashers: The Power Battle'': Two such characters on the rosters of the games are named Rungard and [[CoolOldLady Nagasapa]]. The former is an EvilSorcerer who is devoted to bringing about chaos [[ForTheEvulz for his own twisted amusement]] while the latter is a Kazakh {{Necromancer}}, but [[DarkIsNotEvil a more benevolent example]], who [[NatureHero fights for the spirits of nature]].
* ''VideoGame/{{IMGCM}}'': Unlike the rest of MagicalGirlWarrior dresses, only Iroha's Ultimate Magica dress fits this trope. There are 3 skills available (the first two are enhanced melee attacks): "Heroic Blaze" (the moveset is [[ShoutOut referenced]] from ''Franchise/KamenRider'''s Rider Kick), [[MegatonPunch "Saint Anger"]], and [[BeamSpam "Flare Justice"]].
* ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'':
** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIII'': Zoma uses no weapon; He's just as fond as trying to crush you with those huge arms of his as he is to hurl deathly cold at you. That said, his physical combat skills seem to fall under Unskilled, but Strong in that he generally just applies big, heavy swipes.
** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestXI'': Rab is a skilled martial artist who can use a variety of offensive and healing spells. Jade definitely learned her martial arts abilities from him, and her form closely mimics his.
* ''VideoGame/KungFuMaster'': The Magician, although he uses stage magic and not real magic.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'', Razputin's biggest asset isn't his unusually strong PsychicBlockDefense or [[ChildProdigy learning capabilities]], but his lifelong training in acrobatics, making him a DanceBattler with FullContactMagic in a field primarily composed of {{Squishy Wizard}}s.
* Shikanoin Heizou of ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' is an [[BlowYouAway Anemo]] [[SquishyWizard catalyst user]] who, rather than fighting with magical projectiles like other catalyst-wielding characters, uses his Vision-granted powers to augment his existing martial arts skills, delivering powerful wind-infused punches and kicks.

* Ten Winds from ''Webcomic/KeychainOfCreation'' could be considered this.

* ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja'':
** Dr. McNinja's grandfather was a ninja, obviously, but he had also happened to pick up some magic from eating a talking pig.
** The Doctor's brother (also a ninja, obviously) has been developing something similar in his "technomage" act, not using actual magic but faking it using technology.

* Several of the fighters in ''WebAnimation/DeadFantasy'', but Tifa is definitely the best example.

* Nabu from ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'' supplements his magic skills with martial arts.

* Elemental bending in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' can be best described as magically augmented martial arts. Elemental benders are restricted to their own element (except for the Avatar, who can use them all), but they can either punch/kick you, hit you with their element, or both.
** This is pretty much a required trope for all Benders as all bending is done through martial arts. Each element corresponds to a real martial art form and pro-bending in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' serves as the Avatar equivalent to real-life MMA fighting, albeit with teams.
* In ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', Dr. Fate learned martial arts in the event his magic is taken. Even so, he's not shy about telling Batman that he would rather use magic.
* The ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'' incarnation of ''ComicBook/UsagiYojimbo's'' Jei the black wolf is a very talented sorcerer that hypnotizes the Turtles to try to kill Miyamoto Usagi for him. He's also very capable of fighting Usagi in physical combat himself, and in a dream, faces Leo and owns his shell.
* Piper from ''WesternAnimation/StormHawks'' is a crystal mage who is also a staff fighter and the team's best martial artist, being a practitioner of "Sky Fu." [[BigBad Master Cyclonis]], although she prefers the "magic" side in battle, is also no slouch in using her staff or hand-to-hand either.

* Sky mages from ''WesternAnimation/TheDragonPrince'' tend to be this; they can magically enhance their movement, allowing bursts of speed and leaps of great length. They are also known for being incredibly agile, making them excellent acrobats and even thieves.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'':
** The Elric brothers are skilled martial artists as well as alchemists and this is also true of most State Alchemists. Edward is also able to transmute his arm to aid himself in combat.
** And the brothers' trainer Izumi. Ed and Al are ''still'' scared of her.
*** Funnily enough, both this and her TrainingFromHell were explained in an {{omake}} to have originated with her seeking an alchemist teacher who [[spoiler:turned out to be the ''brother'' of the (deceased) man she was looking for, and he actually gave her a hand-to-hand combat training course]].
** Alex Louis Armstrong as well, who uses old-school pugilism [[FullContactMagic to augment his alchemical attacks.]]
** A non-Amestrian example would be [[FarEast Xingese]] princess May Chang, a tiny girl who is nevertheless adept at both martial arts and alkahestry (Xing's version of alchemy).

* ''{{Franchise/Nasuverse}}'':
** The fast-moving nature of combat in the 'verse demands that mages have some basic physical combat training if they want ''any'' of their hard-learned spells to hit ''anything.'' Tohsaka Rin of ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' and Kokuto Azaka of ''Literature/TheGardenOfSinners'' are equal parts deadly as magicians ''and'' warriors in their respective universes. Of note though is that while they are fairly skilled in martial arts, they stand no chance in close combat with the more straightforward fighter-type characters.
** Most mages in the setting tend towards SquishyWizard, but that's more because they tend to be scholars and researchers than fighters. Enforcers like [[VisualNovel/FateHollowAtaraxia Bazett]] and freelancers like [[VisualNovel/WitchOnTheHolyNight Aoko]] are generally quite skilled in physical combat.
** Due to being [[OlderIsBetter from an older era]], Caster is an impossibly better mage than Rin; she mentions that the mere fact that Rin managed to get her into a WizardDuel is proof that Rin is a genius, but Rin never actually had a chance. Then Rin reveals the reason she was so confident: She has physical reinforcement magic and Caster doesn't. Once she gets into melee range Rin [[SquishyWizard takes her apart]].
* Louie of ''Anime/RuneSoldierLouie''. Despite being the hero, he's terrible at both magic and swordsmanship, even though he was raised by the head of the mages guild, attended the mage academy for most of his life, and has trained in swordsmanship considerably with Genie. His only saving grace is that he is a very skilled brawler.
* The titular character of ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' starts using just magic, but later on is told to make a choice between training for [[GlassCannon sheer magical power]] while lacking in straight-up fighting (thus needing a partner to protect while casting), or to balance magic and physical strength. He picks the latter, but instead of [[MagicKnight using weapons and magic]] like that person suggested, he instead learns martial arts from [[AnimeChineseGirl Ku Fei]].
** Really, at this point, this trope is practically the series' calling card.
** In the festival arc Negi even shows up to fight in a tournament in a [[RobeandWizardHat Wizard Robe]] with a martial arts gi underneath.
* In ''Manga/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaVivid'', Vivio's fighting style is a combination of martial arts and magic. She has [[spoiler:[[HeelFaceTurn former]] [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Numbers]] [[HollywoodCyborg Cyborg]] Nove]] as her martial arts trainer, while Nanoha-mama watches over her magic training.
** In fact, most of the characters introduced here all fight with a combination of magic and martial arts.

* Princess Amelia from ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'', proficient in martial arts, healing, and astral magic. Her father as well.

* Fai D Flourite of Creator/{{CLAMP}}'s MassiveMultiPlayerCrossover ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'' is not only a very powerful mage - when he chooses to use his magic, anyways - but also as flexible as a cat and pretty damn capable of holding his own in a fight. Shura Arc showed that he and his [[HoYay partner]], resident badass [[{{Ninja}} Kurogane]], are at least on par in their fighting abilities as they hold top ranks in Yasha-ou's army. (The anime also hinted that he could, indeed, beat Kurogane with ease. If this is canon is debatable.)

* ''Manga/Overlord2012'':
** Main character Ainz is a lich specializing in insta-death attacks, so naturally he's a SquishyWizard (well, [[DemBones Brittle]]). This never shows up, because a) he has a spell that makes him a better melee combatant at the cost of disabling his magic (and although it does nothing for his lack of physical technique, that still doesn't change the physical parameters advantage) and b) he's so absurdly overleveled in the new world that a hit from trolls and ogres five times his size doesn't even budge him (and this is while in his wizard form). In fact, while Emperor Jircniv was well aware there was no way to beat Ainz through magic, he at least had hopes to beat him through physical power... and along comes Ainz in WillfullyWeak mode to challenge the Empire's biggest and toughest soldier (a giant war troll) and it's still a CurbStompBattle. [[spoiler:Jircniv recognizes the futility of fighting Ainz and immediately submits the empire to Ainz.]]
** [[AssholeVictim Clementine]] discovers to her horror that a pissed-off lich is both immune to the ol' knife-to-the-eye trick and quite capable of crushing her to death with one arm.
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': Yoruichi Shihoin developed a technique that fuses Kidou (the magic arts practiced by Shinigami) with Hakuda (Shinigami unarmed combat) and allows her to generate and fire electricity. Her student and successor as 2nd Division captain, Sui-Feng also learned this technique though her variant grants her wind powers instead, and her younger brother Yushiro uses ''another'' variant that gives him fire powers.
* Mereoleona Vermillion from ''Manga/BlackClover'' is very skilled at hand-to-hand combat, incorporating her flame magic into her physical blows to unleash {{Elemental Punch}}es that completely burn through other spells. One character even notes that she's more of a fighter than any mage that he's ever seen.
* ''Manga/MagiLabyrinthOfMagic'': Professor Myers a magician as well as a martial artist. She trained Aladdin in hand-to-hand combat.
* ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'':
** At full power, Shirogane is a nonhumanoid example: He knows a large quantity of magic spells that we barely see a fraction of, including [[MindOverMatter telekinesis]] and the [[GenderBender sex-changed]] {{curse}} Matsuri was subject to. But Shirogane's true form is a monstrous cat [[MegaNeko the size of an car]] that's as strong as it looks and incredible durable.
** The ayakashi mediums Suzu and Mei are/were {{Squishy Wizard}}s, as their incredible spiritual power is limited by their human bodies, and neither was physically trained for combat. [[spoiler:Mei's [[EnemyWithout omokage]]]], [[RemovedAchillesHeel on the other hand]], has similar powers with a purely-spiritual body that can covert it into raw physical force and [[PullingThemselvesTogether instantly regenerate from extreme injury]].
* ''Manga/SazanEyes'':
** Benares normally looks like an imposing, very muscular human but is also the creator of countless spells and enchantments that are used among demons and sorcerers. He's such a BloodKnight that he usually goes for the hand-to-hand approach, but he ''has not'' forgotten all his amazing sorceries and his hundreds of Juuma (Summonable battle monsters).
** Spazug, one of the Nine-Headed Dragon Generals, is a sorcerer with mastery over many spells and can also fight up close if he has to, though it worked against him when he attacked Yakumo when the latter had just fought against an extremely though Muay Thay master and thus is able to easily overcome the demon's attack.
** Subverted when Connery is attacked by Galga and, after miracolously recovering from his sucker punch, proceeds to kick him across the place with a combo of spell attacks and kung fu: it's actually an illusion cast by the real Connery, who's near death because of the sneak attack.

* The various Immortal Weapons from ''ComicBook/IronFist'' are good Western examples of this.

* ''ComicBook/TheBlackMage'': Near everyone in the comic fights with wizardry, magical constructs and head on physical attacks.
* Alley-Kat-Abra of ''ComicBook/CaptainCarrotAndHisAmazingZooCrew'', being something of a cross-company Doctor Strange spoof, is a wizard who's a judo instructor in her civilian identity. Despite an apparent streak of belligerence when the subject comes up, she rarely demonstrates her skill unless directly grabbed.

* Quirrell in ''Fanfic/HarryPotterAndTheMethodsOfRationality'' is a 6th dan and (arguably) only second to Dumbledore in magical ability. Goyle is also trained in martial arts.
--> "Most wizards," Professor Quirrell said, "do not bother much with what a Muggle would term martial arts. Is not a wand stronger than a fist? This attitude is stupid. Wands are held in fists.

* ''Fanfic/ScarsSamsara'' has all the magic-users being able to fight in melee as well, and especially Rafiki combines [[ElementalPowers elemental magic]] with kung fu skills to deadly effect.
* ''Fanfic/AShadowOfTheTitans'': Jade's [[EvilCostumeSwitch new villain outfit]] is designed to reflect this, showing that she's skilled at both marital arts ''and'' magic. She also mentally comments at one point that if she has to choose between either of those or the powers of the Talismans now [[ClingyMacGuffin fused to her body]], she'd ''pick all three''.
* ''Fanfic/QueenOfAllOni'': [[EnigmaticMinion Blankman]] is skilled at both magic and martial arts, and will use the first to amp up the second if [[CombatPragmatist necessary]].
* Bryce Lawson from ''Fanfic/MassEffectHumanRevolution'' is both a powerful biotic and skilled enough in Krav Maga to hold his own against Adam friggin' Jensen.

* The BigBad of ''Fanfic/ADifferentLesson'', Heian Chao, is most definitely one of these. On the one hand, he has ElementalPowers over [[CastingAShadow shadow]] and [[EvilIsDeathlyCold ice]]; BlackMagic (including [[{{Necromancer}} raising the dead]], [[SummoningRitual summoning of demons]], {{Body Snatch|er}}ing, and DemonicPossession); and [[PsychicPowers astral projection]] and {{Shadow Walk|er}}ing. All of this is implied or outright stated, however, to be due to his study and mastery of KiManipulation, and he is in fact a master of the Eagle Claw style of kung fu as well as weapons combat with both claw bracers and Emei piercers.
* In ''Fanfic/BrilliantLightsWillCeaseToBurn'', Izuku primarily relies on his magic to see him through fights. That doesn't mean he won't use the Sealing Staff as a melee weapon with his baton training, nor will he hesitate to pull out Sword and cut a swathe through obstacles in his path.

* ''Fanfic/MyHeroPlaythrough'': Izuku is learning unarmed combat through The Gamer, and also longer ranged attacks and personal enhancements via Ki and Psionic powers.

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

* The Korean film ''{{Film/Wooshi}}'' (also known as ''Woochi the Demon Slayer'') features several of these, most notably the titular character.

* Many Jedi in ''Film/StarWars'' qualify as Kung Fu Wizards, as their use of lightsabers corresponds to kendo and other East-Asian sword-fighting styles. In Star Wars, the Force works as a substitute for magic. Another thing is that Jedi are warrior-monks, very similar to various Buddhist monks throughout history.

* It can't get any more literal than Kirei Kotomine's fighting style in ''Literature/FateZero'', which WordOfGod claims is Bai Ji Quan, combined with Kotomine's [[FunctionalMagic Magecraft]] and generally self-destructive personality. With his fists alone, he can split trees, instinctively track people [[BulletTime manipulating]] [[SuperSpeed time]], and pulverize [[spoiler:Kiritsugu's]] chest with one punch before he could even react. This is before he starts using his [[CoolSword Black Keys]].

* This is something close to the default setting for magic users in ''Literature/TheBlackCompany.'' The setting is home to very few {{Squishy Wizard}}s, with magic making its users MadeOfIron by default (it is explicitly stated that the only way to be sure a mage is dead is to burn the body and scatter the ashes over a wide area. One villain even lays waste to half a continent despite being reduced to a severed head). That said, most of the characters shown in the books fall a little short of this trope. The straight examples are The Lady, whose martial prowess is significant enough [[spoiler:that she can get by on it alone after she's depowered at the end of the third book]], The Limper, and OneSceneWonder Bonegnasher, an eight-foot-tall pile of muscle who also knows enough magic for The Dominator to consider him one of the ten most powerful wizards in the world and enslave him.
* Just about everyone in ''Literature/CodexAlera'' with any kind of martial ability would qualify. All humans in the setting [[spoiler:well, eventually]] have command of at least one "fury," an elemental spirit with a portfolio of powers that can be drawn upon. The more powerful furycrafters form the upper echelons of Aleran society. Metalcraft in particular lends itself to this trope, with its primary application in combat being to make swords impossibly sharp and armor supernaturally tough. This trope is best demonstrated by the High Lords, whose command over a majority of the elements gives them wizard-like powers, while their metalcraft also makes them supernatural swordsmen.
* In the ''Literature/{{Commonweal}}'' books, the Wizard Block (a vet who became an immortal wizard accidentally, as an alternative to dying of exhaustion) considers it his life's ambition to punch dragons.
* The titular character of ''Literature/SkulduggeryPleasant'' is both a sorcerer trained in elemental magic and a highly-skilled martial artist. Valkyrie Cain, Ghastly Bespoke, and Tanith Low are also trained sorcerers and martial artists.

* In ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' season four, [[spoiler:Isobel/Lana]].

* Series/UltramanZ Gamma Future combines SummonMagic (his Gamma Illusion, which summons Series/UltramanTiga, Series/UltramanDyna, and Series/UltramanGaia), telekinesis, and various magic powers.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' has the same basic options in this area as ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' above, with different feats and prestige classes. In particular, a series of feats exists which allow a character to cast a specific spell/magical ability after hitting with an unarmed strike.
** It also has the Qinggong Monk class archetype, which swaps some of the standard monk abilities for ki-powered spell-like abilities.
** The Warpriest, a Fighter/Cleric hybrid, leans more towards MagicKnight due to its proficiency with martial weapons and heavy armor, but can easily be built as an unarmed brawler who also happens to be endowed with divinely-granted magic powers. The class's Sacred Fist archetype is explicitly devoted to this trope, exchanging the Warpriest's Fighter elements for Monk abilities, with the result being a character with equal strengths in divine magic and unarmed combat.
** Going into third-party material, the Meditant archetype for the Psychic Warrior is a psionic monk, combining the Psy-Warrior's powerset and the monk's hand-to-hand fighting ability.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'' has them in the form of Skaven's Clan Eshin sorcerers who are ninjas as well. While their sorcerers aren't up to the magical prowess of Grey Seers or Skryre Warlock-Engineers, they make up for the weaker powers with some pretty vicious hitting power and knife work. Dark Elves count as well with their Doomfire Warlocks who are melee cavalry with some spellcasting ability.
* The Adamantine Arrow in ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening'' assumes this sort of person, being the security experts of the Awakened. The Perfected Adept takes it a step further.
* The Akashic Brothers in ''TabletopGame/MageTheAscension'' are this trope all over. They represent the tradition of bringing about enlightenment through the harmonizing of the body and mind. A side effect of this is that pretty much every single Akashic knows how to perform amazing stunts and kick serious ass before they even whip out their reality-warping powers.
* Enlightened martial artists from ''TabletopGame/{{Deadlands}}'' have the ability to tap into the energies of the Hunting Grounds, enabling them to leap tall buildings in a single bound and pluck bullets from the air, among other things.
* Physical Magicians (as distinct from Physical Adepts) in ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}''
* ''TabletopGame/{{Ironclaw}}'': "Book of Jade" has martial arts styles including "Volcano Style" specifically for elemental wizards.

* Maria Renard, best known for her powerful SummonMagic, can punch and kick monsters into submission in the Sega Saturn re-release of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight''.
* Rose from ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', a mystic who fights with [[KiManipulation Soul]] [[PsychicPowers Power]] and her enchanted [[ScarfOfAsskicking scarf]]. Her apprentice Menat uses a crystal ball instead.
** Oro is a master of Senjutsu from which ninjitsu is descended from.
* In ''Franchise/MortalKombat'', every character is some form of martial artist, so it's only naturally the magic-users fall into this trope:
** [[YourSoulIsMine Shang Tsung]] is a legendary martial arts champion who betrayed Earthrealm to become an EvilSorcerer in the service of TheEmperor Shao Kahn, who himself is a powerful warrior well versed in the dark arts, although he mostly uses brute force while his servant more on magic and cunning. Both use their soul-stealing magic to empower themselves and others, with Tsung in particular preferring to steal the souls of powerful warriors to improve his already impressive martial arts skills further still.
** Another EvilSorcerer in ''MK'' is [[{{Necromancer}} Quan Chi]], a denizen of [[{{Hell}} The Netherrealm]] who plots with his master [[GodOfEvil Shinnok]], both of whom are primarily spellcasters who happen to be excellent fighters. Quan Chi deserves a special mention as it is established that his fighting prowess actually comes from using his magic to become an InstantExpert in fighting styles like Escrima and Tang Soo Do, and when he loses access to his powers at one point his true native skill level turns out to be almost novice.
** There is also Tanya, who is a skilled martial artist and expert in the dark arts.

** The fast-moving nature of combat in the 'verse demands that mages have some basic physical combat training if they want ''any'' of their hard-learned spells to hit ''anything.'' Tohsaka Rin of ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' and Kokuto Azaka of ''LightNovel/TheGardenOfSinners'' are equal parts deadly as magicians ''and'' warriors in their respective universes. Of note though is that while they are fairly skilled in martial arts, they stand no chance in close combat with the more straightforward fighter-type characters.

* It can't get any more literal than Kirei Kotomine's fighting style in ''LightNovel/FateZero'', which WordOfGod claims is Bai Ji Quan, combined with Kotomine's [[FunctionalMagic Magecraft]] and generally self-destructive personality. With his fists alone, he can split trees, instinctively track people [[BulletTime manipulating]] [[SuperSpeed time]], and pulverize [[spoiler:Kiritsugu's]] chest with one punch before he could even react. This is before he starts using his [[CoolSword Black Keys]].

** Due to being [[OlderIsBetter from an older era]], Caster is an impossibly better mage than Rin; she mentions that the mere fact that Rin managed to get her into a WizardDuel is proof that Rin is a genius, but Rin never actually had a chance. Then Rin reveals the reason she was so confident: She has physical reinforcement magic and Caster doesn't. Once she gets into melee range Rin [[SquishyWizard takes her to pieces]].

* ''LightNovel/IveBeenKillingSlimesFor300YearsAndMaxedOutMyLevel'': {{Justified|Trope}} by the RPGMechanicsVerse. Azusa is ''relatively'' a SquishyWizard, but, as a [[WorldsStrongestMan Level 99 character]], her physical stats still make her a nigh-unstoppable LightningBruiser and FlyingBrick compared to almost everyone else. She can deal a CurbStompBattle to dragons even without her magic.

* ''Manga/SpyXFamily'': During a party for Anya, Yor roleplays as an [[WickedWitch evil witch]] who serves as the penultimate obstacle for Loid, who's playing the hero. However, being [[CantHoldTheirLiquor completely wasted]], she ends up using her actual [[ProfessionalKiller assassin skills]] in the fight instead of casting pretend spells.

* ''Literature/TheWitchOfKnightcharm'': Both Knightcharm and the Scholomance teach this skill, which comes in handy when their students fight each other. One of the Scholomance opponents in the first chapter has an enchanted sword which is capable of sundering Emily’s shields, and Emily's teammate Hannah channels magic through her tattoos to make herself stronger, faster, and otherwise a better brawler.

* Rose from ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', a mystic who fights with [[KiManipulation Soul]] [[PsychicPowers Power]] and her enchanted [[ScarfOfAsskicking scarf]].

* Many ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' characters are Magic Knights, but the series' best example of this particular trope is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zOyZWl79xM& No Heart]], a BonusBoss of Master Xehanort's armor in ''Birth by Sleep: Final Mix''. He ''could'' just hit you with his Keyblade, but why settle for that when he can morph it into a piece of armour and punch / kick you with it?

* ''Literature/TheWitchOfKnightcharm'': Both Knightcharm and the Scholomance teach this skill, which comes in handy when their students fight each other. One of the Scholomance opponents in the first chapter has an enchanted sword which is capable of sundering Emily’s shields, and one of Emily's teammates channels magic through her tattoos to make herself stronger, faster, and otherwise a better brawler.

* As a [[Fanfic/LuzNocedaTheFighter kickboxer]], Luz Noceda uses gloves with her glyphs on them for combat-based spellcasting.

* {{Justified|Trope}} with Hei in ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack'' -- the reason he's both a powerful Contractor and amazing martial artist is that he started out as a BadassNormal and had to be strong enough to take on Contractors. Additionally, while he has [[ShockAndAwe the ability to discharge electricity]], he has to either be able to touch his target or have some sort of connection that will conduct electricity. (In other words, no lightning bolts) And "something that conducts electricity" includes the [[WeaponOfChoice knives and choke wires]] he used anyway.

* ''Literature/BeastTamer'': The Dragon race is number two when it comes to magical power, second only to the Fairy race. Unlike the squishier Fairies, however, Dragons are just as capable physically. When Tania fights Rein and Kanade, she and Kanade are a match despite physical power being the Cat Peoples' specialty, and takes the advantage by having magic on top of that. She is only defeated by Kanade and Rein working together.

* Princess Amelia from ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'', proficient in martial arts, healing, and astral magic. Her father as well.

* Orphen/Krylancelo Finrandi from the 2020 ''LightNovel/SorcerousStabberOrphen'' anime. In the first show, he was a MagicKnight trained with knives and whose fighting style was better suited for long-range magic attacks and assassinations than hand-to-hand combat. In the second anime, however, his unarmed fighting abilities are that much better to the point he's no longer purely a MagicKnight. If you're one of his opponents and Orphen gets in close, you're just as likely to get maimed by his bare fists as you are devastating magic attacks.

* The various Immortal Weapons from ''Comicbook/IronFist'' are good Western examples of this.

[[folder:Films]]

* ''LightNovel/BeastTamerAndTheCatGirl'': The Dragon race is number two when it comes to magical power, second only to the Fairy race. Unlike the squishier Fairies, however, Dragons are just as capable physically. When Tania fights Rein and Kanade, she and Kanade are a match despite physical power being the Cat Peoples' specialty, and takes the advantage by having magic on top of that. She is only defeated by Kanade and Rein working together.

* Not only does ''Fanfic/JWITCHSeason1'' have the canonical ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' examples, but Jackie is tasked with teaching [[WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}} the new Guardians]] Kung Fu so that the {{Magical Girl Warrior}}s can [[BoxingLessonsForSuperman get by when they can't use magic]]. Will in particular makes use of Jackie's lessons because she doesn't have access to her elemental magic yet. [[spoiler:When Jade [[EmpoweredBadassNormal becomes the sixth Guardian]], she gains [[CastingAShadow shadow magic]] to use along with Kung Fu.]]

** [[TheHero Yuji Itadori]] was actually a Muggle until very recently, and thus has no Cursed Techniques of his own [[SealedInsideAPersonShapedCan even after becoming a host for the most powerful Cursed Spirit in history]]. Despite this, Yuji was always inexplicably and unnaturally strong, fast and agile, which means once he learns the basics of Cursed Energy control he can take on even the strongest of Curses with his fists alone. He also uses actual martial arts techniques and parkour to his advantage and sometimes goes for knives or other tools on hand.

** [[TheAce Satoru Gojo]], apart from being the WorldsStrongestMan due to his ridiculously overpowered Technique, also might qualify more literally due to his massive reserves of Cursed Energy, allowing him to break bones and concrete with his bare hands. Despite technically being able to solve most battles with TeleportationSpam and EnergyBeam barrages, Gojo seems to prefer fighting enemies from up close, usually to minimize collateral damage, and when he does few opponents can hope to match his speed, strength and precision.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'', Razputin's biggest asset isn't his unusually strong PsychicMentalBlock or [[ChildProdigy learning capabilities]], but his lifelong training in acrobatics, making him a DanceBattler with FullContactMagic in a field primarily composed of {{Squishy Wizard}}s.

* ''Series/MotherlandFortSalem'': Abigail is ambushed by the Camarilla. Just before they slice out her voice box, Tally and M stop them, and M proceeds to beat up Abigail's attackers.