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4[[quoteright:350:[[Literature/TheReturnOfTheCondorHeroes https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wuxia_9192.jpg]]]]
5
6->''"'Wu' means martial arts, which signifies action, 'Xia' conveys chivalry. Wuxia. Say it gently... 'whooshah'... and it's like a breath of serenity embracing you. Say it with force, '[=WuSHA=]!', and you can feel its power."''
7-->-- '''Creator/SamuelLJackson''', "The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies"
8
9One of the oldest genres in Chinese literature, ''wǔxiá'' (武俠/武侠, literally "martial-arts chivalry" or "martial arts heroes", and pronounced ''roughly'' "[[http://tinyurl.com/wuxia woo-syah]]" in [[UsefulNotes/ChineseLanguage Mandarin]]) stories are tall tales of honorable warriors (俠/侠 ''xiá'') fighting against evil, whether it be an individual villain, or a corrupt government. Notable for {{melodrama}}, [[ImplausibleFencingPowers spectacular swordplay]], and [[WireFu high-flying]] [[EverybodyWasKungFuFighting martial arts]] where the laws of physics, like gravity, are more suggestions than solid rules.
10
11Although some ''wuxia'' stories are set in modern times, or even the future, most take place in the "Martial Arts World" of ''jiānghú'' (江湖, literally "rivers and lakes") a FantasyCounterpartCulture of ImperialChina.[[note]]According to ''Literature/TheLegendOfTheCondorHeroes'' English translator Anna Holmwood, the ''jianghu'' was named "for the symbolic landscape of rivers and lakes that is [the ''xia''[='s=]] home".[[/note]] The ''jianghu'' is a "shared universe", populated by martial-artists and monks, [[KnightErrant wandering knights]] and beautiful princesses, thieves and beggars, priests and healers, merchants and craftsmen. The best ''wuxia'' writers draw a vivid picture of the intricate relationships of honour, loyalty, love and hate between individuals and between communities in this milieu. It is implicit that law and government are unjust, ineffective and/or corrupt, requiring the ''xia'' to settle differences by force moderated only by their chivalrous code, and often forcing them to live as outlaws despite their noble characters. In modern Chinese, perhaps as a result of these connotations of [[WainscotSociety a separate world with its own rules]], the term ''jianghu'' has taken on other meanings, including [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs the underworld or criminal gangs]].
12
13A more romantic term known as ''wǔlín'' (武林, literally "Martial Forest") is used when one wants to talk ''specifically'' about the world of martial artists and warriors, divorced from the ugly connotations of criminality that ''jianghu'' has come to embody. ''Wulin'' is basically a majestic way of saying "the World of Warriors".
14
15Modern works often incorporate outside themes and ideas, allowing the genre to develop, and in turn ''wǔxiá'' themes and visual styles have strongly influenced Western media, especially in cinema. In a similiar vein to Creator/JRRTolkien and HighFantasy, Creator/JinYong, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu_Long Gu Long]], and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liang_Yusheng Liang Yusheng]] proliferated the modern ''wuxia'' genre.
16
17In recent years, another genre known as ''xiānxiá'' (仙俠/仙侠, "Immortal Hero") has developed, referred to on this wiki as the SpiritCultivationGenre. This genre places more emphasis on SupernaturalMartialArts, and specifically on the practitioners becoming progressively stronger over time.
18
19Compare SwordAndSorcery, HighFantasy, HeroicFantasy, and {{Swashbuckler}}. The Japanese equivalent is JidaiGeki, particularly the ''chanbara'' SubGenre--interestingly, the term ''wuxia'' was originally a calque of the Japanese ''bukyo''. In Japan, however, the term ''bukyo'' has since faded into obscurity. The closest American equivalent is TheWestern, especially regarding its hazy boundary with WeirdWest. For the 2011 movie titled ''Wu Xia'', see ''Film/{{Swordsmen}}''.
20
21!!Common tropes include:
22* AcademyOfEvil: If the story leans heavily toward martial arts, expect one or more of these to exist in the setting.
23* ActionGirl: There are plenty of damsels in distress, but female martial-artists have a long history in the genre.
24* AlasPoorVillain: One of the side effects of having to put an end to a very powerful villain is the loss of a [[WorthyOpponent great talent]] in the world.
25* AmbitionIsEvil: One of the stock aesops, especially in stories that {{deconstruct|edTrope}} ToBeAMaster.
26* AnimalStampede: Beast Tides, phenomenon where dangerous (maybe supernatural) animals breed out of control and overrun the land in cycles. It's just how things are in some ''wuxia'' worlds, always has been and always will be.
27%%zce* ArrogantKungFuGuy: Pretty much a standard feature.
28%%zce* AxCrazy: Some villains in the genre qualify as this.
29* BareFistedMonk: ''Wuxia'' is essentially the source-material for the unarmed combat monk trope, drawn from real-life Chinese monks who practiced martial arts.
30%%zce* BastardUnderstudy
31* BattleCouple: In the world of ''wuxia'' where both the guys and the girls can kick ass, romances will often take this form.
32* BloodFromTheMouth: Indicates that someone has really, ''really'' overspent their chi.
33* ByronicHero: Some stories have "heroes" with barely-controlled vices. Expect them to kill people in a fit of rage, and then lament upon it when their clarity return. This usually exist in older works.
34* CallingYourAttacks: [[ZigzaggingTrope Zig-zagged]]. Although bucketloads of fancy moves and techniques are described and named in ''wuxia'' genre, very few characters in literature actually shout them out during fights. Meanwhile, it's more common to do so in film and TV, as it saves time. The names of the moves are generally introduced in the following ways:
35-->'''By a [[MrExposition bystander of a fight]]:''' Is that not the [insert move name] of the legends?
36-->'''By the teacher of that move:''' The one I just taught you is no other than the famed [insert move name].
37-->'''By the narrator themself:''' Little do they know that the move they faced is no other than the [insert move name].
38* CastFromHitPoints[=/=]CastFromLifespan: Some of the more exotic and dangerous techniques literally work like this, usually from requiring extreme amounts of ''qi'', which is literally life force.
39* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: The basis of many special powers and abilities is presented as long, arduous training, often from childhood.
40* ChickMagnet: 99% of the male leads of these stories have plenty of female admirers and love-interests.
41* ChopSockey: This is a loaded and rather disrespectful term, but may apply in movies depending on the production values.
42* ClothingCombat: The more fantasy-based ''wuxia'' are prone to having an ActionGirl who whaps people with sleeves.
43* ConflictingLoyalty: Any character with any loyalty at all can expect to be tested.
44* CoolOldGuy[=/=]CoolOldLady: Whether it is the old ''shīfu'' who teaches the heroes martial arts, or the venerable sage who administers the SecretTestOfCharacter, the tradition of respect for age makes these standard character types.
45* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: Secret martial techniques often feature, sometimes simply as the powers of characters, sometimes as goals of quests, sources of jealousy, causes of rivalry, etc.
46* DarkActionGirl: And it would be the challenge for the heroes to tame them. Don't expect them to surrender anything, though.
47* TheDarkArts: Any respectable martial arts school will have a sub-style that its students aren't meant to learn, because it will lead them toward...
48%%* TheDarkSide
49%%* DeadlyUpgrade
50* DeceptiveDisciple: The student who betrays their master (a very serious breach of filial piety in traditional Chinese belief), frequently becomes the BigBad or at least TheDragon.
51%%* DragonsUpTheYinYang
52* DrivenByEnvy: Villains are often motivated by jealousy of heroes' success, favour shown them by masters, beautiful girls, etc.
53%%* DuelingDojos: Technically, duelling ''guǎn'', since we're in China.
54* EnergyBall: Shooting these from the palm of one's hands was a fairly common power in the more fantasy-oriented wuxia tales. Being able to do so indicated either martial art mastery beyond the normal limits or knowing a supernatural martial art or both.
55* EunuchsAreEvil: And if you're in a fantasy story, expect him to be an EvilSorcerer as well.
56* EverybodyWasKungFuFighting: From unassuming tavern owners and beggars to members of royal houses, old and disabled men to youthful maidens, monks from varying belief systems to soldiers of great empires, this is all over the place, though generally there's some narrative focus other than just the fighting. And if there's someone ''without'' martial arts skills, you can expect that they're probably a BadassNormal in one way or another.
57* EvilChancellor: The "good emperor, evil chancellor" trope appears again and again. It's a Chinese history thing.
58* EvilFormerFriend: Having one seems to be part of being a ''shīfu''. Don't worry, [[MentorOccupationalHazard even if you can't win against them]], your disciple(s) will take care of the matter.
59* {{Flight}}: One of the most common powers in the genre, being able to "fly" (more like a highly agile glide) is a sign of a martial artist's incredible skill as they temporarily reduce their weight to a fraction and add a bit of ki propulsion.
60* FoeYayShipping: Expect heroes and villains to be be obsessed with defeating each other, to the point that it becomes the ''raison d'etre'' of their life.
61* GenreTurningPoint:
62** In film, ''Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain'' (1983, Tsui Hark) was the first movie to combine Hong Kong action cinema with western special effects technology, resulting in visually-stunning displays of SupernaturalMartialArts.
63** ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon'' sparked a wave of more arthouse-oriented wuxia.
64* AGodAmI: Some villains will behave like this. It's up to the hero(es) to correct them. Occasionally, someone actually ''is'' trying to become a god, or in any case immortal; you spend years studying if you do.
65%%* GunFu: For modern settings.
66* HappilyMarried: Though it often [[DisposableWoman does not last]], leading to a RoaringRampageOfRevenge... unless they're a BattleCouple. Not a guarantee, however.
67* HeirToTheDojo: Given the nature of martial art schools in this genre, there tend to be certain characters who are chosen by their master as a successor. ''Xianxia'' has another particularly popular variant -- characters going into ruins of ancient long-gone sects, discovering and passing some sort of a test in order to gain their "inheritance", ranging from techniques to artefacts to bound servants (bound immortal demons and the like).
68* HeroicSacrifice: Very common, particularly in the context of SwornBrothers.
69* HonorBeforeReason: The code of ''xia'' embodies this trope.
70* ImplausibleFencingPowers: Anyone who wields a sword or saber will have this.
71* ImportantHaircut: Hair-cutting, or refusing to cut it, has had important implications in Chinese culture and history (as in SeriousBusiness-level important), making this a trope that appears quite often.[[labelnote:Context]]In traditional/Confucian Chinese culture, the hair was considered part of the body given to one by one's parents. Filial piety was SeriousBusiness, so cutting one's hair short was considered disgraceful, or even outright mutilating the body one's parents gave them, so haircuts were usually considered a big no-no once a person reached adulthood (if not earlier). For example, Buddhist monks and nuns would shave their heads (which could be considered as a rejection of Confucian custom -- Taoism aligns with Confucianism much better than Buddhism), and criminals would often have their hair cut short [[TraumaticHaircut to humiliate them]], so especially if someone in such a setting like ''wuxia'' cuts their hair of their own volition, it's important.[[/labelnote]]
72* ImpossiblyCoolWeapon: The genre often features odd but very cool weapons such as the Flying Decapitator, which is a fancy cage on a chain that's supposed to be thrown over a foe's head and using a special mechanism, it cuts off the person's head with blades at its base.
73* ImprovisedWeapon: Chopsticks, furniture, musical instruments, gardening tools, painting brushes. Basically, you name it...
74* InASingleBound: Anyone who can fight can do this.
75* InstantExpert: ''Wuxia'', particularly those in the ShonenDemographic, has an enormous gulf between how long learning a new style is supposed to take and how quickly the protagonist actually learns it. [[Literature/HeavenSwordAndDragonSabre Zhang Wuji]] learns the Heaven and Earth Great Shift in the span of ''hours'', despite the fact that it's meant to take years. It's usually due to some AppliedPhlebotinum.
76* InterestingSituationDuel: Swordfighting while running up and down the edge of a cliff is considered pretty normal here.
77* KiManipulation: Technically ''qi'' or ''chi'' attacks.[[note]]''Ki'' is merely the Japanese translation of ''chi'', which itself is merely an alternate English spelling of ''qi''.[[/note]]
78* KingOfTheHomeless: In the stories where they appear, the head of the Beggars' Sect is this; the gang has allegedly been around since the Han Dynasty, and the head of the gang tends to be not only one of the strongest fighters in the setting, but also has access to a very large spy network thanks to many beggars in their ranks. Said beggars themselves are no slouch in a fight.
79* KnightErrant: ''Every'' hero in the genre. Indeed, the ''xia'' part of ''wuxia'' is often translated as "knight-errant".
80* KungFuSonicBoom: Introduced in the late 90s, this effect is increasingly common in recent series. In the early and mid-90s, they're usually represented by a series of explosions traveling outward from the fighters.
81* KungFuWizard: Magic-users are capable of just as much asskicking as everyone else when it comes to kung fu. Unlike the western wizards, who are basically bookworm scholars, wuxia magicians are usually Taoist priests or their equivalent who had to master their bodies before attempting to master magic.
82* LadyOfWar: Many female ''xia'' qualify as this.
83* LonelyAtTheTop:
84** A problem that plagues every ''shīfu'', good or evil. Some of them will raise disciples just so they can have someone to spar with as equal.
85** This is sometimes a genre flaw, especially in ''xianxia'' novels where the protagonists eventually become so insanely strong that they have no equal.
86%%* LoveDodecahedron
87%%* LoveTriangle
88* ManlyTears: To be shed once someone dies, regardless of alignment.
89* MartialPacifist: Also pretty much a standard, though less so in ''xianxia'', where it's common to see protagonists search for fights in their attempt to become immortals.
90* MasterApprenticeChain: And sometimes, it's thicker than blood.
91* MasterSwordsman: Almost everyone who's wielding a sword will be this.
92* {{McNinja}}: Despite being generally set in China, ''wuxia'' films commonly feature characters dressed in stereotypical black ninja-like costume and utilizing stealth tactics. However, many are typically [[HighlyVisibleNinja not so stealthy]]; a recurring theme is for one to sneak about only until they reach their intended victim, then straight up burst into the room and engage the target in a SwordFight.
93* MentorOccupationalHazard: Played straight and subverted in equal measure. Sometimes mentors will simply declare that they have nothing left to teach the protagonist and fade into the background; other times, they are killed to provoke the protagonist.
94* NobleDemon: Quite common as the primary antagonist or BigBad, especially in fiction set in ImperialChina. As Masters are expected to act with civility and decorum, many villainous characters thus still hold on to a CodeOfHonour. It is not unusual for the villain to spare the hero simply because the hero is not in the villain's league or because they were a WorthyOpponent. It's equally common for bitter enemies to share tea or wine over philosophical debates before the fisticuffs start.
95* OldMaster: Lots of these. Anyone addressed as ''shīfu'' will inevitably be one.
96* OmnipresentTropes: There's a genre typically set in an [[MedievalStasis ancient/medieval time long past]], where SwordAndSorcery worlds of adventure are populated by magical creatures and races, wild animals, valiant knights on horseback, wizards and mystics, bandits, barbarians, vagabonds, dragons, lone wolf types, fair princesses, nobles of variable morality, and dark lords seeking power. A hero from a peasant village must rise to overcome the odds and restore justice to the land, and along their journey, they'll meet a variety of unusual characters and often be taught by a mentor figure. Now, are we talking about wuxia or [[StandardFantasySetting European fantasy]]?
97** Both developed independently of each other, but due to universals of the human condition, they wound up becoming remarkably similar, with personal ''qi'' cultivation rather than divine enchantment being a primary difference with the more common usage of [[EverybodyWasKungFuFighting kung-fu]] also being a major point of contrast. Whereas Western fantasy almost universally leaves hand-to-hand combat to the realm of drunken tavern fights, ''wuxia'' add many styles of kung-fu to the mix.[[note]]It should be deeply stressed that hand-to-hand kung-fu is just an ''additional'' method of fighting -- most ''wuxia'' characters still use weapons such as swords.[[/note]]
98* OneManArmy: Pretty much any character of note can decimate an entire squadron on their own (if they have any kung fu skill).
99%%* TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou
100%%* TheParagonAlwaysRebels
101* PatrioticFervor: Stories are often very pro-Chinese.
102%%* APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil
103* PressurePoint: Pretty much the TropeCodifier, where attacking one's pressure points to incapitate them is a common move in ''wuxia''.
104* PrettyPrincessPowerhouse: There are plenty of these, though many suffer from the StandardFemaleGrabArea problem.
105* PsychoSerum: Usually in the form of pills.
106* RankScalesWithAsskicking: If the setting involves multiple sects, chances are the head of the sect will be one of the top-tier fighters in the ''wulin''...or at the very least, the main character will expect a tough fight.
107* RebelliousPrincess: Often combined with the LadyOfWar.
108%%* RecursiveCrossdressing
109* RedShirtArmy: If there's a large group of soldiers, expect them to be this.
110%%* RivalTurnedEvil
111* RoofHopping: Very, very, ''very'' common, especially in fight scenes. Generally, in East Asian fantasy, leaping as if weightless has been more common than outright flying, but it's sometimes used as a transition between "normal" jumping and full-fledged flight.
112* SheFu: Many female ''xia'' exhibit this in a fight. Not to be confused with ''shīfu'' ("master"), which is pronounced (roughly) "shr-fu" in Mandarin.
113* SlapSlapKiss: The relationships between feisty action maidens and heroes can venture deep into Tracy-Hepburn territory.
114* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Most ''wuxiá'' stories are ''deep'' in the idealistic side.
115* StockWushuWeapons: Expect traditional ''wushu'' weapons like the ''jian''[[note]]Sword[[/note]], ''qiang''[[note]]Spear[[/note]], ''chui''[[note]]Hammer[[/note]], and numerous others to show up in these media.
116* SupernaturalMartialArts: Especially in ''xianxia''.
117* SweetPollyOliver: Rather common, especially in early Creator/ShawBrothers movies. Creator/ChengPeiPei and Creator/HsuFeng donned male disguises in more than five of their films.
118* SwordAndSorcery: Quite literally the Chinese version of this trope, to an almost uncanny degree despite the genres developing entirely independently.
119* SwornBrothers: The relationship of "sworn brothers" is a central feature of the genre. The "Peach Garden Oath" of Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in ''Literature/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms'' is a particularly famous example.
120* ThreePointLanding: Usually not too exaggerated, though common.
121* TrainingFromHell: Many ''wuxia'' heroes typically have to go through this to get badass.
122* TreacherousAdvisor: A must-have in stories of palace intrigue.
123* {{Tsundere}}: If TheHero is a guy, expect every martial-arts-capable lady he meets to be like this. ''Every single one of them.''
124* UrExample: Most modern action ''[[ShonenDemographic shōnen]]'' manga, due to being inspired by the ''very'' ''wuxia''-influenced ''Manga/DragonBall'' and ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'', can trace their roots back to this and ''xianxia''. Many tropes that define shonen -- SupernaturalMartialArts, screaming while powering up, bystanders commenting on the main fight, [[ThePowerOfFriendship exaggerated senses of honor and friendship]], KiManipulation, {{Battle Aura}}s, GoldenSuperMode, CallingYourAttacks, and much more -- started out in ''wuxia'' and ''xianxia'' tales hundreds of years ago.
125* VillainForgotToLevelGrind: Numbers of overpowered villains introduced early on in a series are usually left in the dust when the main characters get rapidly stronger.
126%%* WaxOnWaxOff
127%%* WaifFu
128* WainscotSociety: As stated above, the ''jianghu'' is associated with a world that runs with its own rules parallel to society in ImperialChina.
129%%* WarriorMonk
130* WireFu: Used in films to perform exaggerated feats of ''qinggong'' ("light body skill"). It should be noted that this is an actual skill, but real-life ''qinggong'' doesn't look like WireFu -- it's much closer in spirit to LeParkour.
131* WorldOfBadass: Named characters in any work are usually able to kill a normal human in one strike. Not that there's very many muggles, mind you...
132* WorthyOpponent: A ''wuxia'' villain is nearly always someone who ''could have been'' a hero, but went down the wrong path somewhere.
133
134----
135!!Examples:
136
137[[foldercontrol]]
138
139[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
140
141[[index]]
142* ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'' was heavily inspired by ''wuxia''. In fact the director, Yasuhiro Imagawa, [[AuthorAppeal rather likes wuxia]], which also shows up to a greater degree in ''Anime/GiantRobo'' and less so in ''Anime/ShinMazinger''.
143** Master Asia (well, his name, anyway) is a ShoutOut to the VillainProtagonist of ''Swordsman II''.
144* ''Anime/{{Samurai Champloo}}'' is an example of this trope, with each member of the PowerTrio exemplifying a different sub-trope: Character/Mugan is a BloodKnight who is WalkingTheEarth; Jin is a KnightErrant & MasterSwordsman, and Fuu is on TheQuest.
145* The first season of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' can be read as a loose adaptation of Creator/JinYong's ''Literature/TheHeavenSwordAndDragonSaber'' novel, especially concerning Kira as a rewrite of the kind-pacifist turned Warrior-God Jang Wu-ji, on top of being a loose adaptation of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series with more modern Gundam elements.
146* ''Manga/DragonBall'', which was loosely based on ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'', is perhaps the most famous ''wuxia'' property in the world, despite being a Japanese parody of the genre. Several of its characters are even [[{{Expy}} expies/parodies of characters]] from major Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers martial arts films of the '70s and '80s, and some of the plot events and techniques are also either greatly inspired by or directly lifted from those films. The ''Z'' portion of the story, meanwhile, is one of the forerunners of the ''xianxia'' genre, focusing as it does on martial artists battling gods and beings of similar power.
147** Due to a lack of knowledge of ''wuxia'' in the West as well as the franchise's overwhelming popularity, it is not uncommon to find many fans who believe [[CommonKnowledge Dragon Ball invented most of wuxia and xianxia's ancient tropes and conventions]] and thus believe [[OlderThanTheyThink older wuxia works that feature said tropes are actually ripping off Dragon Ball!]]
148* ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'' is an example of fusing ''wuxia'' with [[JapaneseDelinquents Bōsōzoku protagonists]].
149* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' has become this through a combination of WriterRevolt and gradual GenreShift. Also magic.
150* ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'' has all the elements of ''wuxia''... other than being set in a post-nuclear-apocalyptic Earth where law and order has all but ceased to exist, rather than a corrupt one. Its {{prequel}} ''Manga/FistOfTheBlueSky'' is actually closer in style and spirit to classical ''wuxia''. Being set in Shanghai during the twilight years of classical China helps.
151* ''Manga/KenichiTheMightiestDisciple'', though originally more of a simple high school fighting shonen/satire, as the plot gradually moves forward it becomes more and more like a modern-day ''wuxia'', as Kenichi becomes increasingly involved in his masters relationships and rivalries, as well as the rivalries/friendships Kenichi himself builds with their rivals and their rivals disciples. The world Kenichi lives in has also been shown to have a well-developed and complicated secret martial arts world, which most of the more "normal" cast are entirely ignorant of at the start, much like the Wulin concept.
152* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' is more of a comedic parody, but still retains the elements of [[WorldOfBadass everybody]] using supernatural and fantastic martial arts against a backdrop of ancient Chinese techniques, legends, and curses. The overall aesthetic, underscore (and merchandise) of the manga/anime is Chinese-influenced, and the main character himself, in spite of being fully ''Japanese'', even dresses regularly in Chinese clothing.
153* ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'' steadily begins to adopt elements from the ''wuxia'' genre from ''Fairy Dance'' onwards, and they become more pronounced from the ''Mother's Rosario'' and ''Alicization'' onward. These include Dedicated Schools of Martial Arts, Inter-Sword-School Rivalries, Young Prodigies seeking challenges in a WorthyOpponent, Striving To Leave A Legacy of Hope, Rivals Bound By Honor fighting side by side as Brothers in Arms, Ancient Techniques passed down as legacies of friendships, the TrainingMontage, [[SwornBrothers Close and Loving Friendships Between Sworn Brothers and Sisters]], not to mention elegant and balletic sword-battles reminiscent of those choreographed by Kung Fu Film Luminary Creator/YuenWooPing. "Phantom Bullet" is more of a tribute to the post-apocalyptic cyberpunk genre and Franchise/StarWars, the latter of which is itself a ''wuxia'' saga RecycledInSpace.
154* Two different manga by Creator/OhGreat effectively become this over time: ''Manga/TenjhoTenge'' is a straight example, with each of the characters having long histories, internal and external conflicts between bloodlines, clans, teachers, and fighting styles. The other is ''Manga/AirGear'', which does pretty much the exact same formula, except instead of magical kung-fu they use magical motorized inline skates.
155* ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' has an ongoing manga that is heavily influenced by ''wuxia'' manhua, which is perhaps expected giving its artist and writer have a great deal of experience drawing and writing for that particular comic genre.
156* ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_Tales Hero Tales]]'', a manga by Huang Jin Zhou (a unit composed of Creator/HiromuArakawa, Genco and Studio Flag), is inspired by ''wuxia'' drama and novels.
157* ''Animation/IronKid'' is heavily influenced by this and SteamPunk.
158* Unexpectedly, ''Anime/GirlsUndPanzerDerFilm''. All characters are practitioners of a fictional martial art. Everybody is doing impossible, reality-defying, jumps and leaps. The action scenes are deliberately depicted in fast camera. Martial artists band together due to honor and duty. Masked fighters attack as part of an ambush. Heirs to rival martial arts schools have an epic showdown. The fictional martial art is sensha-do, the Way of the Tank. Yes, it's seriously ''[[NinjaPirateZombieRobot wuxia with tanks]]''.
159[[/folder]]
160
161[[folder:Film]]
162* ''Film/AshesOfTime'' by Wong Kar-wai is probably the most "artistic" martial arts film ever made.
163* ''Film/TheAssassin''
164* ''Film/AsterixAndObelixTheMiddleKingdom'': The usual SwordAndSandal comedy mix of the film series sees the addition of fantastical martial arts in this film, due to being set in China at the time of the UsefulNotes/HanDynasty.
165* ''Film/TheAvengingEagle'', a classic Shaw Brothers tale of revenge.
166* ''Film/BigTroubleInLittleChina'' escalates into full on ''wuxia'' from more humble beginnings.
167** The above film is loosely inspired by the ''wuxia'' film ''Film/ZuWarriorsFromTheMagicMountain'', which came out 3 years earlier.
168* ''Film/TheBrideWithWhiteHair''
169* ''Film/BrothersFive'': Ever wondered what is the ''wuxia''-equivalent to ''The Expendables''? Wonder no more!
170* ''Film/TheBurningOfRedLotusTemple'', one of the earliest ''wuxia'' films, released in 1928.
171* ''Film/ButterflyAndSword'', a ''wuxia'' film with an EnsembleCast including Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen and Tony Leung.
172* The ''Film/ChineseGhostStory'' series has more of a fantasy element than most stories in the ''wuxia'' genre.
173* ''Film/ComeDrinkWithMe.''
174* ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon'' brought the classical form of the genre to the mainstream in the West.
175* ''Film/CurseOfTheGoldenFlower'' has elements of this during fight scenes.
176* ''Film/TheDeadlyDuo'', a short but fun ''wuxia'' film.
177* ''Film/DetectiveDee''
178* ''Film/FlirtingScholar'', comedic ''wuxia'' film which pitted martial arts legends Cheng Peipei and Gordon Liu against each other.
179* ''Film/FlyingSwordsOfDragonGate'' starring Jet Li.
180* ''Film/TheForbiddenKingdom'' is another Western example.
181* ''Film/GoldenSwallow''. Also known as OneManArmy the movie.
182* ''Film/Hero2002'' is notable for coming out a few years later than ''Crouching Tiger'', with a lot more controversy. It was a big ''wuxia'' production relatively soon after the Chinese takeover of Hong Kong, which made some critics see the HistoricalHeroUpgrade of the king as a way to win the approval of the Chinese government, while others insisted that variants of this "Emperor And Assassin" story had been told in China for centuries, even in Hong Kong under British rule.
183* ''Film/TheHeroicOnes'' is a ''wuxia'' movie based loosely on King Lear.
184* ''Film/HeroicTrio'' is this genre mixed with the SuperHero genre.
185* ''Film/HouseOfFlyingDaggers'', another film directed by Creator/ZhangYimou.
186* The ''Film/KillBill'' films were at least heavily influenced by ''wuxia''.
187* ''Film/KungFuCultMaster'', an adaptation of the Creator/JinYong novel ''The Heaven Sword And Dragon Sabre''.
188* ''Film/KungFuHustle'' is an AffectionateParody with a truckload of references, homages and slight {{Deconstruction}} elements.
189* ''Franchise/KungFuPanda'' is either an AffectionateParody or a slightly more comedic example of the genre, with elaborate action scenes focused on martial arts and being set in Imperial China. Either way, even the Chinese thought it was a worthy addition.
190* ''Film/KungPowEnterTheFist'' is a straight up exceptionally weird parody.
191* ''Film/LegendOfTheBlackScorpion''
192* ''Film/JadeDynasty'', specifically the ''xianxia'' sub-genre.
193* ''Animation/JiangZiya'' is loosely based on the classic Chinese novel ''[[Literature/FengshenYanyi Investiture of the Gods]]'', and focuses on the Taoist Immortal warrior Jiang Ziya, who was exiled from the heavenly Jingxu Hall for his failure to execute the [[AsianFoxSpirit Fox Devil]] Nine-Tailed, as he seeks to help Xiao Jiu -- an amnesiac young woman with fox-ears -- regain her memories and uncover her sinister connection to Nine-Tailed.
194* ''Film/TheMagicCrane'', based on the novel of the same name.
195* ''Franchise/TheMatrix'' was definitely a ''wuxia'' story (especially the first film) applied to a {{cyberpunk}} setting.
196* ''Film/MoonWarriors'' starring Andy Lau and Maggie Cheung.
197* ''Film/TheMyth''
198* ''Animation/NeZha'' is loosely based on the classic Chinese novel ''[[Literature/FengshenYanyi Investiture of the Gods]]'', and focuses on the the Taoist immortals Taiyi Zhenren and rival Shen Gongbao vying to become a DeityOfHumanOrigin by training the demon-in-human form Ne Zha and the dragon prince Ao Bing respectively.
199* ''Animation/NewGodsNezhaReborn2021'' serves as a {{cyberpunk}} take on the genre, being a sequel to the story of Nezha where the various gods of Chinese mythology have been reincarnated as humans. Li Yunxiang discovering that he is the reincarnation of Nezha and that he must awaken his dormant divinity when he discovers the Dragon Clan is looking to settle their 3000-year-old grudge against him.
200* ''Film/NewDragonInn'' which is a remake.
201* ''Film/OnceUponATime2017'' is in the ''xianxia'' sub-genre.
202* ''Film/OnceUponATimeInChina'', set in the twilight years of Imperial China, chronicling the saga of historical hero Wong Fei Hong (played marvelously by Jet Li), greatest Doctor and Warrior of Canton. Singlehandedly revitalized the genre as one worthy of artistic respect and capable of conveying political meaning.
203* ''Film/OneArmedSwordsman''
204** ''Film/ReturnOfTheOneArmedSwordsman''
205** ''Film/ZatoichiMeetsTheOneArmedSwordsman'': This is notably a GenreMashup with {{Jidaigeki}} as the Chinese wuxia protagonist travels to late-Edo Japan and fights a blind Japanese swordsman.
206** ''Film/TheNewOneArmedSwordsman''
207* ''Film/OneArmedSwordsmen''
208* ''Film/RedCliff'', which is notable for being based on actual history -- the Battle of Chibi, in [[Literature/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms the Three Kingdoms period]]. It is more subdued and realistic than the average ''wuxia'' story, although characters retain wuxia's standard deep sense of honour and ability to jump incredible distances.
209* ''Film/ReignOfAssassins'': Featuring Michelle Yeoh as a retired assassin who couldn't escape her past.
210* ''Film/SaviourOfTheSoul'' is a more sci-fi take on ''wuxia'' featuring futuristic fantasy warriors.
211* ''Film/SevenSwords'' is a ''wuxia'' adaptation of ''Film/TheSevenSamurai''.
212* ''Film/Shadow2018'', another film directed by Creator/ZhangYimou.
213* ''Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings'', despite being a Western {{superhero}} film, draws heavy influence from ''wuxia'' -- a fitting way to introduce the MCU's first headlining Chinese hero.
214* ''Film/TheSorcererAndTheWhiteSnake''
215* ''Franchise/StarWars'' is largely a GenreBusting series mashing together all sorts of {{Adventure}} genres, including [[FilmSerial science fiction serials]], [[Film/TheDambusters war films]], {{Spaghetti Western}}s, [[SwordAndSorcery European fantasy]], JidaiGeki and, of course, ''wuxia'' -- the last is most evident in the philosophy and cultivation of the Force (itself being a clear CrystalDragonJesus of the Tao). Jedi Force techniques tend to more closely resemble [[KiManipulation Chinese qi attacks]] rather than Japanese styles. The prequel films' more acrobatic lightsaber duels also take their cues from ''wuxia'' (and fencing), where the originals were based more on Japanese UsefulNotes/{{Kendo}} and European styles.
216* ''Film/SwordOfTheAssassin'': Despite being Vietnamese, it's clearly heavily ''wuxia''-inspired in its choreography, cinematography, and plot.
217* ''Film/SwordsmenInDoubleFlagTown'' is a "down and dirty" hybrid of ''wuxia'' and [[TheWestern western]] set in China's own Wild West.
218* ''Film/TheSwordStainedWithRoyalBlood'' starring Yuen Biao and Danny Lee. An over-the-top remake of the older Shaw Brothers film of the same name.
219* ''Film/TaiChiMaster'' aka Twin Warriors.
220* ''Film/ATouchOfZen'' (1971)
221* ''Film/TrueLegend2010''
222* ''Film/WarriorsOfHeavenAndEarth''
223* ''Animation/WhiteSnake2019'': The narrative serves as a prequel to the classic Chinese fable ''Legend of the White Snake'', and the protagonist Xiao Bai/Blanca and the other members of her clan are snakes that have managed to cultivate enough spiritual energy to become demons, with Xiao Bai/Blanca and her sister Xiao Qing/Verta in particular seeking to become Immortals. The General is a Taoist sage who seeks to absorb their energy for his own malicious purposes, with his apprentice being called the "Little Daoist".
224* ''Animation/WhiteSnake2TheTribulationOfTheGreenSnake'': An UrbanFantasy sequel to ''White Snake'' focusing on Verta, who has been separated from Blanca by the Buddhist sage Fahai and trapped in the seemingly modern metropolis of Shura City, which is populated by both humans and demons.
225* ''Film/ZuWarriorsFromTheMagicMountain'' has more of a fantasy element than most stories in the ''wuxia'' genre. It is as bizarre as Chinese fantasy movies get.
226[[/folder]]
227
228[[folder:Literature]]
229* The novels and short stories of Creator/JinYong, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu_Long Gu Long]], and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liang_Yusheng Liang Yusheng]], the great masters of modern ''wuxia'' literature. Among Jin Yong's works, the following have pages on TV Tropes, arranged in chronological order of publication:
230** ''Film/TheSwordStainedWithRoyalBlood'' (via its film adaptation)
231** The ''Condor'' Trilogy:
232*** ''Literature/TheLegendOfTheCondorHeroes''
233*** ''Literature/TheReturnOfTheCondorHeroes''
234*** ''Literature/HeavenSwordAndDragonSabre''
235** ''Literature/ADeadlySecret''
236** ''Literature/DemiGodsAndSemiDevils''
237** ''Film/OdeToGallantry'' (via its film adaptation)
238** ''Literature/TheSmilingProudWanderer''
239** ''Literature/TheDeerAndTheCauldron''
240* ''Literature/BewareOfChicken'' takes a ''xianxia'' world and sets out to defy or subvert most of the associated tropes, starting with the main character choosing to be a farmer, instead of a cultivator, and going from there. The titular chicken, however, has a more classical attitude, training himself in moon-style martial arts to vanquish evil (foxes, insects, etc), honour his master, and protect the great "Fa Ram".
241* Despite martial arts not being the center of their plots, ''Literature/BridgeOfBirds'' and the other Master Li & Number Ten Ox novels by Barry Hughart are set in, "an ancient China that never was", that is a clear homage to Chinese mythology and the ''wuxia'' genre. He lists ''Literature/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms'' among his main influences.
242* The ''Literature/DragonSeries'' by Laurence Yep.
243* ''Literature/GrandmasterOfDemonicCultivationMoDaoZuShi'' is a very toned down ''xianxia''.
244* One of the legends in ''Literature/HitherbyDragons'' is a ''wuxia'' parody/homage.
245* ''Jade Dynasty'' and its adaptations ([[VideoGame/JadeDynasty video game]], [[Film/JadeDynasty film]], and [[Series/TheLegendOfChusen drama]]) are all in the ''xianxia'' sub-genre.
246* ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'', still another classic novel, probably fifteenth century in this case, also based on earlier folk stories.
247* The Literature/JudgeDee novels and short stories draw on many ''wuxia'' elements. Ciao Tai is a typical gentleman-outlaw swordsman character, and his best friend Ma Joong is the kung-fu master.
248* ''Literature/TheLangyaList'': Martial arts aren't the story's main focus, but Mei Changsu leads a martial arts alliance and the titular Langya List is a ranking of martial artists.
249* ''Literature/AMartialOdyssey'' by Kay Tea is a definite ''xianxia''.
250* ''Literature/{{Moribito}}'': A chance encounter with the royal procession and one act of heroism later, [[TheAtoner Balsa]] finds herself a guest at the Imperial Court--where the Second Queen learns of her vow to atone for the eight lives she took by saving eight lives in return. After hearing her story, she asks Balsa to take her son and make him the eighth life she saves. Thus begins an epic quest to save a young prince, [[MacGuffin the mysterious egg inside him]], and [[GhibliHills a country]].
251* ''Literature/NanoMachine'' is what happens when you put highly advanced nanobots in a wuxia setting.
252* ''Franchise/{{Novoland}}'' is in the ''xianxia'' subgenre.
253* Zen Cho's novella ''The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water'' is an English language homage to Wuxia fiction, and combines the genre with [[spoiler: QueerRomance.]]
254* ''Literature/QianQiu'' is filled to the brim with ''xianxia'' lore even amidst all the subplots involving politics in a DecadentCourt and where each character stands in a world filled with GreyAndGrayMorality.
255* ''Literature/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms'', probably written during the fourteenth century, but based on earlier histories.
256* ''Literature/WaterMargin'', a novel dating from the fourteenth century, is probably the earliest example, although it is clearly based on even earlier folk stories. Especially influential in defining the ''Jiānghú'' world.
257* ''Literature/WayOfChoices'' is solidly ''xianxia''.
258[[/folder]]
259
260[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
261* ''Short Sabre Story'': A comedy variant.
262* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCu2A20S1Vw Geico's "Wuxia" commercial]], a parody of ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon''.
263* ''Series/JukenSentaiGekiranger'' is heavily inspired by the genre, and is [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff quite popular outside Japan.]] Its Franchise/PowerRangers adaptation, ''Series/PowerRangersJungleFury'', carried over many of these influences.
264* ''Literature/TheLegendOfTheCondorHeroes'' by Creator/JinYong has been adapted into ten television series, in 1976, 1983, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, [[Series/TheLegendOfTheCondorHeroes2003 2003]], [[Series/TheLegendOfTheCondorHeroes2008 2008]], and [[Series/TheLegendOfTheCondorHeroes2017 2017]].
265** Its sequel ''Literature/TheReturnOfTheCondorHeroes'' has been adapted into nine television series, in 1976, 1983, 1984, 1995, 1998 (two different series aired this year), [[Series/TheReturnOfTheCondorHeroes2006 2006]], [[Series/TheRomanceOfTheCondorHeroes 2014]], and 2021. The page image is from the 2006 series.
266** ''Literature/HeavenSwordAndDragonSabre'', the third book in the series, has also been adapted into nine television series, in 1978, 1984, 1986, 1994 (two different series aired this year), 2000, 2003, [[Series/TheHeavenSwordAndDragonSabre2009 2009]], and [[Series/HeavenlySwordAndDragonSlayingSabre 2019]].
267* ''Series/MidnightDiner'' has the 2nd last episode ''Rolled Omelet'' involve a director from China showing up at the diner as he's stuck on how to remake his late father's failed Wuxia movie. The final minutes of the episode involves shooting this film, so the extras on set act out as evil eunuchs wearing ancient Chinese garb and waving daos (Chinese sabre or cutlass).
268* 武林外传 or ''My Own Swordsman'' is a very successful 80-episode ''wuxia'' {{Sitcom}}, that sends up the whole genre in an AffectionateParody.
269* ''Six-fingered Lord of the Lute'' and many other series were a major part of 1970s and '80s television in Hong Kong, even going into the '90s. The 2000s and 2010s saw a big decline as wuxia TV shows were often put behind paywalls in favor of cheaper travel shows, soap-operas and comedies.
270* ''Spirit Warriors'' has the cast in another dimension based on this.
271* ''Jumong'' and ''The Emperor of the Sea'' are somewhat like this trope but the characters are Koreans rather then Chinese for the most part. Much of Emperor takes place in China.
272* ''Series/PrincessReturningPearl'' does have some aspects of ''wuxia'', though admittedly not in abundance.
273** Xiao Yan Zi fancies herself to be a ''xianv (heroine)''
274* ''Series/IntoTheBadlands'' which draws inspiration from ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest''.
275* The Chinese drama ''Series/NirvanaInFire'' is a straight example. A powerful leader of a martial arts alliance returns to his native land to claim justice for his wrongly executed father and the entire Chiyan army.
276* The many Pili Taiwanese drama series are in this setting. Unlike other ''wuxia'' examples, these series are actually ''puppet shows'', made with intricate glove puppets capable of a wide range of actions and supplemented by tokusatsu-esque sets and CGI effects. Created as a means to keep traditional Taiwanese puppetry alive in a modern era, Pili is a household name in Taiwan.
277** Enough so that even ''Creator/GenUrobuchi'' was amazed. When you combine a Pili ''wuxia'' puppet drama with anime-style character design, voice acting, and writing, you get ''Series/ThunderboltFantasy''.
278** It's basically all of modern Taiwanese puppet drama series really.
279* ''Series/JoyofLife'', with its classic {{Wire Fu}} combat sequences and face-offs between martial arts masters (the main character having been trained from a young age in martial arts himself), could be counted as this.
280* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': The character of Elnor is a ShoutOut to the genre, as he [[https://i.imgur.com/Q2DqdvM.jpg looks like]] he had just stepped out of a ''wuxia'' movie (i.e. [[SwordAndFist martial arts]] [[MasterSwordsman expert]] with an [[KatanasAreJustBetter Asian-style sword]], WarriorMonk robe, SamuraiPonytail, plus he gained a CharlesAtlasSuperpower from his Qowat Milat training, so he has ImplausibleFencingPowers along with some WireFu). The Romulans were loosely based on Communist China, and since Elnor was conceived to be a [[RuleOfCool cool, badass]] character who already possessed some HighFantasy elements [[note]]he was also inspired by Legolas and Elrond in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings''[[/note]], it would be natural to also associate him with a genre that is a FantasyCounterpartCulture of ImperialChina. His actor Evan Evagora has noticed the [[https://www.instagram.com/p/B8UbxCCBHQ0/ Asian influence.]]
281* ''Series/ShuiYueDongTian'' (China series, produced by Zhouyi Media and originally aired on CTV, was a return to earlier values of production, with very high-quality sets, costumes, effects and an all-star cast including Creator/NormanChu (probably best known for playing Japanese champion Hashimoto in ''Film/DuelToTheDeath) as the immortal villain.
282* ''Series/TheLegendOfChusen'' is in the ''xianxia'' sub-genre.
283* ''Series/AmericanBornChinese2023'' is, as the trailer demonstrates, a fantasy action series with Asian leads, lots of martial arts and WireFu, and references to Chinese mythology.
284[[/folder]]
285
286[[folder:Manhua]]
287* ''Manhua/TheCelestialZone''
288* ''Manhua/ChineseHero'', the epic ''{{manhua}}'' saga by the author of ''Film/TheStormRiders'', starting with Chinese fighters defending Chinese pride against racists in America with martial arts before moving on to other settings.
289* ''Manhua/HitoriNoShitaTheOutcast''
290* ''Manhua/RavagesOfTime'', as it is based on ''The Romance Of The Three Kingdoms''.
291* ''Manhua/WeaponsOfTheGods'' (which the RPG below is based on) and basically all of Wong Yuk Long's works such as Film/DragonTigerGate.
292[[/folder]]
293
294[[folder:Manhwa]]
295* ''Manhwa/TheBreaker'', ''Manhwa/{{Veritas}}'', ''Now'', and ''Ping'' are all Korean {{manhwa}} that use ''wuxia'' tropes.
296* ''Literature/{{Id}}'' uses many ''wuxia'' tropes and mixes them with Norse and Christian mythology.
297* ''Manhwa/{{Veritas}}'' uses many wuxia tropes but the story itself is more on the cynical side and the main hero is a BloodKnight rather than a traditional noble wuxia hero.
298[[/folder]]
299
300[[folder:Music Videos]]
301* Music/{{Erasure}}'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSMeUPFjQHc "Always"]] video.
302[[/folder]]
303
304[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
305* The [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons AD&D]]-derived game ''Dragon Fist'' has ''wuxia'' as its primary genre, again leaning toward fantasy.
306** 3.5 edition had the ''Tome of Battle'' sourcebook, with new classes (similar to the fighter, monk and paladin) which drew on ''wuxia'' influences to soften the effects of LinearWarriorsQuadraticWizards. It is often regarded as the best 3.5 book ever printed, though [[BrokenBase some players]] derogatorily refer to it as ''The Book of Weaboo Fightan Magic.''
307** 4th Edition mentions this in the Dungeon Master's Guide as one of the various campaign styles you can run.
308* The 69 A.D. juncture of ''TabletopGame/FengShui'' lends itself quite well to ''wuxia'' stories, particularly those of a more fantastic bent. As does the 690 A.D. juncture from the 2nd edition of the game.
309* As do the Period Martial Arts and Bizarre Fantasy genres from ''TabletopGame/HongKongActionTheatre''.
310* As a genre which is focused on awesome stunts, personal interactions, and a small group of people being vastly more powerful than anyone else, ''wuxia'' has inspired a number of [=RPGs=]:
311** ''Manhua/WeaponsOfTheGods'' and its successor ''TabletopGame/LegendsOfTheWulin'' are epic systems designed to showcase both the variety of kung fu techniques and the high power level of ''wuxia'' -- "Ranked Fighters" (AKA ''Xia'') can literally take down dozens of nameless {{mooks}} right out the gate, and character abilities deal with destiny, the wills of heaven and hell, and the fate of all of China (though it does have a lot of detail in its musings on cultural detail).
312** At the opposite end of the spectrum, ''Qin The Warring States'' has much greater realism. Such tricks as walking on water or disabling two foes with a single sword stroke are exceedingly difficult, and starting characters will have some trouble facing even three or four ordinary thugs. Many brands of Chinese mysticism are also examined, including oddities such as Internal Alchemy.
313* ''[[TabletopGame/{{Ironclaw}} Jadeclaw]]'' is essentially a [[UsefulNotes/FurryFandom furry]] ''wuxia'' RPG.
314* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'': Its stunts, martial arts and Charms are specifically set up to support wuxia-style play.
315* The world setting and short stories connected to ''{{Literature/Zodiacs}}'' are heavily and openly influenced by ''wuxia'', TheWestern, {{Samurai}} and [[Myth/NorseMythology the Viking Sagas]].
316* The not-yet-released ''[[http://intothefarwest.com/ Far West]]'' is essentially a ''wuxia'' setting... modeled after the WildWest.
317* ''Tianxia'' is a ''wuxia'' RPG using the FATE system.
318* ''TabletopGame/WanderingHeroesOfOgreGate'' is yet another example of a game built with all of the conventions of the genre in mind, and it supports more grounded (though still WireFu) martial arts action as well as very high-power games like ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'' and ''Weapons of the Gods/TabletopGame/{{Legends of the Wulin}}'' above, or a [[SerialEscalation gradual escalation of power]] a la ''Film/{{Kung Fu Hustle}}''.
319[[/folder]]
320
321[[folder:Theatre]]
322* Creator/CirqueDuSoleil's ''Theatre/{{KA}}'' owes a lot to this genre, especially in its visuals.
323[[/folder]]
324
325[[folder:Video Games]]
326* ''VideoGame/NineMonkeysOfShaolin'' is set in the Ming Dynasty and follows the usual ''wuxia'' themes, with your character embarking on a quest of revenge on the marauders who killed your family by training in the Shaolin temple. A lot of it's themes appears to be lifted directly from old-school kung fu films.
327* ''VideoGame/BladedFury'' is set in the Warring States period, and you're a WarriorPrincess out to save China from demonic forces.
328* ''VideoGame/BloodySpell'', a SoulsLikeRPG set in the Ming Dynasty.
329* ''VideoGame/{{Bujingai}}'' uses this trope as its primary motif, although it takes place in the future of Japan.
330* The ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' series, obviously, since it's an action-based adaptation of ''VideoGame/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdomsKoei''. Also notable in that, for someone who's not familiar with the original novel, the feats the characters in the games perform seem absolutely ridiculous, while reading the novel, you can tell that, yes, that's the way they were originally portrayed.
331* ''VideoGame/EndlessNightmare: Curse'' combines ''wuxia'' with SurvivalHorror, and of the entire series the fifth is the only one set in the Ming Dynasty. You're a sword-wielding priest with fantasy powers who fights all kinds of undead to save your sister.
332* ''VideoGame/EasternExorcist'', mixed with plenty of fantasy elements while following themes like brotherhood, corruption from power, high-flying martial arts, and all that.
333* ''VideoGame/FreedomPlanet'' takes place in a ''wuxia''-style setting. It's one of the things that differentiates it from the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' games it was inspired by.
334* ''VideoGame/GaiaCrusaders'' have a stage set in China which is lifted directly from ''wuxia'' cinema.
335* ''VideoGame/TheGladiator'' is a ''wuxia''-themed BeatEmUp action game, where a band of heroes in the Song Dynasty must stop an evil cult from taking over.
336* Some {{fighting game}}s have been influenced by this genre. The original ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1992'' in particular has a strong ''wuxia'' vibe (the setting is very Eastern-themed, despite being developed entirely in the United States) but this was subsequently stripped away in later games.
337* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfJinYong'', a game where your character is trapped in the literary works of Creator/JinYong, and must WinToExit.
338* ''VideoGame/HiddenDragonLegend'' is set in the Tang Dynasty, where you're a heroic swordsman out to stop an immortality-seeking cult from terrorizing the ''jianghu''. There's an extensive {{roofhopping}} level and plenty of {{sword fight}}s as well.
339* ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'' is a WesternRPG based on this.
340* Most video games actually made in China tend to have a ''wuxia'' theme, likely going on the principle that drives western developers to fall back on Tolkien when designing a WesternRPG.
341* ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReUH5rbrJ60 Kung Fu Chivalry]]'', a beat-em-up/platformer for Macintosh computers, is basically a ''wuxia'' take on ''VideoGame/DoubleDragon''. Both player characters can perform InASingleBound leaps and KiAttacks, and at least two of the bosses have partial flight abilities.
342* ''VideoGame/JiuXiao'' combines ''wuxia'' with {{steampunk}}, in a world set AfterTheEnd.
343* ''VideoGame/LegendOfKay'' is the mixture with this, ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', and [[UsefulNotes/FurryFandom furry.]]
344* Taito's ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfKage'' and ''Demon Sword'', although the latter also has Western medieval fantasy elements.
345* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSilkroad'', a Korean-made arcade game set in the eponymous road during the Ming Dynasty.
346* ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' is a SciFi meets Myth/HinduMythology version of ''wuxia''.
347* ''VideoGame/NewLegends'' combines wuxia with ''SteamPunk''. It's the Ming Dynasty, you play as a WarriorPrince out to avenge your father the Emperor against a tyrant who has a '''KillSat'''.
348* Extremely obscure Playstation offering ''[[VideoGame/TaiFuWrathOfTheTiger T'ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger]]'' is a classic LastOfHisKind RoaringRampageOfRevenge story, with a bit of PowerCopying along the way by learning the techniques of those he defeats. The eponymous T'ai Fu, a PantheraAwesome ArrogantKungFuGuy trying to avenge his massacred clan and their DoomedHometown, is cast more in a rebellious hero role than the traditional noble martial arts practitioner of most ''wuxia'' films.
349* ''VideoGame/OrientalLegend'' is another arcade duology inspired by Chinese myths, specifically ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest''.
350* ''VideoGame/TaleOfWuxia'' -- well, it's ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin.
351* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft: Mists of Pandaria'' copies the setting into Azeroth with all of its fantastic races. A race of stone creatures serves as a reference to oppressive emperors, savage bull men stand in for Mongol invaders, furry hat wearing pygmies stand in for the Nepalese Sherpa and the Pandaren themselves represent the simple scholars, farmers and monks. Then the invasion of Alliance and Horde into Pandaria and a discovery of [[{{Precursors}} Titan]] LostTechnology drives the setting OffTheRails.
352* ''VideoGame/TheWindRoad'', a HackAndSlash in Ming Dynasty China.
353* ''VideoGame/BladeAndSoul'' is practically Wuxia: The {{MMORPG}}.
354* In ''VideoGame/LiveALive'', the Imperial China chapter is supposed to be a ''wuxia'' tale, with an OldMaster teaching his martial arts to three unexperienced but promising students before [[spoiler:two of them are killed by [[AcademyOfEvil a rival martial arts school]]. The master and [[HeirToTheDojo the remaining student]] then go to the school and defeat the master Ou Di Wan Lee.]]
355* ''Sands of Salzaar'' from Han Sqirrel Studio, is a Chinese game set in a desert kingdom (though there are more biomes) influenced by the land and people of ancient western China. Your character starts off with a CharlesAtlasSuperpower or supernatural legacy outside of their class. And even within the classes there's a number that are stock characters to the wuxia, there's the Knight Errant (travelling underground hero), the Jackal (GentlemanThief turned bounty hunter) and' Sentinel (an ex-palace guard). The game is set after the fall of a dynasty that also coincided with an eclipse that ushered an invasion by the Ifrit.
356* ''VideoGame/{{Swordsman}}'' is another {{MMORPG}} example, as is an earlier game (''VideoGame/JadeDynasty'') by the same company.
357* ''VideoGame/ShuihuzhuanLiangshanYingxiong'', based on ''Literature/TheWaterMargin''
358* In ''VideoGame/ShuyanSaga'', ''wuxia'' is the focus of the game. Almost everyone seems to be a martial artist of some form or another.
359* The ''VideoGame/XuanYuanSword'' series, a Taiwanese RPG based on ''wuxia''.
360[[/folder]]
361
362[[folder:Visual Novels]]
363* ''Kikokugai -The Cyber Slayers-'' combines ''wuxia'' with cyberpunk and send it DEEP to the cynical territory. It's from {{Creator/Nitroplus}}.
364[[/folder]]
365
366[[folder:Webcomics]]
367* ''Webcomic/HowIKilledYourMaster''.
368* ''Webcomic/WayOfWushu''
369[[/folder]]
370
371[[folder:Web Original]]
372* I Eat Tomatoes specialises in these, with many of his works sharing a universe including ''Literature/CoilingDragon'', ''Literature/StellarTransformations'' and ''Literature/DesolateEra''.
373* Though they're not particularly looking to use their skills, the protagonists of ''Animation/FengLingYuXiu'' are wandering martial artists.
374* ''Literature/NocteYin'' draws many elements from this, especially where the four great martial-art sects are concerned.
375* ''[[https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/ Forge of Destiny]]'' by Yrsillar on Sufficient Velocity Quest subforum, starring a former street rat Ling Qi who was scouted as a potential cultivator and sent to a local sect where her worldview and commoner status clashes (and sometimes endears) with the mostly noble student body.
376* ''Literature/ReverendInsanity'' by Creator/GuZhenRen is a ''xianxia'' with a VillainProtagonist who seeks to gain eternal life in a world where people cultivate the ''dao'' using ''gu''.
377* ''Literature/BewareOfChicken'' is a novel set in and written like ''wuxia'', but is more from the perspective of the Muggles that have to live in a world full of cultivators.
378* ''Roleplay/TheBalladOfEdgardo'': While not explicitly labeled as such, the story has all the trappings of a ''wuxia'' tale.
379[[/folder]]
380
381[[folder:Western Animation]]
382* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' and its sequel, ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' (though the latter mixes this in with DieselPunk and UrbanFantasy).
383* ''WesternAnimation/ShaolinWuzang''
384[[/folder]]
385
386[[/index]]
387

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