Two characters engage in a duel of
Rapid Fire Fisticuffs and struggle for dominance. Very common in shonen action series, and often used in conjunction with
Flash Steps. This comes in two common variants, using mostly straight punches originating from a single point of origin and then simply branching off via modifying the position the outstretched arm ends in, or throwing out lots of curved, "haymaker" type punches which usually cover a greater "field" of potential areas to hit.
The
Trope Namer is the video game
God Hand, where two characters trying to use the "pummel" attack on each other results in this. It appears in most other titles made by
Platinum Games from that game onwards.
Examples:
Anime
- A lot of Shonen Fighting Series have them, but Fist of the North Star probably made this trope, with Ken vs. Raoh's being some of the most epic variations of these ever, and Dragon Ball popularized them. Fist of the North Star mainly uses the "straight" variant
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has a lot of rapid punching, but tends to more often be one-sided. It is, however, less of a technique used to defeat an opponent, than more a "reward" of sorts having found a way around your opponent's stand via Heart Is an Awesome Power. As the story goes on, the series mostly uses the "curved" style of punches
- As pictured above, One Piece includes a variant of this trope in the fight between Luffy and Lucci. At one point, they exchange blows repeatedly, and Luffy uses Rapid Fire Fisticuffs, but Lucci uses Rapid Fire Claw Pokes Of Doom.
- Luffy's boxing match with Foxy is a more straight example.
- Yoruichi vs. Soifon in Bleach, at least for the first half of the battle.
- Cure Marine vs. Kumojacky in the Magical Girl Warrior series Heartcatch Pretty Cure. The completely asymmetrical duel is made even more jarring because Cure Marine, in mundane life, is The Fashionista Erika.
- Kenichi vs Odin in Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple via seikuken vs seikuken.
- In G Gundam, followers of the School of the Undefeated of the East do this as a greeting. "LOOK! THE EAST IS BURNING RED!
"
- Medaka Box: Medaka has to fight Takachiho, someone who has Super Reflexes, engaging in this. Zenkichi also engages in a kicking version of this with a brainwashed Medaka.
Film
Video Games
- Clover Studios/Platinum Games seems to really love this trope:
- God Hand, as the trope namer description indicates, tends to have these often when you fight Azel, Gene's Evil Counterpart. God Hand also has the same thing with kicks while fighting Azel.
- The battle between Jack and the Final Boss in MadWorld, which is a Shout Out to the above God Hand example.
- It's also found in Anarchy Reigns, the pseudo-sequel to the game when two characters enter Rampage Mode and attack each other.
- And seen yet again in Bayonetta, between the title character and her rival Jeanne. With giant fists made of hair no less.
- Done another time in Vanquish in Sam Gideon's Fight against the Leader of the Order Of the Russian Star. It's worth noting that Sam performs this against two mechs under the Big Bad's control simultaneously.
- Fist Of The North Star Kens Rage has them during most boss fights with other martial arts users.
- This happens in the Dragon Ball Z Budokai games whenever two characters match blows. After a short period of time, whoever has the advantage will break the duel and get a free shot at the loser.
- Asuras Wrath has one in the form of Asura and his Old Master Augus. What makes this especially impressive is that the two armed Augus is able to match Asura blow for blow, when he has all SIX of his own arms out. Arms with Rapid Fire Fisticuffs that can become so powerful they can DESTROY PLANET SIZED OBJECTS! The Way the Pummel Duel plays out is definitely a Shout Out to the Clover Studios/ Platinum Games style of Pummel Duel's, and takes it up to eleven with Cross Counters added in for extra oomph. Go here to find it.
- And all this is happening to the sound of the New World Symphony.
- Asura later gets one with Chakravartin. This one is especially spectacular considering the latter got MORE ARMS THAN ASURA HIMSELF
- Happens again in the finale of Lost Episode 2, between Mantra Asura and Oni.
Real Life
