History Main / Kiai

* ''[[Series/WonderWoman1975 Wonder Woman]]'': In "Going, Going, Gone", the BruceLeeClone (from TheSeventies no less!) who [[CurbStompBattle fights Wonder Woman]] uses lots of these shouts.

* ''Series/{{Peacemaker}}'': Judomaster actually yells "Kiai!" before attacking.

** The trope is openly lampshaded in VideoGame/StreetFighterIV, with [[AxCrazy Juri Han]] complaining about how Gei Long's screams are "like nails on a chalkboard".

See also ScreamingWarrior, as well as FunnyBruceLeeNoises. Also see MakeMeWannaShout if a Kiai is weaponized. May overlap with CallingYourAttacks.

** In another interview, Creator/ChristopherSabat was asked to do a Super Saiyan transformation shout, and he declined by explaining that doing these shouts is so strenuous that they always save them for the ''end'' of a recording session, because it destroys their vocal chords. In [[https://youtu.be/Pl9ohNJg_xQ?t=676 this interview]], he also explains that new voice actors coming in have the choice to either do the loudest, most intense screams they've ever done in their life, or do them twice, because anything less won't work for the show!

* Balrog from ''VideoGame/CaveStory'' shouts "Doryaaaa!" in the original Japanese, often enough that it's his CatchPhrase. The FanTranslation rendered this battlecry as "Huzzah!", while the Wiiware version translated it as "Oh yeah!"

** Which, as usual, gets a ShoutOut ([[IncrediblyLamePun get it?]]) as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DX_IaXs5YQ an easter egg]] in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars''.

* ''LightNovel/NinjaSlayer'' is an interesting example, [[SharePhrase as a lot of the characters use the same kiai ('YEEART!')]] as a RunningGag.

** Hero Jotaro Kujo has his own battle cry: ORAORAORAORAORA ORAAAAAAAAAAA! This is also used by his daughter Jolyne Cujoh and the two alternative universe [=JoJos=], Johnny Joestar and [[spoiler:Part 4 Josuke's alternate universe iteration]] Josuke Higashikata (the one from [=JoJolion=]) [[spoiler:except Josuke throws in an "ARA" in at times to signify something got messed up in his creation]].

** The Creator/FUNimation dub seems to take this even further... just check out Goku's Super Saiyan 3 transformation and then wonder how Sean Schemmel is still voice acting today. The editing of the clip suggests some reuse of the best voice take -- but one still hopes he got a few days off to recuperate.

** Sheila E from the ''LightNovel/PurpleHazeFeedback'' light novel has "ERIERIERIERI!" when her Stand Voodoo Child goes on the attack.

[[folder:Anime And Manga]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* Fei Long from ''StreetFighter'' runs his status as a BruceLeeClone into the ground with his high-pitched shrieks every time he throws a punch. A [[Memes/StreetFighter running joke]] among the community is, "What does Fei Long love to drink? 'WA-TAAA!!'"

** Other proud users of the 'CHESTO!' kiai includes [[VideoGame/EndlessFrontier Kaguya Nanbu]], [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Sai Saici]], [[VideoGame/ArtOfFighting Takuma Sakazaki]], [[VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors Shimazu Yoshihiro]], [[VideoGame/BlazBlue Bang Shishigami]], [[StreetFighter Makoto]], etc...

* Happens fairly often in ''Anime/TransformersCybertron''. Even [[PhysicalGod Primus]] uses it. While [[EpicFlail swinging moons he converted to maces]] at an enlarged-to-planet-size Starscream.

** The Creator/FUNimation dub seems to take this [[UpToEleven even further]]... just check out Goku's Super Saiyan 3 transformation and then wonder how Sean Schemmel is still voice acting today. The editing of the clip suggests some reuse of the best voice take -- but one still hopes he got a few days off to recuperate.

** [[spoiler:Ultra Cure Happy]] takes this UpToEleven in Episode 47, when she fires her massive BeamSpam against [[spoiler:[[BigBad Pierrot]]]]. She screams and gets ''louder'' and '''louder''' and '''[=LOUDER=]''' every second.

* In ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' we have Justice. "''[[ThatOneAttack SHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!]]''

* The (first) default name for Ness's Favorite Thing in the Japanese version of ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', which just shows you what you already knew: Boys in Japanese media like nothing more than to [[Anime/DragonBallZ yell for seemingly hours on end]] before attacking. For those curious, the Japanese name for the attack is PK Kiai, and the English name is PSI Rockin'.

# '''''The Amplifier:''''' Utilizes the Kiai in the form of a shorter shout to exert additional effort beyond the norm in the moment. Bolstering a block or parry, or increasing the force of a blow - possibly enhancing it through [[{{ki}} various]] [[ElementalPunch means]]. In the case of something like a RapidFireFisticuffs, or any other kind of SpamAttack, expect this kind of Kiai to produce a string of these short shouts. These kinds of Kiai are typically proportional to the amount of additional effort being exerted, and may sometimes be channeled into something like a KamehameHadouken or CallingYourAttacks: The louder the kiai as the attack is unleashed, the more power is being expended in the attack.

* In kendo, kiai are actually required in matches in order to score, as it represents your intent to get the point.

** Dio's battle cry is "MUDA DA! MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!" (Japanese for "useless" or "futile"). His son Giorno also says this and he even drops a "WRYYYYYYYY" in the middle of his famous seven-page/30-second beatdown against Cioccolata. Additionally, [[spoiler:Alternate Universe Diego Brando]] uses the "MUDA MUDA MUDA" cry as well.

** Hero Jotaro Kujo has his own battle cry: ORAORAORAORAORA ORAAAAAAAAAAA! His daughter Jolyne Cujoh and the two alternative universe [=JoJos=], Johnny Joestar and [[spoiler:Part 4 Josuke's alternate universe iteration]] Josuke Higashikata (the one from [=JoJolion=]) also uses this [[spoiler:except Josuke throws in an "ARA" in at times to signify something got messed up in his creation]].
** Dio's battle cry is "MUDA DA! MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!" (Japanese for "useless" or "futile"). His son Giorno also says this and he even uses the "WRYYYYYYYY" at one point when he was dishing out the hurt onto Cioccolata.

** Bruno Bucciarati shouts "ARIARIARIARIARIARI! ARRIVEDERCI!" while Sticky Fingers attacks.
** Narancia Ghirga has "VOLAVOLAVOLAVOLAVOLA! VOLARE VIA!" while Aerosmith lets off a barrage of gunfire.
** Trish Una has "WANNABEEEEEEEEEEEE!" while Spice Girl lets the fists fly.

# '''''The Amplifier:''''' Utilizes the Kiai in the form of a shorter shout to exert additional effort beyond the norm in the moment. Bolstering a block or parry, or increasing the force of a blow - possibly enhancing it [[{{ki}} various]] [[ElementalPunch means]]. In the case of something like a RapidFireFisticuffs, PummelDuel, or other kind of SpamAttack, expect this kind of Kiai to produce a string of these short shouts. These kinds of Kiai are typically proportional to the amount of additional effort being exerted, and may sometimes be channeled into something like a KamehameHadouken or CallingYourAttacks: The larger the kiai as the attack is unleashed, the more power is being expended in the attack.

In some teachings, it is believed that the shout 'releases' your [[KiManipulation inner energy]] and allows you to use more force behind your blows. In reality strikes synchronized with exhalation are the strongest regardless of sound as it helps in activating the abdominal and core muscles, it's just that the kiai encourages proper breathing during a strike. {{Wuxia}} being wuxia and {{Anime}} being anime, this is often expanded into a wind that emanates from someone, sometimes resulting in a ChunkyUpdraft, and occasionally being used as an actual ''move'' that can deflect attacks.

It has other uses too serving as a BattleCry, a confidence booster at the moment you need to go all-out with an attack, potentially as a way to startle your opponent, and lastly as a way to mitigate a little pain. Fighters are supposed to come up with their own kiai, though often it's simply "kiai."

In some teachings, it is believed that the shout 'releases' your [[KiManipulation inner energy]] and allows you to use more force behind your blows. In reality strikes synchronized with exhalation are the strongest regardless of sound, it's just that the kiai encourages proper breathing during a strike. {{Wuxia}} being wuxia and {{Anime}} being anime, this is often expanded into a wind that emanates from someone, sometimes resulting in a ChunkyUpdraft, and occasionally being used as an actual ''move'' that can deflect attacks.

* ''Series/TheProfessionals''. In the episode "Wild Justice" Bodie and Doyle are going through a [=CI5=] training course, which includes an OldMaster teaching kendo and combat philosophy. Although he's not shown teaching this trope, Bodie and Doyle are later going through a ShootingGallery, giving a Kiai shout every time they fire a submachine gun. We never see them doing this in real-life shoot-outs, so it's probably to show how these 'professionals' are integrating Eastern and Western techniques.