127 Martial Arts Batman Knows And Uses (Full List)

Batman has been one of the people’s favorite superheroes. Also, Batman is the only DC hero with no natural superpowers.

Instead, he is known as the most intelligent man in most rooms along with being the most educated and experienced in all forms of combat.

There’s a belief out there that Batman knows a total of 127 martial arts, which is a debatable topic! What he in fact might know is 127 major styles of combat, first noted in this book:

It’s not listed anywhere what martial arts of combat styles he knows, but I’ve pulled together a master list of what I think he must know based on the comics, his fighting experience and what is most well-known.

Full Batman 127 martial arts list

Here is the full selection of martial arts/styles of combat that I believe Batman will know:

1. Boxing: Punching and defensive techniques using gloved hands.
2. Kickboxing: Stand-up fighting allowing punches and kicks.
3. Muay Thai: Thai boxing using punches, elbows, knees and kicks.
4. Judo: Japanese grappling style focused on throws, takedowns and pins.
5. Karate: Japanese/Okinawan striking art using punches, kicks, blocks and strikes.
6. Ninjutsu: Japanese martial arts associated with stealth and unconventional warfare.
7. Jujutsu: Japanese grappling martial art known for throwing and joint manipulation techniques.
8. Tae Kwon Do: Korean martial art emphasizing kicking techniques.
9. Kung Fu: Chinese martial arts with many different styles and forms.
10. Krav Maga: Israeli military self-defense and combat system.
11. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Grappling and submission-based martial art from Brazil.
12. Wrestling: Grapping techniques focused on takedowns and pins.
13. Jeet Kune Do: Martial arts system developed by Bruce Lee focused on practical self-defense.
14. Kali/Eskrima Stick Fighting: Filipino martial art using stick and blade weapons.
15. Sambo: Russian style combining wrestling, judo and striking.
16. Savate: French kickboxing style using punches, kicks and open-handed slaps.
17. Silat: Martial arts from Indonesia and Malaysia using strikes, grappling and weapons.
18. Capoeira: Brazilian martial art incorporating dance-like movements and kicks.
19. Kendo: Japanese fencing using bamboo swords.
20. Aikido: Japanese martial art using wrist locks and throws.
21. Wing Chun: Chinese martial art specializing in close range self-defense.
22. Keysi Fighting Method: Self-defense system using close quarters techniques and biomechanics.
23. Vale Tudo: Full contact combat sport allowing a wide variety of fighting styles.
24. Shootfighting: Combat sport combining wrestling, judo, sambo and karate.
25. Hapkido: Korean self-defense system using strikes, kicks and joint locks.
26. Shorinji Kempo: Japanese martial art combining Shaolin kung fu and judo.
27. Kyokushin Karate: Full contact style of karate developed in Japan.
28. Systema: Russian martial art focused on breath control, movement and technique.
29. Combat Sambo: Russian self-defense and combat sport with ground grappling.
30. Taekkyeon: Traditional Korean martial art involving fluid footwork and kicks.
31. Bokator: Cambodian martial art emphasizing elbow and knee strikes.
32. Lethwei: Full contact Myanmar kickboxing often fought bareknuckle.
33. Kalaripayattu: Ancient Indian martial art incorporating strikes, grappling and weapons.
34. Gatka: Traditional Indian fighting style involving swordsmanship and stick fighting.
35. Mardani Khel: Afghani folk wrestling incorporating strikes and submissions.
36. Thang-Ta: Indian martial art from Manipur combining armed and unarmed techniques.
37. Glima: Scandinavian wrestling sport focused on throws and submissions.
38. Malla-yuddha: South Asian wrestling style dating back to antiquity.
39. Vajra-mushti: Traditional Indian wrestling style often fought in mud or water.
40. San Shou: Chinese full contact combat sport incorporating punching, kicking and throwing.
41. Chin Na: Chinese grappling art focused on joint locks, holds and submissions.
42. Shinkyokushin: Full contact karate style known for rigorous training methods.
43. Dambe: Hausa martial art from West Africa involving boxing and grappling.
44. Combat Hopak: Ukrainian folk dance form adapted as a combat sport.
45. Musti-yuddha: Bangladeshi and Indian wrestling style allowing strikes and submissions.
46. Mukna: Manipuri wrestling incorporating throws, submissions and ground-work.
47. Yaw-Yan: Filipino kickboxing system using punches, elbows, knees and kicks.
48. Pekiti-Tirsia Kali: Filipino martial art specializing in stick, knife and machete techniques.
49. Sayokan: Japanese hybrid karate style incorporating elements of various martial arts.
50. Kajukenbo: Hawaiian hybrid martial art mixing karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, kenpo and Chinese boxing.
51. Shooto: Japanese combat sport allowing strikes, throws, submissions and kicks.
52. Shidokan: Japanese karate style incorporating techniques from various martial arts.
53. Seidokaikan: Full contact karate system derived from Kyokushin karate.
54. Ashihara Karate: Karate style focused on sabaki movements and counterstrikes.
55. Enshin Kaikan: Full contact karate style allowing punches, kicks, throws and sweeps.
56. Shidokan Karate: Japanese karate style blending techniques from Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu and Judo.
57. Godhand: American hybrid karate system incorporating boxing and grappling.
58. Chun Kuk Do: Hybrid martial art created by Chuck Norris combining elements of karate, judo, jujitsu and tae kwon do.
59. Jeet Kune Do Concepts: Approach to martial arts training based on Bruce Lee’s philosophy and notes.
60. Kali Arnis Eskrima: Filipino martial arts involving stick, knife and machete fighting.
61. Vovinam Viet Vo Dao: Vietnamese martial art combining strike, grappling, weapons, throws, kicks.
62. Tosshin Ryu: Okinawan karate style with emphasis on speed and power.
63. Uechi Ryu: Traditional Okinawan karate style known for powerful strikes.
64. Shorin Ryu: One of the major styles of Okinawan karate.
65. Goju Ryu: Major Okinawan karate style characterized by hard and soft techniques.
66. Wadoryu: Okinawan karate style incorporating hard linear movements.
67. Gosoku Ryu: Okinawan style of karate utilizing flexible, circular motions.
68. Shito Ryu: One of the most widely practiced styles of karate.
69. Shotokai: Variant of Shotokan karate with an emphasis on non-contact sparring.
70. Wado Kai: Japanese karate style derived from shotokan and judo.
71. Ryukyu Kenpo: Okinawan karate style incorporating Chinese martial arts techniques.
72. Kojo Ryu: Okinawan style of karate named after Chojun Miyagi.
73. Motobu Ryu: Okinawan karate style strongly influenced by Naha-te techniques.
74. Okinawa Kenpo: Hybrid karate style created by the founder of American Kenpo.
75. Ryuei Ryu: Okinawan karate style meaning “style of the willows”.
76. Sanchin Ryu: Okinawan karate style focused on sanchin kata.
77. Matsubayashi Ryu: Okinawan Shorin-ryu karate incorporating Chinese martial arts techniques.
78. Taido: Japanese martial art using flowing movements and acrobatics.
79. Battodo: Japanese swordsmanship using live blade techniques.
80. Iaido: Japanese sword-drawing art focused on smooth, controlled movements.
81. Jojutsu: Traditional Japanese martial art using the jō staff.
82. Aikijutsu: Ancestor art of Aikido emphasizing sticks, swords and throws.
83. Jujutsu: Ancestral Japanese martial art focused on joint locks, grappling and throws.
84. Nito Ichi Ryu: One of the oldest Japanese samurai sword styles.
85. Kendo: Japanese martial art of fencing using bamboo swords.
86. Kenjutsu: Traditional Japanese swordsmanship using live blades.
87. Bojutsu: Japanese martial art of stick and staff fighting.
88. Kyudo: Japanese martial art of archery.
89. Naginatajutsu: Japanese martial art using the naginata polearm.
90. Shurikenjutsu: Japanese martial art of throwing shuriken/ninja stars.
91. Apache Knife Fighting: Native American knife fighting style.
92. Sayoc Kali: Filipino martial art focused on knife fighting.
93. Maphilindo Silat: Indonesian martial art incorporating various Silat styles.
94. Bakti Negara: Malaysian martial art used by police and military.
95. Kino Mutai: Japanese hybrid martial art integrating Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Aikido and Karate.
96. Yanqingquan: Chinese martial art combining elements of Shaolin Kung Fu and modern Wushu.
97. Zui Quan: Chinese martial art imitating the movements of a drunk person.
98. Xing Yi Quan: Chinese internal martial art focused on linear movements and explosive power.
99. Baji Quan: Chinese martial art characterized by explosive, short range power techniques.
100. Pigua Quan: Chinese internal martial art known for its dynamic and vigorous techniques.
101. Chaquan: Chinese martial art featuring deceptive footwork and leg-oriented techniques.
102. Fanzi Quan: Chinese martial art that imitates the fighting style of a Taoist monk.
103. Cha Quan: Chinese martial art mimicking the movements of monkeys and apes.
104. Hua Quan: Chinese martial art known for its elaborate hand techniques and agile footwork.
105. Hong Quan: Chinese martial art characterized by its long range techniques and wide stances.
106. Shaolin Long Fist: Chinese martial art from the Shaolin Temple known for deep stances and whipping punches.
107. Wing Tsun: Chinese martial art specialized in close range self-defense.
108. Southern Praying Mantis: Chinese martial art known for pinpoint striking and trapping skills.
109. Monkey Kung Fu: Chinese martial art mimicking the movements of monkeys and apes.
110. Hung Gar: Southern Chinese martial art known for its strong stances and hand techniques.
111. Choy Li Fut: Chinese martial art combining long range techniques with continuous motion.
112. Tai Chi: Chinese internal martial art practiced slowly for health and meditation.
113. Baguazhang: Chinese internal martial art focused on circular footwork and palm changes.
114. Southern Dragon Kung Fu: Chinese martial art inspired by mythical Chinese dragons.
115. Five Animals Kung Fu: Chinese martial art incorporating techniques from five animal styles.
116. Snake Style Kung Fu: Chinese martial art emulating the movements of snakes.
117. Crane Style Kung Fu: Chinese martial art mimicking the actions of cranes.
118. Leopard Style Kung Fu: Chinese martial art based on the agility and strength of the leopard.
119. Tiger Style Kung Fu: Chinese martial art emphasizing strength and aggression of the tiger.
120. Dragon Style Kung Fu: Chinese martial art trying to emulate mythical Chinese dragons.
121. Keysi Fighting Method: Self-defense system using biomechanical cutting and striking techniques.
122. Russian Systema: Russian martial art focused on breath control, relaxation and fluidity.
123. Okichitaw: Native Canadian martial art incorporating sticks, knives and hand techniques.
124. Dumog: Filipino wrestling style allowing head locks, chokes and joint locks.
125. Bartitsu: English eclectic martial art combining jujitsu, boxing, savate and stick fighting.
126. Shastar Vidiya: Traditional Indian martial art of the Sikh warrior community.
127. Mushti Yudh: Traditional Indian kickboxing and grappling sport.

Source of Batman knowing 127 martial arts

After digging into the history of Batman, it seems that there isn’t any definitive source where Batman is mentioned to know 127 different martial arts—particularly not in the comics.

But there are a couple of enclyopedia-like books published by DC about Batman where it appears this rumour came from.

Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight (2001)

The first location is inside the book Batman: the Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight (2001) by Scott Beatty:

This isn’t an actual comic by DC inside the universe, but a detailed summary of everything there is to know about Batman.

Inside this page, the quote reads:

A LASTING IMPACT
There are 127 major styles of combat. While abroad, Bruce learned them all.

Batman: the Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight (2001) by Scott Beatty

This might have been conjecture by the author, but he specifically writes about “major styles of combat” and not martial arts.

Elsewhere in the book is a more clear passage that looks like a statement from Batman himself:

Even so, it’s specifically not referring to martial arts but major styles of combat.

BUT we all know how Batman is the most skilled fighter of all heroes, being only halted by his lack of supernatural power.

Batman’s most used martial arts

Batman relies mostly on wit and fighting ability to win against his enemies.

But there are a few styles of fighting that feature most prominently during combat, these below.

Boxing

Bruce Wayne (Batman) uses his fists the most. Ted Grant AKA Wildcat introduced and taught Bruce how to box.

Boxing is combat that involves using only the fists.

These combos are matched with head movements and footwork for better angle and defense.

Boxing is present in all Batman comics, movies, and animated series. Some great examples are Son of Batman, Justice League War, and Batman Forever.

Kickboxing

There’s no solid evidence I’ve found about who taught Bruce kickboxing, but it’s clear he’s highly skilled as he’s not shy to throw a roundhouse kick hidden behind his cape.

Kickboxing is as it sounds, using your fists like in boxing but also adding in kicks.

Those can be kicks to your opponent’s legs, body and head.

Kickboxing is one of Batman’s staple combat styles.

Bruce has used this in his movies like Batman Soul of the Dragon, Lego Batman Movie, and Justice League.

Krav Maga

Krav Maga is used by Batman commonly as it’s an excellent system for disarming an attacker as efficiently as possible—including knives, guns, and objects.

Krav Maga is considered the most dangerous martial art for its effectiveness in combat zones.

It teaches striking alongside weapon handling and disarming. It’s used by different military groups worldwide for its practicality in combat.

Krav Maga can be seen in all Batman films because Bruce often disarms enemies with weapons.

Some notable examples are Justice League, Teen Titans, and Batman & Harley Quinn.

Muay Thai

It’s clear that Batman knows Muay Thai as he’s not shy to using his elbows and knees in his attacks. Though he doesn’t have any notable history in the comics that discusses his experience in it.

Muay Thai, also called Thai Boxing, is a martial art style that applies more techniques above kickboxing:

• Elbow strikes
• Knee strikes
• Clinching
• Catching kicks
• Drag sweeps
• Foot sweeps

You can see Muay Thai being used in many Batman movies. Some examples are Batman Hush, Batman Vs. Robin, and Batman Under the Red Hood.

Judo

Judo is used by Batman in most of his confrontations, both in the comics and movies.

Batman loves throwing his opponents to the ground with traditional Judo moves and generally using the opponent’s momentum against them.

He might’ve learned this combat style during his time in Japan during the Batman Ninja movie.

Judo is a close-quarter combat martial art focusing mainly on body grabbing to perform a successful throw.

Aside from the throw, Judo also teaches good body balance to prevent yourself from being thrown as well.

You can see a good showcase of Judo in Batman movies like Batman Vs. Robin, The Darknight Rises, and Batman Forever. 

Karate

Bruce Wayne has shown his excellent ability to perform lightning-fast kicks with incredible force.

It could be another combat style he learned in Japan during the Batman Ninja series.

Karate is a martial art focusing on kicks with immense speed and power. But there is also powerful direct punches, grabs, throws and even some submissions.

Karate is used in all Batman movies, such as Batman Returns, Batman & Robin, and Batman Begins.

Ninjutsu

Bruce Wayne was introduced to Ninjutsu by Kirigi, a master of Ninjutsu in the mountains of North Korea. Kirigi has taught Bruce everything he needs to know about this style.

Ninjutsu is a traditional martial art from ancient Japan. This style includes stealthy moves and Katana usage combined with kicks and punches.

Ninjutsu is another fighting style that came from Batman Ninja. He’s depicted as a high-level ninja and uses elusive methods and a Katana blade.