The Power of a YoRHa

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2B’s skills are quite extraordinary, especially when compared to what a human being is typically capable of. While we do need to keep in mind that she is a super powered android in the far future, we can definitely take a look at emulating the styles and skills she displays in-game, by practicing real-world counterparts that may have inspired them. Let’s jump in!

It Slices, It Dices!

2B wields two different styles of blades; one around the size of a katana, and the other closer to the odachi, a near-mythic greatsword supposedly wielded by samurai in the 1500s. Though there aren’t any modern styles that incorporate the odachi into practical combat, there are plenty that feature the katana. Primarily, I’d recommend one of the three:

Kendo – Kendo get the edge here because of their tendency towards live practice. Though primarily in kendo you’ll be fighting with a shinai, which allows one to spar without killing your partner, they also sometimes have drills involving wooden swords (bokken) and live steel blades.

Kenjutsu – Kenjutsu is a bit more “art” and a bit less “martial” than kendo. You’ll work more with live steel blades and bokken, but with less of an emphasis on sparring, and more of an emphasis on kata and cutting exercises.

Iaijutsu/Iaido – Less prominent in my recommendations, but still present due to a few of 2B’s moves being inspired by it, iaijutsu is the art of drawing the blade and cutting in one fluid motion. Iaido is, as with the kenjutsu/kendo divide, focused more on live combat with bamboo or wooden weapons.

Getting the Point

While 2B’s spear combat is obviously inspired by Japanese sword arts, her spear-based combat is decidedly more influence by Chinese arts.  For this, you want to look at various styles of Kung Fu.  They are honestly too many to mention here, but most styles of kung fu that feature weapons also feature the spear.  You may also consider wushu, which looks very aesthetically similar to 2B’s spear style.  Not all wushu centers focus on weaponry, however, so you may have to look around a bit!

Beat to the Punch

2B’s style of fighting with her fists and feet (both with and without bracers equipped,) is reminiscent of some weird fusion of kickboxing, jeet kune do, and capoeira.  A lot of her less acrobatic striking preferences, particularly with her feet, are definitely inspired by kickboxing.  Her fighting guard and hand strikes, on the other hand, seem to be directly inspired by Bruce Lee and thus, by association, Jeet Kune Do.  Finally, when we’re moving into her more acrobatic maneuvers, you can’t help but see large capoeira influences, with their flashy hybrid of kicking, flipping, and dancing.

Honestly, if we were rating your options in terms of practicality in combat, I’d stick with that order (kickboxing, then JKD, than capoeira.)  However, if you’re looking for what most feels and looks like 2B’s hand-to-hand style, I’d honestly maybe go with the reverse order (capoeira, then JKD, then kickboxing.)  No matter what, try to pick a school that focused on live combat and sparring drills in addition to forms/kata/dances.  Also, don’t forget to have fun!  You’ll never want to stick with a style you don’t like, no matter how practical it is!

Combat Maneuverability

Fitness is just one part of movement in combat.  While we covered that thoroughly with The 2B Workout, we should also touch on the mindset behind maneuverability.  Obviously, maneuverability in combat is a good thing to have, but you don’t want to move unnecessarily, and you also don’t want to move incorrectly.  Straight-up running or talking forward in combat is typically not a good idea.  On the flip side of the coin, however, you don’t want to waste precious energy by bouncing around like a rabbit.  Instead, stick to these principles:

Short, Controlled Bursts – Three inches is enough space to dodge a punch.  One foot is enough to change the range of your attack from a punch to a kick.  You want to move in short bursts to conserve your energy, rather than make overly-dramatic huge movements and flourishes that do WAY more than you need and use up your gas tank.

Remember Your Whole Body – Often to avoid a strike from an opponent you don’t even need to actually move your feet.  There’s plenty of footage of MMA fighters, boxers, and other combatants avoiding attacks just by moving their upper body/head.  Remember that movement of head and body are often enough!  Check out this video on dodging and slipping that I did for more info on how to practice this: Real Life Ultra Instinct – Dodging and Slipping.

Stay on Your Toes – This is a simple enough motto to live by, but you can’t move quickly with your weight set on your heels.  Stay on your toes, keep your knees slightly flexed, and keep your stand relatively narrow, so you can move and react quickly when you need to.

Prediction and Timing – More than anything else, movement in combat demands prediction and timing.  Some of this can only come with experience (hence my tendency to recommend styles that feature live sparring,) however you can also get a bit of an edge by keeping your eyes focused on your opponent’s center of gravity (typically their chest,) and using your peripheral vision to monitor what the rest of their body is doing.  You’ll see when they move a bit sooner that way, and you’ll be able to react quicker.

Rapid Assimilation of Information

In addition to being skilled combatants. YoRHa are also excellent at rapidly assimilating information, whether it’s from observation of their environment, or direct downloads into their brains.  We’re not machines, so we can’t really do the latter, but there are a few things you can do to acquire and store information and skills faster.

Take a Nap – This might sound silly, but every time you’re learning something new or practicing a new skill, try to take a nap immediately afterwards.  It doesn’t have to be a long one, even 20-30 minutes will suffice, but by doing so you’re helping your brain catalog and memorize what you’re currently trying to learn much more efficiently.

Come from Multiple Angles – Don’t just read about what you’re trying to learn, try writing about it, too.  If it’s something you can practice in the real world, do so.  Talk about it, either out loud to yourself, or to other people.  The more you can involve your other senses in processing and assimilating the information, the better you’ll cram it into your brain.

Find a Mentor – There’s no substitute for having a teacher, especially a one on one tutor.  Find someone who’s better at the thing you’re trying to get better at, and see if they’ll teach you!  At the very least, you can study them yourself, and follow some of the paths and methods they took to get where they are.  Don’t try to climb the mountain by yourself, have someone boost you up on their shoulders!

The Best Dan Wallace