A researched buyer's guide to the best kimura instructionals on BJJ Fanatics, ranked by r/bjj community sentiment, system quality, applicability, and instructor authority.
Kimura: Enter The System
The definitive kimura control system with concepts that translate everywhere.
The Kimura Anthology
Structured kimura paths with clear fixes for common problems.
Systematically Attacking The Kimura
Current no-gi kimura pathways with live-room context.
📋 Jump to a review (Click to expand)
🥋 #1 Kimura: Enter The System by John Danaher
Instructor: John Danaher
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 9 hours and 20 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Use kimura as control
Techniques: Dorsal Kimura, T Kimura, North South Kimura
- Systematically Attacking The Kimura by Gordon Ryan – Newer perspective from his current meta, with rolling footage.
- The Kimura Anthology by Lachlan Giles – Highly structured, digestible, and practical troubleshooting.
- The Filthy Kimura by Neil Melanson – Aggressive catch-influenced finishing mechanics to plug into any game.
You will learn a complete kimura control framework with named positions and rules. You will drill sequences for bottom, top, and transitional scrambles. You will not get a quick highlight reel or a short crash course.
✅ Pros
- Concepts make the grip useful from any position.
- Volume-to-value ratio is excellent if studied in parts.
- Transitions to back, triangles, and passes are clearly mapped.
⚠️ Cons
- Runtime is heavy; plan study blocks.
- Delivery can feel repetitive to some learners.
- Shot in no-gi only, so gi-specific grips are absent.
💡 I found the shoulder line framing and push vs pull distinction made my kimura both safer and more reliable under pressure. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 The Kimura Anthology by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 9 hours and 24 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Troubleshoot locked hands
Techniques: Closed Guard Kimura, Half Guard Kimura, Kimura To Back
- Kimura: Enter The System by John Danaher - More exhaustive conceptual mapping if you want maximum theory.
- Kimura Domination by Tom DeBlass - Faster, simpler entries to start landing kimuras quickly.
- Systematically Attacking The Kimura by Gordon Ryan - Recent no-gi meta with rolling examples.
You will get a clean system that moves from guard to top with logical links. You will see troubleshooting for stalled grips and locked hands. You will not get lots of MMA-only tricks.
✅ Pros
- Clear progression helps retention and drilling.
- Great troubleshooting segments for stubborn defenses.
- Strong blend of concepts and immediately usable reps.
⚠️ Cons
- Overlap with Submeta for existing subscribers.
- Primarily no-gi footage if you want gi grips.
- Less emphasis on wild scrambles and catch-style finishes.
💡 I found the locked-hands counter trees simple to memorize and easy to call on mid-roll. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 Systematically Attacking The Kimura by Gordon Ryan
Instructor: Gordon Ryan
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Link kimura to legs
Techniques: Power Kimura, Trimura, Kimura To Legs
- Kimura: Enter The System by John Danaher - More comprehensive conceptual groundwork if you prefer slower pacing.
- The Kimura Anthology by Lachlan Giles - Clearer progression for drilling partners across levels.
- Kimura Domination by Tom DeBlass - Budget-friendly entries and finishes that work fast.
You will learn how Ryan frames push vs pull and ties kimuras to passing and leg locks. You will see rolling segments to understand timing. You will not get gi-specific grip work.
✅ Pros
- Modern meta and reactions feel current.
- Rolling plus commentary improves transfer to sparring.
- Good coverage across guard, half, and top pins.
⚠️ Cons
- Very expensive at list price.
- Delivery can feel dense without note-taking.
- Less thorough on gi adaptations.
💡 I used the trimura dilemma as a reliable answer to locked hands and it opened entries to legs I was missing. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Kimura Domination by Tom DeBlass
Instructor: Tom DeBlass
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 18 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Grips do the work
Techniques: Closed Guard Kimura, Kimura To Armbar, Reverse Triangle From Kimura
- The Kimura Anthology by Lachlan Giles - More structured progression if you want deeper mapping.
- Kimura: Enter The System by John Danaher - Comprehensive conceptual model with defined rules.
You will learn practical grips and body positions that make kimuras easier. You will get entries from common guards and top pins. You will not get deep theory or a long taxonomy.
✅ Pros
- Beginner friendly with immediate returns.
- Covers both gi and no-gi applications.
- Price-to-value is strong for four volumes.
⚠️ Cons
- Less conceptual depth than Danaher or Giles.
- Some content overlaps with his other sets.
- Shorter runtime limits edge-case depth.
💡 I liked how the grip emphasis created reliable angles without athleticism. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 The Kimura Trap System: Fundamentals, Breaking Mechanics, Escapes by David Avellan
Instructor: David Avellan
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 36 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Trap to control first
Techniques: Kimura Trap, Step Over Kimura, Kimura Defenses
- The Kimura Trap System: Advanced Entries, Traps, Setups - Build on fundamentals with trickier entries and traps.
- Reverse Kimura Traps, Kimura Submission Chains - Reverse kimura focus for fresh attack angles.
You will learn Avellan's hallmark traps, passes, and defenses. You will see step-over and mouse trap variations that still work. You will not get cutting-edge new-wave leg integrations.
✅ Pros
- Still-relevant traps that work in gi and no-gi.
- Includes a defense volume many sets omit.
- Great bridge to more advanced trap series.
⚠️ Cons
- Concepts feel older against top modern guards.
- Presentation is less unified than ultra-structured systems.
- Price is mid-high without a sale.
💡 I appreciated how the defense volume inoculates you against the same traps you plan to use. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 The Filthy Kimura by Neil Melanson
Instructor: Neil Melanson
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 54 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Finish-first mechanics
Techniques: Ground Marshal Kimura, Power Kimura, Grip Breaks
- Kimura: Enter The System by John Danaher - Prefer a control-first framework rather than finish-first.
- Kimura Domination by Tom DeBlass - Simpler entries and gi-friendly mechanics.
You will learn grip breaks and finishing angles most people never train. You will get fewer positional trees and more direct submissions. You will not get a gentle, beginner-first tone.
✅ Pros
- Exposes blind spots in standard kimura teaching.
- Grip-break knowledge immediately upgrades finishing rate.
- Great complement if your control game is already solid.
⚠️ Cons
- Less cohesive positional system.
- Style can feel harsh for hobbyist rooms.
- Some material feels dated compared to newer meta.
💡 I borrowed his grip breaks to save stalled finishes without overhauling my base system. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Kimura Hunting by Kazushi Sakuraba
Instructor: Kazushi Sakuraba
Style: Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 54 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Creativity over structure
Techniques: Kimura Hunting, Kimura To Armbar, Scramble Entries
- Kimura: Enter The System by John Danaher - If you want a complete, teachable system.
- The Kimura Anthology by Lachlan Giles - More structure and troubleshooting for daily training.
You will get clever finishing details and quirky grips. You will pick up inspiration for scrambles and armbar links. You will not get a structured, start-to-finish curriculum.
✅ Pros
- Unique insights from a kimura icon.
- Low price for idea-shopping.
- Good for adding flavor to an existing system.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a cohesive system for day-one learners.
- Production and pacing feel uneven.
- Limited runtime compared to others.
💡 I used one of his armbar links as a surprise finish when opponents stuffed my standard mechanics. Recommendation: Skip.
🥋 #8 Kimura System by Marcelo Cohen
Instructor: Marcelo Cohen
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Biggest takeaway: Technique over strength
Techniques: Closed Guard Kimura, Kimura To Sweeps, Kimura To Armbar
- Kimura Domination by Tom DeBlass - More positions and clearer chains for beginners.
- The Kimura Anthology by Lachlan Giles - Deeper, more structured system if you want to invest.
You will learn compact setups that do not rely on strength. You will get quick links from guard to finishes. You will not get long conceptual lectures or rolling breakdowns.
✅ Pros
- Excellent price for a focused topic.
- Small-body mechanics help lighter players.
- Easy to add to existing guard attacks.
⚠️ Cons
- Shorter runtime than flagship systems.
- Less conceptual scaffolding for coaches.
- Primarily no-gi footage if you want lapel work.
💡 I liked how his closed-guard grips let smaller athletes isolate the shoulder line without muscling it. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Danaher vs Gordon for kimura: which first?
Choose Danaher if you want the most thorough control-first system and defined terminology. Choose Gordon if you value current no-gi trends and rolling breakdowns. If budget matters, wait for daily deals; these sets are frequently discounted.
Is the kimura system gi-friendly?
Most no-gi kimura rules carry over. You will need lapel-aware grips and sleeve control adaptations. If you want gi-friendly mechanics out of the box, DeBlass explains adjustments well while keeping entries simple.
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