Staff Fighters!

[FireLance]

Later on in the series they also adopt a horse who turns into a human... or a human who turns into a horse

Actually, it's a dragon who turns into a horse. Many dragons and spirits in Chinese mythology are able to assume a human-like form, and in live-action Chinese productions (theater/opera, movies, TV series), this mythological trope often gets trotted out as it's easier on the special effects budget. Assuming the audience is familiar enough with the source material, a bit of costume and makeup is all that is necessary for the audience to recognize a character as a dragon in human form, or a snake, fox, spider or bull spirit in human form.

 

[Squizzle]

You're all going to be disappointed when it's an article for bard|fighter hybrids, introducing the clef as an implement.

 

[Kzach]

You're all going to be disappointed when it's an article for bard|fighter hybrids, introducing the clef as an implement.

You're just mean.

And yes, I did mean the live-action version. I've never seen the animated one. Is it any good?

I tried watching the series as an adult about ten years back when I saw it in a DVD store for rent. I was so excited. Raced home with some munchies and expected the awesome to hit me like a wave. Man, was I ever let down I couldn't even get through one episode it was so terrible.

 

[Bold or Stupid]

I hate to seem so antagonistic here, but I wouldn't get excited if I were you because lately the Dragon articles have been two pages of very disappointing fluff and a terrible feat (or handful of terrible feats).

Hey! This could be the article where they turn it all around. I really hope for a good one.

 

[MrMyth]

I'm eager to see how the article works. I played a staff-wielding, cloth-wearing tempest fighter for a one-shot, and despite the lack of optimization, it was a fun build.