In anime, when you see someone charge up a blast, sometimes you see
little streaks (usually white) coming quickly toward the ki ball.

That

is good evidence that the person is using energies from his
surroundings.

Right.

Keep in mind, there is generally no such evidence of the
implimentation of a chi or ki based attack in reality. Chi and ki are
invisible, intangible forces. Those particularly sensitive to these
forces may discern a light wave pattern; likewise, those strong in
the control of such forces may generate a barely visible, luminous
aura while commanding these energies. But the large, glowing balls of
energy, the laser-like force blasts, and the crackling and flickering
auras are purely fantasy. In reality, you are far more likely to be
knocked flat on your ass by a chi or ki attack than you are to
realize the person standing in front of you is powering up for one. 

Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the
anime and general fantasy portrayal of chi and ki. It's
fiction...there are allowances for the grandiose and the bizarre. I
simply feel that, with the level of discussion that has come about
lately regarding chi and ki, it's important to note the differences
between reality and fantasy.

And, as always, my statements are not incontrovertible fact. They are
merely the results of my own personal research of the subject. Feel
free to dispute or disregard anything I have said.

No!  You are wrong!!!

Look, it's very simple:  Chi in chinese = Ki in Japanese.  Same bloody 
thing.  And ki isn't just fictionally based as any martial artist knows.  
There are an infinite number of ways of channeling ki.  One is the Kiai, 
or a sort of shout that a martial artist will use at the moment of 
attack to boost the energy he is getting out of it.  The whole 
Dragonball thing is based around this (then stretched way out of 
proportion, but hey, it's cool).  Ki is the energy that can be used to 
avoid pain or injury from a fatal blow.  Ki, in fact, can even be used 
to sense the presence of changes in environment.  Hours of meditation 
(or a more sort of concentration, as I like to call it.  To many people 
are waylaid by the word meditation) can lead to the development of 
heightened ki.
You will think!  You can't run from me!!!

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