Fist of the North Star

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This article is about the manga and anime. For other uses, see Fist of the North Star (disambiguation).
Fist of the North Star

Hokuto no Ken Jump Comics edition
北斗の拳
(Hokuto no Ken)
Genre Martial arts, Science fiction
Manga
Author Buronson
Illustrator Tetsuo Hara
Publisher Flag of Japan Shueisha
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump
Original run 1983 – 1988
Volumes 27 (245 chapters)
TV anime
Director Toyoo Ashida
Studio Toei Animation
Network Flag of Japan Fuji TV, Animax
Original run 4 October 1984 – 5 March 1987
Episodes 109
Animated film
Director Toyoo Ashida
Studio Toei Animation
Released March 8, 1986
Runtime 110 minutes
TV anime: Hokuto no Ken 2
Director Toyoo Ashida
Studio Toei Animation
Network Fuji TV
Original run March 13, 1987 – February 18, 1988
Episodes 43
OVA: New Fist of the North Star
Director Takashi Watanabe
Studio Toei Animation
Episodes 3
Released July 24, 2003 - May 28, 2004
OVA: Shin Kyūseishu Densetsu Hokuto no Ken
Director Takahiro Imamura
Studio TMS Entertainment, North Stars Pictures
Episodes 5
Released March 11, 2006 - 2008
Manga: Ten no Haō: Raoh Gaiden
Author Youkow Osada
Publisher Shinchosha
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comic Bunch
Original run March 10, 2006 – March 2, 2007
Volumes 5 (42 chapters)
Manga: Yuria Gaiden: Jibo no Hoshi
Author Akimi Kasai
Publisher Shogakukan
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Big Comic Superior
Original run March 10, 2006 – June 8, 2007
Volumes 1 (9 chapters)
Manga: Rei Gaiden: Sōkoku no Garō
Author Yasuyuki Nekoi
Publisher Shinchosha
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comic Bunch
Original run March 22, 2006 (first pilot)
December 8, 2006 (second pilot)
April 27, 2007 (serialization) – ongoing
Volumes 1
Manga: yūken Gaiden: The Judgement Day
Author Sin-ichi Hiromoto
Publisher Shinchosha
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comic Bunch
Published December 8, 2006
Manga: Shirogane no Seija: Toki Gaiden
Author Yuka Nagate
Publisher Shinchosha
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Comic Bunch
Original run August 24, 2007 – ongoing
TV anime: Hokuto no Ken Raoh Gaiden: Ten no Haoh
Director Masashi Abe
Original run Fall 2008 – ongoing

Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳 Hokuto no Ken?, lit. "Fist of the Big Dipper"'), also known as Ken, the Great Bear Fist,[1][2] is a Japanese manga series that was originally serialized from 1983 to 1988 in the Japanese magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump, created by Tetsuo Hara and Buronson. The manga spans 245 chapters that were originally reprinted in 27 collected volumes (tankōbon) under the Jump Comics imprint.

Set in a post apocalyptic world where the Earth is barren and the strong survive by preying on the weak, the series follows the journey of Kenshiro, the successor of Hokuto Shinken (北斗神拳 "Divine Fist of the North Star"?),[3] a secret martial arts style that allows its practitioner to destroy an opponent's body from within by striking into their secret channeling points, often resulting in a violent and gruesome death. Kenshiro uses his skills to protect the weak and innocent against the numerous villains that threaten their survival.

Fist of the North Star was one of the Weekly Shōnen Jump's most popular titles during the 1980s. As of 2007, it is the seventh best-selling Shōnen Jump manga of all time in Japan.[4] In a poll conducted by TV Asahi in 2005, the Fist of the North Star anime series ranked 25 in a list of Top 100 Anime series.[5] In a second poll in 2006, it ranked No. 89.[6] In a celebrity version of the poll, it ranked No. 15.

The Hokuto in the original Japanese title refers not to the North Star Polaris, but to the Big Dipper asterism, which is known in Japan as "Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper" (北斗七星 Hokuto Shichisei?).

Contents

[edit] Publication history

[edit] Pilot version

The original one shot prototype of Hokuto no Ken, published in the April 1983 edition of Fresh Jump, was set in present-day Japan and told the story of a teenager by the name of Kenshiro Kasumi (霞 拳四郎 Kasumi Kenshirō?), the successor of the "Hokuto Shinken" martial arts style, a deadly style which kills or cripples opponents internally by striking pressure points. Kenshiro's main adversaries in this incarnation of the story were a rival martial arts school known as the Taizanji Kenpo (泰山寺拳法? "Taishan Temple Martial Arts"), a secret organization of assassins with influence over the Japanese government. Kenshiro's girlfriend, Yuki, becomes a witness in one of the organization's hits and is subsequently killed by the culprit, with Kenshiro being framed for the crime. This event serves as a catalyst for Kenshiro's war against the Taizanji organization. A second one-shot, titled Hokuto no Ken II, was published in the June 1983 issue of Fresh Jump. Both pilots were collected in the second collected volume of Tetsu no Don Quixote (Tetsuo Hara's prior manga series before Hokuto no Ken).

Tetsuo Hara has stated that he came up with the idea of Hokuto no Ken from his editor Nobuhiko Horie. According to Hara, Horie suggested to him that he should draw a manga about "a martial artist who destroys his opponents by striking their acupressure points" based on Hara's wishes to draw a martial arts manga and his knowledge of pressure points.[7]

[edit] Serialization

Weekly Shonen Jump, Issue #41 from 1983, featuring the debut of the Hokuto no Ken series.
Weekly Shonen Jump, Issue #41 from 1983, featuring the debut of the Hokuto no Ken series.

The two Hokuto no Ken one-shots were well-received in Fresh Jump's reader's survey and when Tetsuo Hara was commissioned to turn Hokuto no Ken into a weekly series, the task was reportedly too much for Hara to handle alone and manga writer Yoshiyuki Okamura (who worked on the series under the pen name of Buronson) was assigned to work with him. The storyline was completely revamped, with the present-day setting being discarded in favor of a Mad Max-inspired post apocalyptic future. The Taizanji Kenpo school were no longer the main antagonists and Kenshiro, originally a teenager, was now an adult with seven scars on his chest whose design was partly inspired by Bruce Lee.[8]

Originally, Tetsuo Hara was contracted to do Fist of the North Star for a three-year run, but due to its popularity and the publisher's demand, it was extended to a five-year run.[7]

[edit] Sequels and spinoffs

After the manga ended its run, Tetsuo Hara and Buronson wrote a novel based on the manga titled Cursed City (呪縛の街 Jubaku no Machi?), published by Jump Books in Japan in 1996. It was adapted into a three-part OVA series titled New Fist of the North Star (新・北斗の拳 Shin Hokuto no Ken?) in 2003. The story is set sometime after the conclusion of the manga.

In 2001, Tetsuo Hara began working on a Fist of the North Star prequel titled Fist of the Blue Sky (蒼天の拳 Sōten no Ken?), which is currently serialized in Weekly Comic Bunch. Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1935, the story stars Hokuto Shinken predecessor and Kenshiro's namesake, Kenshiro Kasumi.

Following the theatrical release of the movie Raō Den Jun'ai no Sho in 2006, numerous Fist of the North Star spinoffs began to be published in the Weekly Comic Bunch and Big Comics Superior. This lineup of titles has been dubbed the Hokuto Gaiden (北斗外伝?) series, as each title focuses on a major character from the franchise. The following titles had been published so far:

  • The Conquering King of the Heavens: Fist of the North Star Raoh's Story (天の覇王 北斗の拳 ラオウ外伝 Ten no Haō - Hokuto no Ken Raō Gaiden?) by Youkow Osada. - A series that was serialized in Weekly Comics Bunch featuring Reina and Souga from the Raoh Den movie. All 42 chapters (as well as a two-part epilogue published sometime after the series' conclusion) were collected in five tankobon volumes.[9]
  • Fist of the North Star Yuria's Story: The Merciful Mother Star (北斗の拳 ユリア外伝 慈母の星 Hokuto no Ken Yuria Gaiden - Jibo no Hoshi?) by Akimi Kasai. Serialized at Big Comics Superior in three parts that ran from March 10 to April 14, 2006 and six subsequent chapters from March 9 to June 8, 2007. A single tankobon volume was released.[10]
Weekly Comic Bunch No. 44 from 2007, depicitng Rei Gaiden and Toki Gaiden on the cover).
Weekly Comic Bunch No. 44 from 2007, depicitng Rei Gaiden and Toki Gaiden on the cover).
  • Fist of the North Star: Rei Side Story (北斗の拳 レイ外伝 Hokuto no Ken Rei Gaiden?) by Yasuyuki Nekoi - Rei Gaiden originally began as two separate one-shot stories that were published in the March 22 and December 8, 2006 issues of Weekly Comic Bunch. The one-shot version of the manga is subtitled The Magnificent Avenger (華麗なる復讐者 Kareinaru Fukushūsha?). Rei Gaiden was picked up as an ongoing series, which began in the April 27, 2007 issue of Weekly Comic Bunch.[11] The ongoing series was originally subtitled The Hungry Wolf Saga (餓狼編 Garō Hen?), but has since been retitled Bloody Wolf's Darkness Blue (蒼黒の餓狼 Sōkoku no Garō?, The Dark Blue Hungry Wolf).
  • Fist of the North Star Ryūken's Story: The Judgement Day (北斗の拳 リュウケン外伝 －THE JUDGEMENT DAY－ Hokuto no Ken Ryūken Gaiden THE JUDGEMENT DAY?), a one shot story by Hiromoto Sin-Ichi, published in the December 8, 2006 issue of Comic Bunch.
  • The Silver Saint: Fist of the North Star Toki's Story (銀の聖者 北斗の拳 トキ外伝 Shirogane no Seija - Hokuto no Ken Toki Gaiden?), a series by Yuka Nagate that begun serialization in the August 24, 2007 issue of Weekly Comic Bunch.[12]

[edit] Plot overview

The prologue of Fist of the North Star informs us that the world was engaged in a global nuclear war in the year 199X. After the war, the earth's surface became devoid of vegetation, the seas evaporated and civilization was thrown into chaos, turning everyday life into a battle for supplies of uncontaminated food and water, where the strong survive by preying on the weak. However, one man vows to make a difference. Kenshiro is the successor of the art of Hokuto Shinken, a deadly 1,800 year-old assassination style that is only passed down from one master to a chosen son. Kenshiro uses his skills and knowledge to protect the innocent from the bloodthirsty gangs that threaten their survival. Throughout the course of the series, Kenshiro meets several allies and rivals, most of whom are also trained in various martial arts styles.

The first chapter serves to introduce Kenshiro and depicts his initial meeting with his two sidekicks, Bat (also called Bart) and Lin. The initial story arc then centers Kenshiro's quest to reclaim his fiancee Yuria, who was taken from him by his former friend Shin, a master of the rival Nanto Seiken (南斗聖拳? "Sacred Fist of the South Star") style.[13] After the Shin arc, the manga began focusing around one-off arc-based villains such as the Golan, Jackal and the Fang Clan, although the story gradually shifts to Ken's search for his three adopted brothers, who were trained in the Hokuto Shinken style under the same master but were not chosen to be successors. The eldest of the brothers, Raoh, becomes the primary antagonist and Ken's primary nemesis at this point, a conqueror who uses Hokuto Shinken to rule with tyranny. A major sub-plot is also introduced in the form of an internal conflict within the Nanto school between its six grand masters, the Nanto Roku Seiken (南斗六聖拳? "Six Sacred Fists of the South Star"), and the Hokuto brothers' involvement in it.

The death of Raoh marks the end of the first era of the series and the setting jumps several years, with Ken's sidekicks Bat and Lin having reached adulthood. Kenshiro returns to help Bat and Lin overthrow the evil Jakoh, a corrupt Governor General that has usurped the throne of the Heavenly Empress and is coercing the Gento Kōken (元斗皇拳? "Original Dipper Imperial Fist") masters to do his evil bidding. After Jakoh's defeat, Lin is kidnapped and taken overseas to the Land of Asura (修羅の国 Shura no Kuni?), a war-torn nation now ruled by the three Rashō (羅将? General of Asura). The origins of the Hokuto brothers and the Hokuto Shinken style are revealed, as well as the existence of the forbidden Hokuto Ryūken (北斗琉拳? "North Star Gem Fist") style, a branch of the original Hokuto Family (北斗宗家 Hokuto Sōke?) formed alongside with Hokuto Shinken.

After Kaioh's defeat, Raoh's son Ryu is introduced as Kenshiro's apprentice and possible successor to the Hokuto Shinken style. After Kenshiro restores order to the two neighbouring kingdoms of Sava and Blanca, the final chapter centers around the love triangle between Ken, Lin and Bat.

[edit] Characters

Further information: Characters in Fist of the North Star

Fist of the North Star has a large ensemble of characters that has changed constantly during the series' original five-year run. Among the inhabitants of the post-apocalyptic world of Fist of the North Star includes martial artists, royal families, rebels, bandits and villagers that are merely attempting to survive a cruel, harsh world.

Although protagonist Kenshiro is the only truly permanent character from the series' inception up until the final chapter, his two sidekicks, Bat and Lin have served as series' mainstays as well, introduced as a pair of orphaned children whom Kenshiro meets during the first chapter of the series and then growing up into rebel leaders and heroes in their own right.

Kenshiro encounters several rivals and allies throughout the course of the series, many of whom are affiliated with the martial arts schools featured in the series (see fighting styles section). The series initially focuses on two rival factions, the Hokuto Shinken school and the Nanto Seiken school. Shin, a representative of Nanto Seiken, serves as Kenshiro's first major nemesis, being the man responsible for engraving the seven stab wounds on Kenshiro's chest and kidnapping his fiancee Yuria. After Shin's death, the authors would expand the storyline by introducing other Hokuto and Nanto disciples, namely the Nanto Roku Seiken and the four Hokuto brothers. A major recurring antagonist is introduced in the form of Raoh, the eldest of the four Hokuto brothers, who would become the series' most prominent villain.

After Raoh's death, the Gento Kōken fighters and their leader Falco would serve as reluctant adversaries of Kenshiro. Another group of antagonists are introduced with the fighters from the Land of Asura. Their ruler of Asura, Kaioh of the Hokuto Ryuken school, is the last major nemesis Kenshiro confronts in the series, although other villains appear after him in the manga.

Many of the characters in the series have since become stars of their own spinoff manga (see later works section).

[edit] Fighting styles

Further information: List of fighting styles in Fist of the North Star

The primary fighting style depicted in Fist of the North Star is Hokuto Shinken, the style used by Kenshiro and his three adopted brothers. Hokuto Shinken relies primarily on 708 secret accupressure points on the human's body that forms part of a fictional system known as the keiraku hikō (経絡秘孔? "secret channeling points"). By pushing into one of the hikō points, one can cause destruction into the enemy's body from within or even control their body against their own will. There are also beneficial hikō points that can be used to cure sickness or heal wounds, including restore a mute person's voice or a blind person's sight. In addition, the masters of Hokuto Shinken can tap into their body's full potential strength, whereas an average person only uses 30% of their strength.

The main rival style of Hokuto Shinken in the beginning of the series is Nanto Seiken, a style which is described as the polar opposite of Hokuto Shinken. In contrast to the Hokuto style, which uses the hikō points to cause destruction from within, the Nanto style specializes in stabbing and slicing techniques that penetrate the body from the outside and destroy everything in its path. Originally the style is used by Shin, the first major antagonist, but throughout the course of the series the existence of other branches of the Nanto Seiken are revealed, the six top branches being the Nanto Roku Seiken.

Two other major styles are introduced during the latter half of the series; Gento Kōken, a style which specializes in ki-based projectile attacks that destroy the enemy on a cellular level; and Hokuto Ryūken, a brother style of Hokuto Shinken which causes destruction through an opponent's keiraku hakō (経絡破孔? "destructive channeling points") and teaches its users to summon their "demonic aura" (魔闘気 matōki?).

[edit] Availability

[edit] Japanese editions

The original collected volumes or tankōbon of Hokuto no Ken were originally published under Shueisha's Jump Comics imprint and spans 27 volumes.[14] During the 1990s, Shueisha reprinted Hokuto no Ken in 15 hardcover aizoban editions,[15] as well as 15 corresponding economy-sized bunko editions.[16] Most recently, it has republished in 31 Bunch World editions, 12 Tokuma Favorite Comics (renkanban) editions,[17] 24 Raijin Collection editions (each volume containing a figurine)[18] and 14 Kanzeban editions.[19] The Kazenban edition, published by Shogakukan under the Big Comics Selection imprint, features the original colored pages from the Weekly Shōnen Jump serialization. It has also been released in 27 pay-to-download e-book editions at eBook Japan.[20] Coamix published the first four volumes of the colorized Hokuto no Ken: Master Edition in Japan.[21]

[edit] Jump Comics volumes

The following are the titles of the original Jump Comics volumes, along with a rough English translation of each title and their original ISBN numbers.

Vol. Title Release date [14] ISBN
01 "A Cry from the Heart" (心の叫びの巻 Kokoro no Sakebi no Maki?) March 1984 ISBN 4088516613
02 "Execution of Demons" (悪魔の処刑！の巻 Akuma no Shokei no Maki?) June 1984 ISBN 4088516621
03 "Wrath! To the Edge of Hell!!" (怒り！地獄の果てまで!!の巻 Ikari! Jigoku no Hate made!! no Maki?) December 1984 ISBN 408851663X
04 "The Two Stars of Omen!" (ふたつの凶星！の巻 Futatsu no Kyōsei! no Maki?) January 1985 ISBN 4088516648
05 "Departing to a Death Match!" (死闘への旅だち！の巻 Shitō e no Tabidachi! no Maki?) March 1985 ISBN 4088516656
06 "A Tragic Reunion!" (悲劇の再会!!の巻 Higeki no Saikai! no Maki?) June 1985 ISBN 4088516664
07 "Sleeping in an Unmarked Grave" (眠れ　墓標なき墓に！の巻 Nemure Bohyōnaki Haka ni! no Maki?) September 1985 ISBN 4088516672
08 "A Moment of Life!" (今一瞬の命を！の巻 Ima Isshun no Inochi wo! no Maki?) November 1985 ISBN 4088516680
09 "The Red Fangs of the Enchantment Star!" (妖星の赤き牙！の巻 Yōsei no Akaki Kiba! no Maki?) January 1986 ISBN 4088516699
10 "The Monarch of Nanto!" (南斗の帝王！の巻 Nanto no Teiō! no Maki?) April 1986 ISBN 4088516702
11 "The Fist that Smashed the Heavens!" (天砕く拳!!の巻 Ten Kudaku Ken! no Maki?) July 1986 ISBN 4088516710
12 "The Distant Promise!" (遠い誓い！の巻 Tōi Chikai! no Maki?) September 1986 ISBN 4088516729
13 "The Rise of Nanto!!" (南斗ついに起つ!!の巻 Nanto Tsui ni Tatsu!! no Maki?) November 1986 ISBN 4088516737
14 "The Time Has Come!" (その時はきた！の巻 Sono Toki wa Kita! no Maki?) January 1987 ISBN 4088516745
15 "The Graceful Loser" (栄光ある敗者！の巻 Eikōaru Haisha! no Maki?) March 1987 ISBN 4088516753
16 "Roar of the Young Wolves!" (若き狼の叫び！の巻 Wakaki Ōkami no Sakebi! no Maki?) May 1987 ISBN 4088516761
17 "The Golden Assassin!" (黄金の刺客！の巻 Ōgon no Shikaku! no Maki?) July 1987 ISBN 408851677X
18 "The Two Empresses!" (ふたりの天帝！の巻 Futari no Tentei! no Maki?) September 1987 ISBN 4088516788
19 "The Mask of Ambition" (野望の仮面！の巻 Yabō no Kamen! no Maki?) November 1987 ISBN 4088516796
20 "The Legend of Raoh Lives! (ラオウ伝説走る！の巻 Raō Densetsu Hashiru! no Maki?) January 1988 ISBN 408851680X
21 "The Demon of Illusions!!" (幻影の魔人!!の巻 Gen'ei no Majin!! no Maki?) March 1988 ISBN 4088518241
22 "The Grave of the Gem Fist!!" (琉拳の墓場!!の巻 Ryūken no Hakaba!! no Maki?) May 1988 ISBN 408851825X
23 "The Conqueror's Will!" (覇王の遺言！の巻 Haō no Yuigon! no Maki?) July 1988 ISBN 4088518268
24 "The Hell Fire of Tenacity!" (執念の業火果つ！の巻 Shūnen no Gōka Hatsu! no Maki?) September 1988 ISBN 4088518276
25 "A Prologue to Death" (滅びの序章の巻き Horobi no Jōshō no Maki?) November 1988 ISBN 4088518284
26 "The Shadow of the Conqueror!" (覇王の影！の巻 Haō no Kage! no Maki?) January 1989 ISBN 4088518292
27 "Farewell to My Loved Ones..." (さらば愛しき者たちよ…の巻 Saraba Itoshikimono-tachi yo... no Maki?) March 1989 ISBN 4088518306

[edit] Supplemental books

The following are books related to the Hokuto no Ken series outside of the collected volumes.

  • Hokuto no Ken Special: All About the Man (北斗の拳ＳＰＥＣＩＡＬ ＡＬＬ ＡＢＯＵＴ ＴＨＥ ＭＡＮ?) - A special supplemental issue of the Weekly Shōnen Jump dedicated exclusively to the series. It contains a reprint of the Hokuto no Ken pilot, creator interviews and complete character biographies among other articles. Cover dated September 5, 1986.
  • Tetsu no Don Quixote (鉄のドン・キホーテ Tetsu no Don Kihōte?, "The Iron Don Quixote") - The second collected volume features reprints of the two Hokuto no Ken pilot episodes.
  • Shōsetsu Hokuto no Ken: Jubaku no Machi (小説・北斗の拳―呪縛の街? "Fist of the North Star: The Novel - The Cursed City") - 1995 novel written by Tetsuo Hara and Buronson. The basis for the 2003 New Fist of the North Star OVA trilogy.
  • Hokuto no Ken Kyūkyoku Kaisetsusho: Sekimatsu Haō Retsuden (北斗の拳 究極解説書 世紀末覇王列伝? "The Ultimate Handbook to Fist of the North Star: History of the Century's End Conqueror) - A guide to the Hokuto no Ken series, which includes complete character biographies (mostly reprinted from All About the Man).
  • Hokuto no Ken 2000: Kyūkyoku Kaisetsusho Part 2 (北斗の拳2000 究極解説書 PART2? "Fist of the North Star 2000: The Ultimate Handbook Part 2") - A sequel to the above guide featuring a complete list of Hokuto Shinken techniques.
  • Boku-tachi no Sukina Hokuto no Ken (僕たちの好きな北斗の拳? "We Love Fist of the North Star") - An episode guide of the anime series.
  • Hokuto no Ken Kanzen Tokuhon (北斗の拳　完全読本? "The Complete Guide to Fist of the North Star") - A character guide based on the anime series.

[edit] English editions

Fist of the North Star: Master Edition Vol. 9, published by Gutsoon.
Fist of the North Star: Master Edition Vol. 9, published by Gutsoon.

Two different companies attempted to translate the original Fist of the North Star manga for the English market, although both attempts failed to finish their run. VIZ Communications originally published the first sixteen chapters in eight monthly squarebound comic book issues (two/three chapters per issue) in 1989. Viz resumed publication of the series from 1995 to 1997, publishing the subsequent 28 chapters of the series in 18 monthly pamphlet-sized issues (each issue containing roughly one chapter and a half) divided into three "parts". Four graphic novel collections were published by Viz: Fist of the North Star, Night of the Jackal, Southern Cross and Blood Brothers. The Viz edition featured mirrored artwork, as was the standard with English translated manga at the time.

In 2003, Gutsoon! Entertainment began publishing a Master Edition of the series, large squarebound graphic novel installments (eight/nine chapters per volume) that were printed in high quality paper. In addition to sporting a revised translation and retaining the original right-to-left orientation, the Master Edition of the series also featured new CG coloring added to the original artwork. Gutsoon ceased publication of the series with Vol. 9 due to the company folding. The license has yet to be picked up by another company.

[edit] Viz volumes

Volume Viz Graphic Novel Title Release date [22] ISBN Organization
01 Fist of the North Star April 1995 ISBN 1569310319 Part 1, Issues 1-8 (Chapters 1-16)
02 Fist of the North Star:
Night of the Jackal		 September 1997 ISBN 1569311862 Part 2, Issues 1-7 (Chapters 17-27)
03 Fist of the North Star: Southern Cross December 1997 ISBN 1569312001 Part 2, Issues 7-8
Part 3, Issues 1-5 (Chapters 28-35)
04 Fist of the North Star:
Blood Brothers		 May 1998 ISBN 1569312583 Part 4, Issues 1-7 (Chapters 36-44)

[edit] Gutsoon! volumes (Master Edition)

Volume Release date [22] ISBN Chapters
01 2003-01-28 ISBN 0972503706 1-8
02 2003-02-25 ISBN 0972503714 9-17
03 2003-03-18 ISBN 0972503722 18-26
04 2003-05-14 ISBN 0972503730 27-34
05 2003-07-26 ISBN 0972503749 35-42
06 2003-11-11 ISBN 0972503757 43-50
07 2003-11-25 ISBN 193245411X 51-58
08 2004-02-18 ISBN 1932454209 59-66
09 2004-05-19 ISBN 1932454276 67-74
10 Unpublished ISBN 1932454365 N/A

[edit] Adaptations

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[edit] TV series

Further information: List of Fist of the North Star episodes
TV's Hokuto no Ken title card.
TV's Hokuto no Ken title card.
Hokuto no Ken 2 title card.
Hokuto no Ken 2 title card.

Hokuto no Ken was first adaptated into a weekly anime series by Toei Animation. The series aired on Fuji Television from October 4, 1984 to March 5, 1987 and was given the subtitle of Seikimatsu Kyūseishu Densetsu (世紀末救世主伝説? "Legend of the Century's End Savior") following episode 22.[23] It was immediately followed by a sequel series, titled Hokuto no Ken 2, which aired from March 13, 1987 to February 18, 1988. A combined total of 152 episodes were produced for the two series. Reruns are aired in Japan on the satellite television network Animax.

The violent content of the TV series is toned down considerably compared to the original manga, with much of the gore being discolored via desaturation. Like many manga-based anime series, filler material was added to prevent the series from getting ahead of its source material.

The Hokuto no Ken portion of the series spans four major story arcs that follows the manga's plotline from the beginning and up until chapter 136 (prior to the timeskip). Each story arc (or chapters, as they referred within the show) spans a certain number of episodes each adapting a portion of the original manga. The first chapter is based on chapters 1-25 of the original manga, but changes the order of events so that Ken's battle with Shin is left for last, turning all the other villains into his subordinates. The rest of the series follows the manga's plotline more closely. The Hokuto no Ken 2 portion takes place after the timeskip and adapts the storyline of the Celestial Emperor and Asura arcs of the manga. The post-Asura chapters were not adapted for the series.

The entire series has been collected on DVD in Japan, in a boxed collection known as the Super Premium Box[24] and in 26 individually released discs containing 5-6 episodes per volume.[25] A three volume DVD series, the Kyūkyoku Retsuden series, contains highlight episodes of the show.[26] Prior to the DVD release of the series, Toei released three hour-long compilation episodes on VHS composed of re-edited footage from the series. Toei is currently planning an HD Remaster Edition of the Hokuto no Ken DVD Box Set in commemoration of the franchise's 25th anniversary. In addition to containing all 152 episodes on 26 discs, the set will also contain two additional discs of bonus content: the first bonus disc will contain all three episodes of the Hokuto no Ken Digest Edition previously released only on VHS. The second bonus disc will contain credit-less opening and closing animation, the original preview ad for the series, the first episode of Hokuto no Ken dubbed in Beijing dialect and interviews with the staff and cast of the show. The set will also come packaged with a deluxe booklet and a reproduction of a promotional Hokuto no Ken poster issued prior to the show's first airing. A Limited Edition version of the box set will also come packaged with a Kenshiro and Kokuoh figure by Kaiyodo. The box set is currently scheduled for a March 28, 2008 release.[27]

The first 36 episodes were licensed to Manga Entertainment and released in English dubbed and subtitled formats on VHS and DVD. Manga Entertainment initially released the series in eight VHS volumes spanning only 24 episodes in 1999 and later released all 36 episodes in five DVD volumes in 2003.[28] The English dub of the show features a new soundtrack provided by Reinforced Records and voice acting by Animaze. The original opening and ending sequences were replaced by in-house versions produced by Manga Entertainment with music by Mike Egan. The dubbed version aired on Showtime Beyond in the US and on the Sci-Fi Channel in the UK.

Manga Entertainment's treatment of the series has been criticized by reviewers, particularly at their decision to replace the original Japanese soundtrack with their own music for the English dub. A reviewer of DVD Vision Japan stated that the English voice acting was "terrible, even for an early dub" and compared David Lucas' performance as Shin unfavorably to his role as Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop. The same reviewer also states that the music by Mike Egan is mediocre.[29] Mike Toole of Anime Jump proclaimed that the drum n' bass soundtrack is "occasionally nice, but usually just obtrusive".[30] Chadwick Ngan of EX Anime wrote that the "American voice actors' efforts are commendable" and that the new opening and ending themes "aren't bad, but nothing to get excited about either."[31]

[edit] 1986 animated movie ([1])

A promotional illustration of the Fist of the North Star animated movie.
A promotional illustration of the Fist of the North Star animated movie.

An animated feature film version of Fist of the North Star was produced by Toei Animation, which premiered in Japan on March 8, 1986. The movie was intended to be a big-screen treatment of the manga, and avoid the watering-down of violence that came with the TV series. An English-dubbed version produced by Streamline Pictures was first released in 1991.

Plot differences from the manga and TV series
In a notable deviation from the series, the film finds time to begin with a detailed peek at the Earth as it was before and during the fabled nuclear devastation. Starting with a calm, surreal look at various points of Mother Nature, a brief on-screen message then informs the audience of the imminent calamity, followed by unsettling scenes of human life consumed in flame.

The film follows the TV series and manga from Kenshiro's defeat at the hands of Shin to the first battle with Raoh, although certain liberties were taken to tell the story in a condensed form. For example, Toki, the second of the four Hokuto Brothers, is never seen or mentioned, while Shin and Rei are the only Nanto Seiken masters to appear in the film. Although Yuria's Nanto heritage is mentioned through out the movie in the Japanese version, her role as the last Nanto General is downplayed. Her fate has also been altered from the original story, wherein this time she is kidnapped by Raoh and instead of committing suicide, her existence remains ambiguous at the conclusion of the film. Mamiya, Rei's love interest, is never seen, partly because Yuria is the heroine in her place. Raoh serves as the main antagonist, with Jagi and Shin as the other two major villains. Many other villains from the manga and anime such as the Colonel and Jackal only make cameo appearances as minor henchmen with some of the notable fight scenes involving Zeed, Heart, the Fang King and Uighur. All together the order and occurrences of the original story were almost completely rewritten.

There were two endings produced for the film. The original theatrical ending in Japan showed Raoh emerging victorious over Kenshiro, but sparing his life, leaving him to protect Lin. An alternate ending was produced that shows the fight ending in a draw, which was the ending featured in the VHS and Laserdisc release of the film in Japan. The English dub version by Streamline Pictures is based on the theatrical version and thus features the original ending. Many Western fans believe that the "draw ending" was the original ending, but this is a common misconception due to the fact that the original ending where Raoh wins is not featured in any of the official home video releases in Japan.

Reception
The English dub version of the movie was the first animated incarnation of Fist of the North Star to be released in English, and has had mixed reviews among casual viewers and anime fandom. A review from Akemi's Anime World calls it "so bad it's good, and the original in the genre" and calls quality of the dub "cheesy", but "suitable".[32] Richard Harrington of the Washington Post criticized the violent nature of the movie and quality of the animation, saying that "watching it you'll feel as comfortable as a hemophiliac in a razor blade factory".[33] Stephen Nolden of the New York Times expresses that "in its carelessly translated and poorly dubbed English adaptation, the characters express themselves in diction so stiff that they seem ludicrously prissy".[34]

Noteworthy criticism by Charles Solomon, proclaims that Kenshiro "looks like a caricature of Sylvester Stallone drawn for an American Saturday morning cartoon show. " He further states that'The relatively simple story is burdened with many subplots involving evil brothers, betrayals, kidnappings, and murders, all needing endless expository scenes. "He is also quick to point out its blatant similarities with films of western culture such as Mad Max. He makes a bold claim that "Fist of the North probably ranks as the most violent film in animation history" also commenting that the abundance of violence is unintentionally comedic.[35] + - Reviews from Flixster.com as recent as 2007 state "This is hands-down the best animated movie I've ever seen." ,and boast that the soundtrack is brilliant at times,furthermore one such fan, proclaims proudly "Kung Fu enthusiasts rejoice, for this is your anthem.".[35]

[edit] Cast

Character Japanese version English version
Kenshiro (Ken) Akira Kamiya John Vickery
Raoh Kenji Utsumi Wally Burr
Shin Toshio Furukawa Michael McConnohie
Yuria (Julia) Yuriko Yamamoto Melodee Spevack
Airi (Alei) Arisa Andou Barbara Goodson
Jagi Chikao Ohtsuka Dan Woren
Rei (Ray) Kaneto Shiozawa Greg Snegoff
Bat Mie Suzuki Tony Oliver
Lin (Lynn) Tomiko Suzuki Holly Sidell
Uighur Daisuke Gouri Greg Snegoff
Jackal Hiroshi Ohtake Michael Forest
Ryuken Junji Chiba Jeff Corey
Heart Junpei Takiguchi Dave Mallow
Old Man Kôhei Miyauchi Steve Bulen
Colonel Kouji Yada Dave Mallow
Fox Takeshi Aono Carl Macek
Kiba Daio (Fang King) Takeshi Watabe James Avery
Narrator Tarô Ishida Jeff Corey
Dying Woman Youko Kawanami Lisa Michelson

[edit] 1995 live-action movie

An American-produced live-action movie version of Fist of the North Star was released in 1995, directed by Tony Randel based on a script by Peter Atkins and Wynne McLaughlin. The movie, loosely based on the Shin storyline of the manga, stars Gary Daniels as Kenshiro, Costas Mandylor as Shin and Japanese actress Isako Washio as Yuria, with Malcolm McDowell as Ryuken and Chris Penn as "Jackal" (actually a renamed Jagi). It also featured a cameo by professional wrestler Leon White (then known as Big Van Vader) as Goliath. The movie saw a theatrical release in Japan, but went straight-to-video in the US. The Japanese dubbed version used the original voice actors from the 1980s anime series.

The movie had mixed reviews from fans and critics. Dave Foster of DVD Times panned the movie as a poor adaptation and commented that Kenshiro's pressure point techniques "look rather tame" in comparison to the way depicted in the manga and anime series.[36] A reviewer from eFilmCritic remarked that Kenshiro's defeat at the hands of Shin "comes off as standard" and "unbelievably goofy" compared to the 1986 animated movie version. However, Video World gave a much more positive review, calling it "First rate."

[edit] New Fist of the North Star

New Fist of the North Star (新・北斗の拳 Shin Hokuto no Ken?) is a three-part OVA series produced by Toei Animation that was originally released in 2003 and 2004 in Japan. It is based on an original Hokuto no Ken novel by Buronson and Hara Jubaku no Machi (呪縛の街? "The Cursed City"), whom the first episode of the trilogy draws its title from. It was fully licensed and released in English by ADV Films. Akira Kamiya, who had voiced Kenshiro in all previous animated incarnations, was replaced by Takehito Koyasu for this new OVA series. Celebrity voices were also employed, with musician Gackt (who also performs the opening and ending themes of the OVA) as the antagonist Seiji. It was the last animated incarnation of Hokuto no Ken produced by Toei.

Set sometime after the conclusion of Hokuto no Ken 2 and the original manga, a man named Sanga has constructed a fortified zone called The Last Land. While Sanga's men go out and seek water through violent means, they encounter Kenshiro who desires to end their reign of terror.

The ADV Films' dub of the trilogy has garnered positive reviews from critics. Chris Wood of Toon Zone praised "Kenshiro is in fine form, and though the story may not blow you away, it’s plenty adequate to support the action"[37] Mike Toole of Anime Jump says that New Fist is "flashy and a little cheap, but ultimately rewarding."[38] Chris Beveridge of AnimeOnDVD.com was "very pleased with" the first episode,[39] but felt that the second episode could've been "much better written"[40] and that the third episode was unnecessary and that the trilogy "could have been a lot tighter with a bit more streamlining of the script".[41]

[edit] Shin Kyūseishu Densetsu movie series

Theatrical poster for Raoh Den - Jun'ai no Shō.
Theatrical poster for Raoh Den - Jun'ai no Shō.

In 2005, North Stars Pictures and TMS Entertainment announced the production of a planned five part Hokuto no Ken film series titled Shin Kyūseishu Densetsu (真救世主伝説? "True Saviour Legend").[42] The films are both, remakes of and supplemental stories to the original manga series, and introduces a new supporting character in the form of Reina (whose character designs were contributed by City Hunter's Tsukasa Hojo). The film series will be composed of three feature films and two OVA movies released between them. The films use a different cast of voice actors than the older anime series, with Hiroshi Abe (Kenshiro), Takashi Ukaji (Raoh), Kou Shibasaki (Reina) and Yuriko Ishida (Yuria) in the lead roles. The new movies have yet to be licensed for an English adaptation, although Italian and French versions have already been announced.

Planned works:

  1. The Legend of Raoh: Martyred Love Arc (ラオウ伝　殉愛の章 Raō Den Jun'ai no Shō?) - Theatrical film released on March 11, 2006. A retelling of Kenshiro's battle against Souther, the strongest of the Nanto Roku Seiken masters, with a sub-plot involving Raoh and Reina.
  2. The Legend of Yuria (ユリア伝 Yuria Den?) - OVA released on February 23, 2007. The story of this OVA centers around Yuria and how she became the Last Nanto General.
  3. The Legend of Raoh: Fierce Fighting Arc (ラオウ伝 激闘の章 Raō Den Gekitō no Shō?) - Theatrical film released on April 28, 2007. A retelling of Kenshiro's final battle with Raoh. The theatrical release of the movie was promoted by a mock funeral for Raoh.
  4. The Legend of Toki (トキ伝 Toki Den?) - OVA released on March 26, 2008. Centers around the character Toki.
  5. The Legend of Kenshirō (ケンシロウ伝 Kenshirō Den?) - Scheduled for a 2008 as a theatrical movie. A prequel to the manga's storyline which shows how Kenshiro was named successor.

[edit] Video games

Main article: List of Fist of the North Star video games
A Fist of the North Star pachinko machine
A Fist of the North Star pachinko machine

Several licensed Hokuto no Ken video games have been released in Japan thorought the years. The earliest Hokuto no Ken video game was a 1986 adventure game simply titled Hokuto no Ken, released by Enix for the NEC PC-8801. Toei Animation published many of the early Hokuto no Ken games for Nintendo consoles (Famicom, Game Boy and Super Famicom). In addition, Sega also published their own Hokuto no Ken action game for the Sega SG-1000 Mark III (which was later remade for the Sony PlayStation 2 under the Sega Ages lineup), along with a sequel, Hokuto no Ken: Shin Seikimatsu Kyūseishu Densetsu for the Sega Mega Drive. Two of Toei's Hokuto no Ken games, Fist of the North Star (Hokuto no Ken 2 in Japan) for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Fist of the North Star: 10 Big Brawls for the King of Universe for the Game Boy, were published in North America with the license retained. Both of Sega's Hokuto no Ken games were published outside Japan as Black Belt and Last Battle respectively, with the North Star license and character likenesses removed. In 1995, Banpresto published an original Hokuto no Ken adventure game for the Sega Saturn featuring an original storyline set sometime after the conclusion of the manga. It was ported to the Sony PlayStation the following year. In 2000, Bandai published a 3D action game for the PlayStation titled Hokuto no Ken: Seikimatsu Kyūseishu Densetsu.

In addition to original console games, there has also been Hokuto no Ken arcade games such as Konami's Fighting Mania boxing game, a competitive fighting game by Arc System Works (later released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan) and licensed Hokuto no Ken "pachislot" machines (hybrid pachinko and slot machines) and pachinko machines by Sammy (which have inspired video game versions for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS and Wii). A series of Hokuto no Ken typing games were also made for Microsoft Windows. A Hokuto no Ken Online game is in the works.

The characters of Hokuto no Ken also appeared in two crossover games involving Shōnen Jump characters, 1989's Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden for the Famicom and 2006's Jump Ultimate Stars for Nintendo DS.

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ History of Toei Animation.
  2. ^ Ken the great bear fist (TOEI Animation Europe).
  3. ^ While the name Hokuto Shinken literally means Big Dipper Divine Fist, the standard translation for the fighting style is the same as its English title, Fist of the North Star. It is also referred as the Sacred Martial Arts of the Great Bear in Viz Media edition and as God Fist of the North Star in the Gutsoon! edition.
  4. ^ Shōnen Jump Manga Circulation Numbers (html). ComiPress. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
  5. ^ TV Asahi Top 100 Anime (html). Anime News Network. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
  6. ^ Japan's Favorite TV Anime (html). Anime News Network. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
  7. ^ a b Interview with Hara Tetsuo (html). Raijin Comics (waybacked). Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
  8. ^ Interview with Buronson (html). ADV Films Presents: New Fist of the North Star. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
  9. ^ 週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：連載作品・作家紹介：天の覇王 北斗の拳 ラオウ外伝 (html) (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
  10. ^ Amazon.com: 北斗の拳ユリア外伝慈母の星 (ビッグコミックススペシャル) (html) (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
  11. ^ 週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告 (html) (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
  12. ^ 週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告 (html) (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-10.
  13. ^ Like Hokuto, the term Nanto is usually localized in English translations as "South Star" (or "Southern Cross" in the Viz edition, the name of Shin's city). Nanto actually refers to the South Dipper, a Chinese asterism that forms part of Sagittarius. The Fighting Mania arcade game actually alternates between "South Star" and the literal "South Dipper" in translations. The asterism has no relation to the Southern Cross.
  14. ^ a b 北斗の拳　全27巻・全巻セット｜原　哲夫／武論尊｜ジャンプコミックス｜BOOKNAVI｜集英社 (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
  15. ^ 北斗の拳／全15巻｜原　哲夫／武論尊｜愛蔵版コミックス｜BOOKNAVI｜集英社 (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
  16. ^ 北斗の拳全15巻・全巻セット｜原　哲夫／武論尊｜集英社文庫(コミック版)｜BOOKNAVI｜集英社 (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
  17. ^ 徳間書店 — 徳間書店 (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
  18. ^ コアミックス (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
  19. ^ 小学館：コミック (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
  20. ^ 北斗の拳 原哲夫 : コアミックス - 電子書籍はeBookJapan : マンガ (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
  21. ^ コアミックス (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
  22. ^ a b Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-09.
  23. ^ 北斗の拳 (official Toei site) (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-09-01.
  24. ^ 北斗の拳 DVD BOX (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
  25. ^ 北斗の拳 (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
  26. ^ 北斗の拳 究極列伝 (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
  27. ^ 「北斗の拳」DVD-BOX発売 (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-10-19.
  28. ^ MANGA ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY. html. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  29. ^ Fist of The North Star Vol 1 DVD Review. DVD VISION JAPAN (DVD VISION). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  30. ^ Anime Jump (Fist of the North Star vols. 1-3). Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  31. ^ EX (FIST OF THE NORTH STAR, THE SERIES VOLUME 3). Retrieved on 2007-09-02).
  32. ^ AAW: Fist of the North Star (Movie) Review. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  33. ^ Washing ton Post (‘Fist of the North Star’ review). Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  34. ^ New York Times (Review of Fist of the North Star). Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  35. ^ a b Flixster: Fist of the North Star (Movie) Review. Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
  36. ^ Dave Foster. DVD Times - Fist of the North Star. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
  37. ^ "New Fist of the North Star": My Mind Is Already Blown (Review from Toon Zone). Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  38. ^ Anime Jump review of New Fist of the North Star. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  39. ^ AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> New Fist of the North Star Vol. #1 (also w/box). Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  40. ^ AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> New Fist of the North Star Vol. #2. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  41. ^ AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> New Fist of the North Star Vol. #3. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  42. ^ 劇場版映画“北斗の拳「ラオウ外伝」純愛編”を2006年春全国東宝系公開 (Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-30.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links