Fist of the North Star
| Fist of the North Star | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Original Manga | Yoshiyuki Okamura |
| Director/Artist | Toyoo Ashida |
| Format | Manga |
| Made By | Weekly Shonen Jump |
| Episode Length | 1983-1988 |
| # of Eps/Volumes | 245 Chapters |
Contents
Genre
Sum it up in a Sentence:
Fists fly, heads explode, foes already dead!
Main Description
In the near future a nuclear war results in an apocalyptic era where human kind fights simply to survive. The necessities of life, such as food and water, are wared over; while emotions such as hope, compassion, and love are seemingly lost. A few strive to make a difference, including Kenshiro, the successor of the legendary martial art Hokuto no Ken. With just a touch from this powerful art Kenshiro can cripple, control, or destroy an enemy. However before Kenshiro can restore light to the world he must first overcome the seemingly endless armies of vicious warlords who seek to rule it.
Legend of the Century's End Savior
The first arc of Kenshiro's journey begins with the search for his missing fiancée, Yuria; taken from him by none less than his former best friend Shin. Shin is a general of the Nanto style Nanto Koshū Ken; a polar opposite of Ken's Hokuto no Ken. He defeats Kenshiro with ease, tortures Kenshiro to force Yuria away, and leaves Kenshiro for dead. Famously Shin left Kenshiro seven wounds on his chest shaped like the Big Dipper; aka. the flag of Hokuto. During the time that Kenshiro was recuperating from the encounter Shin even declared himself ruler under the name King, and founding the city of Southern Cross.
Upon "reentering" the world Kenshiro reluctantly befriends a loud-mouthed thief named Bat, and later they also take on a deaf girl (who Kenshiro is able to cure) named Lynn. The three of them travel to the many strongholds controlled by King and his men; hoping to finally find King himself, and take back Yuria once and for all. A reoccurring theme is invented here that every story arc traditionally follows. Kenshiro constantly goes into towns which have been taken over by the current main-villain, always to find a henchman of that villain in control. The henchman will always seem impossibly powerful to normal humans, but Kenshiro usually takes them down with just one punch. The henchman will also usually have dozens of nameless solders to throw at Kenshiro like cannon-fodder.
Kenshiro discovers enemies and allies exist who are far more powerful than Shin. He soon befriends Rei, another master of Nanto whose powers can literally slice an opponent to pieces. Rei seeks to avenge the death of his parents, who he believes were murdered by the man with seven wounds on his chest, Kenshiro. Luckily Rei is able to see that a compassionate man like Kenshiro could never do such a thing. The true enemy is revealed to be Jagi, another Hokuto master, and the elder brother of Kenshiro. Jagi is out for vengeance against Kenshiro after an altercation concerning Kenshiro's rise as the successor of Hokuto that left Jagi's face horrifically scared.
Through Jagi, Kenshiro learns that two more of his brother are still alive; the gentle Toki, and the ruthless Raoh. Toki lives with radiation poisoning from sacrificing himself to save Kenshiro and Yuria during the nuclear war. Raoh on the other hand has renamed himself as Ken-Oh, and seeks to conquer the Earth and heavens as the End of Century Ruler. His army is massive and without mercy. Raoh only considers Toki to be a real challenge, but because of Toki's illness he is unable to defeat Raoh. Raoh soon realizes however that it's Kenshiro who he should truly fear. The two clash for the right to lay claim to the Hokuto title, as well as for the sake of mankind.
The Movie
In 1986 a movie was created that melted together many stories of the first arc. Due to limited time many characters were removed or altered from the series. For example Rei's death is shortened from three days. The American release of the movie showed the final battle between Raoh and Kenshiro ending in a draw, however the alternate Japanese version remains closer to the actual outcome from the manga and series.
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Personal Opinions
Liar
Fist of the North Star shouldn't be missed. This series borrows from many popular genres of the 1980's and molds them together into something too outrageous to imagine. From people exploding to biker gangs at war, there's nothing here that disappoints. Just don't watch that crappy live action movie; god is it awful. The animated movie however is a must! Shin's battle against Raoh to buy time is perhaps the climax in a movie that climaxes every five seconds anyway!
Zorak
You're already dead. In the brief moments left in your misbegotten life, start reading Fist of the North Star.
