Fist of the North Star
A mythic martial-arts savior crosses a nuclear wasteland to challenge brutal rulers and defend the powerless.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- bombastic
- grim
- melodramatic
- cult anime night
- martial arts marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized an impressive post-apocalyptic backdrop and compelling core story, while finding the animation stiff and the violence excessively gory, with the English dub attracting additional criticism.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film depicts communities and landscapes devastated by nuclear holocaust, with tyrants ruling over survivors.
Kenshiro rises from the ruins to defeat those tormenting the weak and make the world livable again.
The film is specifically noted for excessively gory violence and heightened martial-arts action.
The plot begins after a nuclear holocaust has torn the world apart and made the earth increasingly hostile.
Films like Fist of the North Star, and why
Fist of the North Star: The Movie
post-apocalyptic martial arts action with heightened violence and a messianic lone warrior
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
stylized post-apocalyptic combat, brutal survivalism, and exaggerated action spectacle
Ninja Scroll
animated martial arts adventure featuring relentless combat, heroic mythology, and heightened physicality
The Blood of Heroes
violent post-apocalyptic action centered on oppression, survival, and a powerful liberating fighter
Movie Details
- Director
- Toyoo Ashida
- Release Date
- 1986-03-08
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (196)
Cast
- Akira Kamiya
- Yuriko Yamamoto
- Kenji Utsumi
- Chikao Ohtsuka
- Toshio Furukawa
- Kaneto Shiozawa
- Tomiko Suzuki
- Teiyu Ichiryusai
- Arisa Andô
- Junji Chiba
Common questions
- What is Fist of the North Star about?
- A mythic martial-arts savior crosses a nuclear wasteland to challenge brutal rulers and defend the powerless.
- What is Fist of the North Star like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Fist of the North Star as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Fist of the North Star violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Fist of the North Star as graphic.
- What did critics think of Fist of the North Star?
- Critics broadly recognized an impressive post-apocalyptic backdrop and compelling core story, while finding the animation stiff and the violence excessively gory, with the English dub attracting additional criticism.
- Which films are like Fist of the North Star?
- Films with a similar feel include Fist of the North Star: The Movie, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, Ninja Scroll, and The Blood of Heroes.
- How long is Fist of the North Star?
- Fist of the North Star runs 112 minutes.
Browse Ember's collections
Movies like Fist of the North Star
- Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind2022
- Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku1990
- Urotsukidōji III: Return of the Overfiend1993
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan1993
- Space Pirate Captain Harlock: Mystery Of The Arcadia1978
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King2012
- Vampire Hunter D1985
- Urotsukidōji IV: Inferno Road1993
- Steel Dawn1987
- Warriors of the Wind
