Fist of the North Star

It's the year 199x, and Earth burns with the fires of a nuclear holocaust. On the charred remains of the planet's surface, humans struggle desperately to survive a fearful world. The young wanderer Kenshiro rises to stand against the violent reality. Upon his chest are seven scars in the shape of the North Star!

Fist of the North Star (1984-1988) is a Japanese animated post-apocalyptic action series created as a Toei Animation production for Fuji TV, adapted from the Shueisha manga. Set in the year 199x after a nuclear holocaust has scorched the planet, it follows the young wanderer Kenshiro, voiced by Akira Kamiya, who bears seven scars shaped like the North Star on his chest and carries a deadly martial art. His companions include the rough ally Rihaku, voiced by Takeshi Aono, and the mysterious Toki, voiced by Takaya Hashi, while Kenshiro's rivals include the brutal Souther, voiced by Banjo Ginga. Across six seasons and well over a hundred and fifty episodes, the engine is simple and relentless: Kenshiro travels through ruined wastelands, defends the helpless, and confronts warlords and gangs who prey on desperate survivors. Each episode is built around a new brutal opponent and a fight that mixes grim melancholy with theatrical bravado. The tone is bleak and macabre yet strangely heroic, with a dusty, dystopian palette. Fans of Mad Max, Dragon Ball, and Akira will find resonance in its blend of fierce combat and despairing atmosphere.

Audience reception is positive, with viewers praising the series' brutal post-apocalyptic action and its emotionally resonant bouts of martyrdom and loyalty.

• Mad Max (1979)post-apocalyptic wasteland survival, lone martial artist hero, shonen action tone
• Dragon Ballshonen anime, martial arts action, serialized battles against villains
• Hokuto no Kenpost-apocalyptic world, violent brutal survival, dark melancholic tone
• Akira (1988)serialized anime adaptation of a manga with long-running episodic fights and dystopian stakes

Release Date

1984-10-11

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

8.1 / 10 (131)

What is Fist of the North Star about?

In a nuclear-scarred future, the wandering martial artist Kenshiro fights violent warlords to protect the helpless survivors of a fallen world.

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 strong and its storytelling as simple.

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?

Audience reception is positive, with viewers praising the series' brutal post-apocalyptic action and its emotionally resonant bouts of martyrdom and loyalty.

Which shows are like Fist of the North Star?

Shows with a similar feel include Mad Max (1979), Dragon Ball, Hokuto no Ken, and Akira (1988).

How long is Fist of the North Star?

Fist of the North Star: 6 seasons, 152 episodes.

Is Fist of the North Star still running?

No, Fist of the North Star has ended.

Where can I watch Fist of the North Star?

In United States, Fist of the North Star streams on Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Crunchyroll.