List of Fist of the North Star episodes
Encyclopedia
The Fist of the North Star
manga by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara
was adapted into two animated
television series produced by Toei Animation
. The original series, simply titled , lasted 109 episodes, which aired on Fuji TV from 11 October 1984 to 5 March 1987, adapting the first 136 chapters of the original manga. A sequel series, Hokuto no Ken 2, took over the previous series' time slot and lasted 43 episodes, airing from 12 March 1987 to 18 February 1988, which adapts chapters 137 to 210 (the remainder of the manga was not adapted).
The original opening and ending themes for the series up to episode 82 are Ai o Torimodose!! (愛をとりもどせ!!, "Taking Back Love") and , both performed by the band Crystal King
. From episodes 83 to 109, the opening and ending themes are changed to Silent Survivor and Dry Your Tears by Kodomo Band. For the Hokuto no Ken 2 portion of the series (episodes 110-152), the opening and ending themes are Tough Boy and Love Song by TOM★CAT
.
during the late 1980s, composed of clips of episodes from Chapters 1, 2, and 4 of the first series. The complete series has been collected on DVD in Japan, in a boxed collection known as the Super Premium Box and in 26 individually released discs containing 5-6 episodes per volume. A three volume DVD series, the Kyūkyoku Retsuden series, which features key episodes of the series. Toei later produced an HD
Remaster
Edition (with uncensored scenes) of the Hokuto no Ken DVD set, which was released on March 28, 2008.
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. 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 Channel 4
and the Sci-Fi Channel
in the UK.
On May 2008, Toei began releasing English-subtitled episodes of the TV series on the internet. All 152 episodes are available on various video streaming services.
Discotek is currently releasing the complete TV series in North American in four different DVD sets.
' 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. Mike Toole of Anime Jump proclaimed that the drum n' bass soundtrack is "occasionally nice, but usually just obtrusive". 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."
Fist of the North Star
is a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and drawn by Tetsuo Hara that was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1988, spanning 245 chapters, which were initially collected in a 27-volume tankōbon edition by Shueisha...
manga by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara
Tetsuo Hara
is a Japanese manga artist famous for drawing the series Fist of the North Star , which he co-authored with Buronson...
was adapted into two animated
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series produced by Toei Animation
Toei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
. The original series, simply titled , lasted 109 episodes, which aired on Fuji TV from 11 October 1984 to 5 March 1987, adapting the first 136 chapters of the original manga. A sequel series, Hokuto no Ken 2, took over the previous series' time slot and lasted 43 episodes, airing from 12 March 1987 to 18 February 1988, which adapts chapters 137 to 210 (the remainder of the manga was not adapted).
The original opening and ending themes for the series up to episode 82 are Ai o Torimodose!! (愛をとりもどせ!!, "Taking Back Love") and , both performed by the band Crystal King
Crystal King (band)
is a Japanese rock and kayōkyoku band. They gained commercial success with their debut single which sold 1.5 million copies, and are remembered in Japan for their performance of the first theme songs of Fist of the North Star: "Ai o Torimodose!!" and "Yuria.....
. From episodes 83 to 109, the opening and ending themes are changed to Silent Survivor and Dry Your Tears by Kodomo Band. For the Hokuto no Ken 2 portion of the series (episodes 110-152), the opening and ending themes are Tough Boy and Love Song by TOM★CAT
Tom Cat (band)
were a 1980s Japanese band. They are best known for their song "TOUGH BOY", used as the opening theme for Fist of the North Star 2.-Original members:*TOM: Vocals and keyboard**Real name: *Akio Hinago, Seiji Nagayoshi: Guitars...
.
Part 1
This portion of the series adapts Chapters 1-25 of the original manga, adapting the story from the beginning to the battle between Kenshiro and Devil's Rebirth. The order of the events and how they transpire were changed in the anime, so that the final battle between Kenshiro and Shin does not occur until the very end| EP# | Title | Original airdate |
|---|
Part 2
Part 2 adapts Chapters 26 to 83 of the manga, covering the story from the introduction of Rei to the final battle between Rei and Yuda.| EP# | Title | Original airdate |
|---|
Part 3
Part 3 adapts the manga from Chapters 84 to 109, adapting the story from the Souther arc to the Ryuga arc.| EP# | Title | Original airdate |
|---|
Part 4
Part 4, the final portion of the original series, adapts Chapters 110 to 136, covering the story from the introduction of the Five Chariots to the final battle between Kenshiro and Raoh.| EP# | Title | Original airdate |
|---|
The Celestial Emperor arc
This arc adapts Chapters 137 to 160 of the original manga.| EP# | Title | Original airdate |
|---|
The Land of Asura arc
This arc adapts Chapters 161 to 210 of the original manga.| EP# | Title | Original airdate |
|---|
Japanese
Although the series has never been fully released on VHS in Japan, Toei released three hour-long "digest" episodes on VHSVHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
during the late 1980s, composed of clips of episodes from Chapters 1, 2, and 4 of the first series. The complete series has been collected on DVD in Japan, in a boxed collection known as the Super Premium Box and in 26 individually released discs containing 5-6 episodes per volume. A three volume DVD series, the Kyūkyoku Retsuden series, which features key episodes of the series. Toei later produced an HD
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
Remaster
Remaster
Remaster is a word marketed mostly in the digital audio age, although the remastering process has existed since recording began...
Edition (with uncensored scenes) of the Hokuto no Ken DVD set, which was released on March 28, 2008.
English
The first 36 episodes were licensed to Manga EntertainmentManga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment is a producer, licensor and distributor of Japanese animation in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand...
and released in English dubbed and subtitled formats on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
and DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
. 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. 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 Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
and the Sci-Fi Channel
Sci Fi channel (United Kingdom)
Syfy is a television channel service specialising in science fiction, fantasy and horror shows and movies. It is available via digital cable, IPTV, satellite television and Top Up TV platforms. The channel launched in 1995 in the UK a sister channel to the US Sci Fi Channel , with a similar...
in the UK.
On May 2008, Toei began releasing English-subtitled episodes of the TV series on the internet. All 152 episodes are available on various video streaming services.
Discotek is currently releasing the complete TV series in North American in four different DVD sets.
Reception
A reviewer of DVD Vision Japan stated that the English voice acting was "terrible, even for an early dub" and compared David LucasSteven Blum
Steven Jay Blum is an American voice actor known primarily for his work in anime dubs and video games, using his distinctive deep voice. Among his credits include the voice of Spike Spiegel of the anime series Cowboy Bebop and Mugen of the anime series Samurai Champloo...
' performance as Shin unfavorably to his role as Spike Spiegel
Spike Spiegel
is the protagonist of the anime and manga series Cowboy Bebop. He won first place in the male character category of the Anime Grand Prix in 1998 and 1999.-Background:Spike is a fictional bounty hunter who was born on Mars, June 26, 2044...
in Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop
is a critically acclaimed and award-winning 1998 Japanese anime series directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, written by Keiko Nobumoto, and produced by Sunrise. Its 26 episodes comprise a complete storyline: set in 2071, the series follows the adventures, misadventures and tragedies of five bounty...
. The same reviewer also states that the music by Mike Egan is mediocre. Mike Toole of Anime Jump proclaimed that the drum n' bass soundtrack is "occasionally nice, but usually just obtrusive". 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."