Hokuto no Ken: Difference between revisions - Hokuto no Ken Encyclopedia

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{{nihongo|'''''Fist of the North Star'''''|北斗の拳|Hokuto no Ken|lit. "''Fist of the [[wikipedia:Big Dipper|Big Dipper]]''"}}, also known as '''''Ken, the Great Bear Fist''''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/english/history/history.html|title=History of Toei Animation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-animation.com/en/catalog/ken_the_great_bear_fist|title=Ken the great bear fist (TOEI Animation Europe)}}</ref> is a Japanese manga series that was originally serialized from 1983 to 1988 in the Japanese magazine ''[[wikipedia:Weekly Shōnen Jump|Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'', created by [[Tetsuo Hara]] and [[Buronson]]. The manga spans 245 chapters that were originally reprinted in 27 collected volumes ([[wikipedia:tankōbon|tankōbon]]) under the ''Jump Comics'' imprint.

Set in a [[wikipedia:Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|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 64th successor of {{nihongo|''[[Hokuto Shin Ken]]''|北斗神拳|"Divine Fist of the North Star"}},<ref name=hokutoshinken>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.</ref> an ancient 1,800 year old secret martial arts style that allows its practitioner to destroy an opponent's body from within by striking into their secret [[wikipedia:Channel (Chinese medicine)|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.

Set in a [[wikipedia:Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|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 64th successor of {{nihongo|''[[Hokuto Shin Ken]]''|北斗神拳|"Divine Fist of the North Star"}},<ref name=hokutoshinken>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.</ref> an ancient 1,800 year-old secret martial arts style that allows its practitioner to destroy an opponent's body from within by striking into their secret [[wikipedia:Channel (Chinese medicine)|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.<ref name=comipress>{{cite web |url=http://comipress.com/article/2007/05/06/1923 |title=Shōnen Jump Manga Circulation Numbers|accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=ComiPress }}</ref> In a poll conducted by [[wikipedia:TV Asahi|TV Asahi]] in 2005, the ''Fist of the North Star'' anime series ranked 26 in a list of Top 100 Anime series.<ref name=asahi1>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime |title=TV Asahi Top 100 Anime|accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=Anime News Network }}</ref> In a second poll in 2006, it ranked No. 89.<ref name=asahi2>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japan's-favorite-tv-anime |title=Japan's Favorite TV Anime |accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=Anime News Network }}</ref> In a celebrity version of the poll, it ranked No. 15.

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===Serialization===

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]].<ref name=ADVBuronson>{{cite web |url=http://www.advfilms.com/titles/fistofthenorthstar/interview.html|title=Interview with Buronson|accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=ADV Films Presents: New Fist of the North Star }}</ref>

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 ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max 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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee Bruce Lee].<ref name=ADVBuronson>{{cite web |url=http://www.advfilms.com/titles/fistofthenorthstar/interview.html|title=Interview with Buronson|accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=ADV Films Presents: New Fist of the North Star }}</ref>

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.<ref name="raijinhara" />

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After the manga ended its run, Tetsuo Hara and Buronson wrote a novel based on the manga titled {{nihongo|''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 {{nihongo|''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 {{nihongo|''[[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.

In 2001, Tetsuo Hara began working on a ''Fist of the North Star'' prequel titled {{nihongo|''[[Fist of the Blue Sky]]''|蒼天の拳|Sōten no Ken}}, which is currently serialized in ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weekly_Comic_Bunch Weekly Comic Bunch]''. Set during the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Sino-Japanese_War 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 {{nihongo|''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:

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* {{nihongo|''The Conquering King of the Heavens: Fist of the North Star Raoh's Story''|[[w:ja:天の覇王北斗の拳ラオウ外伝|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.<ref name=raohgaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/comic_info/tenno_haou/index.html|title=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|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref>

* {{nihongo|''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 [[Ayumi Kasai|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.<ref name=yuriagaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4091814786/hokuto1-22/ref=nosim|title=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)|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref>

* {{nihongo|''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 [[Ayumi Kasai|Akimi Kasai]]. Serialized at ''Big Comics Superior'' in three parts that ran from <u>March 10 to April 14, 2006</u> and six subsequent chapters from <u>March 9 to June 8, 2007.</u> A single tankobon volume was released.<ref name=yuriagaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4091814786/hokuto1-22/ref=nosim|title=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)|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref>

* {{nihongo|''Fist of the North Star: Rei Side Story''|北斗の拳レイ外伝|Hokuto no Ken Rei Gaiden}} by [[Mie Nekoi|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 {{nihongo|''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''.<ref name=reigaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/magazine_info/index.html|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref> The ongoing series was originally subtitled {{nihongo|''The Hungry Wolf Saga''|餓狼編|Garō Hen}}, but has since been retitled {{nihongo|''Bloody Wolf's Darkness Blue''|[[w:ja:蒼黒の餓狼 -北斗の拳レイ外伝-|蒼黒の餓狼]]|Sōkoku no Garō|The Dark Blue Hungry Wolf}}.

* {{nihongo|''Fist of the North Star: Rei Side Story''|北斗の拳レイ外伝|Hokuto no Ken Rei Gaiden}} by [[Mie Nekoi|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 {{nihongo|''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''.<ref name=reigaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/magazine_info/index.html|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref> The ongoing series was originally subtitled {{nihongo|''The Hungry Wolf Saga''|餓狼編|Garō Hen}}, but has since been retitled {{nihongo|''Bloody Wolf's Darkness Blue''|[[w:ja:蒼黒の餓狼 -北斗の拳レイ外伝-|蒼黒の餓狼]]|Sōkoku no Garō|The Dark Blue Hungry Wolf}}.

* {{nihongo|''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 [[Shin-ichi Hiromoto|Hiromoto Sin-Ichi]], published in the [[December 8]], [[2006]] issue of Comic Bunch.

* {{nihongo|''The Silver Saint: Fist of the North Star Toki's Story''|[[w:ja:銀の聖者北斗の拳トキ外伝|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''.<ref name=tokigaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/magazine_info/index.html|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-08-10 |format=html |work= }}</ref>

* {{nihongo|''The Silver Saint: Fist of the North Star Toki's Story''|[[w:ja:銀の聖者北斗の拳トキ外伝|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''.<ref name=tokigaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/magazine_info/index.html|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-08-10 |format=html |work= }}</ref>

==Plot overview==

The prologue of ''Fist of the North Star'' informs us that the world was engaged in a global [[Nuclear war of 199X|nuclear war]] in the year [[wikipedia:~~19XX~~|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 64th successor of the art of [[Hokuto Shinken]], a deadly 1,800 year-old [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansatsuken 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 prologue of ''Fist of the North Star'' informs us that the world was engaged in a global [[Nuclear war of 199X|nuclear war]] in the year [[wikipedia:199X|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 64th successor of the art of [[Hokuto Shinken]], a deadly 1,800 year-old [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansatsuken 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 young sidekicks, [[Bat ]]and [[Lin]]. The initial story arc then centers Kenshiro's quest to reclaim his fiancéé, Yuria, who was taken from him by old acquaintance called Shin, a master of the rival {{nihongo|''Nanto Koshu Ken''|南斗孤鷲拳||"Lone Eagle Fist of the South Star"}} style.<ref name=Nanto>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 [[Dipper (Chinese constellation)|South Dipper]], a Chinese asterism that forms part of [[Sagittarius (constellation)|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]].</ref> 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 adoptive 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 {{nihongo|''Nanto Roku Seiken''|南斗六聖拳||"Six Sacred Fists of the South Star"}}, and the Hokuto brothers' involvement in it.

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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, the successor of [[Nanto Koshu Ken]] , 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 Kō Ken |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.

After Raoh's death, the [[Gento Kō Ken |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).

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===Fighting styles===

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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_point vital points ]on the human body that forms part of a fictional system known as the {{nihongo|''keiraku hikō''|経絡秘孔||"secret [[Channel (Chinese medicine)|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''.

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{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="clear:none; font-size:90%; margin:0 auto; padding:0 auto;width:80%"

|+ align="center" colspan="1" |Original '''Jump Comics''' volumes

|-

! width="20%" | Vol. !! Title !! Release date!!<ref name=jumpcomics/> ISBN

|-align="center"

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===English editions===

[[Image:FotNS Master Ed 1.jpg|thumb|right|''Fist of the North Star: Master Edition Vol. 9'', published by Gutsoon.]]

[[Image:FotNS Master Ed 1.jpg|thumb|right|''Fist of the North Star: Master Edition Vol. 9'', published by Gutsoon.|link=Special:FilePath/FotNS_Master_Ed_1.jpg]]

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 Media|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. Unfortunately, due to its age and a changing comic market more oriented towards [[T&A]] than mature violence[I.E. [[Gen 13]]], Fist was never really a hit with the company.

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===TV series===

The manga by was adapted into two [[wikipedia:anime|animated]] [[~~animated~~ television series|television series]] produced by [[Toei Animation]]. The original series, simply titled {{nihongo|''Hokuto no Ken''|北斗の拳|}}, 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 manga was adapted into two [[wikipedia:anime|animated]] [[wikipedia:television series|television series]] produced by [[Toei Animation]]. The original series, simply titled {{nihongo|''Hokuto no Ken''|北斗の拳|}}, 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).

===[[Hokuto no Ken (1986 movie)]]===

===1995 live-action movie===

===[[Fist of the North Star (live-action film)|'''Fist of the North Star (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 [[Big Van Vader|Leon White]] (then known as Big Van Vader) as Goliath. The movie saw a theatrical release in Japan, but went [[direct-to-video|straight-to-video]] in the US (though it did receive a premiere on HBO.) The Japanese dubbed version used the original voice actors from the 1980s anime series.

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==Video games==

[[Image:Pachinko machine dsc04788.jpg|thumb|A ''Fist of the North Star'' [[pachinko]] machine]]

[[Image:Pachinko machine dsc04788.jpg|thumb|A ''Fist of the North Star'' [[pachinko]] machine|link=Special:FilePath/Pachinko_machine_dsc04788.jpg]]

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 ([[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[Game Boy]] and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|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 (video game)|Black Belt]]'' and ''[[Last Battle (video game)|Last Battle]]'' respectively, with the ''North Star'' license and character likenesses removed.

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**[http://hokuto.wikia.com Hokuto no Ken @ Wikia]

**[http://fby.develer.com/fby2/projects/hnk.html Kenshiro Soundtracks] - Hokuto No Ken 90s game project (fby [[Fabio Barzagli]])

[[Category:Manga series]]

[[Category:Anime series]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{nihongo|'''''Fist of the North Star'''''|北斗の拳|Hokuto no Ken|lit. "''Fist of the [[wikipedia:Big Dipper|Big Dipper]]''"}}, also known as '''''Ken, the Great Bear Fist''''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/english/history/history.html|title=History of Toei Animation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toei-animation.com/en/catalog/ken_the_great_bear_fist|title=Ken the great bear fist (TOEI Animation Europe)}}</ref> is a Japanese manga series that was originally serialized from 1983 to 1988 in the Japanese magazine ''[[wikipedia:Weekly Shōnen Jump|Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'', created by [[Tetsuo Hara]] and [[Buronson]]. The manga spans 245 chapters that were originally reprinted in 27 collected volumes ([[wikipedia:tankōbon|tankōbon]]) under the ''Jump Comics'' imprint.
-Set in a [[wikipedia:Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|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 64th successor of {{nihongo|''[[Hokuto Shin Ken]]''|北斗神拳|"Divine Fist of the North Star"}},<ref name=hokutoshinken>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.</ref> an ancient 1,800 year old secret martial arts style that allows its practitioner to destroy an opponent's body from within by striking into their secret [[wikipedia:Channel (Chinese medicine)|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.
+Set in a [[wikipedia:Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|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 64th successor of {{nihongo|''[[Hokuto Shin Ken]]''|北斗神拳|"Divine Fist of the North Star"}},<ref name=hokutoshinken>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.</ref> an ancient 1,800 year-old secret martial arts style that allows its practitioner to destroy an opponent's body from within by striking into their secret [[wikipedia:Channel (Chinese medicine)|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.<ref name=comipress>{{cite web |url=http://comipress.com/article/2007/05/06/1923 |title=Shōnen Jump Manga Circulation Numbers|accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=ComiPress }}</ref> In a poll conducted by [[wikipedia:TV Asahi|TV Asahi]] in 2005, the ''Fist of the North Star'' anime series ranked 26 in a list of Top 100 Anime series.<ref name=asahi1>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime |title=TV Asahi Top 100 Anime|accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=Anime News Network }}</ref> In a second poll in 2006, it ranked No. 89.<ref name=asahi2>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japan's-favorite-tv-anime |title=Japan's Favorite TV Anime |accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=Anime News Network }}</ref> In a celebrity version of the poll, it ranked No. 15.
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 ===Serialization===
-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]].<ref name=ADVBuronson>{{cite web |url=http://www.advfilms.com/titles/fistofthenorthstar/interview.html|title=Interview with Buronson|accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=ADV Films Presents: New Fist of the North Star }}</ref>
+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 ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max 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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee Bruce Lee].<ref name=ADVBuronson>{{cite web |url=http://www.advfilms.com/titles/fistofthenorthstar/interview.html|title=Interview with Buronson|accessdate=2007-07-21 |format=html |work=ADV Films Presents: New Fist of the North Star }}</ref>
 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.<ref name="raijinhara" />
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 After the manga ended its run, Tetsuo Hara and Buronson wrote a novel based on the manga titled {{nihongo|''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 {{nihongo|''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 {{nihongo|''[[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.
+In 2001, Tetsuo Hara began working on a ''Fist of the North Star'' prequel titled {{nihongo|''[[Fist of the Blue Sky]]''|蒼天の拳|Sōten no Ken}}, which is currently serialized in ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weekly_Comic_Bunch Weekly Comic Bunch]''. Set during the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Sino-Japanese_War 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 {{nihongo|''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:
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 * {{nihongo|''The Conquering King of the Heavens: Fist of the North Star Raoh's Story''|[[w:ja:天の覇王 北斗の拳ラオウ外伝|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.<ref name=raohgaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/comic_info/tenno_haou/index.html|title=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|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref>
-* {{nihongo|''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 [[Ayumi Kasai|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.<ref name=yuriagaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4091814786/hokuto1-22/ref=nosim|title=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)|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref>
+* {{nihongo|''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 [[Ayumi Kasai|Akimi Kasai]]. Serialized at ''Big Comics Superior'' in three parts that ran from <u>March 10 to April 14, 2006</u> and six subsequent chapters from <u>March 9 to June 8, 2007.</u> A single tankobon volume was released.<ref name=yuriagaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4091814786/hokuto1-22/ref=nosim|title=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)|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref>
-* {{nihongo|''Fist of the North Star: Rei Side Story''|北斗の拳 レイ外伝|Hokuto no Ken Rei Gaiden}} by [[Mie Nekoi|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 {{nihongo|''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''.<ref name=reigaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/magazine_info/index.html|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref> The ongoing series was originally subtitled {{nihongo|''The Hungry Wolf Saga''|餓狼編|Garō Hen}}, but has since been retitled {{nihongo|''Bloody Wolf's Darkness Blue''|[[w:ja:蒼黒の餓狼 -北斗の拳 レイ外伝-|蒼黒の餓狼]]|Sōkoku no Garō|The Dark Blue Hungry Wolf}}.
+* {{nihongo|''Fist of the North Star: Rei Side Story''|北斗の拳 レイ外伝|Hokuto no Ken Rei Gaiden}} by [[Mie Nekoi|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 {{nihongo|''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''.<ref name=reigaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/magazine_info/index.html|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-07-29 |format=html |work= }}</ref> The ongoing series was originally subtitled {{nihongo|''The Hungry Wolf Saga''|餓狼編|Garō Hen}}, but has since been retitled {{nihongo|''Bloody Wolf's Darkness Blue''|[[w:ja:蒼黒の餓狼 -北斗の拳 レイ外伝-|蒼黒の餓狼]]|Sōkoku no Garō|The Dark Blue Hungry Wolf}}.
 * {{nihongo|''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 [[Shin-ichi Hiromoto|Hiromoto Sin-Ichi]], published in the [[December 8]], [[2006]] issue of Comic Bunch.
-* {{nihongo|''The Silver Saint: Fist of the North Star Toki's Story''|[[w:ja:銀の聖者 北斗の拳 トキ外伝|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''.<ref name=tokigaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/magazine_info/index.html|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-08-10 |format=html |work= }}</ref>
+* {{nihongo|''The Silver Saint: Fist of the North Star Toki's Story''|[[w:ja:銀の聖者 北斗の拳 トキ外伝|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''.<ref name=tokigaiden>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbunch.com/magazine_info/index.html|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：最新号情報と予告|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-08-10 |format=html |work= }}</ref>
 ==Plot overview==
-The prologue of ''Fist of the North Star'' informs us that the world was engaged in a global [[Nuclear war of 199X|nuclear war]] in the year [[wikipedia:19XX|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 64th successor of the art of [[Hokuto Shinken]], a deadly 1,800 year-old [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansatsuken 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 prologue of ''Fist of the North Star'' informs us that the world was engaged in a global [[Nuclear war of 199X|nuclear war]] in the year [[wikipedia:199X|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 64th successor of the art of [[Hokuto Shinken]], a deadly 1,800 year-old [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansatsuken 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 young sidekicks, [[Bat ]]and [[Lin]]. The initial story arc then centers Kenshiro's quest to reclaim his fiancéé, Yuria, who was taken from him by old acquaintance called Shin, a master of the rival {{nihongo|''Nanto Koshu Ken''|南斗孤鷲拳||"Lone Eagle Fist of the South Star"}} style.<ref name=Nanto>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 [[Dipper (Chinese constellation)|South Dipper]], a Chinese asterism that forms part of [[Sagittarius (constellation)|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]].</ref> 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 adoptive 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 {{nihongo|''Nanto Roku Seiken''|南斗六聖拳||"Six Sacred Fists of the South Star"}}, and the Hokuto brothers' involvement in it.
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 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, the successor of [[Nanto Koshu Ken]] , 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 Kō Ken |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.
+After Raoh's death, the [[Gento Kō Ken |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).
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 ===Fighting styles===
 {{see|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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_point vital points  ]on the human body that forms part of a fictional system known as the {{nihongo|''keiraku hikō''|経絡秘孔||"secret [[Channel (Chinese medicine)|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 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_point vital points ]on the human body that forms part of a fictional system known as the {{nihongo|''keiraku hikō''|経絡秘孔||"secret [[Channel (Chinese medicine)|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''.
@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="clear:none; font-size:90%; margin:0 auto; padding:0 auto;width:80%"
 |+ align="center" colspan="1" |Original '''Jump Comics''' volumes
+|-
 ! width="20%" | Vol. !! Title !! Release date!!<ref name=jumpcomics/> ISBN
 |-align="center"
@@ Line 147: / Line 148: @@
 ===English editions===
-[[Image:FotNS Master Ed 1.jpg|thumb|right|''Fist of the North Star: Master Edition Vol. 9'', published by Gutsoon.]]
+[[Image:FotNS Master Ed 1.jpg|thumb|right|''Fist of the North Star: Master Edition Vol. 9'', published by Gutsoon.|link=Special:FilePath/FotNS_Master_Ed_1.jpg]]
 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 Media|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. Unfortunately, due to its age and a changing comic market more oriented towards [[T&A]] than mature violence[I.E. [[Gen 13]]], Fist was never really a hit with the company.
@@ Line 194: / Line 195: @@
 ===TV series===
-{{main|TV series}}
+{{main|Hokuto no Ken (TV anime)}}
-The manga by was adapted into two [[wikipedia:anime|animated]] [[animated television series|television series]] produced by [[Toei Animation]]. The original series, simply titled {{nihongo|''Hokuto no Ken''|北斗の拳|}}, 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 manga was adapted into two [[wikipedia:anime|animated]] [[wikipedia:television series|television series]] produced by [[Toei Animation]]. The original series, simply titled {{nihongo|''Hokuto no Ken''|北斗の拳|}}, 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).
 ===[[Hokuto no Ken (1986 movie)]]===
-===1995 live-action movie===
+===[[Fist of the North Star (live-action film)|'''Fist of the North Star (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 [[Big Van Vader|Leon White]] (then known as Big Van Vader) as Goliath. The movie saw a theatrical release in Japan, but went [[direct-to-video|straight-to-video]] in the US (though it did receive a premiere on HBO.) The Japanese dubbed version used the original voice actors from the 1980s anime series.
@@ Line 229: / Line 230: @@
 ==Video games==
 {{main|List of video games}}
-[[Image:Pachinko machine dsc04788.jpg|thumb|A ''Fist of the North Star'' [[pachinko]] machine]]
+[[Image:Pachinko machine dsc04788.jpg|thumb|A ''Fist of the North Star'' [[pachinko]] machine|link=Special:FilePath/Pachinko_machine_dsc04788.jpg]]
 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 ([[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[Game Boy]] and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|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 (video game)|Black Belt]]'' and ''[[Last Battle (video game)|Last Battle]]'' respectively, with the ''North Star'' license and character likenesses removed.
@@ Line 256: / Line 257: @@
 **[http://hokuto.wikia.com Hokuto no Ken @ Wikia]
 **[http://fby.develer.com/fby2/projects/hnk.html Kenshiro Soundtracks] - Hokuto No Ken 90s game project (fby [[Fabio Barzagli]])
+[[Category:Manga series]]
+[[Category:Anime series]]