Fist of the North Star: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Fist of the North Star logo.png|thumb|right|The original version of the ''Fist of the North Star'' logo.]] | [[File:Fist of the North Star logo.png|thumb|right|The original version of the ''Fist of the North Star'' logo.]] | ||
'''''Fist of the North Star''''' is the official title given to the various English adaptations of the ''[[Hokuto no Ken]]'' franchise published since 1989. Despite the similar sounding title, the name ''Fist of the North Star'' itself is not a direct translation of ''Hokuto no Ken'', as ''Hokuto'' (literally | '''''Fist of the North Star''''' is the official title given to the various English adaptations of the ''[[Hokuto no Ken]]'' franchise published since 1989. Despite the similar sounding title, the name ''Fist of the North Star'' itself is not a direct translation of ''Hokuto no Ken'', as ''Hokuto'' (literally "Northern Dipper") is the Japanese equivalent of ''Běidǒu,'' the Chinese name for the asterism known in the West as the [[Hokuto Shichi Sei|Big Dipper]], whereas "North Star" traditionally refers to the star of [[Taikyokusei|Polaris]], which is part of a separate constellation. As a translation of ''Hokuto no Ken'', the ''Fist of the North Star'' title predates any official use in commerce, as it was used by fanzines published by Fred Patton's Cartoon/Fantasy Organization throughout the 1980's.<ref name=hokutonofogie_20100202>{{cite web|url=http://hokutonofogie.blogspot.com/2010/02/twenty-five-years-fights-kenshiro-all.html|title= Twenty Five Years Fights Kenshiro! The All About Man Punishes Old Typewriting!|website=Hokuto no Fogie}}</ref> | ||
The ''Fist of the North Star'' | The ''Fist of the North Star'' branding started appearing more often in Japanese products following the production of the [[Fist of the North Star (live-action film)|1995 live-action film version]]. The English title also served as the namesake for the [[Nobuhiko Horie]]-founded company [[North Stars Pictures]]. | ||
==''Ken the Great Bear Fist''== | ==''Ken the Great Bear Fist''== | ||
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Prior to the production of any official English adaptation of ''Hokuto no Ken'', Toei Corporation's International Sales & Promotion Department proposed the title ''Ken the Great Bear Fist'' for the foreign market, as they usually do for most of their works.<ref name=scifitoeienglish>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2013/03/01/toei-official-english-title-list/|title=Toei Official English Title List « SciFi Japan}}</ref> At one point during the 1980s, Toei produced a test English dub of the first episode (unrelated to the later dub produced Manga Entertainment) for promotional purposes in order to sell the rights of the series to potential foreign licensees. Reportedly this dub featured instrumental versions of the "[[Ai o Torimodose!!]]" and "[[Yuria... Towa ni]]" songs played alongside credit-less opening and ending animations.<ref>[http://blog.livedoor.jp/blauedonau/archives/50315044.html Promotional video info] (in Japanese)</ref> | Prior to the production of any official English adaptation of ''Hokuto no Ken'', Toei Corporation's International Sales & Promotion Department proposed the title ''Ken the Great Bear Fist'' for the foreign market, as they usually do for most of their works.<ref name=scifitoeienglish>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2013/03/01/toei-official-english-title-list/|title=Toei Official English Title List « SciFi Japan}}</ref> At one point during the 1980s, Toei produced a test English dub of the first episode (unrelated to the later dub produced Manga Entertainment) for promotional purposes in order to sell the rights of the series to potential foreign licensees. Reportedly this dub featured instrumental versions of the "[[Ai o Torimodose!!]]" and "[[Yuria... Towa ni]]" songs played alongside credit-less opening and ending animations.<ref>[http://blog.livedoor.jp/blauedonau/archives/50315044.html Promotional video info] (in Japanese)</ref> | ||
The title was also going to be used for Taxan's NES version of the [[Hokuto no Ken 2 (Famicom)|''Hokuto no Ken 2'' Famicom game]] at one point, before it was changed to ''Fist of the North Star'' in order to tie in with Viz's adaptation of the manga | The title was also going to be used for Taxan's NES version of the [[Hokuto no Ken 2 (Famicom)|''Hokuto no Ken 2'' Famicom game]] at one point, before it was changed to ''Fist of the North Star'' in order to tie in with Viz's adaptation of the manga.<ref name=1988sces>{{cite web|url=http://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/FC__1988Q3.html#sces|title=1988 Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago}}</ref> Despite this, the title ''Ken the Great Bear Fist'' is still used by Toei's corporate website.<ref name=toeicorp>{{cite web|url=http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/en/film/detail.php?id=179|title=KEN, THE GREAT BEAR FIST｜Film List｜TOEI ANIMATION}}</ref> It is assumed that the French and Italian titles of the anime, ''Ken le Survivant'' ("Ken the Survivor") and ''Ken il Guerriero'' ("Ken the Warrior") respectively, were derived from ''Ken the Great Bear Fist''. | ||
==Manga== | ==Manga== | ||
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Certain foreign language editions of ''Hokuto no Ken'', namely the first Italian edition (published under the title of ''Ken il Guerriero'') by Granata Press and the Spanish edition (''El puño de la estrella del norte'') by Planeta DeAgostini, were initially adapted from Viz's first run, but were eventually translated from the Japanese original after they reached the Chapter 16 cutoff point. | Certain foreign language editions of ''Hokuto no Ken'', namely the first Italian edition (published under the title of ''Ken il Guerriero'') by Granata Press and the Spanish edition (''El puño de la estrella del norte'') by Planeta DeAgostini, were initially adapted from Viz's first run, but were eventually translated from the Japanese original after they reached the Chapter 16 cutoff point. | ||
In 2021, VIZ started publishing a [[Fist of the North Star (VIZ Signature)|new translation]] of [[Hokuto no Ken: Ultimate Edition]]. | |||
===Gutsoon=== | ===Gutsoon=== | ||
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* ''Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage'' - Export version of ''[[Hokuto Musō]]''. Released in Japan as ''Hokuto Musō International''. | * ''Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage'' - Export version of ''[[Hokuto Musō]]''. Released in Japan as ''Hokuto Musō International''. | ||
* ''Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2'' - Export version of ''[[Shin Hokuto Musō]]''. | * ''Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2'' - Export version of ''[[Shin Hokuto Musō]]''. | ||
* ''Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise'' | |||
* ''Fist of the North Star: Legends ReVIVE'' - Export version of ''Hokuto no Ken: Legends ReVIVE''. | |||
==Live-action movie== | ==Live-action movie== | ||