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    {{Infobox film
    {{Infobox film
    | name          = Fist of the North Star
    | name          = Fist of the North Star
    | image          = Hokuto no Ken (1986 movie pamphlet).jpg
    | image          = [[Image:Hokuto no Ken (1986 movie pamphlet).jpg|350x350px]]
    | image_size    =
    | caption        = Theatrical pamphlet distributed in 1986
    | caption        = Theatrical pamphlet distributed in 1986
    | director      = Toyoo Ashida
    | director      = [[Toyoo Ashida]]
    | producer      = [[Toei Animation]]
    | producer      = [[wikipedia:Toei Animation|Toei Animation]]
    | writer        = Susumu Takaku
    | writer        = Susumu Takaku
    | narrator      = [[Taro Ishida]]
    | narrator      = [[w:c:yamato:Taro Ishida|Tarō Ishida]]
    | starring      = [[Akira Kamiya]]
    | starring      = [[Akira Kamiya]]
    | music          = [[Katsuhisa Hattori]]
    | music          = [[wikipedia:Katsuhisa Hattori|Katsuhisa Hattori]]
    | cinematography = Tamio Hosoda
    | cinematography = Tamio Hosoda
    | editing        = Masaaki Hanai
    | editing        = Masaaki Hanai
    | distributor    = [[Toei]]
    | distributor    = [[wikipedia:Toei Company|Toei Company]]
    | studio = [[Toei Animation]]
    | studio = [[wikipedia:Toei Animation|Toei Animation]]
    | released      = March 8, 1986
    | released      = March 8, 1986
    | runtime        = 110 minutes
    | runtime        = 110 minutes
    Line 23: Line 22:
    | followed_by    =  
    | followed_by    =  
    }}
    }}
    An animated [[feature film]] version of ''Fist of the North Star'' was produced by [[Toei Animation]], which premiered in Japan on [[March 8]], [[1986]].(<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142371 |title=Hokuto no ken (1986) |publisher=Imdb.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref>) The movie was intended to be a big-screen treatment of the manga, and avoid the watering-down of violence that came with the TV series. An English-dubbed version produced by [[Streamline Pictures]] was first released in 1991 in the USA and 1994 in the UK and Australia by [[Manga Entertainment]]. A New Zealand release was never scheduled by Manga Entertainment so it never had an official release there.
    An animated feature film version of ''Fist of the North Star'' was produced by Toei Animation, which premiered in Japan on March 8, 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142371 |title=Hokuto no ken (1986) |publisher=Imdb.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref> The movie was intended to be a big-screen treatment of the manga, and avoid the watering-down of violence that came with the TV series. An English-dubbed version produced by Streamline Pictures was first released in 1991 in the USA and 1994 in the UK and Australia by Manga Entertainment. A New Zealand release was never scheduled by Manga Entertainment so it never had an official release there.


    '''Plot differences from the manga and TV series'''<br />
    ==Plot differences from the manga and TV series==
    In a notable deviation from the series, the film finds time to begin with a detailed peek at the Earth as it was before and during the fabled nuclear devastation. Starting with a calm, surreal look at various points of Mother Nature, a brief on-screen message then informs the audience of the imminent calamity, followed by unsettling ''[[Barefoot Gen]]''-esque scenes of human life consumed in flame.
    In a notable deviation from the series, the film finds time to begin with a detailed peek at the Earth as it was before and during the fabled nuclear devastation. Starting with a calm, surreal look at various points of Mother Nature, a brief on-screen message then informs the audience of the imminent calamity, followed by unsettling ''[[wikipedia:Barefoot Gen|Barefoot Gen]]''-esque scenes of human life consumed in flame.


    The film follows the storyline of the manga from Kenshiro's defeat at the hands of Shin to the first battle with Raoh, although certain liberties were taken to tell the story in a condensed form. For example, Toki, the second of the four Hokuto Brothers, is never seen nor mentioned, while Shin and Rei are the only Nanto Seiken masters to appear in the film. Although Yuria's Nanto heritage is mentioned through out the movie in the Japanese version, her role as the last Nanto General is downplayed. Her fate has also been altered from the original story, wherein this time she is kidnapped by Raoh instead of jumping off Shin's palace to resurface later as the Last Nanto General. She disappears during the final battle and her survival remains ambiguous at the conclusion of the film. Mamiya, Rei's love interest, is never seen, partly because Yuria is the heroine in her place. Raoh serves as the main antagonist, with Jagi and Shin as the other two major villains. Many other villains from the manga and anime such as the Colonel and Jackal only make cameo appearances as minor henchmen with some of the notable fight scenes involving Zeed, Heart, the Fang King and Uighur. All together the order and occurrences of the original story were almost completely rewritten.
    The film follows the storyline of the manga from [[Kenshiro|Kenshiro's]] defeat at the hands of [[Shin]] to the first battle with [[Raoh]], although certain liberties were taken to tell the story in a condensed form. For example, [[Toki]], the second of the four Hokuto Brothers, is never seen nor mentioned, while Shin and [[Rei]] are the only [[Nanto Seiken]] masters to appear in the film. Although [[Yuria|Yuria's]] Nanto heritage is mentioned through out the movie in the Japanese version, her role as the [[Last Nanto General]] is downplayed. Her fate has also been altered from the original story, wherein this time she is kidnapped by Raoh instead of jumping off Shin's palace to resurface later as the Last Nanto General. She disappears during the final battle and her survival remains ambiguous at the conclusion of the film. [[Mamiya]], Rei's love interest, is never seen, partly because Yuria is the heroine in her place. Raoh serves as the main antagonist, with [[Jagi]] and Shin as the other two major villains. Many other villains from the manga and anime, such as the [[Colonel]] and [[Jackal]], only make cameo appearances as minor henchmen with some of the notable fight scenes involving [[Zeed]], [[Heart]], the [[Kiba Daiō]] and [[Uighur]]. Altogether the order and occurrences of the original story were almost completely rewritten.


    There were two endings produced for the film. The original theatrical ending in Japan showed Raoh emerging victorious over Kenshiro, but sparing his life, leaving him to protect Lin. An alternate ending was produced that shows the fight ending in a draw, which was the ending featured in the VHS and Laserdisc release of the film in Japan. The English dub version by Streamline Pictures is based on the theatrical version and thus features the original ending. Many Western fans believe that the "draw ending" was the original ending, but this is a common misconception due to the fact that the original ending where Raoh wins is not featured in any of the official home video releases in Japan. The upcoming [[Region 2]] [[DVD Video|DVD]]  release of the film will feature both endings.
    ==Alternate versions==
    ===Endings===
    There were two endings produced for the film. The original ending shown in the theatrical version has Raoh emerging victorious over Kenshiro, but sparing his life, leaving him to protect Lin. An alternate ending was produced that end the fight in a draw, which is the ending featured in the VHS and Laserdisc releases of the film in Japan (although, the 1995 film comic adaptation depicts the original ending). All the international cuts feature the original ending. The reason for the change in ending has never been officially revealed, although it is believed that fans were unsatisfied with Kenshiro losing the final fight.


    '''Reception'''<br />
    The 2008 Japanese DVD release of the film features the theatrical ending as a bonus feature, but only on the first print run. Because the revised ending was produced on a different film stock, it did not undergo the same remastering treatment that the rest of the movie did (including the original ending), resulting in a drastic drop in visual quality when the scene is played (on the 1:40:45 time mark).
    The English dub version of the movie was the first animated incarnation of ''Fist of the North Star'' to be released in English, and has had mixed reviews among casual viewers and anime fandom. A review from Akemi's Anime World calls it "so bad it's good, and the original in the genre" and calls quality of the dub "cheesy", but "suitable".<ref name=Akemi>{{cite web|url=http://animeworld.com/reviews/fistofthenorthstar.html|title=AAW: Fist of the North Star (Movie) Review|accessdate=2007-09-03}}</ref> Richard Harrington of the [[Washington Post]] criticized the violent nature of the movie and quality of the animation, saying that "watching it you'll feel as comfortable as a hemophiliac in a razor blade factory".<ref name=washingtonpost>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/fistofthenorthstarrharrington_a0ab1d.htm|title=Washing ton Post (‘Fist of the North Star’ review)|accessdate=2007-09-03}}</ref> Stephen Nolden of the [[New York Times]] expresses that "in its carelessly translated and poorly dubbed English adaptation, the characters express themselves in diction so stiff that they seem ludicrously prissy".<ref name=NYtimes>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=http://movies2.nytimes.com/movie/review&OQ=_rQ3D1Q26resQ3D9D0CE1D6163EF936A25752C1A967958260Q26pagewantedQ3Dprint&OP=33e6792Q2FgeQ27NgQ3CPiQ27Q7EEQ51gBiVQ7EQ5BQ5BQ3CQ20gQ5BdWiQ27BiQ27EgQ51WrPQ27Q3CgdQ27rPQ27eQ26Q5BsQ5BgQ51WrPQ27gdQ27rPQ27e|title=New York Times (Review of Fist of the North Star)|accessdate=2007-09-03}}</ref>


    Noteworthy criticism by Charles Solomon, proclaims that Kenshiro "looks like a caricature of Sylvester Stallone drawn for an American Saturday morning cartoon show. " He further states that 'The relatively simple story is burdened with many subplots involving evil brothers, betrayals, kidnappings, and murders, all needing endless expository scenes. "He is also quick to point out its blatant similarities with films of western culture such as Mad Max. He makes a bold claim that "Fist of the North probably ranks as the most violent film in animation history" also commenting that the abundance of violence is unintentionally comedic.<ref name=Solomon>{{cite web|url=http://www.flixster.com/movie/fist-of-the-north-star|title=Flixster: Fist of the North Star (Movie) Review|accessdate=2008-01-02}}</ref>  + - Reviews from Flixster.com as recent as 2007 state "This is hands-down the best animated movie I've ever seen." ,and boast that the soundtrack is brilliant at times, furthermore one such fan, proclaims proudly "Kung Fu enthusiasts rejoice, for this is your anthem.".<ref name=Solomon>{{cite web|url=http://www.flixster.com/movie/fist-of-the-north-star|title=Flixster: Fist of the North Star (Movie) Review|accessdate=2008-01-02}}</ref>
    Another change in the ending made in the home video versions was the addition of a black title card with the kanji 完 (''kan'') for "The End" after the closing credits. Reportedly this title card was not present in the a theatrical version and was only added on the home video releases after plans for a sequel were abandoned.


    ===Cast===
    <div class="thumb tright"> </div>
     
    ===Censorship===
     
    <div class="thumb tright">
    [[File:Hokuto No Ken Movie - Uncut scenes from the Italian VHS (High Quality)|thumb|425x425px]]
    </div>
    A number of the film's violent scenes, particularly those involving close-ups of human decapitations and butchering, were toned down through the use of discoloration or a rainbow blurring effect in most versions of the film including the original Japanese release. This is evident in one of the preview trailers, which features a shot of Rei slicing the head of one of Fox's henchmen without the blur.
     
    Currently, no fully uncensored version of the film has ever been released and it's not known for certain if an uncensored version was ever shown in theaters. However, the Italian dubbed version, released on VHS in 1993 by Granata Press and re-released in 1996 by Dynamic Italia, included a select few scenes unedited:
    * The scene when Shin engraves the seven wounds on Kenshiro's chest (as well as the later flashback of the same scene when Kenshiro is resting in Lin's village) has no discoloration when Shin is making the wounds with his fingers. There's also no cloudy blur in the shot when Shin lifts his bloodied finger next to his face.
    * The scene in which one of Zeed's underlings explodes in front of Bat, spilling blood on his face, has no discoloration.
    * When Raoh's army is marching into the city of Cassandra, there's short scene in which Galf crushes the head of a villager whose chanting is off-key. In the censored version, it cuts to a shot of Raoh's army just when Galf grabs the villager's head and then cuts back to Galf after the villager's body falls to the ground. This is notable for being the only known scene that was outright edited from the movie rather than being blurred out.
    The other scenes of violence, including the aforementioned head slicing shot with Rei, are still blurred out in the Italian version. A fan-edit was released online which inserts all the known uncensored scenes into the 2008 remastered version.
     
    ===Credits===
    The 1991 English dubbed version by Streamline Pictures is the only international version which features credits in its own language, rather than simply retaining the Japanese credits, crediting not only the original Toei Animation staff, but also the cast and crew who worked on the English dub. This suggests that Streamline Pictures had access to clean versions of these animated sequences to create their own credits. Despite this, no credit-less versions of these sequences were ever released publicly.
     
    ==Cast==
    {| class="wikitable"
    {| class="wikitable"
    |-
    |-
    ! Character !! Japanese version !! English version
    ! Character !! Japanese version !! English version
    |-
    |-
    ! Kenshiro (Ken)
    ! [[Kenshiro]]
    | [[Akira Kamiya]] || [[John Vickery]]
    | [[Akira Kamiya]] || [[w:c:startrek:John Vickery|John Vickery]] ''as Ken''
    |-
    ! [[Yuria]]
    | [[Yuriko Yamamoto]] || [[w:c:manga:Melodee Spevack|Melodee Spivack]] ''as Julia''
    |-
    |-
    ! Raoh
    ! [[Raoh]]
    | [[Kenji Utsumi]] || [[Wally Burr]]
    | [[Kenji Utsumi]] || [[w:c:transformers:Wally Burr|Wally Burr]]
    |-
    |-
    ! Shin
    ! [[Jagi]]
    | [[Toshio Furukawa]] || [[Michael McConnohie]]
    | [[Chikao Ōtsuka]] || [[w:c:robotech:Dan Woren|Dan Woren]]
    |-
    |-
    ! Yuria (Julia)
    ! [[Shin]]
    | [[Yuriko Yamamoto]] || [[Melodee Spevack]]
    | [[Toshio Furukawa]] || [[w:c:robotech:Michael McConnohie|Michael McConnohie]]
    |-
    |-
    ! Airi (Alei)
    ! [[Rei]]
    | [[Arisa Andou]] || [[Barbara Goodson]]
    | [[Kaneto Shiozawa]] || [[w:c:robotech:Gregory Snegoff|Gregory Snegoff]] ''as Ray''
    |-
    |-
    ! Jagi
    ! [[Lin]]
    | [[Chikao Ohtsuka]] || [[Dan Woren]]
    | [[Tomiko Suzuki]] || [http://www.hollysidell.com/ Holly Sidell] ''as Lynn''
    |-
    |-
    ! Rei (Ray)
    ! [[Bat]]
    | [[Kaneto Shiozawa]] || [[Greg Snegoff]]
    | [[Teiyū Ichiryūsai|Mie Suzuki]] || [[w:c:robotech:Tony Oliver|Tony Oliver]]
    |-
    |-
    ! Bat
    ! [[Airi]]
    | [[Teiyū Ichiryūsai|Mie Suzuki]] || [[Tony Oliver]]
    | [[Arisa Andō]] || [[w:c:robotech:Barbara Goodson|Barbara Goodson]] ''as Alei''
    |-
    |-
    ! Lin (Lynn)
    ! [[Ryūken]]
    | [[Tomiko Suzuki]] || [[Holly Sidell]]
    | [[Junji Chiba]] || [[w:c:startrek:Jeff Corey|Jeff Corey]] ''as Ryuuken''
    |-
    |-
    ! Uighur
    ! [[Zeed]]
    | [[Daisuke Gouri]] || [[Greg Snegoff]]
    | [[Hidekatsu Shibata]] || [[w:c:startrek:Michael Forest|Mike Forest]] ''as Zenda''
    |-
    |-
    ! Jackal
    ! [[Heart]]
    | [[Hiroshi Ohtake]] || [[Michael Forest]]
    | [[wikipedia:Junpei Takiguchi|Junpei Takiguchi]] || [[w:c:voiceacting:Dave Mallow|Dave Mallow]] ''as Hart''
    |-
    |-
    ! Ryuken
    ! [[Fox]]
    | [[Junji Chiba]] || [[Jeff Corey]]
    | [[Takeshi Aono]] || [[w:c:robotech:Carl Macek|Carl Macek]]
    |-
    |-
    ! Heart
    ! [[Jackal]]
    | [[Junpei Takiguchi]] || [[Dave Mallow]]
    | [[wikipedia:Hiroshi Ōtake|Hiroshi Ōtake]] || [[w:c:startrek:Michael Forest|Mike Forest]]
    |-
    |-
    ! Old Man
    ! [[Uighur]]
    | [[Kôhei Miyauchi]] || [[Steve Bulen]]
    | [[Daisuke Gōri]] || [[w:c:robotech:Gregory Snegoff|Gregory Snegoff]] ''as Uygle''
    |-
    |-
    ! Colonel
    ! [[Kiba Daiō]]
    | [[Kouji Yada]] || [[Dave Mallow]]
    | [[Takeshi Watabe]] || [[wikipedia:James Avery (actor)|James Avery]] ''as Fang''
    |-
    |-
    ! Fox
    ! [[Galf]]
    | [[Takeshi Aono]] || [[Carl Macek]]
    | [[Jōji Yanami]] || [[w:c:robotech:Tom Wyner|Tom Wyner]] ''as Thugmeister''
    |-
    |-
    ! Kiba Daio (Fang King)
    ! Elder [[Ukoku]]
    | [[Takeshi Watabe]] || [[James Avery (actor)|James Avery]]
    | [[Kōhei Miyauchi]] || [[wikipedia:Steve Bulen|Steve Bulen]] ''as Wise Man''
    |-
    |-
    ! Narrator
    ! [[Colonel]]
    | [[Tarô Ishida]] || [[Jeff Corey]]
    | [[Kōji Yada]] || [[w:c:voiceacting:Dave Mallow|Dave Mallow]] ''as Captain''
    |-
    ! [[Jūji Ken Nunchaku|Nunchaku Thug]]
    | [[Yūsaku Yara]] || [[wikipedia:Steve Bulen|Steve Bulen]]
    |-
    ! [[Kubaru]]
    | [[Shigeru Chiba]] || [[w:c:transformers:Kirk Thornton|Kirk Thornton]] ''as Head Banger''
    |-
    ! Z Gang
    | [[Banjō Ginga]]<br />[[Ryōichi Tanaka]]<br />[[Yasuo Tanaka]] || [[wikipedia:Steve Bulen|Steve Bulen]]<br />[[w:c:startrek:Michael Forest|Mike Forest]]<br />[[w:c:voiceacting:Dave Mallow|Dave Mallow]]<br />[[w:c:transformers:Kirk Thornton|Kirk Thornton]]
    |-
    ! Old Woman
    | [[Reiko Suzuki]] || [[w:c:robotech:Catherine Battistone|Catherine Battistone]]
    |-
    |-
    ! Dying Woman
    ! Dying Woman
    | [[Youko Kawanami]] || [[Lisa Michelson]]
    | [[w:c:dragonball:Yoko Kawanami|Yōko Kawanami]] || [[w:c:robotech:Lisa Michelson|Lisa Michelson]]
    |-
    ! Additional Voices
    | [[Masayuki Katō]]<br />[[Michitaka Kobayashi]]<br />[[Masaharu Satō]]<br />[[Ikuya Sawaki]]<br />[[Kōzō Shioya]]<br />[[Yasuo Tanaka]] || [[wikipedia:Steve Bulen|Steve Bulen]]<br />[[w:c:transformers:Wally Burr|Wally Burr]]<br />[[w:c:robotech:Barbara Goodson|Barbara Goodson]]<br />[[w:c:robotech:Wendee Lee|Wendee Lee]] ''as Pillage Victim''<br />[[w:c:robotech:Edie Mirman|Edie Mirman]] as ''Screamer''<br />[[wikipedia:Doug Stone (voice actor)|Doug Stone]] ''as Torture Victim''<br />[[w:c:transformers:Kirk Thornton|Kirk Thornton]]
    |-
    ! Narrator
    | [[w:c:yamato:Taro Ishida|Tarō Ishida]] || [[w:c:startrek:Jeff Corey|Jeff Corey]]
    |}
    |}
    ==Techniques featured==
    *Shin: '''[[Nanto Gokuto Ken|Nanto Gokusatsu Ken]]'''
    *Jagi: '''[[Hokuto Rakan Geki]]'''
    *Kiba Daioh: '''[[Kazan Kogai Koho]]'''
    *Uighur: '''[[Taizan-ryu Senjo Ben]]'''
    *Kenshiro/Raoh: '''[[Hokuto Shichishi Toki Dan]]''': This technique was named in the trailer.
    ===Pressure points===
    *'''Kyosetsu''' ({{ruby|拒節|きょせつ}}) - Used on Jagi. Note that this was named in this movie.
    ==Trivia==
    * Kenshiro doesn't announce any of his trademark techniques throughout the movie.
    * The animators studied human anatomy to make the deaths look realistic.
    * [[Heart|Mr. Heart]] is referred by the name "Elephant" (エレファント) on the character model sheets and early promotional materials.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://razorsharp.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-442.html|title=「北斗の拳」で美しいと言えば… (Razor Sharp)}}</ref> This planned name change was presumably done to go along with the animal motif of [[Fox]] and [[Jackal]], who were rewritten to be [[Jagi]]'s henchmen along with Heart. However, he retains his original name in the finalized film.
    * The February 3, 1986 issue　of ''Weekly Jump'' (issue no.8 of 1986) features a preview of the movie on the other side of [[HnK Chapter 118|the issue's ''Hokuto no Ken'' spread]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ameblo.jp/neo-izayoi-onepiece/entry-12191323205.html|title=【ジャンプ黄金期】1986年『第8号』2月3日号}}</ref> The preview lists a slightly different lineup of matches compared to the ones actually featured in the actual movie. Most notably it lists the third match as "[[Kenshiro]] vs. [[Devil Rebirth]]", the latter being a character who is not in the movie. Other matches not in the final movie include "[[Shin]] vs. [[Raoh]]" (the actual fight is alluded in the movie, but only the outcome is shown), "[[Rei]] vs. [[Kiba Daiō]]" and "Kenshiro vs. [[Uighur]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kitayama3800.publog.jp/archives/25203611.html|title=劇場版　北斗の拳のパンフレットを入手!!　you は shock}}</ref>
    *The film was released in Dolby Stereo. Along with a few Hokuto no Ken digest tapes releases, the film is one of the few medias to feature stereo audio.
    ==Gallery==
    <gallery>
    File:Box-btm2b.png
    File:Ken yuria.png
    File:Raoh Shin.jpg
    Image:Zpunk1.jpg|va [[Banjō Ginga]]
    Image:Zpunk3.jpg|va [[Ryōichi Tanaka]]
    Image:Zpunk4.jpg|va [[Yasuo Tanaka]]
    Image:Villager.jpg|va [[Michitaka Kobayashi]]
    Image:Nunchuck Guy Movie ..png|va [[Yūsaku Yara]]
    Image:Sawer.jpg|va [[Kōzō Shioya]]
    Image:Jiji.jpg|va [[Kōhei Miyauchi]]
    Image:Sawhead.jpg|va [[Shigeru Chiba]]
    Image:Oldwoman.jpg|va [[Reiko Suzuki]]
    Image:Peasant.jpg|va [[Yasuo Tanaka]]
    Image:Galf Crush.jpg|va [[Jōji Yanami]]
    Image:D.jpg|[[w:c:vampirehunterd:D|Vampire Hunter D]]
    Image:Arion.jpg|[[wikipedia:Arion (manga)|Arion]]
    </gallery>
    ==References==
    {{reflist}}
    *[[wikipedia:ja:北斗の拳 (1986年の映画)]]
    ==External links==
    *{{ann|movie|2135|Hokuto no Ken}}
    *{{imdb title|0142371|Hokuto no Ken}}
    *[http://shop.toei-anim.co.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=1683 Official site of the 25th anniversary DVD release by Toei] {{ja}}
    [[Category:Movies]]

    Latest revision as of 01:34, 27 February 2023

    Fist of the North Star

    Theatrical pamphlet distributed in 1986
    Directed by Toyoo Ashida
    Produced by Toei Animation
    Written by Susumu Takaku
    Narrated by Tarō Ishida
    Starring Akira Kamiya
    Music by Katsuhisa Hattori
    Cinematography Tamio Hosoda
    Editing by Masaaki Hanai
    Studio Toei Animation
    Distributed by Toei Company
    Release date(s) March 8, 1986
    Running time 110 minutes
    Country Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: convert: command not found  Japan
    Language Japanese
    Gross revenue ¥1,800,000,000

    An animated feature film version of Fist of the North Star was produced by Toei Animation, which premiered in Japan on March 8, 1986.[1] The movie was intended to be a big-screen treatment of the manga, and avoid the watering-down of violence that came with the TV series. An English-dubbed version produced by Streamline Pictures was first released in 1991 in the USA and 1994 in the UK and Australia by Manga Entertainment. A New Zealand release was never scheduled by Manga Entertainment so it never had an official release there.

    Plot differences from the manga and TV series[edit | edit source]

    In a notable deviation from the series, the film finds time to begin with a detailed peek at the Earth as it was before and during the fabled nuclear devastation. Starting with a calm, surreal look at various points of Mother Nature, a brief on-screen message then informs the audience of the imminent calamity, followed by unsettling Barefoot Gen-esque scenes of human life consumed in flame.

    The film follows the storyline of the manga from Kenshiro's defeat at the hands of Shin to the first battle with Raoh, although certain liberties were taken to tell the story in a condensed form. For example, Toki, the second of the four Hokuto Brothers, is never seen nor mentioned, while Shin and Rei are the only Nanto Seiken masters to appear in the film. Although Yuria's Nanto heritage is mentioned through out the movie in the Japanese version, her role as the Last Nanto General is downplayed. Her fate has also been altered from the original story, wherein this time she is kidnapped by Raoh instead of jumping off Shin's palace to resurface later as the Last Nanto General. She disappears during the final battle and her survival remains ambiguous at the conclusion of the film. Mamiya, Rei's love interest, is never seen, partly because Yuria is the heroine in her place. Raoh serves as the main antagonist, with Jagi and Shin as the other two major villains. Many other villains from the manga and anime, such as the Colonel and Jackal, only make cameo appearances as minor henchmen with some of the notable fight scenes involving Zeed, Heart, the Kiba Daiō and Uighur. Altogether the order and occurrences of the original story were almost completely rewritten.

    Alternate versions[edit | edit source]

    Endings[edit | edit source]

    There were two endings produced for the film. The original ending shown in the theatrical version has Raoh emerging victorious over Kenshiro, but sparing his life, leaving him to protect Lin. An alternate ending was produced that end the fight in a draw, which is the ending featured in the VHS and Laserdisc releases of the film in Japan (although, the 1995 film comic adaptation depicts the original ending). All the international cuts feature the original ending. The reason for the change in ending has never been officially revealed, although it is believed that fans were unsatisfied with Kenshiro losing the final fight.

    The 2008 Japanese DVD release of the film features the theatrical ending as a bonus feature, but only on the first print run. Because the revised ending was produced on a different film stock, it did not undergo the same remastering treatment that the rest of the movie did (including the original ending), resulting in a drastic drop in visual quality when the scene is played (on the 1:40:45 time mark).

    Another change in the ending made in the home video versions was the addition of a black title card with the kanji 完 (kan) for "The End" after the closing credits. Reportedly this title card was not present in the a theatrical version and was only added on the home video releases after plans for a sequel were abandoned.

     

    Censorship[edit | edit source]

    File:Hokuto No Ken Movie - Uncut scenes from the Italian VHS (High Quality)

    A number of the film's violent scenes, particularly those involving close-ups of human decapitations and butchering, were toned down through the use of discoloration or a rainbow blurring effect in most versions of the film including the original Japanese release. This is evident in one of the preview trailers, which features a shot of Rei slicing the head of one of Fox's henchmen without the blur.

    Currently, no fully uncensored version of the film has ever been released and it's not known for certain if an uncensored version was ever shown in theaters. However, the Italian dubbed version, released on VHS in 1993 by Granata Press and re-released in 1996 by Dynamic Italia, included a select few scenes unedited:

    • The scene when Shin engraves the seven wounds on Kenshiro's chest (as well as the later flashback of the same scene when Kenshiro is resting in Lin's village) has no discoloration when Shin is making the wounds with his fingers. There's also no cloudy blur in the shot when Shin lifts his bloodied finger next to his face.
    • The scene in which one of Zeed's underlings explodes in front of Bat, spilling blood on his face, has no discoloration.
    • When Raoh's army is marching into the city of Cassandra, there's short scene in which Galf crushes the head of a villager whose chanting is off-key. In the censored version, it cuts to a shot of Raoh's army just when Galf grabs the villager's head and then cuts back to Galf after the villager's body falls to the ground. This is notable for being the only known scene that was outright edited from the movie rather than being blurred out.

    The other scenes of violence, including the aforementioned head slicing shot with Rei, are still blurred out in the Italian version. A fan-edit was released online which inserts all the known uncensored scenes into the 2008 remastered version.

    Credits[edit | edit source]

    The 1991 English dubbed version by Streamline Pictures is the only international version which features credits in its own language, rather than simply retaining the Japanese credits, crediting not only the original Toei Animation staff, but also the cast and crew who worked on the English dub. This suggests that Streamline Pictures had access to clean versions of these animated sequences to create their own credits. Despite this, no credit-less versions of these sequences were ever released publicly.

    Cast[edit | edit source]

    Character Japanese version English version
    Kenshiro Akira Kamiya John Vickery as Ken
    Yuria Yuriko Yamamoto Melodee Spivack as Julia
    Raoh Kenji Utsumi Wally Burr
    Jagi Chikao Ōtsuka Dan Woren
    Shin Toshio Furukawa Michael McConnohie
    Rei Kaneto Shiozawa Gregory Snegoff as Ray
    Lin Tomiko Suzuki Holly Sidell as Lynn
    Bat Mie Suzuki Tony Oliver
    Airi Arisa Andō Barbara Goodson as Alei
    Ryūken Junji Chiba Jeff Corey as Ryuuken
    Zeed Hidekatsu Shibata Mike Forest as Zenda
    Heart Junpei Takiguchi Dave Mallow as Hart
    Fox Takeshi Aono Carl Macek
    Jackal Hiroshi Ōtake Mike Forest
    Uighur Daisuke Gōri Gregory Snegoff as Uygle
    Kiba Daiō Takeshi Watabe James Avery as Fang
    Galf Jōji Yanami Tom Wyner as Thugmeister
    Elder Ukoku Kōhei Miyauchi Steve Bulen as Wise Man
    Colonel Kōji Yada Dave Mallow as Captain
    Nunchaku Thug Yūsaku Yara Steve Bulen
    Kubaru Shigeru Chiba Kirk Thornton as Head Banger
    Z Gang Banjō Ginga
    Ryōichi Tanaka
    Yasuo Tanaka    		 Steve Bulen
    Mike Forest
    Dave Mallow
    Kirk Thornton
    Old Woman Reiko Suzuki Catherine Battistone
    Dying Woman Yōko Kawanami Lisa Michelson
    Additional Voices Masayuki Katō
    Michitaka Kobayashi
    Masaharu Satō
    Ikuya Sawaki
    Kōzō Shioya
    Yasuo Tanaka    		 Steve Bulen
    Wally Burr
    Barbara Goodson
    Wendee Lee as Pillage Victim
    Edie Mirman as Screamer
    Doug Stone as Torture Victim
    Kirk Thornton
    Narrator Tarō Ishida Jeff Corey

    Techniques featured[edit | edit source]

    Pressure points[edit | edit source]

    • Kyosetsu (拒節(きょせつ)) - Used on Jagi. Note that this was named in this movie.

    Trivia[edit | edit source]

    • Kenshiro doesn't announce any of his trademark techniques throughout the movie.
    • The animators studied human anatomy to make the deaths look realistic.
    • Mr. Heart is referred by the name "Elephant" (エレファント) on the character model sheets and early promotional materials.[2] This planned name change was presumably done to go along with the animal motif of Fox and Jackal, who were rewritten to be Jagi's henchmen along with Heart. However, he retains his original name in the finalized film.
    • The February 3, 1986 issue　of Weekly Jump (issue no.8 of 1986) features a preview of the movie on the other side of the issue's Hokuto no Ken spread.[3] The preview lists a slightly different lineup of matches compared to the ones actually featured in the actual movie. Most notably it lists the third match as "Kenshiro vs. Devil Rebirth", the latter being a character who is not in the movie. Other matches not in the final movie include "Shin vs. Raoh" (the actual fight is alluded in the movie, but only the outcome is shown), "Rei vs. Kiba Daiō" and "Kenshiro vs. Uighur".[4]
    • The film was released in Dolby Stereo. Along with a few Hokuto no Ken digest tapes releases, the film is one of the few medias to feature stereo audio.

    Gallery[edit | edit source]

    References[edit | edit source]

    1. ↑ "Hokuto no ken (1986)". Imdb.com. Retrieved on 2008-09-14.
    2. ↑ "「北斗の拳」で美しいと言えば… (Razor Sharp)".
    3. ↑ "【ジャンプ黄金期】1986年『第8号』2月3日号".
    4. ↑ "劇場版　北斗の拳のパンフレットを入手!!　you は shock".

    External links[edit | edit source]

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