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    {{nihongo|'''''Fist of the Blue Sky'''''|蒼天の拳|Sōten no Ken}} is a [[manga]] series by [[Tetsuo Hara]] with plot supervision by [[Buronson]], serialized in the ''[[Weekly Comic Bunch]]'' since 2001.<ref>[http://www.animenfo.com/animetitle,3790,igzwpd,soten_no_ken.html AnimeNfo information on Fist of the Blue Sky]</ref> It is a [[prequel]] to the popular 1980s series ''[[Fist of the North Star]]'', which Hara originally co-wrote with [[Buronson]]. Set primarily in [[Shanghai]] during the 1930s, the series centers around the 62nd successor of the [[Hokuto Shinken]] style, Kenshiro Kasumi, the namesake and predecessor of ''Fist of the North Star''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> own [[Kenshiro]]. It has been adapted into a 26-episode anime series that aired from 2006 to 2007.
    {{nihongo|'''''Souten no Ken'''''|蒼天の拳|Fist of the Blue Sky}} is a [[wikipedia:manga|manga]] series by [[Tetsuo Hara]] with plot supervision by [[Buronson]], serialized in the ''[[wikipedia:Weekly Comic Bunch|Weekly Comic Bunch]]'' from 2001 to 2010, and in [[wikipedia:Monthly Comic Zenon|Monthly Comic Zenon]] from 2017 forward.<ref>[http://www.animenfo.com/animetitle,3790,igzwpd,soten_no_ken.html AnimeNfo information on Fist of the Blue Sky]</ref> It is a [[wikipedia:prequel|prequel]] to the popular 1980s series ''[[Fist of the North Star]]'', which Hara originally co-wrote with [[Buronson]]. Set primarily in [[wikipedia:Shanghai|Shanghai]] during the 1930s, the series centers around the 62nd successor of the [[Hokuto Shinken]] style, [[Kenshiro Kasumi]], the namesake and predecessor of ''Fist of the North Star''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> own [[Kenshiro]]. It has been adapted into a 26-episode anime series that aired from 2006 to 2007.
     
    In the July 2017 issue of ''[[wikipedia:Monthly Comic Zenon|Monthly Comic Zenon]]'', a spinoff of the manga was announced titled '''{{nihongo|''[[Souten no Ken: Re:Genesis]]''|蒼天の拳 リジェネシス}}''', which will begin serialization in their December 2017 issue.<ref>[http://www.comic-zenon.jp/ 予告!『蒼天の拳』に『シティーハンター』　2017年コミックゼノン　新連載ラインナップ!!!!] [Announcement! Lineup of New Serials for Comic Zenon in 2017!!!! Fist of the Blue Sky and City Hunter]. Comic Zenon (in Japanese). Japan: Tokuma Shoten. July 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.</ref>


    == Plot overview ==
    == Plot overview ==
    The main protagonist of this story is Kasumi Kenshiro, better known as "Yan Wang" or "The King of Hell" (derived from the myth [[Yama (Buddhism and Chinese mythology)|Yan Luo Wang]]). Kasumi is a laid back and chain-smoking [[Tokyo]] professor who possesses the deadly [[China|Chinese]] assassin [[martial art]] [[Hokuto Shinken]] who travels to [[Shanghai]] after hearing the news of his [[Triad society|Triad]] friend Pan Guang-Lin and his sister Yu-Ling (Kasumi's love interest) are in trouble.
    The main protagonist of this story is Kasumi Kenshiro, better known as "Yan Wang" or "The King of Hell" (derived from the myth [[wikipedia:Yama (Buddhism and Chinese mythology)|Yan Luo Wang]]). Kasumi is a laid back and chain-smoking [[wikipedia:Tokyo City|Tokyo]] professor who possesses the deadly [[wikipedia:China|Chinese]] assassin [[wikipedia:martial art|martial art]] [[Hokuto Shin Ken]] who travels to [[wikipedia:Shanghai|Shanghai]] after hearing the news of his [[wikipedia:Triad society|Triad]] friend Pan Guang-Lin and his sister Yu-Ling (Kasumi's love interest) are in trouble.


    In [[Shanghai]], Kasumi has to fight the three Hokuto families, the Hokuto Sankaken (based on the royal families of ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''). At the same time Kasumi has to help Pan's "[[Qing Bang]]" Triad gang against the immoral "Hong-Hua" Triads in gaining territory and influence in Shanghai.
    In Shanghai, Kasumi has to fight the three Hokuto families, the [[Hokuto Sanka Ken]] (based on the royal families of ''[[wikipedia:Romance of the Three Kingdoms|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''). At the same time Kasumi has to help Pan's "[[Qing Bang]]" Triad gang against the immoral "[[Hónghuá Huì]]" Triads in gaining territory and influence in Shanghai.


    Many of the plot points mentioned in the comic contain real historical facts, such as how Shanghai was controlled with [[Shanghai International Settlement|International Settlements]] (the story focus mainly on the French settlement) during the 1930s. Also seen are [[Jews in China|Jewish refugees]] who escaped from [[Nazism|Nazi]] persecution in Europe, and the invasion of China by the [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese Army]]. [[Chiang Kai Shek]] and some historical [[Kuomingtang]] figures appear in the story as well.
    Many of the plot points mentioned in the comic contain real historical facts, such as how Shanghai was controlled with [[wikipedia:Shanghai International Settlement|International Settlements]] (the story focus mainly on the French settlement) during the 1930s. Also seen are [[wikipedia:Jews in China|Jewish refugees]] who escaped from [[wikipedia:Nazism|Nazi]] persecution in Europe, and the invasion of China by the [[wikipedia:Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese Army]]. [[wikipedia:Chiang Kai Shek|Chiang Kai Shek]] and some historical [[wikipedia:Kuomingtang|Kuomingtang]] figures appear in the story as well.


    Tetsuo Hara wanted the fights in the manga to look more like traditional [[Chinese martial arts]], so the action is somewhat faster and more detailed than those in ''[[Fist of the North Star]]''. Hara went to [[Shanghai]] in person to get his inspiration.
    Tetsuo Hara wanted the fights in the manga to look more like traditional [[wikipedia:Chinese martial arts|Chinese martial arts]], so he went to Shanghai in person to get his inspiration.


    == Media information ==
    == Media information ==
    === Manga ===
    === Manga ===
    ''Fist of the Blue Sky'' has been in serialization in the ''Weekly Comic Bunch'' since the magazine's  first issue, published with the [[Periodical cover date|cover date]] of [[May 29]], [[2001]]<ref name=debut>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbunch.com/bunch_archives/2001/index.html#1|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：バンチアーカイブス：バンチ表紙全集2001年|format=html|accessdate=2007-08-04}}</ref>. New chapters of ''Sōten no Ken'' are published irregularly in the magazine. Currently, there are 18 collected volumes ([[tankobon]]) of ''Sōten no Ken'' published in Japan.<ref name=tankobon>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbunch.com/bunch_comics/comic_list.php?series_id=1|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：コミックス情報|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-08-04}}</ref>
    ''Fist of the Blue Sky'' began serialization in ''Weekly Comic Bunch'' in the magazine's  first issue, published with the [[wikipedia:Periodical cover date|cover date]] of May 29, 2001<ref name=debut>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbunch.com/bunch_archives/2001/index.html#1|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：バンチアーカイブス：バンチ表紙全集2001年|format=html|accessdate=2007-08-04}}</ref>. There are 22 collected volumes ([[wikipedia:tankobon|tankobon]]) of ''Souten no Ken'' published in Japan.<ref name=tankobon>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbunch.com/bunch_comics/comic_list.php?series_id=1|title=週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：コミックス情報|language=Japanese|accessdate=2007-08-04}}</ref>


    An English version of ''Fist of the Blue Sky'' was serialized in the now-defunct ''[[Raijin Comics]]'' published by Gutsoon! Entertainment from 2003 and 2004. Only the first four collected volumes of this English edition were released before Gutsoon went out of business. While its art is less "dated" than its predecessor, its more hard-boiled and unapologetically masculine approach to the series was unfortunately believed to be as much of a turn-off to American fans as the original manga's frequent violence mixed with campy fashion. Ironically, Hara's compatriot Buronson has lucked out better domestically with that same gritty style when he worked on [[Sanctuary]] and [[Strain]]. [At least enough for those titles to finish their U.S. run, anyway.] Also of irony is that Buronson's one-shots-[[King of Wolves]] and [[Japan]]-seem to do better in the U.S. than ''either'' Fist, in spite of them containing ''more'' violence than those other manga. No other company has picked up the license yet.
    An English version of ''Fist of the Blue Sky'' was serialized in the now-defunct ''[[wikipedia:Raijin Comics|Raijin Comics]]'' published by Gutsoon! Entertainment from 2003 and 2004. Only the first four collected volumes of this English edition were released before Gutsoon went out of business. No other company has picked up the license yet.


    ===Japanese volumes===
    ===Japanese volumes===
    {| class="wikitable" width="50%" style="font-size:90%;"
    {| class="wikitable" width="50%" style="font-size:90%;"
    |-
    |-
    ! width="20%" | Vol. !! Release date!!<ref name="tankōbon"/> ISBN
    ! width="20%" | Vol. !! Release date!! ISBN
    |-align="center"
    |-align="center"
    |01 ||  2001-10-09 || ISBN 4-10-771000-9
    |01 ||  2001-10-09 || ISBN 4-10-771000-9
    Line 62: Line 64:
    |-align="center"
    |-align="center"
    |21 || 2009-12-15 || ISBN 4-10-771535-7
    |21 || 2009-12-15 || ISBN 4-10-771535-7
    |-align="center"
    |22 || 2010-11-15 || ISBN 4-10-771601-9
    |}
    |}


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    {| class="wikitable" width="50%" style="font-size:90%;"
    {| class="wikitable" width="50%" style="font-size:90%;"
    |-
    |-
    ! width="20%" | Vol. !! Release date!!<ref name=amazon>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com|title=Amazon.com}}</ref> ISBN
    ! width="20%" | Vol. !! Release date!! ISBN
    |-align="center"
    |-align="center"
    |01 || [[2003-06-18]] || ISBN 0-97-250378-1
    |01 || 2003-06-18 || ISBN 0-97-250378-1
    |-align="center"
    |-align="center"
    |02 || [[2003-09-09]] || ISBN 1-93-245403-9
    |02 || 2003-09-09 || ISBN 1-93-245403-9
    |-align="center"
    |-align="center"
    |03 || [[2003-11-18]] || ISBN 1-93-245409-8
    |03 || 2003-11-18 || ISBN 1-93-245409-8
    |-align="center"
    |-align="center"
    |04 || [[2004-03-17]] || ISBN 1-93-245422-5
    |04 || 2004-03-17 || ISBN 1-93-245422-5
    |-align="center"
    |-align="center"
    |05 || Unpublished || ISBN 1-93-245433-0
    |05 || Unpublished || ISBN 1-93-245433-0
    Line 81: Line 85:


    === Anime ===
    === Anime ===
    A weekly anime series based on ''Sōten no Ken'' aired on Japan's [[TV Asahi]] on Thursdays at 2:40am from [[October 4]], [[2006]] to [[March 14]], [[2007]]. The series has a total of 26 episodes, but only 22 episodes were actually aired on TV. The series was intended to be a full-fledge adaptation of the manga, but truncates the story at the end of Vol. 8. It is believed that the series' low ratings (an average of 1.2) led to the show's cancellation.<ref name=ratings>{{cite web|url=http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2007/03/current-anime-tv-ratings-in-japan.html|title=hashihime 橋姫: Current Anime TV Ratings in Japan|accessdate=2007-08-04}}</ref> The complete series has been released on DVD, including unaired episodes and uncensored content. In a bonus interview with executive producer Nobuhiko Horie included in Vol. 9 of the ''Sōten no Ken'' DVD release reveals that North Stars Pictures has plans to produce a continuation of the ''Sōten no Ken'' anime adaptation.
    A weekly anime series based on ''Souten no Ken'' aired on Japan's [[wikipedia:TV Asahi|TV Asahi]] on Thursdays at 2:40am from October 4, 2006 to March 14, 2007. The series has a total of 26 episodes, but only 22 episodes were actually aired on TV. The series was intended to be a full-fledge adaptation of the manga, but truncates the story at the end of Vol. 8. It is believed that the series' low ratings (an average of 1.2) led to the show's cancellation.<ref name=ratings>{{cite web|url=http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2007/03/current-anime-tv-ratings-in-japan.html|title=hashihime 橋姫: Current Anime TV Ratings in Japan|accessdate=2007-08-04}}</ref> The complete series has been released on DVD, including unaired episodes and uncensored content. In a bonus interview with executive producer Nobuhiko Horie included in Vol. 9 of the ''Souten no Ken'' DVD release reveals that North Stars Pictures has plans to produce a continuation of the ''Souten no Ken'' anime adaptation.


    ==== Episodes ====
    ==== Episodes ====
    Line 94: Line 98:
    |JapaneseTitle=Shōkinkubi En'ō
    |JapaneseTitle=Shōkinkubi En'ō
    |KanjiTitle=賞金首・閻王
    |KanjiTitle=賞金首・閻王
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-10-04]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-10-04
    |EpisodeNumber=1
    |EpisodeNumber=1
    }}
    }}
    Line 101: Line 105:
    |JapaneseTitle=Kōko no giki
    |JapaneseTitle=Kōko no giki
    |KanjiTitle=江胡の義気
    |KanjiTitle=江胡の義気
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-10-11]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-10-11
    |EpisodeNumber=2
    |EpisodeNumber=2
    }}
    }}
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    |JapaneseTitle=Hokuto o tsugumono
    |JapaneseTitle=Hokuto o tsugumono
    |KanjiTitle=北斗を継ぐ者
    |KanjiTitle=北斗を継ぐ者
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-10-18]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-10-18
    |EpisodeNumber=3
    |EpisodeNumber=3
    }}
    }}
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    |JapaneseTitle=Sōten ni negae
    |JapaneseTitle=Sōten ni negae
    |KanjiTitle=蒼天に願え
    |KanjiTitle=蒼天に願え
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-10-25]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-10-25
    |EpisodeNumber=4
    |EpisodeNumber=4
    }}
    }}
    Line 122: Line 126:
    |JapaneseTitle=Shanhai ni tatsu
    |JapaneseTitle=Shanhai ni tatsu
    |KanjiTitle=上海に立つ
    |KanjiTitle=上海に立つ
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-11-01]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-11-01
    |EpisodeNumber=5
    |EpisodeNumber=5
    }}
    }}
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    |JapaneseTitle=Gyakusatsu no shokei yūgi
    |JapaneseTitle=Gyakusatsu no shokei yūgi
    |KanjiTitle=虐殺の処刑遊戯
    |KanjiTitle=虐殺の処刑遊戯
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-11-08]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-11-08
    |EpisodeNumber=6
    |EpisodeNumber=6
    }}
    }}
    {{Japanese episode list
    {{Japanese episode list
    |EnglishTitle=The Battle
    |EnglishTitle=Clash
    |JapaneseTitle=Gekitotsu
    |JapaneseTitle=Gekitotsu
    |KanjiTitle=激突
    |KanjiTitle=激突
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-11-15]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-11-15
    |EpisodeNumber=7
    |EpisodeNumber=7
    }}
    }}
    Line 143: Line 147:
    |JapaneseTitle=Jigoku no Kami ni inore
    |JapaneseTitle=Jigoku no Kami ni inore
    |KanjiTitle=地獄の神に祈れ
    |KanjiTitle=地獄の神に祈れ
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-11-22]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-11-22
    |EpisodeNumber=8
    |EpisodeNumber=8
    }}
    }}
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    |JapaneseTitle=Chi nurareta shukumei yue ni
    |JapaneseTitle=Chi nurareta shukumei yue ni
    |KanjiTitle=血塗られた宿命ゆえに
    |KanjiTitle=血塗られた宿命ゆえに
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-11-29]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-11-29
    |EpisodeNumber=9
    |EpisodeNumber=9
    }}
    }}
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    |JapaneseTitle=Hokuto dōshi no tatakai
    |JapaneseTitle=Hokuto dōshi no tatakai
    |KanjiTitle=北斗同士の戦い
    |KanjiTitle=北斗同士の戦い
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-12-06]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-12-06
    |EpisodeNumber=10
    |EpisodeNumber=10
    }}
    }}
    Line 164: Line 168:
    |JapaneseTitle=Ryū ni toe
    |JapaneseTitle=Ryū ni toe
    |KanjiTitle=龍に問え
    |KanjiTitle=龍に問え
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-12-13]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-12-13
    |EpisodeNumber=11
    |EpisodeNumber=11
    }}
    }}
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    |JapaneseTitle=Fukkatsu no noroshi
    |JapaneseTitle=Fukkatsu no noroshi
    |KanjiTitle=復活の狼煙
    |KanjiTitle=復活の狼煙
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2006-12-20]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2006-12-20
    |EpisodeNumber=12
    |EpisodeNumber=12
    }}
    }}
    Line 178: Line 182:
    |JapaneseTitle=Kyōki no hate ni...
    |JapaneseTitle=Kyōki no hate ni...
    |KanjiTitle=狂気の果てに
    |KanjiTitle=狂気の果てに
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-01-10]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-01-10
    |EpisodeNumber=13
    |EpisodeNumber=13
    }}
    }}
    Line 185: Line 189:
    |JapaneseTitle=Unmei no tabi
    |JapaneseTitle=Unmei no tabi
    |KanjiTitle=運命の旅
    |KanjiTitle=運命の旅
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-01-17]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-01-17
    |EpisodeNumber=14
    |EpisodeNumber=14
    }}
    }}
    Line 192: Line 196:
    |JapaneseTitle=Utsukishi bazoku
    |JapaneseTitle=Utsukishi bazoku
    |KanjiTitle=美しき馬賊
    |KanjiTitle=美しき馬賊
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-01-24]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-01-24
    |EpisodeNumber=15
    |EpisodeNumber=15
    }}
    }}
    Line 220: Line 224:
    |JapaneseTitle=Kizentaru kenka
    |JapaneseTitle=Kizentaru kenka
    |KanjiTitle=毅然たる献花
    |KanjiTitle=毅然たる献花
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-01-31]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-01-31
    |EpisodeNumber=19
    |EpisodeNumber=19
    }}
    }}
    Line 227: Line 231:
    |JapaneseTitle=Unmei no itazura
    |JapaneseTitle=Unmei no itazura
    |KanjiTitle=運命の悪戯
    |KanjiTitle=運命の悪戯
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-02-07]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-02-07
    |EpisodeNumber=20
    |EpisodeNumber=20
    }}
    }}
    Line 241: Line 245:
    |JapaneseTitle=Chō Taien no ōgi
    |JapaneseTitle=Chō Taien no ōgi
    |KanjiTitle=張太炎の奥義
    |KanjiTitle=張太炎の奥義
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-02-14]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-02-14
    |EpisodeNumber=22
    |EpisodeNumber=22
    }}
    }}
    Line 248: Line 252:
    |JapaneseTitle=Wasureinu itami
    |JapaneseTitle=Wasureinu itami
    |KanjiTitle=忘れ得ぬ痛み
    |KanjiTitle=忘れ得ぬ痛み
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-02-21]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-02-21
    |EpisodeNumber=23
    |EpisodeNumber=23
    }}
    }}
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    |JapaneseTitle=Fukaku tsuyoki omoi
    |JapaneseTitle=Fukaku tsuyoki omoi
    |KanjiTitle=深く強き想い
    |KanjiTitle=深く強き想い
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-02-28]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-02-28
    |EpisodeNumber=24
    |EpisodeNumber=24
    }}
    }}
    Line 262: Line 266:
    |JapaneseTitle=Shukuen to Jūsei
    |JapaneseTitle=Shukuen to Jūsei
    |KanjiTitle=祝宴と銃声
    |KanjiTitle=祝宴と銃声
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-03-07]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-03-07
    |EpisodeNumber=25
    |EpisodeNumber=25
    }}
    }}
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    |JapaneseTitle=Yori yoi ashita e
    |JapaneseTitle=Yori yoi ashita e
    |KanjiTitle=より良い明日へ
    |KanjiTitle=より良い明日へ
    |OriginalAirDate=[[2007-03-14]]
    |OriginalAirDate=2007-03-14
    |EpisodeNumber=26
    |EpisodeNumber=26
    }}
    }}
    Line 275: Line 279:


    ====Theme songs====
    ====Theme songs====
    ;Opening theme: {{nihongo|"Roses Bloom, Roses Scatter"|薔薇が咲く 薔薇が散る|Bara ga Saku Bara ga Chiru}} by [[Rina Aiuchi]]
    ;Opening theme: {{nihongo|[[Bara ga Saku, Bara ga Chiru]]|薔薇が咲く 薔薇が散る|Roses Bloom, Roses Scatter}} by [[Rina Aiuchi]]
    ;Ending themes:
    ;Ending themes:
    #{{nihongo|"The Rhythm of the Heart is a Fluttering Butterfly"|心のリズム飛び散るバタフライ|Kokoro no Rizumu Tobichiru Batafurai}} by [[doa (Japanese band)|doa]]
    #{{nihongo|[[Kokoro no Rhythm Tobichiru Butterfly]]|心のリズム飛び散るバタフライ|The Rhythm of the Heart is a Fluttering Butterfly}} by [[wikipedia:doa (Japanese band)|doa]]
    #"Kissing til i die" by [[Jun Manaka]]
    #"[[Kissing til i die]]" by [[Jun Manaka]]


    == Trivia ==
    == Trivia ==
    *Kasumi Kenshirō's full name was originally used in the pilot version of the ''Hokuto no Ken'' manga. However, the protagonist of {{nihongo|Souten no Ken|蒼天の拳}}, is written with these [[Kanji]]: 霞拳志郎.  The name of the protagonist of the {{nihongo|Hokuto no Ken|北斗の拳}} pilot is written slightly differently: 霞拳四郎.
    *Kasumi Kenshirō's full name was originally used in the pilot version of the ''Hokuto no Ken'' manga. However, the protagonist of {{nihongo|Souten no Ken|蒼天の拳}}, is written with: 霞拳志郎, whereas the name of the protagonist of the {{nihongo|Hokuto no Ken|北斗の拳}} pilot is written slightly differently: 霞拳四郎.
    *Given the time period of Kenshiro's birth in 197X and the apocalypse started in 199X, his true age is up to debate amongs the reader. If Kenshiro was born in late 1970 and the Apocalypse started in the early 1990s Kenshiro was probably a young teenager and thus the world that Kenshiro lived as a saviour happened later. However if Kenshiro was born in the mid 1970's and the apocalypse started in mid 1990's Kenshiro was in his early 20 when he first met Lynn and Bat.
    *Various references to the original Hokuto no Ken are made through both character artwork and the plot of Souten no Ken. For instance, [[Liu Zongwu]] and [[Liu Feiyan]] resemble [[Raoh]] and [[Rei ]] respectively, and also [[Ye Ziying]] and [[Erika Arendt|Erika]] resemble [[Bat]] and [[Lin]], while [[Jukei]]'s origin as a young victim of the Sino-Japanese War is shown in the plot.


    ==External links==
    ==External links==
    *{{imdb title|id=0884847|title=Fist of the Blue Sky}}
    *{{imdb title|id=0884847}}
    *{{ann anime|id=6860}}
    *{{ann anime|id=6860}}
    *[http://www.souten.tv/ Anime Souten no Ken Official Homepage] ''(Japanese)''
    *[http://www.souten.tv/ Anime Souten no Ken Official Homepage] ''(Japanese)''
    *[http://www.comicbunch.com/special/soten/index.html Comic Bunch - Coamix] ''(Japanese)''
    *[http://www.comicbunch.com/special/soten/index.html Comic Bunch - Coamix] ''(Japanese)''
    *[http://www.universalpictures.jp/sp/soutennoken/ Universal Pictures DVD] ''(Japanese)''
    *[http://www.geneonuniversal.jp/rondorobe/anime/dvd/souten/ Geneon Universal Pictures DVD] ''(Japanese)''


    ==References==
    ==References==

    Latest revision as of 17:18, 7 December 2021

    Souten no Ken (蒼天の拳, Fist of the Blue Sky) is a manga series by Tetsuo Hara with plot supervision by Buronson, serialized in the Weekly Comic Bunch from 2001 to 2010, and in Monthly Comic Zenon from 2017 forward.[1] It is a prequel to the popular 1980s series Fist of the North Star, which Hara originally co-wrote with Buronson. Set primarily in Shanghai during the 1930s, the series centers around the 62nd successor of the Hokuto Shinken style, Kenshiro Kasumi, the namesake and predecessor of Fist of the North Star's own Kenshiro. It has been adapted into a 26-episode anime series that aired from 2006 to 2007.

    In the July 2017 issue of Monthly Comic Zenon, a spinoff of the manga was announced titled Souten no Ken: Re:Genesis (蒼天の拳 リジェネシス), which will begin serialization in their December 2017 issue.[2]

    Plot overview[edit | edit source]

    The main protagonist of this story is Kasumi Kenshiro, better known as "Yan Wang" or "The King of Hell" (derived from the myth Yan Luo Wang). Kasumi is a laid back and chain-smoking Tokyo professor who possesses the deadly Chinese assassin martial art Hokuto Shin Ken who travels to Shanghai after hearing the news of his Triad friend Pan Guang-Lin and his sister Yu-Ling (Kasumi's love interest) are in trouble.

    In Shanghai, Kasumi has to fight the three Hokuto families, the Hokuto Sanka Ken (based on the royal families of Romance of the Three Kingdoms). At the same time Kasumi has to help Pan's "Qing Bang" Triad gang against the immoral "Hónghuá Huì" Triads in gaining territory and influence in Shanghai.

    Many of the plot points mentioned in the comic contain real historical facts, such as how Shanghai was controlled with International Settlements (the story focus mainly on the French settlement) during the 1930s. Also seen are Jewish refugees who escaped from Nazi persecution in Europe, and the invasion of China by the Japanese Army. Chiang Kai Shek and some historical Kuomingtang figures appear in the story as well.

    Tetsuo Hara wanted the fights in the manga to look more like traditional Chinese martial arts, so he went to Shanghai in person to get his inspiration.

    Media information[edit | edit source]

    Manga[edit | edit source]

    Fist of the Blue Sky began serialization in Weekly Comic Bunch in the magazine's first issue, published with the cover date of May 29, 2001[3]. There are 22 collected volumes (tankobon) of Souten no Ken published in Japan.[4]

    An English version of Fist of the Blue Sky was serialized in the now-defunct Raijin Comics published by Gutsoon! Entertainment from 2003 and 2004. Only the first four collected volumes of this English edition were released before Gutsoon went out of business. No other company has picked up the license yet.

    Japanese volumes[edit | edit source]

    Vol. Release date ISBN
    01 2001-10-09 ISBN 4-10-771000-9
    02 2001-11-09 ISBN 4-10-771016-5
    03 2002-05-09 ISBN 4-10-771036-X
    04 2002-08-09 ISBN 4-10-771051-3
    05 2003-01-09 ISBN 4-10-771073-4
    06 2003-05-09 ISBN 4-10-771089-0
    07 2003-09-09 ISBN 4-10-771112-9
    08 2004-01-09 ISBN 4-10-771129-3
    09 2004-05-09 ISBN 4-10-771151-X
    10 2004-08-09 ISBN 4-10-771167-6
    11 2004-12-09 ISBN 4-10-771189-7
    12 2005-03-09 ISBN 4-10-771206-0
    13 2005-07-09 ISBN 4-10-771225-7
    14 2006-01-09 ISBN 4-10-771258-3
    15 2006-07-09 ISBN 4-10-771281-8
    16 2007-02-09 ISBN 4-10-771318-6
    17 2007-09-08 ISBN 4-10-771356-8
    18 2008-03-08 ISBN 4-10-771387-2
    19 2008-10-09 ISBN 4-10-771421-7
    20 2009-03-09 ISBN 4-10-771467-1
    21 2009-12-15 ISBN 4-10-771535-7
    22 2010-11-15 ISBN 4-10-771601-9

    English volumes[edit | edit source]

    Vol. Release date ISBN
    01 2003-06-18 ISBN 0-97-250378-1
    02 2003-09-09 ISBN 1-93-245403-9
    03 2003-11-18 ISBN 1-93-245409-8
    04 2004-03-17 ISBN 1-93-245422-5
    05 Unpublished ISBN 1-93-245433-0

    Anime[edit | edit source]

    A weekly anime series based on Souten no Ken aired on Japan's TV Asahi on Thursdays at 2:40am from October 4, 2006 to March 14, 2007. The series has a total of 26 episodes, but only 22 episodes were actually aired on TV. The series was intended to be a full-fledge adaptation of the manga, but truncates the story at the end of Vol. 8. It is believed that the series' low ratings (an average of 1.2) led to the show's cancellation.[5] The complete series has been released on DVD, including unaired episodes and uncensored content. In a bonus interview with executive producer Nobuhiko Horie included in Vol. 9 of the Souten no Ken DVD release reveals that North Stars Pictures has plans to produce a continuation of the Souten no Ken anime adaptation.

    Episodes[edit | edit source]

    No. Episode Title Airdate
    1 "Wanted - the King of Death"
    "Shōkinkubi En'ō" (賞金首・閻王)     		2006-10-04
    2 "The Code of Duty"
    "Kōko no giki" (江胡の義気)     		2006-10-11
    3 "The Successor to Hokuto"
    "Hokuto o tsugumono" (北斗を継ぐ者)     		2006-10-18
    4 "Wish Upon the Blue Sky!"
    "Sōten ni negae" (蒼天に願え)     		2006-10-25
    5 "In Shanghai"
    "Shanhai ni tatsu" (上海に立つ)     		2006-11-01
    6 "The Execution Game"
    "Gyakusatsu no shokei yūgi" (虐殺の処刑遊戯)     		2006-11-08
    7 "Clash"
    "Gekitotsu" (激突)     		2006-11-15
    8 "Pray to the God of Hell"
    "Jigoku no Kami ni inore" (地獄の神に祈れ)     		2006-11-22
    9 "A Destiny Steeped in Blood"
    "Chi nurareta shukumei yue ni" (血塗られた宿命ゆえに)     		2006-11-29
    10 "Battle of the Hokuto Masters"
    "Hokuto dōshi no tatakai" (北斗同士の戦い)     		2006-12-06
    11 "Ask the Dragon"
    "Ryū ni toe" (龍に問え)     		2006-12-13
    12 "Signal of Resurrection"
    "Fukkatsu no noroshi" (復活の狼煙)     		2006-12-20
    13 "At The End of Madness"
    "Kyōki no hate ni..." (狂気の果てに)     		2007-01-10
    14 "Journey of Fate"
    "Unmei no tabi" (運命の旅)     		2007-01-17
    15 "The Beautiful Horse Bandit"
    "Utsukishi bazoku" (美しき馬賊)     		2007-01-24
    16 "Seeking Refuge"
    "Ansoku no chi o motomete" (安息の地を求めて)     		DVD
    17 "Death Sentence! The Fallen Palm"
    "Shi no senkoku! Datenshō" (死の宣告！堕天掌)     		DVD
    18 "The Aura of Hokuto Sōkaken"
    "Hokuto Sōkaken no tōki" (北斗曹家拳の闘気)     		DVD
    19 "An Undaunted Offering of Flowers"
    "Kizentaru kenka" (毅然たる献花)     		2007-01-31
    20 "A Trick of Fate"
    "Unmei no itazura" (運命の悪戯)     		2007-02-07
    21 "A Burning Confrontation"
    "Moetagiru taiji" (燃えたぎる対峙)     		DVD
    22 "The Secret Technique of Zhāng Tài-Yán"
    "Chō Taien no ōgi" (張太炎の奥義)     		2007-02-14
    23 "The Unforgettable Pain"
    "Wasureinu itami" (忘れ得ぬ痛み)     		2007-02-21
    24 "A Deep Strong Memory"
    "Fukaku tsuyoki omoi" (深く強き想い)     		2007-02-28
    25 "A Banquet and a Gunshot"
    "Shukuen to Jūsei" (祝宴と銃声)     		2007-03-07
    26 "To a Better Tomorrow"
    "Yori yoi ashita e" (より良い明日へ)     		2007-03-14

    Theme songs[edit | edit source]

    Opening theme
    Bara ga Saku, Bara ga Chiru (薔薇が咲く 薔薇が散る, Roses Bloom, Roses Scatter) by Rina Aiuchi
    Ending themes
    1. Kokoro no Rhythm Tobichiru Butterfly (心のリズム飛び散るバタフライ, The Rhythm of the Heart is a Fluttering Butterfly) by doa
    2. "Kissing til i die" by Jun Manaka

    Trivia[edit | edit source]

    • Kasumi Kenshirō's full name was originally used in the pilot version of the Hokuto no Ken manga. However, the protagonist of Souten no Ken (蒼天の拳), is written with: 霞拳志郎, whereas the name of the protagonist of the Hokuto no Ken (北斗の拳) pilot is written slightly differently: 霞拳四郎.
    • Various references to the original Hokuto no Ken are made through both character artwork and the plot of Souten no Ken. For instance, Liu Zongwu and Liu Feiyan resemble Raoh and Rei respectively, and also Ye Ziying and Erika resemble Bat and Lin, while Jukei's origin as a young victim of the Sino-Japanese War is shown in the plot.

    External links[edit | edit source]

    References[edit | edit source]

    1. ↑ AnimeNfo information on Fist of the Blue Sky
    2. ↑ 予告!『蒼天の拳』に『シティーハンター』　2017年コミックゼノン　新連載ラインナップ!!!! [Announcement! Lineup of New Serials for Comic Zenon in 2017!!!! Fist of the Blue Sky and City Hunter]. Comic Zenon (in Japanese). Japan: Tokuma Shoten. July 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
    3. ↑ "週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：バンチアーカイブス：バンチ表紙全集2001年" (html). Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
    4. ↑ "週刊コミックバンチ★コアミックス：コミックス情報" (in Japanese). Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
    5. ↑ "hashihime 橋姫: Current Anime TV Ratings in Japan". Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
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