Let me take you back to a time before rent-seeking cargo cultists prowled the animation industry shaking down studios. When anime was drawn on cells with rich, hand-mixed paint.
Before the dead-eyed, pastel times; before Ground Zero.
In those bad old analog days, if you wanted to watch anime, you had to order VHS tapes from the Right Stuf catalog or buy nth generation copies from shady dealers at comic book conventions. Otherwise, some of the kids’ stuff would be recut and redubbed for weekday morning TV. And the rare big boy movie would make its way onto late night cable – heavily censored, or course.
But that was pretty much it. There was no concept of binge-watching whole series, much less consuming any show you wanted on demand. If you were lucky, three of your friends could cobble together all the tapes in a season of one show. Even then, the odds of making it through a complete viewing without falling prey to perpetual episode one syndrome were long.
Back in the 80s and early 90s, being an otaku took dedication and effort in return for a much smaller quantity of the reward.
And the hobby was better – not just in degree, but in kind – than the digipainted, corporate risk-averse, samey, sanitized product that floods the scene today.
For those who have only known anime as Gundam/Eva clone mecha, by-the-numbers isekai, and cute girls doing cute things, behold! I give you an exemplar of the vivid, visceral, and downright visionary works of art that could only come out of the Japanese Bubble Economy: 1986’s dystopian martial arts gore circus Fist of the North Star.
Notorious for its intense action sequences and post-apocalyptic visuals, the film is an adaptation of the manga of the same name. And while it may not be a one-to-0ne reproduction of the comics, this animated movie does capture the brutal essence of the source material.
The storyline revolves around Kenshiro, a martial artist with devastatingly powerful techniques, on a quest for justice in a world ravaged by nuclear war. His stoic demeanor and unwavering dedication make him one of the most compelling anime protagonists of all time.
And the villains offer menace to match, standing athwart Ken’s path with unique martial arts styles and vicious personalities. The clashes between Kenshiro and his adversaries are choreographed with precision, delivering exhilarating fight scenes that still stand as a high bar of anime action. The film makers went so far as to study anatomy to lend a grisly sense of reality to the animated violence.
In terms of animation style, Fist of the North Star maintains a raw, gritty quality that complements its harsh setting. The character designs, especially Kenshiro’s iconic look, cement the film’s visual appeal. Any given frame of this movie is still instantly recognizable, even today.
Another element that recommends Fist of the North Star over today’s cleverness-before-clarity anime is its straightforward plot. You’ll find no convoluted mystery boxes or continually opening yet never closing character arcs here. Instead, we get a hero out to rescue the woman he loves from proper villains. It’s a timeless story ripped right out of the pulps. And the intense 1980s action sets the movie apart as its own animal.
Not that Fist of the North Star is a mindless gorefest. Its blood ‘n’ guts style conceals deep themes of power, justice, and the worldwide consequences of chaos. The post-apocalyptic setting provides a devastating canvas for these themes, with the struggle for survival creating a harsh backdrop for the characters’ moral dilemmas.
The pacing is another aspect of the film that doesn’t get enough credit. Complementing intense action with moments of reflection and character development, the narrative deftly balances external and internal conflict. Kenshiro’s quest entails more than physical prowess; it’s a journey of self-discovery and redemption. As its hero confronts the challenges of the wasteland, the film delves into the human condition, examining how individuals cope with loss, betrayal, and the harsh realities of a lawless world.
To say that Fist of the North Star has aged gracefully would be a gross understatement. More than a cult classic, stills from it deserve pride of place in any encyclopedia entry for anime. Its influence can still be felt today, and its impact on the action genre at large is undeniable.
For fans of intense martial arts battles, gripping post-apocalyptic settings, and timeless themes, Fist of the North Star is a must-watch. You can’t call yourself an otaku if you haven’t seen it at least once. So get on it!
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