Fist of the North Star (which is known as Hokuto no Ken in Japan) is based on a manga created by Tetsuo Hara and Buronson. The anime series was produced by Toei Animation, and directed by Toyoo Ashida. The first Fist of the North Star series ran for 109 episodes, and aired on Fuji TV from October 4, 1984 to March 5, 1987. An animated Fist of the North Star film opened in Japanese theaters on March 8, 1986; Streamline Pictures produced an English dub version of the film, which was released in the United States in 1991. A second anime series, Hokuto no Ken 2, ran for 43 episodes. This series aired on Fuji TV from March 13, 1987 to February 18, 1988. A live action film version of Fist of the North Star was produced in the United States and released in 1995; however, it was a direct-to-video release and had mixed reviews from film critics and fans of the anime.

A three-episode OVA, New Fist of the North Star, was produced by Toei Animation and directed by Takashi Watanabe. The OVA was released between July 24, 2003 and May 28, 2004. ADV Films holds the English rights for this OVA release. A second OVA, Shin Kyuseishu Densetsu Hokuto no Ken, was released in Japan between 2006 and 2008. The second OVA runs for five episodes, and was produced by TMS Entertainment and North Stars Pictures. The second OVA series was directed by Takahiro Imamura.

Fist of the North Star is set in a post apocalyptic world, and the Earth has become extremely barren. Nuclear war has evaporated the oceans and destroyed most of the vegetation, and the strong prey on the weak to survive. The series follows a man named Kenshiro, who is the successor of Hokuto Shinken. Hokuto Shinken is a secret style of martial arts that allows the practitioner to destroy their opponent’s body from within through striking secret channeling points. Kenshiro, along with two children (Bat and Lin) travel through the barren wastes, battling the numerous violent gangs and tribes they encounter on their way.

Fist of the North Star is a fighting anime that is rather violent and bloody, especially when compared to other fighting anime, such as Dragon Ball Z. This anime is definitely not recommended for young viewers. Personally, I would recommend Fist of the North Star to anime viewers who are sixteen years of age and older.