Fist of the North Star The Movie [Blu-ray]

Based on the phenomenal, long running, manga series, this popular movie version of Fist Of The North Star (1986) is a quintessential masterpiece of 1980's anime and one of my absolute favourites. Grim post apocalypse tale of masters of mystical schools of ancient, deadly martial arts, a messianic savior, betrayal, savage marauders preying on the innocent, battles between warlords, and revenge is one of the most philosophical, epic-even cosmic- operatic works of anime. An entertaining action packed mix of Mad Max and the classic TV series Kung Fu with a mind blowing (quite literally) amount blood and violence- this film is EXTREMELY VIOLENT- and that's part of its visual "charm" and gruesome fun, but also explores themes of love, hope, power, responsibility, and the burden of destiny. A cool tragic hero, great melodramatic story, good use of music, and concluding with a genuinely poetic ending that has haunted me since I first saw it many years ago. There is no need to be fully familiar with the complete mythology, this film works remarkably well as a stand alone story. Discotek Media's Blu Ray is great, looks fine and contains the now-classic Streamline Pictures English dub and titles as well as the original Japanese, they really went out of their way for nostalgia's sake. Also recommended: the masterpiece Akira (1988) an essential work, and Vampire Hunter D (1985), otaku will have a ton of classic anime titles that can be added here.

The first time I saw this movie I was absolutely blown away by it. I remember looking through the anime rack, and there this movie was. It had a sticker on it saying, "not for kids." That grabbed my attention quick. The cover says the most violent movie ever, sweet!! I bought it, and was hooked, on just the opening sequence of the apocalypse. However, mind you, that this movie is a brief overview of the first 3 volumes of the TV series, and even this movie is not true to the TV series in places, such as with the Fang Clan fighting Raou's Clan. Ken wanders the land to bring peace to the violent world, as a chosen savior. In the beginning, Shin and Jagi (his best friend, and younger brother) betray Kenshiro, and leave him for dead. He is awoken from the depths of hell, and comes back stronger then ever, and not only brings peace to the lands he comes across, but brings honor back to his sacred martial arts style. Visually this movie is very impressive with lots of fighting, blood, and gore. Do not watch if you are meek. It is extremely violent. The music also compliments this movie, and is done very well. Unfortunately, the movie leaves you with more questions in the end, like what happened to Julia? If you want to know, you need to watch the complete TV series, and that includes Volume 4. Highly recommend this, to thumbs way up! I absolutely love this anime classic!

OVER THE TOP ANIME GOODNESS

So Fist of the North Star: The Movie which was released in Japan in 1986 and then it was released it in North America by Streamline Pictures with the English dub in 1991 and the Italian VHS version of Fist of the North Star: The Movie with the Italian dub was uncensored where it shows blood except for the Japanese dub version and the English Dub version are censored in both America and in Japan and there is cameos in Fist of the North Star: The Movie such as D from Toyoo Ashida's 1985 OVA Film Vampire Hunter D and Arion from the 1986 Anime movie made by Sunrise that brought you Gundam franchise and InuYasha Arion and Michael McConnohie who voices D from Vampire Hunter D is also the voice as Shin in the Streamline Pictures' English Dub version of Fist of the North Star: The Movie and in the Original Japanese version of Fist of the North Star: The Movie Shin is voiced by Toshio Furukawa who is known for his anime work such as Dragon Ball Z One Piece and Urusei Yatsura and for Fist of the North Star: The Movie didn't feature other characters from the Fist of the North Star anime series such as Shuu, Toki, Mamiya. Souther, Lin's dog Pel or any characters from the Fist of the North Star anime series which they were gonna appear in the movie but it has the music such as Heart of Madness by Kodomo Band where we see Rei fighting with Raoh and at the end of the movie Purple Eyes by Kodomo Band is played in the original Japanese dub version except for the English Dub Version which is the Instrumental version of Purple Eyes by Kodomo Band which makes it an appeal to the Fist of the North Star series formula

I have the older dvd and had the vhs they were the exact same. Here is what i did however there have been many side stories and stuff. You want to know the legend of Hoktino Ken [...] There it is 4 box sets of the japanese cartoon and the movie. I got the set and all the other movies on my own. I would like to just check out this version but my thing is it seems exactly the same from what i read. Kind of like when Akria got bought out and redid the script so it sucked. I have the original Akira on vhs transfered to dvd. So whats the differance between this and the older dvd. Well The first dvd was just like the vhs and this version is the same thing other then some scenes have more color to them like extra shades of some color or more vibrant aruas may have 2 colors now. So not big deal and the other thing the sound was exactly the same i read another review that said it was better if have 5.1 and i didn't hear a differance but could be few reasons. Yea so 14 bucks for extra color not really worth it. But being the fan that i am i got it because i had to see for myself i heard they added extra to it. But nobody could tell me what or how exactly. So i just told everybody what it is not worth it if you have the original. Oh i think some japanese was added in the begining i am not sure it was there in the first one.

Cartoon très bon mais, violent et graphique. Pour 16 ans et.plus.

The DVD arrived in perfect condition, wasn’t damaged. Just works on playback units in United States and Canada.

I've watched the original VHS version that came out many moons ago! and now its on DVD!!WoW!! it was AWSOME then! and its AWSOME now!! one of the best MANGA epics ever and one of the most original stories Managa has ever done!,,,in my book on par with AKIRA. Now i can rewind my favorites bits with ease...yeah a Fantastic buy. They made a movie version starring some australian actor in the lead role! ( well if you saw the Jean-claude vandam version of Street fighter! you will give the movie version a miss and stick with the Animation ) NUFF SAID about the Aussi Movie version of Fist of the North Star! stick with the Manga version, the original is definetly the best.Check out the Episodes version as well on DVD, they are great too.

The remastered picture is great. There are nearly no artifacts to be found and there are literally worlds between this quality and the older/unmastered releases. Considering the age of the movie they did an awesome job. Of course it still has the "old" animations but that doesn't make the movie lame. Finally the release this classic deserves. Sadly it doesn't have much of additional bonus materials. Das gemasterte Bild ist großartig. Nahezu keine Artefakte oder Bildverunreinigungen und es liegen wortwörtlich Welten zwischen dieser und älteren Veröffentlichungen. Bedenkt man das Alter des Films wurde hier tolle Arbeit geleistet. Selbstverständlich sind es immer noch die "alten" Animationen aber das macht den Film nicht schlecht. Endlich eine Veröffentlichung die diesem Klassiker gerecht wird. Leider gibt es nicht viel Bonusmaterial.

Por fin conseguí la legendaria película de Hokuto no Ken del año 1986, mucho más sangrienta y más detallada visualmente. Una de las mejores películas anime en existencia. El Blu Ray llegó en excelente estado y rápido, acompañado de un bonito Slipcover con el protagonista Kenshiro. Incluye idiomas y subtítulos en Japonés e Inglés. Una compra obligatoria para todos los fans del Shonen antiguo.