Fist of the North Star is a landmark manga and anime series that paved the way for several other series like it. Still popular today, fans of the series can now practice their Hokuto Shinken skills in the kitchen with a designer knife.
Created as part of a collaboration between two Japanese brands, the Fist of the North Star knife is the perfect choice for any anime fan cooking in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. It notably does not feature the series' star character Ken, instead introducing an ally of his. While this may seem strange, it makes perfect sense considering the character's sharp martial arts pedigree.
Related
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure teams up with instant noodles for a delicious collaboration
The vibrant world of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is collaborating with the deliciousness of Maruchan ZUBAAAN! ramen for anime-themed meals and prizes.
The latest punch of the Bac Dau collaboration is a kitchen knife
The Fist of the North Star kitchen knife was announced earlier this year as part of a collaboration between Coamix, Inc. and Sumikama, a famous Japanese knife manufacturer. On the promotional image and the knife is Rei, a character from the anime and manga series. The reason for Rei's presence instead of Ken is just a play on words, with Rei's martial arts style (Nanto Suichoken) famous for its sharp cutting power. As a result, fans using the themed knife can slice and dice their next meal with the same cutting precision as Rei's hand. This knife is sold through the Aozoragear online store, although it is currently sold out at this location.
Thankfully, Fist of the North Star fans around the world can now get their hands on this kitchen collection. All that's needed is to support the Anime Knife Kickstarter campaign, with backers receiving the knife, a certificate of authenticity for the item, and for an additional cost of $45, a sharpener diamond knife. The operation (which ended in early May) was fully funded but more than 40 knives remained. The Rei knife costs around $139, as it is made from Molybdenum Vanadium Steel with a laser engraved design. Fist of the North Star fans will no doubt be happy with their purchase, but any food the blade touches is “dead.”
Related
“Hot Girl Cujoh”: Megan Thee Stallion continues JoJo's series of strange cosplay adventures
Megan Thee Stallion continued her JoJo's Bizarre Adventure fashion streak at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards by cosplaying Stone Ocean's Jolyne Cujoh.
Fist of the North Star remains an iconic classic Manga & Anime series
First published as a manga between 1983 and 1988 by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara, Fist of the North Star is one of the most successful and influential manga and anime series ever. Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland amid social chaos, its setting alone has given momentum to several other properties. Its gritty style and action have also inspired countless other works, from other manga/anime franchises like Berserk to the Mortal Kombat video game franchise. It also fits right in in an era of particularly gritty and brutal anime, with the 1984 anime adaptation considered by many to be a classic.
Since then, there have been many spin-offs and sequels to the anime and manga. One of them is Fist of the Blue Sky, set several decades before the main series. For 2023, a new anime adaptation of the classic series has been announced, and it's sure to live up to the modern success of similar works like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Kenhiro's iconic catchphrase, “Omae Wa Mou Shindeiru,” has also become a notable meme online, and the character himself is an example of “Brucesploitation” due to being modeled after Kenhiro's appearance. Late actor/martial artist Bruce Lee.
Fist of the North Star
The year is 199X. Earth is devastated by nuclear war. The sea has dried up, the land is cracked and desolate. Most living creatures on the planet have become extinct except for humans. In this new age, violence reigns as civilization is lost and the strong dominate the weak in a world where food and water are the only things of value. At this time a mysterious man named Kenshirou appears with his deadly martial arts, the 2000 year old Hokuto Shinken. With his style of destroying evil, will he be the savior of the new era?
Author Buronson (Yoshiyuki Okamura)
Artist Tetsuo Hara
Release date September 13, 1983
chap 245
practice 27
Adaptation Fist of the North Star
Publishing company Shounen Jump (Weekly), VIZ Media, Gutsoon! Entertainment
Sources: X (formerly Twitter), Aozoragear, Anime News Network