Amara - Reunion

My review is up to vol. 11 ch. 98  

Story: 3  

Even though the concept is intriguing, the story itself is weak. After 98 chapters, I can condense the entire plot for you. Thugs show up, kill some extras, Kenshiro arrives, delivers his iconic "You are already dead," and the guy explodes. Then a blonde man, who turns out to be the thugs' boss, appears, Kenshiro uses Hokuto no Ken, there's a lot of blood, and the blonde man dies. Throw in some family or brother-related drama, and that's about it. The only thing that kept me from dropping the anime right away—but ultimately proved insufficient—was the emotional weight of certain deaths.  

Art: 6  

The art is detailed, but occasionally confusing. I can forgive poor animation in older anime, but the same doesn't apply to manga. All the villains who belong to gangs look identical, with the same design and facial features, which feels lazy.  

Character: 6  

The characters are decent but not exceptional. Kenshiro, his siblings, and Rei are interesting, and the villains are memorable. However, all the female characters are utterly useless and exist solely as motivation for the male characters, which bothers me. Other characters lack basic motivation, goals, or distinctive traits.  

Enjoyment: 2  

I can't pinpoint why, but the manga was unpleasant for me to the point where I couldn't even finish it, let alone reread it or become a fanboy over it.  

Overall: 3

Fists of the North Star stands as one of the trailblazers in the realm of action kung fu manga. Originally released in the 1980s, its art style remarkably remains fresh and modern even today. The characters are intricately detailed, and the kung fu moves are depicted with stunning beauty.  

The narrative is equally captivating. However, the second half of the series doesn't quite match the intrigue of the first. It's filled with numerous deaths, as most characters meet their end, often in spectacular fashion.  

I devoured this manga during my childhood; I recall sneaking reads during class. Any manga that could make me skip class to dive into its world, I would classify as exceptional. Currently, there's an ongoing re-release of this series in hardcover collector editions. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates action-packed manga.  

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Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) is today primarily recognized in the West for its over-the-top masculinity, a handful of memes like "Omae wa mou shindeiru," and its anime movie being a glorious, gory 80s action spectacle. When compared to its contemporaries in 80s Shonen such as Dragon Ball or the series it inspired, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Hokuto no Ken has become significantly underrated, despite easily being one of the best series to emerge from the Shonen demographic.

Note: I will only be reviewing the first 136 chapters of the manga. This is because while the second part introduces some new elements, the numerous retcons, plot holes, and overused tropes in Part 2 detract from the overall quality of the series when chapter 136 already provided a solid, complete conclusion.

The plot of the manga is somewhat straightforward but executed well. While there is some escalation in scale to maintain high stakes with each major antagonist, it never reaches a point where previous foes like Shin become irrelevant due to combat relying more on skillful techniques than raw power, setting it apart from typical Shonen narratives. There are very few plot holes within the series; the most noticeable ones involve Raoh not reacting to Mamiya's resemblance to Yuria and inconsistencies with the Tenryu Kokyu Ho's effects by the Souther Arc.

Setting aside these minor issues, the story, with its grim post-apocalyptic backdrop, fusion of 80s and medieval elements, and a well-executed hero's journey, results in an engaging narrative.

The characters in this world are challenging to evaluate as a whole. Though many are likable for their sheer manliness, only Rei, Mamiya, and perhaps Raoh receive significant development. However, all main characters are sufficiently fleshed out, and their interconnectedness adds depth to their interactions and objectives. For instance, Jagi's role as a manipulator linking Shin and Kenshiro, the contrasting goals of the Nanto Rokusei members, or the conflict among the Hokuto brothers make the cast compelling. The only character I found genuinely unlikable was Lin, who served merely as a plot device and damsel in distress, although even she had her moments.

Some character elements stand out notably. For example, Kenshiro's anti-hero persona, evident in his acknowledgment that he doesn't consider himself a savior or hero, and Raoh's multi-layered character beyond just being a villain highlight the series' influence on Shonen storytelling. The rivalry between these two is second only to Rikishi and Joe's in Ashita no Joe among Shonen rivalries, balancing hatred and respect while both characters grow throughout the series.

Additionally, Mamiya is one of the most well-developed female characters in the medium. Although not given enough prominence, her past, determination, and vulnerabilities portray a woman doing what she can in a world where her disadvantages are clear, akin to a less plot-relevant Oscar from Rose of Versailles or Casca from Berserk.

The art is undoubtedly the series' strongest asset, contributing to its entertainment value. The highly realistic, well-shaded, and detailed artwork improves consistently throughout the series, offering a visual treat surpassed by only a few manga series. Its distinct style, from characters' eyes and faces to the testosterone-fueled muscle mass, great gore, and manly tears, appeals to fans of 80s pop culture.

Overall, Hokuto no Ken is a series that, while not excelling in any single area, performs admirably across all categories, making it one of the best Shonen series and manga in general. Just steer clear of the Part 2 material.

Overall score - 7.5/10

Do you like manly men?  
Do you like manly quotes?  
Do you like manly tears?  
Do you like manly deaths?  

Well, you're in luck because this manga is the manliest one around (yes, I've read Berserk). It's the epitome of manliness. The 'man' in 'manga' has never been so fitting.  

Plot - 8  
I obviously wasn't reading this for fan service, so I can say that the story was pretty good. There's a difference between this and Berserk, though. This story as a whole isn't as strong because the storytelling isn't as smooth. There are some notorious Deus Ex Machina moments in this manga. While the MC's abilities can cover many areas in an understandable way, when you suddenly have the ability to make someone tell the truth in one chapter but never use it again, the reader might feel slightly put off. The last parts also felt a bit dragged out and unnecessary. However, the first part of it was extremely... manly.  

Art - 8  
This art is kind of tricky for me to judge. Sometimes it's downright awesome, but other times (especially in some fight scenes), it feels a bit lacking. The characters' martial arts moves also feel a bit bland to watch (head splitting aside). I liked the art a lot, but I'll deduct a point since it's a bit inconsistent. The drawings of horses and machines are especially glorious if you ask me. The character designs are also very... err... manly.  

Characters - 6  
Ah yes, this is the weakest point. No, I didn't dislike them at all. It's just that some of them were so (and I hate to use the term) one-dimensional. Some villains were practically badly written. Backstories for some of them also pop up out of nowhere sometimes, as though they're just convenient plot devices. I feel like they could have been handled better to be honest. I also didn't really feel anything when some of them died, apart from a loss of some... manliness.  

Enjoyment - 8.6  
Not quite at Berserk's level if you ask me, but great nonetheless. I can't give it a 9 on my list, but I can say that it's a pretty strong 8. More people should read this because it's pretty damn good. Manly deaths, lines, and characters were a great plus if you ask me, and I could mostly ignore the things I didn't like because each time I was about to feel like it was dropping in quality, Kenshiro just had to say "Omae wa mou shindeiru."

Hidden themes in fictional works only surface if you delve deep into the narratives. Among manga series, Fist of the North Star stands out as a quintessential example. On the surface, it may seem like a typical shonen battle series, but it offers much more than mere violent confrontations. A closer look reveals a profound exploration of the human condition.

Why do we exist, and what purpose drives our lives? The characters in Fist of the North Star each provide unique answers to these existential questions.

Kenshiro has become a cultural icon in Japan, influencing nearly every shonen protagonist that came after him. He is not merely a skilled fighter—he is the epitome of martial prowess. Even before Dragon Ball established common shonen tropes, Kenshiro was already on his mission to eradicate evil wherever it existed.

Contrary to popular belief, Kenshiro is not an antihero—a fact that becomes clear when compared with other characters in the series.

The artwork throughout the series is nothing short of breathtaking. From the very beginning, the quality remains consistently high, without any gradual improvement over time. Few, if any, other shonen series can rival its artistic excellence.

If you're looking for a shonen series that shifts focus away from teenage protagonists and leans heavily into intense, visceral combat (be warned: this series is not for the faint-hearted), then Fist of the North Star is the perfect choice.

To bear witness to such an influential work after so much time is truly a remarkable experience. Hokuto no Ken has established numerous standards — as formulaic as they may be — that continue to be utilized today. One might expect it to be a soup of clichés, yet instead, it presents itself in a more refined manner than many contemporary works based on the same formula.

Hokuto no Ken narrates a tale about ambitious and courageous men in a world where compassion and love appear meaningless. It subtly highlights essential human values, which can easily be overlooked beneath its extreme violence. There isn't a single main plot that runs throughout the entire manga; rather, it consists of a series of episodes loosely connected. Often, you'll feel that content was inserted abruptly rather than being planned from the start. This was likely due to money-making motives, which hindered smooth progression.

The artistic impression will remain memorable, especially in the later chapters when Tetsuo enhances his precision and makes optimal use of wide panels. From the very beginning and onwards, there's a consistent improvement in his artistry, whether it be the post-apocalyptic landscapes, facial expressions, or motion between panels. However, his sense of proportions is somewhat distorted. Perhaps those grand anatomical features were intended to depict magnificence or sheer power of certain characters, but even so, they can be off-putting at first and require some getting used to.

Side characters are excellently characterized and easily relatable. Even the villains have deeper reasons behind their heinous actions, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth after their demise. Nevertheless, some revelations (motives) felt rather foolish, far-fetched, and would have been better left undisclosed.

Kenshiro serves his role as an allegory for God. Whether in specific situations where he's depicted, how other characters perceive him, or his personality, one could say he simply keeps the story moving. It's quite challenging to form an attachment to his character. He remains unchanged throughout the entire manga, with no surprises regarding him, and emotional responses are mostly drawn from how he influences other characters, not directly from him. This unusual approach strips him of the typical clichés that often insult the intelligence of main characters, but it doesn't make him an ideal protagonist.

Hokuto no Ken could easily be classified as a masterpiece, but I personally prefer to view it as a far from perfect yet timeless classic, wrapped in a peculiar charm.

As you can see, I have not finished the manga and have only read up to Volume 9 of the Viz releases. I hope to inform you about the shortcomings and strong points of this manga. This review does not contain any major spoilers, such as deaths, but it will reveal how the story unfolds to some extent.

Story: 5  
What initially hooked me was the first fight with Raoh. The story has some great moments, but others feel forced, ranging from somewhat to very much so. Repeatedly, we encounter the most evil characters, which only truly bothered me when they were so cruel as to kill their own children for no good reason. Other times, the emotional moments feel a bit forced, but some are genuinely good. One of the first villains introduced is named Raoh, whose entire army abandoned him even though he wasn't killed (a One Piece moment), and whose conquest was halted by Souther, the holy emperor, who seems significantly weaker than Raoh. Raoh later regains his forces somehow because he "put other people in charge" while he was gone. It's surprising that these choices were made given that there is someone dedicated to writing the story.

Art: 9.7  
Occasionally, the imagery isn't very cinematic, but it is extremely high quality and I would argue it's some of the best art I've ever seen in manga.

Characters: 4  
The characters lack depth and don't experience many emotions, but they serve their purpose—being manly men solving manly problems in manly ways.

Enjoyment: 7.8  

Overall: 7.5 (KEY TAKEAWAYS)  
I plan to finish the series because I do think it has a lot going for it, but it's far from perfect. I don't think it's worth buying the Viz releases as they cost $19.99 USD and are about 100-150 pages shorter than, for example, the Monster Perfect Editions, which cost the same amount.  
If this version becomes fully available: https://mangatoto.com/series/99280  
I would recommend giving it a read because it's in high resolution, but it's not easy to find the original version (uncoloured) in high res.

Was one of the definitive battle manga alongside Dragon Ball, and I occasionally wish this one had become the most popular because it has so much to offer. The apocalyptic setting is fantastic, complete with gore and violence, and unlike Dragon Ball, characters actually die without conveniently coming back to life. Plus, the art for a weekly series was incredible.  

It takes a few chapters for the story to find its footing, and Ken is undeniably overpowered, wiping out everything in his path until he faces his first major antagonist, which spans over 30 chapters. The second half of the manga felt weaker and seemed to drag on due to the author being pressured to capitalize on its success.  

Overall, though, it's a highly competent shounen series that gets most things right.