Copyright © Buronson
© Buronson Tetsuo Hara/Shueisha
© Toei Animation

Followup to the previous review in EX 4.4:

In an apocalyptic future, humankind doesn't need an excuse for 75 minutes of badly animated violence. Really, there isn't much to the premise. Kenshiro continues his search for Shin, who kidnapped his beloved. He encounters various gangs of henchmen from Shin's organization. They kill people. He kills them. Kenshiro moves on to the next fight.
The production is dated 1984, and the animation quality reflects its age. On top of that, it is a TV series, which means lower budget and censorship. As a show that claims gory violence as its main selling point, it fails to deliver the visual stimulation. The fights are short and lack fluidity. The gore consists mainly of white lights exploding out of grotesquely deformed bodies—no blood.
The dubbing is average, and so is the music. The voice talents from Animaze have a tough act to follow. After all, legendary Kamiya Akira (Roy Fokker in MACROSS, Ryo Saeba in CITY HUNTER, Ashram in LODOSS WAR) voiced Kenshiro in the Japanese version. Few who have heard his performance could forget his battle cries. Still, the American voice actors' efforts are commendable.
Once again, Manga Entertainment has replaced the opening and ending credits with its own concoction. Mike Egan composed and performed the opening music, while Reinforced Records did the ending. They aren't bad, but nothing to get excited about either.
Overall, I wonder if FIST OF THE NORTH STAR, THE SERIES can satisfy fans of violent anime. The visual gratification simply isn't there. Unless said fans happen to like violence, but can't stand the gore.

Released in North America by Manga Entertainment
75 minutes
$19.95
(VHS Color/Stereo Hi-Fi)
UPC: 6-60200-40083-5 (dub)
Where to buy