Legends of the Dark King: A Fist of the North Star Story

About Legends of the Dark King: A Fist of the North Star Story

Legends of the Dark King: A Fist of the North Star Story (北斗の拳 ラオウ外伝 天の覇王) arrives as an action anime by Satelight (2008), and the premise is easy to summarize. At its core: In the wastelands following the great nuclear war, a legend grew of a man. “Hokuto No Ken.” The Fist of the North Star. Master of a legendary fighting technique.

Further in, a man of impossible strength and endurance. Before Ken claimed the title of the Fist, there was another master, trained in the art of Hokuto Shinken, the King of the Fist, the Divine Fist of Heaven. Raoh: the ultimate assassin, the ultimate warrior.

As an action title, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Souther (Toshihiko Seki) and Raoh (Takashi Ukaji) are two of the characters you will meet early. Think of it as a pick for viewers who like fast, high-impact fights. With 13 episodes in total, there is enough room for the story to develop.

Production & Appeal

Animation is handled by Satelight, so the studio's house style defines how Legends of the Dark King: A Fist of the North Star Story looks and moves on screen. Within the action category, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. With a 6.7/10 score, it is more of a niche pick than a universal crowd-pleaser. On the casting side, Toshihiko Seki voicing Souther gives the lead role a recognizable voice. It aired in 2008, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.