‘You Are Already Dead‘: Warner Bros. Japan Drops An Ultra-Violent Trailer For The New ‘Fist Of The North Star’ Adaptation

Warner Bros. Japan will bring the post-apocalyptic world of Fist of the North Star back to the small screen next year, and the show’s highly anticipated first teaser trailer is finally here. The studio has revealed a first look at the upcoming anime adaptation of the legendary manga by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara, complete with dynamic action scenes and updated character designs.

Although the series is set to debut in Japan sometime in 2026, no exact date or broadcaster/platform has been announced yet. International distribution details have yet to be disclosed.

Set in the scorched ruins of a world destroyed by nuclear war, Fist of the North Star: Hokuto no Ken follows Kenshiro, the 64th successor of the deadly martial art Hokuto Shinken. Bearing seven scars on his chest, Kenshiro roams the wasteland in search of his stolen fiancée, Yuria, and becomes a reluctant savior in a world ruled by violence. Along the way, he’s joined by Bat (voiced by Daiki Yamashita), a streetwise young thief, and Rin (voiced by M.A.O), a girl who regains her voice through Kenshiro’s compassion.

“A work from 40 years ago will be reborn as an animated work,” said Buronson when the series was first announced in 2023. “I took a step back from animation during the time since, and it is a little different from manga. Now, animation and movie technology has evolved tremendously… Moreover, the principle of new anime production is to depict the original work with great care. I am so looking forward to it. My work, which has been loved by many fans over the past 40 years, will make a comeback as an anime. I look forward to enjoying it with everyone.”

The new series commemorates the manga’s 40th anniversary and will be produced with an all-new creative team using the latest animation technology. Shunsuke Takeuchi will voice Kenshiro, bringing new life to a character who has captivated generations.

The original manga ran from 1983 to 1988 and has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Toei Animation produced the first anime series adaptation of the books, which ran from 1984 to 1988. The franchise has added several animated features, a live-action film, video games, OVAs, and several spinoffs in the years since. Warner Bros. Japan’s new adaptation promises to stay faithful to the iconic source material while delivering a bold, modern retelling.