Fist of the North Star New Anime Cast Revealed

It has been decided that Kenshiro will be played by Takeuchi Shunsuke, Bat by Yamashita Daiki, and Lin by M.A.O in the TV anime “Fist of the North Star”, scheduled to be broadcast and distributed in 2026. A teaser PV has also been released.

The original Fist of the North Star is a monumental battle action manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump (published by Shueisha) from 1983 to 1988 by Buronson (original author) and Tetsuo Hara (manga). Set in a world devastated by nuclear war and dominated by violence, the story follows Kenshiro, the successor to the Hokuto Shinken assassination fist, who is passed down only to his father, as he is led by destiny to fight against various powerful foes on his journey to find his fiancée, Yuria, who was kidnapped by his former friend, Shin. The series was first made into a TV anime in 1984, followed by the OVA New Fist of the North Star in 2003, and the five-part theatrical anime and OVA Fist of the North Star: The Legend of the True Savior from 2006 to 2008.

Kenshiro, played by Takeuchi, is a taciturn but kind-hearted young man with seven scars in the shape of the Big Dipper on his chest who shows no mercy to villains. Bat, played by Yamashita, is a thief boy who happens to meet Kenshiro, and Lin, played by M.A.O, is a girl who closed her heart and became unable to speak after the shock of her parents being killed, but regains her voice after being touched by Kenshiro’s kindness. Both of them accompany Kenshiro on his journey. Character image visuals of Bat and Lin, with grim expressions on their faces, walking through the dusty wilderness, have also been released.

The teaser PV features voice acting for Kenshiro, Bat, and Lin. Kenshiro is seen using the secret techniques of the Hokuto Shinken to fight his nemesis Shin and his subordinates Hearts, Spades, and Diamonds, and at the end of the video, Kenshiro’s famous line, “You’re already dead,” is heard, which symbolizes the work.

The full comments from the cast are as follows.

[Takeuchi Shunsuke (voice of Kenshiro)]

Q1. Enthusiasm for this workI am honored to be involved in a work that depicts a universal human theme, “Fist of the North Star.” For me, “Fist of the North Star” is a story of “love.” Romance, friendship, human love, love and hate, philanthropy – I think the greatest appeal of this work is that it depicts various forms of love. As long as there is “love,” humanity can surely be reborn. I would like to carefully express this unwavering theme.

Q2. Your favorite line from “Fist of the North Star” “Master… oh… like… long ago… give me warmth once more…” This is a line from Souther.

Q3. Your favorite characterI’m sorry… but actually I’m a Nanto fan, so it’s Rei.

Q4. How I encountered “Fist of the North Star”It started when a friend recommended it to me when I was in elementary school. Because my elementary school teacher liked Hokuto, there was an exception that “during reading time, only ‘Fist of the North Star’ manga was allowed.” Because of this, I often took turns reading it with my friends at school. Also, because of my generation, there were convenience store comics and various anime versions. It was also the time when games like “Hokuto Musou” and “AC” started to come out, so I spent my days after school playing Hokuto.

Q5. What do you need to survive in the end of the century? Logically speaking, it’s the assassination fist.

[Yamashita Daiki (Bat)]

Q1. Enthusiasm for this film I am very excited to have the opportunity to play Bat from Fist of the North Star! Bat is Kenshiro’s younger brother and sometimes an equal companion, and while he lightens the mood with his cheerfulness and humor, he is a charming character who has the toughness to survive in a harsh world. I would like to carefully portray his light-hearted tone, quick-witted actions, deep trust in his companions, and his growth. In particular, I think the bond between Lin and Kenshiro is the core of Bat’s heart, so I am very excited to be able to carefully build that from the beginning! I would like to survive in this world while growing together with my companions and Bat!

Q2. My favorite line from “Fist of the North Star” is the classic “You’re already dead” and I have said it over and over since I was a child, in the lowest voice I could (lol)! I also liked the relationship with Grandma Toyo from the village where Bat used to live! It was a story I liked and it taught me that even if you are not related by blood, the form of family is very important in this world and is the power to live, so it left a lasting impression on me!

Q3. Favorite character. I like each of them, but I think Rei is really cool! I remember being mesmerized by how cool he was when he fought for his sister and risked his life for friendship.

Q4. How I encountered “Fist of the North Star”. It was through a manga that was at my cousin’s house…! I must have been in elementary school at the time, when I encountered it at a time when I had a particularly strong desire to become stronger! I read the manga, feeling that the life-risking battles were making me stronger. It was about a two-hour bike ride from my cousin’s house, so I would go there to read manga under the pretext of training! I think it made my legs a little stronger (lol)!

Q5. What do you need to survive in the end of the century? I think it’s mental toughness more than anything! No matter what happens, I think the most important elements for survival are to believe in tomorrow, believe in your friends, and believe in yourself! However, in the story, it is those with such indomitable, kind souls who are attacked by the fangs of the bad guys… (tears). In times like that, let’s call each other, read on, keeeeeeeean!!!

[M.A.O (voice of Rin)]

Q1. Enthusiasm for this workI’m M.A.O, and I’ll be playing the role of Lin. I’m honored to be able to take part in a work that continues to be loved by so many people around the world. I’d like to do my best to express Lin’s cuteness and hidden strength, as well as her “destiny” that I felt through the original work! I hope you’ll look forward to the broadcast and distribution to see how “Fist of the North Star,” which is said to have once caused a social phenomenon, will be portrayed as an animation in the Reiwa era.

Q2. My favorite line from “Fist of the North Star” is, “I will not obey the devil. No matter what happens. If I succumb to the devil, I will no longer be human… That’s what Ken taught me.” It was a scene that showed the strength of young Lin’s heart, and I felt that courageous actions can be a source of hope for people.

Q3. Favorite characterRei is Kenshiro’s good rival and friend. I think he’s kind-hearted, passionate, and above all, he cares about his sister, which is wonderful! Q4. I don’t remember exactly how old I was when I first encountered “Fist of the North Star,” but I think it was when I was in the early grades of elementary school. I often watched reruns of the anime on TV with my younger brother.

Q5. What do you need to survive in the end of the century? I think it’s having a rich heart, trustworthy friends, and muscles!!

Warner Bros. Japan Anime

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“Fist of the North Star” teaser trailer!!

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Takeuchi Shunsuke to Voice Kenshiro in Long-Awaited Reanimation

The legendary post-apocalyptic saga Fist of the North Star is being reanimated with a fresh voice cast, breathing new life into the iconic series. Takeuchi Shunsuke as Kenshiro promises a powerful reinterpretation of the beloved hero, while Yamashita Daiki and M.A.O add fresh emotional dynamics as Bat and Lin. The teaser PV featuring famous lines such as “You are already dead” gives fans nostalgic chills while signaling a new era of quality animation and performance. This remake is not just a revival—it’s a chance to reintroduce one of Japan’s most influential anime to a new generation with modern storytelling and visuals. Could this be the definitive version of Hokuto no Ken?