Amin Abbas

TOKYO: A special exhibition for the ‘Fist of the North Star’ series is taking place at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi as part of the manga’s 40th anniversary. 

The manga was created by the scriptwriter Buronson and manga creator Hara Tetsuo and was serialized in “Weekly Shonen Jump” from 1983 to 1988. It became a social phenomenon, with various adaptations including TV anime series, cinematic movies, and manga spin-off works featuring supporting characters.

Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth after a nuclear war, the story centers on a warrior named Kenshiro, the successor of a deadly martial art known as Hokuto Shinken, which gives him the ability to kill his opponents by striking their secret vital points, which often results in an exceptionally violent and gory death. Kenshiro dedicates his life to fighting against the various gangs, bandits, and warlords who threaten the lives of the defenseless and innocent, as well as rival martial artists.

It boasts a publication record of over 100 million copies worldwide, and it continues to be passed down and beloved by many to this day. A new anime adaptation was announced in September 2023.

🌠 #北斗の拳40周年大原画展
愛をとりもどせ‼️

閉幕迫る‼️#六本木森アーツセンター にて
11月19日(日)まで‼️

「悔いなし❗️」と言えるほど
“体感”してください👊https://t.co/VJcHLsmYe5 #北斗の拳 pic.twitter.com/tHjADeUc3H

— 【公式】北斗の拳40周年大原画展💥👊 (@40thHokutoNoTen) November 13, 2023

The event is being held from Oct. 7 to Nov. 19, featuring power-packed original manuscript pages spanning 136 chapters of the series and about 3,000 pieces of work, up to the final battle with Raoh.

Additionally, 400 original color drawings from the time of serialization are being featured at the exhibition, with a theme centering around ‘Love’, following the intense storyline of the manga. 

Many visitors who visited the exhibition so far were very excited to witness the journey of Kenshiro, the protagonist, who devotes himself to self-sacrificing love for others, and to experience his path as a savior alongside him as a special message for long-time fans or newcomers of the series to etch the form of that ‘Love’ into their hearts.