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Torrents Of Bood; Fist Of The North Star (Hokuto No Ken) |
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Friday, 23 September 2005 |
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This intense action anime movie
came out in 1983 written by Tetsuo Hara and is one of the finest action anime
to date. It opens with a serene setting
showing happy little valleys and flowers stretching across the vast expanses of
earth, melodic music accompanies the soft atmosphere. Then there is a burst of
light on the face of the earth. That pretty much sets of the movie with some
melting flesh and a few spirits exiting their burning bodies you get the idea.
The world of the Fist is very similar to Mad Max, And Hara has admitted that
those movies were an influence in the setting and styles portrayed. Roving bands of gangsters murder and steal
to survive in this world you either prey, or you are prey.
Our hero is Ken, Ken is last
descendant of the 2 thousand years-old martial arts school Hokuto Shinken (the
divine school of Hokuto) and has been chosen as the most skilled among the four
children the previous master of the art, Ryuken, has adopted and trained to have
an heir. The owners of this technique are able to convert the full force of
themselves during fighting and they can use the ability of pressing Tsubos
(pressure points on the body) to paralyse or completely destroy their
opponents' body. He uses this skill with ghastly results. Blood flies and heads
burst like squashed grapes.
The true Fist of the North Star is the focal point for the chaos and
violence that ensues. He returns after being betrayed by one of his closest
friend Shin for his girlfriend Julia.
Shing was coerced by Ken’s failure of a brother Jagi who never mastered
Hokuto Shinken. Brought back by the cry of a mute child Ken returns to save the
future of earth, as we know it. Along the way he meets his only ally in the
anime Rei who is a master of the style Nanto Suichou
Seiken or southern cross style, slicing people into literal cuts of meat. The
battles in this anime are second to none as far as bloodlust and intense
physical accuracy. The detailing done with the different styles is intense ands
this is one of Testuo Haras’ trademark styles. Countless deaths occur in this
movie in the apocalyptic battles that ensue. Never fails a crowd with the lust
for a viciously invigorating anime.
Spoiling isn’t a part of this
review however the end of this anime movie sticks out. The setting and apex of
the final conflict is a mind-opening example of the depth of the anime artist
to understand the desire of humanity for peace and harmony in all things. That
concept is reached with a blood spurting tendon tearing final impact of
cataclysmic proportions. The intensity of the moods set by this movie are
almost overpowering. Definitely a must see movie for the hard edges action
anime fan!
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Last Updated ( Friday, 23 September 2005 )
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