Fist of the North Star, New  Recommended
Publisher
ADV
Director
Takashi Watanabe
Production
New Fist of the North Star Production Committee, OB Planning
Country of origin
Japan
Format
OVA
Running time
3 episodes
Year
2003
New Fist of the North Star vol 3: When a Man Carries Sorrow
By John Huxley
14th Aug 05  Now entering its third and final volume, New Fist of the North Star attempts to reprise the post-apocalyptic classic with a brand new story that incorporates state of the art animation and uncensored fight sequences. Hardly the most ambitious project around, but an entirely welcome one nonetheless. This volume continues the story as the erstwhile kindhearted Tobi, in an effort to rescue his younger brother, incites the people of Last Land to rise up against their recently installed oppressor, Seiji. Taking advantage of Kenshiro’s prolonged absence, Tobi proceeds to trick him into imprisonment as he heads off to fight it out with Seiji for ultimate control of Last Land. Knowing Tobi is fighting a losing battle, Kenshiro must find away to escape his prison (you’d think his old metal bar bending trick would help...) and settle matters with both Tobi and Seiji before there’s literally nobody left alive. While it’s sorely lacking the kind of depth that we’ve come to expect from modern anime productions such as this, the three-part story must rank amongst the best Fist of the North Star has had to offer during its long and illustrious history. As was ably illustrated during the previous volume, the solid narrative is driven by a series of flashbacks (in cheesy sepia tones, of course) detailing Seiji’s ‘troubled’ relationship with his father and his subsequent fall from grace. Tacky though it may be, it’s certainly robust enough to keep things relatively interesting for the moderately lengthy duration. Sadly a heinously lackadaisical conclusion disregards much of the previous two episodes in favour of an almost nonsensical development involving a mysterious old woman who explains all the plot holes away. Lazy, incoherent and hugely disappointing. Still, as a backdrop for the fabulously excessive violence, the story is more than ample. And this final episode makes room for a number of fantastic sequences in which Tobi’s men battle Seiji’s blood thirsty troops, with plenty of gruesome deaths exposed in all their uncensored glory. At its blood-soaked best, it’s difficult to believe the violence was not designed to be intentionally amusing, as if this were a kind of sadistic, X-rated version of a Tom & Jerry cartoon. Watching as a hapless soldier’s head is sliced clean apart to reveal the bone, blood and brain tissue inside may sound particularly gruesome, but in actuality the execution is so ridiculously over the top you’ll find it difficult not laugh. Perhaps that’s just the sadistic side of my personality showing through, but surely I can’t be the only one to find such excessive violence so thoroughly entertaining? No? Maybe not... Anyway, if you were left feeling disappointed and frustrated at the lack of action during the second volume, you’ll be glad to know that volume three of New Fist of the North Star spells a spectacular return to form. Not only are we treated to a much higher percentage of action this time around, but the animation is also back to its stunning best. Of particular note is the inevitable final showdown between Kenshiro and Seiji, which marks something of a departure for Fist of the North Star. Unusually, to prolong the battle there’s a much greater emphasis on the fighter’s movement with smoother animations and more elaborate choreography replacing the one hit knockdown we’ve become accustomed to over the years. Such a departure may not curry favour with each and every Fist of the North Star fan, but it’s certainly a refreshing change in my book. Though it may lack the classic ‘you’re already dead’ death sequences, over the course of the three volumes there’s no doubt in my mind that we’ve been treated to some of the absolute finest action that Fist of the North Star has ever seen. And if that isn’t reason enough to run out and but all three volumes right now, I don’t know what is. Of course, there’s a good chance you never did like Fist of the North Star in the first place. And if you fall in to this lamentably misguided category, I’m afraid there’s nothing here that will effect your opinion. There’s no denying that New Fist of the North Star is every bit as shallow, derivative and downright daft as its predecessor. Yet, by the same token, there’s also no denying that it’s every bit as exciting, stylish and thoroughly entertaining as the original classic - if not more so. I for one am chuffed to bits that Fist of the North Star has made such a triumphant return, and dearly hope that someone, somewhere has the sense to commission another outing for Kenshiro and his exploding friends.
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English 5.1, Japanese 5.1, English subtitles, behind the scenes ADR footage, interview with Sifu Moy/Saup Tung/Aaron Vyvial & the American Ving Tsun Kung Fu Academy, commentary with English voice actors, character bios, trailers for Italian release, ADV previews
Release information: UK: ADV, out now
Notes: ADV have done a sterling job with the first two DVDs, so I’m pleased to report that this volume is no different. The cover is a little less striking than the previous volume with a dark colour scheme and indifferent composition, but it still conveys the tone of the series well. Again the double-sided cover features a logo-less version of the front cover’s artwork alongside a pretty plain contents listing. The DVD menus are a little more exciting, making good use of the memorable theme tune and some nice graphics. However, it’s the extras that really impress with a few substantial featurettes bolstering the main event. These include some US behind the scenes footage, and interview with the American Ving Tsun Kung Fu Academy and a commentary track. The Ving Tsun interview in particular is well worth your time and continues the format established during the previous two volumes.
-- John Huxley 14th Aug 05
Fist of the North Star, New Images           
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