Its a tad difficult to start and describe Hokuto no Ken without boring people out: they simply already know what it is. Like Dragon Ball it was one of those shounen that radically changed a lot of things that went on to live and still live in modern media. The story isnt the most convoluted: a powerful but kind martial artist seeking revenge in a postapocalyptic world learns a bigger truth goes on to search his own way of life. Thats it thats our protagonist Kenshiro. Obviously being a manga about combats thats where it truly shines: the art is uniquely mesmerizing the exaggerated bodies flow on paper without a single worry and fastpaced actions are directed in a surprisingly clear way meaning youll hardly ever have to go back a page a couple of times to learn who actually hit who youll already know also Hokuto no Ken puts strong emphasis on the way hits can transform human bodies and thats what makes them so impactful. The world is another thing that was done magnificently: a bare wasteland all humanity either has gone mad and cruel or is trying their best to survive in this though environment where water itself is scarce. The reader is left with a genuine need to follow the hero through his campaign: will he be able to fix it and leave such a scenario behind as a memory only? The first part In the first part of this manga we have a beautiful tale of brotherhood peace clashing with war emotions and bottled feelings. A cast of wellwritten enemies with one thing in common: while they at first appear to be mad and simply driven by blood thirst it is only but a mask for hidden feelings. The friends thatll accompany our protagonist through his journey are no less be it innocent kids looking up to Ken or powerful friends with a challenging and kind spirit. The second part This is.. where the story shines not as bright. If you read the manga you definitely know the moment where Kens adventure reaches the end of the first part. Im not saying this second part wasnt needed there were some characters left ignored in the first part that here had a proper tale and thats a good thing however.. it could be much shorter. We have multiple tales that are way too similar to what we looked at in the first part and it gets quite boring after a while. Id say its best moments are at the start and at the end. Between those are two arcs that are.. eh. Im sure this was done because contracts were already there people had to publish and sell things but you can feel how both the artist and the writer were pretty much spent at this point they most definitely needed a break. Final thoughts All and all it deserves a read but be aware that its a product of its era and even though it has aged nicely you can definitely feel the weight. Im giving this a 7.5/10 even though it would have been a solid 8.5/10 if it wasnt dragged for so much.
75 /100
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