Fist Of The North Star, or your dad's favorite anime, remains one of the most iconic and enduring animated series of all time. It has gone on to spawn numerous movies, spin-offs, video games, novels, and even pachinko machines. Set in a post-apocalyptic, Mad-Maxesque, future that has been destroyed by a nuclear war, the anime follows Kenshiro, the heir to the deadly martial art, Hokuto Shinken and his quest to protect the weak and innocent.
Recognized for its over the top gore, action and voice acting, the series has become somewhat of a meme to the modern-day audience. The series has served as an inspiration for anime creators and mangaka's throughout Japan. In this list, we'll be looking at ten times Fist Of The North Star was referenced by other anime.
10 Vampire Hunter D
Set in the year 12,090 AD, in a post-nuclear holocaust world the story follows, D, a mysterious half-vampire, half-human vampire hunter. Who, after big hired by a young woman, must protect her from a powerful and ancient vampire-lord. In the 1985 film, Vampire Hunter D, a villager bearing a strong resemblance to Kenshiro can be seen for a brief moment staring in awe.
The Fist Of The North Star creator later referenced the famous vampire hunter in his own film, adding him into the background of a scene.
9 Great Teacher Onizuka
The famous anime and manga focus on Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old former biker gang member, who becomes a teacher at a private middle school, after convincing himself of the power and influence that they have over girls.
Using his own life lessons and crooked philosophies, he sets out to become the greatest teacher ever. In the 8th episode of Great Teacher Onizuka, after witnessing some of his students being bullied by a gang of punks, Onizuka marks himself with fake Hokuto scars and says he's Kenshiro going to rescue Yuria.
8 Dr. Slump
Dr. Slump is like anime parody meets Frankenstein. The story primarily follows the hapless inventor, Senbei Norimaki, his robot daughter Arale, and their adventures through the strange Penguin Village. The reference occurs in the 5th Dr. Slump film, Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hoyoyo! The City of Dreams, Mechapolis.
Tsukutsun Tsun, the same guy from the General Blue Saga in Dragon Ball, wanders a fake wasteland dressed as the famous Kenshiro, fighting several mohawk-donning robots that resemble the raiders from Fist Of The North Star while using Hokuto Shin Ken on them.
7 Hajime No Ippo
Hajime No Ippo follows the young and shy boy, Ippo, who is frequently bullied by kids at his school. After being rescued by a legendary boxer, he is taken under his wing and realizes his talent for fighting. With the guidance of his teacher, Ippo quickly begins his quest to become the greatest boxer of all time.
The Fist Of The North Star reference comes in the 16th episode of the eclectic boxing anime, where the character Aoki Masura briefly mimics Kenshiro's, Hokuto Hyakuretsu, while also boasting he will someday start how own fan club full of chicks.
6 Gintama
Gintama is a parody anime, set in an alternate reality, Edo, which has been conquered by aliens named Amanto, the story follows the nincompoop samurai Gintoki Sakata, who owns his own freelancing company named Odd Jobs Gin, along with his friends Shinpachi and Kagura, taking on various jobs in order to pay the monthly rent.
The Fist Of The North Star reference comes in episode 288, when the Shinsengumi police force's whole personality and image change to that of the wasteland outlaws from the series. While a parody of the Fist Of The North Star theme song is played throughout the scene.
5 Baki
The 2018 remake of the popular anime and manga Baki The Grappler had its own homage to the popular franchise. Baki follows, Baki Hanma, as he intensely trains by fighting various criminal opponents on his quest to surpass his father and become the most powerful fighter on the planet.
The Fist Of The North Star reference comes in episode 18 of Baki, where Retsu Kaioh performs Kenshiro's iconic battle cry during his fight with Doyle. The voice actor behind Kaioh, Kaiji Tang, actually voiced Kenshiro in the video game Fist Of The North Star: Ken's Rage.
4 Gintama
To this day, Gintama remains ripe with parodies and homages to famous anime franchises and pop culture, so its no surprise that there would be multiple instances where Fist Of The North Star was referenced in the series.
The second reference comes in episode 28 when Ayame Sarutobi hints that Otose and Catherine may have achieved Musou Tensei, the most powerful and secret technique of Kenshiro's deadly martial arts form, which he was the only person to master. The duo can also be seen striking poses similar to Kenshiro when he first mastered the famous technique.
3 How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?
How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? is like Food Wars for any crazy gym rat. The story follows Hibiki, a high school girl, who has an insatiable appetite which leads to her gain weight. After encouragement from her friends, she reluctantly considers joining the new Silverman Gym.
The series centers around her daily escapades at school, in her social life and at the gym in her quest to get the perfect bod. The Fist Of The North Star reference comes in Episode 3 of the series, which features Naruzo Machio, one of the gyms personal trainers, cosplaying as Kenshiro, performing several references to the popular anime.
2 Dr. Stone
Dr. Stone takes place 3,700 years after every human on the planet becomes petrified and follows a teenage genius named Senku Ishigami who manages to revive himself. Senku sets out on a quest to rebuild society and save the human race through the expert use of science and chemistry. The series is full of references to video games and anime, going as far as having a section of dialogue dedicated to Monster Hunter.
The Fist of the Northstar reference comes in episode 8 of the series, when an image of Momotaro that resembles Kenshiro can be seen flashing across the screen with a shocked Senku questioning his appearance.
1 Food Wars
Food Wars follows Soma Yukihira as he aspires to become a full-time chef in his father Joichiro's family restaurant, becoming the greatest cook of all time and taking over the family business. After getting a new job, Joichiro enrolls Soma at Totsuki academy, an elite culinary school where students engage in "iron chef" like competitions called shokugeki.
The Fist Of The North Star reference comes in episode 13, where Soma Yukihira is shown in Isshiki's dream with a muscle-bound and brawny physique and seven scars on his chest resembling Kenshiros big dipper markings.