Fist of the North Star

Hokuto Shinken — Four Brothers Compete for Succession

Raoh, Toki, Jagi, and Kenshiro — four adopted brothers under Hokuto master Ryuken — compete for the right to succeed Hokuto Shinken. Kenshiro is ultimately chosen as the 64th successor.

Nuclear War — The World Consumed by Nuclear Fire

In 199X, total nuclear war erupts, laying waste to the surface of the Earth. Civilization collapses, and survival of the strongest becomes the only law as warlords and gangs rise to dominate scarce resources.

— The manga's opening narration states 'In the year 199X, the world was engulfed in nuclear fire.' The exact year is deliberately left ambiguous.

Kenshiro Defeated by Shin — Yuria Taken

Shin, master of Nanto Koshuken, defeats Kenshiro and carves seven scars into his chest in the name of love for Yuria. Yuria is taken away and Kenshiro is left for dead in the wasteland.

Meeting Bat and Rin — Kenshiro's Wandering Begins

Kenshiro, wandering the wasteland, meets the resourceful boy Bat and the mute girl Rin in a village. Bonding with them, he begins his journey as a protector of the weak, using Hokuto Shinken.

Jagi's Schemes — Revenge Against Kenshiro

Jagi, bitter over being passed over for succession, impersonates Kenshiro and commits atrocities across the wasteland to turn people against him. He is ultimately defeated by Kenshiro in battle.

Kenshiro Reaches Southern Cross — The Truth About Yuria

Kenshiro storms Southern Cross, the vast city ruled by Shin (the 'KING'), and defeats him. After the battle, it is revealed that Yuria is no longer there.

Meeting Rei — Alliance with the Nanto Suichoken Fighter

Rei, master of Nanto Suichoken and one of Nanto's Six Saints, joins Kenshiro's journey while searching for his sister Airi. Their alliance deepens as they face the chaos of the wasteland together.

Toki and Amiba — Healing Art of Hokuto and the Impostor

Toki, who uses Hokuto Shinken to heal the sick, is imprisoned in a quarantined village. The rival martial artist Amiba impersonates him for cruel experiments, until Kenshiro exposes and defeats the impostor.

Raoh Appears — Proclaiming Himself the Conqueror of the Century's End

Raoh, eldest Hokuto brother, declares himself the 'Conqueror of the Century's End' and begins sweeping conquest with his army. His fateful rivalry with Kenshiro moves to the forefront of the story.

Souther — Construction of the Holy Emperor's Cross Mausoleum

Souther, bearer of the Nanto Housoken and the Nanto Six Saints' General Star, declares himself Holy Emperor and forces children to build the massive 'Holy Cross Mausoleum.' Toki is captured and imprisoned there.

Kenshiro vs. Souther — Battle Against the Holy Emperor

Kenshiro and Souther clash at the Holy Cross Mausoleum. Kenshiro discerns Souther's secret — his heart and organs are reversed — and defeats him. Souther meets a dramatic end.

Rei's Death — Toki's End and Sorrow

Rei, struck by a fatal Hokuto pressure point by Raoh, burns his last hours of life in a final battle before dying. Toki, stricken by illness, later dies in Kenshiro's arms.

Last General of Nanto — Yuria Revealed as the Final Saint

It is revealed that the Last General of Nanto's Six Saints is Yuria herself. As bearer of the Star of the Merciful Mother, she carries hope for all people — and Raoh seeks her as well.

Kenshiro vs. Raoh — The Final Battle

Kenshiro and Raoh meet for their final battle at Hokuto Renkitouza. Kenshiro wins. Raoh raises his fist to the sky and breathes his last, declaring he has no regrets in his life.

— Raoh's dying declaration is one of the series' most iconic moments, recorded in the original manga.

Reunion with Yuria — and Farewell

After Raoh's defeat, Kenshiro is finally reunited with Yuria. They share a brief period of peace, but Yuria has been fatally weakened by years of radiation exposure, and she dies quietly at his side.

Holy Emperor Arc — Adult Bat and Rin Lead the Hokuto Army

After Raoh's death, the adult Bat and Rin lead the 'Hokuto Army' in resistance against the oppressive forces serving the Holy Emperor. Kenshiro rises again to confront the truth behind the empire.

Gento Koken — Falco Confronts Kenshiro

Falco, successor of Gento Koken and general of the Holy Emperor's army, stands against Kenshiro. A rare man of principle, he once sacrificed his own leg to halt Raoh's army.

Journey to the Land of Shura — Birthplace of Hokuto Shinken

Rin is taken to the Land of Shura, birthplace of Hokuto Shinken, and Kenshiro follows. This lawless land of warriors — where Raoh, Toki, and Hyou were born — is ruled entirely by the strongest.

Battle with Hyou — Reunion with a Brother Who Regains His Memory

Hyou, his memories stolen and turned into a Rasho warrior, clashes with Kenshiro. During the battle, Hyou recovers his true memories and joins forces with Kenshiro against Kaioh.

Final Battle with Kaioh — Pacification of the Land of Shura

Kenshiro faces Kaioh, the first Rasho of the Land of Shura, in their final battle. Kenshiro wins. Hyou and Kaioh both meet their end, and the violence of the Land of Shura comes to a close.

Passing the Art to Ryu — Kenshiro Departs

Kenshiro names Ryu, the son of Raoh, as the next successor of Hokuto Shinken, passes on his teachings, and then disappears into the wasteland. Through Bat's selfless act, Kenshiro is reunited with a memory-wiped Rin.

— The final chapter of the original manga. The anime ending differs slightly from the manga's conclusion.