The legendary Japanese manga "Fist of the North Star" (also known as Hokuto no Ken), originally written by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara, has been kicking ass for over 40 years. Now, a brand-new anime, "Fist of the North Star -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR-," officially premiered on April 11th (late night on April 10th JST).
But here's the real shocker: the ending theme is a cover of the iconic track "Ai wo Torimodose!!" performed by none other than Toshi, the legendary frontman of X Japan! This song was originally the opening theme for the very first anime back in 1984, so Toshi's fresh take is hitting fans right in the feels and blowing up online.
When the new anime premiered on April 11th (late night on April 10th JST) on channels like TOKYO MX, viewers didn't catch on until the credits rolled, revealing Toshi's name. Talk about a jaw-dropping surprise!
Toshi himself expressed his honor, stating, "It's truly an honor to sing this timeless classic, a song etched deep in countless hearts across generations. For this fated story, where love carries sorrow yet pushes forward, I poured my resolve into every single note."
He added, "If this song, playing at the end, can resonate with the story's lingering emotions and awaken that 'true strength' deep within everyone, then as a singer, I will truly have no regrets in this life." This statement perfectly echoes one of the series' most iconic lines. Toshi revealed that his favorite quote from "Fist of the North Star" is Raoh's "My life has no regrets!!" — a sentiment he believes only those who have truly lived with unwavering resolve can utter.
Check out the "Fist of the North Star -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR-" ED featuring Toshi's "Ai wo Torimodose!!" below:
The announcement has sent fans into a frenzy of praise. Who would've thought we'd get to hear "Ai wo Torimodose!!" again, let alone a reinterpretation by a rock legend like Toshi?
This new anime is a special 40th-anniversary celebration. Besides its broadcast on Japanese terrestrial TV, it's also streaming exclusively on Prime Video. So, if you're ready to dive into the Reiwa era's take on "Fist of the North Star -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR-," don't miss out!
via： 《北斗神拳》動畫官方X