The Fists Of the North
Star Characters
Kenshiro
was born whit a birthmark in the shape of the big dipper
which as it turned out, was identical to one found on the
former Hokuto Shinken master Kenshiro Kasumi. Kenshiro
Kasumi was the older brother of Ramon Kasumi (aka Ryuken)
who - having adopted the new-born Kenshiro - named him in
honor of his brother asumed to be dead.
Only one could be allowed to be the new Hokuto Shinken
master and Kenshiro trained alongside his 3 adopted
brothers Raoh, Jagi, and Toki for this role. This would set
the stage for intense rivalry wich only got worse after
Kenshiro was eventualy chosen by Ryuken.
This rivalry was put on hold after a nuclear disaster
devastated most of the world, turning it into a lawless
wasteland. The brothers split up and Kenshiro tried to
start a new life whit his girlfriend Yuria. Sadly, their
happines was short-lived as Kenshiros old friend Shin
confronted them, almost killing him and taking Yuria for
himself. This incident also left Kenshiro whit his
trademark 7 scars in the shape of the big dipper.
Wandering the wasteland, Kenshiro eventualy came to a
village where he met the young, innocent Lyn, and the
young, not-so-innocent Batt. Together, they formed a team
who traveled the land, meeting many people including Shin,
Kenshiros brothers, and a host of other thugs and martial
artists.
Ryuken
Founded by Shuken after he and his aunt's son Ryuuoh split
off from the original Hokuto style to form their respective
styles. The art's power lies striking the various "Tsubo"
or pressure points in the human body (also known as
acupressure points, power points, vital points, etc.). This
causes victim to explode, be controlled involutanrily or
otherwise incapacitated. It can also be used to heal
certain physical and psychological wounds, though the main
purpose of Hokuto Shinken is assassination.
Hokuto Shinken also derives power by using "Tou-ki" or
fighting spirit to use the human body's full potential as
well as to project energy attacks. These energy attacks can
be also used to strike pressure points, as was the case
when Kenshiro battled Souther.
Hokuto Shinken, unlike Nanto Seiken, can only have one
successor at a given time. Usually, it is passed down from
father to son or some other blood relative; it was passed
on to Ramon Kasumi (aka Ryuken) after Kenshiro Kasumi was
presumably killed (see Fist of the Blue Sky). Anyone elsed
schooled in Hokuto Shinken not selected as successor must
vow to give up the art or be forced to either have their
fists destroyed or their memory removed.
Ryuken had a series of students who grew up as if they were
brothers. The ones shown in the manga are Kenshiro, Jagi,
Toki, Raoh and Kim. Kim was eliminated from the rite of
succession early on and was kicked out of the dojo. Toki
was eliminated much later due to his nuclear accident which
brought on a terminal illness. Jagi was presumably
eliminated due to his underhandedness and clear lack of
ability compared to his other brothers. Finally, Raoh and
Kenshiro were put to a test where they were both confronted
by a wild tiger and had to prove their merit as an
assassin. Kenshiro was able to cause the tiger to submit
quietly to death wheras Raoh caused the tiger to fear death
and attack him. Kenshiro was seen as having a true
assassin's style and therefor chosen as the 64th successor
to Hokuto Shinken.
Nanto
Rokusei Ken
The Nanto Seiken style sets generally tend to consist of
styles that focus on dazzling maneuvers and using energy to
cut, slice, and dice enemies and objects. Often, they focus
on speed, to slice the opponent, and let them fall apart
afterwards. Sometimes this will happen so fast, the
opponent will not even realize they're dead. It can be
debated that, in the manga, air pressure may be used to
slice the opponent instead of energy.
Nanto
Suichou Ken
Nanto Suicho Ken (Southern cross waterfowl fist) is the
most graceful of the Nanto Seiken styles. With a focus on
grace and aerial attacks, its primary usage is for
medium-range attacks. As shown in the battle between Rei
and Yuda, this style is useless when the user is grounded.
(In the battle, Rei fought Yuda in knee-deep water).
Nanto
Koukaku Ken
Nanto Koukaku Ken (Southern Cross Crimson Crane fist) is a
style based on long-range, vertical attacks. Unlike Nanto
Suicho Ken, Koukaku Ken can be employed while standing, and
is at an advantage when the opponent is standing. It can
attack a wide vertical range, and seems to cause more
damage when used for vertical slices.
Nanto
Hakurou Ken
Nanto Hakurou Ken (Southern Cross White Heron fist) is a
kick-based style, somewhat rare in Hokuto no Ken. Whereas
most Nanto Seiken styles primarily use the hands, Nanto
Hakurou Ken primarily uses the feet (though it still uses
the hands). The user can attack a wide range around them,
even a spinning kick that decimates those around them.
Nanto
Ho-Ou Ken
Nanto Ho-Ou Ken (Southern Cross Phoenix Fist) is the most
powerful form of nanto seiken. It is a free-form style,
without stances or forced routine. The user has the ability
to glide forwards, leading into a powerful scissor attack.
There can absolutely be only one successor to this style;
the successor must kill his teacher. The ultimate technique
of this style is Tensho Jyuji Hou, the Heaven-soaring cross
phoenix, which takes a stance with the user's arms held out
evenly, like a cross. As the name suggests, it's launched
into a powerful aerial attack, that causes hail.