Fist Of The North Star (1986) ****

Heavily influenced by 1979's Mad Max [review] and Bruce Lee, Fist Of The North Star (1986) is an ultraviolent, post apocalyptic, actionfest from director Toyoo Ashida (Vampire Hunter D (1985) [review]). This western-themed anime is chock-full of inventive, insanely over-the-top gore, stoic (toxic) masculinity, testosterone-fueled, absurdly powerful, muscle-bound men, atmospheric sound design, a lush and kickass score by Katsuhisa Hattori, two memorable songs from Kodomo Band (including the fist-pumping anthem “Heart Of Madness”), and beautiful, striking (literally) animation.

While the more philosophical aspects of the story may get lost in the many, many epic battles, there is a definite theme of man’s destructive nature and the dangers of unchecked power. I spent countless hours of my teenhood watching FOTNS. I hadn't watched the film since 2009—it's a touch on the long side, but it remains endlessly entertaining and rewatchable.