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

Heavily influenced by Mad Max (my review of the first film here) 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.