Episode 10 of Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳 -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR-) sends viewers into an atmosphere unlike any previous episode, from a horror-style chase scene to a battle against a giant “monster” of an enemy, before ending with the long-awaited first appearance of a fan-favorite character.

Kenshiro as the “Hunter” — Horror-Movie Atmosphere in a Post-Apocalyptic World

The story begins when Jackal attacks Bat’s village, steals its water, and kills Toyo, who was like a mother to Bat. Filled with anger, Kenshiro takes the children Toyo cared for to safety, then sets out on his own to exact revenge on Jackal and his gang.

The opening of the episode shows that Kenshiro’s reputation has spread as the “man with seven scars.” Villagers seem to know him more as a “death god” than a “savior.” One example is Fox’s bloodied body, beaten and pinned to a wall like a “souvenir” warning from Kenshiro.

Fans on X reacted enthusiastically, with comments such as “Kenshiro’s reputation sounds more like a death god than a hero” and “What a beautiful souvenir (laughs).”

Kenshiro does not rush to finish Jackal off. Instead, he gradually tightens the pressure, destroying escape vehicles, causing the henchmen to panic and turn on each other, and appearing silently with a gaze that seems to say, “You’re next.” All of this unfolds within roughly the first five minutes of the episode.

Viewers commented, “This is straight-up horror,” “The one chasing people is the hero,” and “This is pure hell (laughs).” Some even compared Kenshiro to a slasher-film killer.

Devil Rebirth — From Horror to Monster Movie

With every escape route blocked, Jackal reveals his last resort: releasing Devil Rebirth, a gigantic prisoner from Villainy Prison who has killed more than 700 people, survived 13 execution attempts, and is currently serving a 200-year sentence. He is the largest-bodied character in the Hokuto no Ken universe, and fans had long awaited his appearance.

When Devil Rebirth emerges, reactions on X immediately exploded: “Devil Rebirth is here!” “Isn’t he way too huge????” “Now this is a monster movie.” Some joked, “The seventh executioner must have started getting tired because he knew it would never work.”

Devil Rebirth pressures Kenshiro with Rakan Niō Ken (羅漢仁王拳), a fist style that can control wind pressure. But once Kenshiro gets serious, the giant is no different from any other enemy and is ultimately defeated by Hokuto Shinken. Jackal, who desperately begs for his life, receives no mercy and is punished with the dynamite he had hidden himself, before Kenshiro closes the scene with the line, “There is no prayer for them.”

Rei Appears for the First Time — Fans Are Thrilled

Just when it seems the episode is over, the scene shifts to a wasteland where bandits try to abduct a woman whose face is hidden under a cloak. But “she” is no ordinary woman, and is not a woman at all.

It is Rei (レイ), master of Nanto Suichō Ken (南斗水鳥拳) and one of the most popular characters in the series. In Toei’s anime version decades ago, Rei was voiced by Kaneto Shiozawa, whose androgynous charm remains memorable to fans to this day.

In this new version, Rei is voiced by Yūichi Nakamura (中村悠一), exciting fans greatly. Reactions on X were overwhelmingly positive, including “Rei is finally here!” “Rei and Mamiya are both coming!” “The voice before the cloak came off didn’t sound like Nakamura-san at all. Amazing.” and “Next week gives us even more to look forward to.”

Episode 11, airing Friday, June 6 at 25:00, will mark Rei’s full entry into the battle. Do not miss it.

Broadcast Info

• Premiere: April 10, 2026 (Friday)
• Channels and time: TOKYO MX / BS11 every Friday at 25:00
• Streaming: Prime Video every Friday at 25:00, as a worldwide exclusive stream
• The first two episodes, on April 10 and 17, aired as a special back-to-back two-episode broadcast

Staff

• Original story: Buronson / Art: Tetsuo Hara
• Director: Hiroshi Maeda
• Scriptwriter: Kazuhiko Inukai
• Character design: Naoki Hisatsune
• Music: Yuki Hayashi
• Opening theme: [Alexandros] — “Hallelujah”
• Animation studio: TMS Entertainment / Studio No. 7

Cast

• Kenshiro: Shunsuke Takeuchi
• Bat: Daiki Yamashita
• Lin: M·A·O
• Shin: Kōji Yusa
• Yuria: Saori Hayami
• Rei: Yūichi Nakamura
• Mamiya: Ruriko Aoki
• Jagi: Wataru Takagi
• Toki: Tsuguo Mogami
• Raoh: Taiten Kusunoki
• Narration: Kōichi Yamadera

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Source: aniani