After Kenshiro defeated the villainous Jackal and saved Bat’s village, elsewhere in the desert a group of bandits was about to attack a handsome man…

Rei is here! Episode 11, “Warrior of Nanto”

After Episode 10, “Devil Reverse,” aired on May 29 and teased Rei at the very end, Episode 11, “Warrior of Nanto,” finally brought Rei fully into battle when it aired on June 5. Fans were watching closely to see what Rei, voiced by Yuichi Nakamura, would show off.

Rei uses a trick by dressing as a woman to lure bandits and steal their food supplies, but the bandits’ advantage lasts only a moment. When Rei unveils his special technique, Nanto Suicho Ken (南斗水鳥拳), or “Nanto Waterfowl Fist,” the bandits’ bodies are torn to pieces as if sliced by wire, accompanied by his signature cry of “Shau!”

Fans on X were excited by “Yuichi Nakamura’s rare female voice,” and when they heard the “Shau!” cry, many shouted along. There was also a scene where one bandit explains Nanto Suicho Ken in detail, prompting fans to joke, “How would an ordinary bandit know that?” and “This bandit knows way too much.”

Rei also has a hidden agenda. He checks every bandit for “seven scars” because his target is “the man with seven scars on his chest,” who is none other than Kenshiro.

“The man with seven scars on his chest… I will find him and kill him, even if I have to eat dirt and sand to do it!”

Mamiya and the Fang Clan

Meanwhile, Kenshiro returns from his battle with Jackal, and Bat and Lin inform him that the village children have been moved to safety. However, another village is being targeted by bandits and needs Kenshiro as a bodyguard. Fans also laughed at Kenshiro’s dark joke from earlier, when he threatened the bar owner into looking after the children by saying he would strike his pressure points. When Kenshiro returns, the bar owner happily says, “I’m saved!”

When they arrive at the target village, a community that has become self-sufficient through everyone’s hard work, Kenshiro is not drawn to its abundance. Instead, his eyes are caught by the village’s female leader, who resembles Yuria, his lost former love, causing him to exclaim, “Yuria…!?”

That female leader is Mamiya, another well-known character from the series. Fans had been waiting a long time for her appearance, and when they saw Mamiya’s yo-yo weapon, many shouted, “A yo-yo!?” and immediately thought of the famous drama series Sukeban Deka.

Rei then appears in the same village, seemingly hired as a bodyguard as well. Kenshiro, Mamiya and Rei must work together to protect the village, but both Lin and Bat distrust Rei’s fierce eyes. Lin even says, “Ken, don’t trust him. Those are not the eyes of someone who helps people!”

Fans who know the story laughed at the situation, commenting, “Rei is getting criticized from the moment they meet, poor guy.” When the Fang Clan (牙一族) appears as the episode’s villains, fans became excited, saying, “The Fang Clan is here!” The bath scene with Lin and Mamiya also stirred up plenty of excitement on social media.

Mamiya’s secret and Rei’s change of heart

Not long after Kenshiro and Rei arrive, the Fang Clan attacks the village. Even as a large force, they are no match for Kenshiro. What makes things interesting is that Rei had originally been hired by the Fang Clan to destroy the village from within, but he betrays his employers because he becomes captivated by Mamiya. When Kenshiro sees the Nanto Suicho Ken technique, both men realize they are warriors of Hokuto and Nanto, and Rei is still searching for the “man with seven scars” who is standing right in front of him. Fans were tense as the confrontation drew closer.

Then the situation takes a tragic turn. Ko, one of the villagers, is captured and killed by the Fang Clan, plunging the village into grief. Mamiya had chosen the village over saving Ko, which seemed like a cold decision, but the truth that is revealed shocks everyone.

“Ko was Mamiya’s only younger brother!”

Fans were deeply moved by this reveal, with some even saying they cried. It is this moment that begins to melt Rei’s cold heart. What began as a betrayal of the Fang Clan simply because he wanted Mamiya gradually turns into genuine feeling.

Fans commented, “Nakamura’s Rei has a different charm from Kaneto Shiozawa’s Rei in his own way. I can’t wait to see more!” and “Thank you for letting us see Rei as Kenshiro’s partner again!”

Broadcast information

Fist of the North Star -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR- has been airing since April 10, 2026 on TOKYO MX and BS11 every Friday at 25:00. It also streams on Prime Video every Friday at 25:00 with worldwide exclusivity. The next episode airs on June 12 at 25:00.

Staff

• Original story: Buronson / Manga: Tetsuo Hara
• Director: Hiroshi Maeda
• Series composition: Kazuhiko Inukai
• Character design: Naoki Hisatsune
• Music: Yuki Hayashi
• Opening theme: [Alexandros] — “Hallelujah”
• Animation production: TMS Entertainment / Studio 7

Cast

• Kenshiro: Shunsuke Takeuchi
• Bat: Daiki Yamashita
• Lin: M·A·O
• Shin: Koji Yusa
• Yuria: Saori Hayami
• Rei: Yuichi Nakamura
• Mamiya: Ruriko Aoki
• Jagi: Wataru Takagi
• Toki: Tsuguo Mogami
• Raoh: Daiten Kusunoki
• Narrator: Koichi Yamadera

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Source: aniani