Taken from the Japanese released R2 DVD's, the remastered video that this set enjoys is quite frankly nothing short of awesome. For a show created in 1984, everything just looks so darn spiffy. Definition is of a high caliber, with characters and backgrounds looking both detailed and refined. Even when there is a lot of motion, the video manages to hold up admirably well. The only thing, and this is the ONLY thing that stops this set from getting a five for video is the sometimes grainy apperance of a few of the backgrounds (mainly in dimly lit scenes. Apart from this minor niggle, the video on this set truly is a sight to behold. Why can't more HK firms wait for R2/R1 releases before they decide to rip anything instead of giving us cruddy rips from techincally inferior sources? Exemplary.

Originally broadcast in mono, there isn't too much that could have been done as far as refining the audio side things. But, damn! What mono it is! Everything, especially the character's voices sound crisp, clear and easy on the ears. This has to be the best mono track i've EVER heard on a DVD from ANYWHERE. Good, espcially considering the age of the show, but the spoilt brat inside me kinda wished that the original R2 set that this set is ripped from, had Dolby Digital 2.0/5.1 tracks =o).

Originally broadcast in mono, there isn't too much that could have been done as far as refining the audio side things. But, damn! What mono it is! Everything, especially the character's voices sound crisp, clear and easy on the ears. This has to be the best mono track i've EVER heard on a DVD from ANYWHERE. Good, espcially considering the age of the show, but the spoilt brat inside me kinda wished that the original R2 set that this set is ripped from, had Dolby Digital 2.0/5.1 tracks =o).

One of the shows cursed for giving an anime a bad rap, finally makes it's way in it's entireity to DVD. The first 45 epidsodes of this 152 episode saga, are absolutely essential if you are a fan of Fist Of The North Star or just fighting anime in general. Especially considering that domestically, only 36 episodes of the 152 that the HK sets offer will be available in R1 format. This set simply cannot be missed. BTW, Ken's seiyuu sounds so bad ass, it's unbelieveable! Highly recommended.

Video 4.5/5 - The video is really good. Thank the recent R2 set that it was ripped from. Despite being a great transfer, there's something MI couldn't help. The show's age. Made in the early 80's (1982), it has some bland colors compared to newer series, and the animation is below par seeing as the show ran for 152 episodes. There is some slight pixelation but it's not very noticeable.

Audio 5/5 - I found the audio to be near flawless. Though it sounded a little like a mono sound, once again due to it's age. The R2's really helped out in giving the set that crisp sound.

Audio 5/5 - I found the audio to be near flawless. Though it sounded a little like a mono sound, once again due to it's age. The R2's really helped out in giving the set that crisp sound.

Packaging 4/5 - Nice looking Gatefold. Looks like they took some artwork from the R2 box set. Replayability 3/5 - Though not overly impressive to rewatch, there are some fun episodes that need to be seen again. Content 4/5 - I wasn't really sure about this release. I knew nothing about it except for the over the top violence. The show has some well coreographed fight scenes, and Kenshiro is the personification of cool (he can beat out the Fonz from Happy Days anytime). The first set had 3 separate arcs which I made up. 1) The Julia Arc- 20 episodes, which was my favorite. 2) The Fang Clan Arc - 10 episodes, which was all right. Thank God we saw Mamiya because she is a rather full figured woman. ^_^ 3)Brothers Arc - 15 episodes (Still going into the next set) which deals with Kenshiro's brothers. It had some really good episodes and some nice suspense but it quickly turned into "villian of the week" type show. Though it did shed this title after we finished the first arc. Any fan of Bruce Lee, or exploding heads, will feel right at home. ^_^

video: 5/5 ripped from the r2 remastered dvd set, you wont get any better than this for an 18 year old show.

audio: 5/5 again remastered sound ripped from the r2 set, done in mono but no problems at all and clear throughout.

audio: 5/5 again remastered sound ripped from the r2 set, done in mono but no problems at all and clear throughout.

When i first heard about this release i was so excited. For years i had to make do with the hawaiian subbed vhs set that was floating around ebay and poor video quality :( Then manga internatiomal came along and release a set like this! Basically this is a rip of the japanese remastered dvd box set that came out a few months back, and at a price of over 0 it was a set that would be hard to get hold of. With fantastic fighting scenes ( considering the miniscule budget this was on way back in 84 ) great music and an amazing story of one mans struggle to destroy the evil across the land and the sadness that follows him shows why this was so popular in japan back in the 80's. i cant recommened this series enough to anyone, forget the movie, this is what fist of the north star is all about, pure fighting and drama. Just get this set now, you wont be dissapointed!

-Video: 5 (with the fact that it's an old show to begin with in mind)

-Audio: 5 (again, with the fact that it's an old show in mind)

-Audio: 5 (again, with the fact that it's an old show in mind)

Right off the bat, I suppose I'll incriminate myself by saying that I love Hokuto no Ken (I grew up with it). That said, I will admit that there's nothing really profound or thought-provoking about the series; it's not Lain or Eva in that way. It's a celebration of violence, and it's fun. (Kind of like an "old" Dragon Ball, but with more blood). Though I'd like to argue also that the series isn't completely brainless or without a certain kind of stylishness, one would be fooled into think it is this way with the English subs in the latter part of the series. There are certain subtleties in characters that will unfortunately be lost on audiences who don't understand much Japanese, and that's kind of sad being that one of HnK's endearing qualities are its extremely driven characters... and it's bloody martial arts... but I digress. New viewers looking for a glimpse at classic animé, this is your shot. Though you may not completely follow the how or why, HnK is still a good example of where animé has been. For those that wonder WHY such a set should be produced for a series so old, the answer lies in the animé's sheer existence a good 16 years after its original run. For those however who are returning to Hokuto (like myself), all I have to say is "finally!!! HnK on DVD THAT I CAN AFFORD!!!" Though there are some translation problems regarding the subs, it's been said before that loyal, hardcore fans of HnK couldn't care less; it could be subbed in Swahili and Chinese only, and they would still pick it up :D The important thing is that it's here! Cheers~ edited by ikari_ryou on 08 Oct 2002 9:31 pm

Remastered R2 rip, looks excellent for such an old show.

Again no problems here, it's mono but doesn't really matter.

Again no problems here, it's mono but doesn't really matter.

Must have set for hardcore Hokuto fans out there, finally u can own the whole set for a reasonable price!