Iconic Voices Revealed for 'Fist of the North Star' Gag Spinoff Anime Premiering in 2026

The eagerly awaited anime adaptation of the gag spinoff manga, Hokuto no Ken: Ken’o-gun Zako-tachi no Banka, has officially unveiled its main voice cast, igniting a wave of excitement across the anime landscape. This comedic reinterpretation of the legendary Fist of the North Star saga is slated for its Japanese debut in January 2026, promising a fresh and humorous take on the brutal post-apocalyptic world.

Leading the stellar ensemble is Hiro Shimono, who will lend his voice to the character Nobu. He is joined by Shinnosuke Ogami as Zaku and Masaaki Yano taking on the role of Baazu. Adding a distinguished narrative layer to the series, Shinya Takahashi is set to serve as the narrator, guiding audiences through the hilarious and perilous journey of survival within this notoriously dangerous setting.

This project represents a significant milestone, marking the inaugural endeavor for Animatica, a brand-new animation label born from the innovative collaboration between motion comics production company Do-Raku and Frontier Works. The original manga, a brainchild of writer and illustrator Hiroshi Kurao, captivated readers during its serialization on Coamix’s Manga Hot app from November 2017 to February 2020, concluding its run with three popular tankobon volumes.

The storyline centers on Nobu, who, through a stroke of misfortune or cunning trickery, finds himself enlisted into Ken-Oh’s (Raoh’s) formidable army. What ensues is a riotous and often absurd struggle for existence, offering a lighthearted yet still perilous perspective on the grim, dystopian backdrop that fans have come to associate with Fist of the North Star.

Adding to the franchise's resurgence, the seminal main series, Fist of the North Star: Hokuto no Ken, is also gearing up for a monumental reboot with a brand-new anime adaptation, also anticipated in 2026. This parallel revival boasts an equally impressive Japanese voice cast, featuring Shunsuke Takeuchi as the iconic Kenshiro, Daiki Yamashita as the spirited Bat, and M.A.O. as Rin. The formidable lineup is completed by Wataru Takagi as Jagi, Tsuguo Mogami as Toki, and Taiten Kusunoki as the powerful Raoh.

This simultaneous resurgence of both the dark, dramatic original narrative and its irreverent, comedic counterpart signals a true renaissance for Buronson and Tetsuo Hara’s enduring franchise. This dual approach is set to captivate long-standing devotees with a fresh wave of nostalgia while simultaneously drawing in newcomers eager to experience the Fist of the North Star universe from diverse and exciting perspectives. With such esteemed voice talent and innovative storytelling at the helm of both adaptations, anticipation is soaring for how these new productions will honor the legacy while injecting vibrant new life into one of Japan's most celebrated anime properties.