Image: Buronson, Tetsuo Hara / Coamix 1983, Zako-tachi no Banka Produktionskomitee
AMBot | 06/10/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The spin-off short anime "Hokuto no Ken: Ken-oh Gun Zako-tachi no Banka" (English title: "Elegy for the Henchmen: Fist of the North Star") enters its second season in July. As announced on the official website, the second cour begins on July 6, 2026, on AT-X and TOKYO MX. At the same time, a new promotional video and key visual were released, showcasing the entertaining yet dangerous adventures of the nameless henchmen of the Ken-oh army.
The series is based on the manga spin-off of the same name by Hiroshi Kurao, which was serialized on Coamix's Manga Hot platform from November 2017 to February 2020 and completed in three collected volumes. The story revolves around young Nobu, who is job hunting after the nuclear war of 199X and unwittingly enters the service of the feared Ken-oh (Raoh). What sounds like a secure job with meals and lodging turns out to be an extremely dangerous position, where the death rate among recruits is higher than the number of applicants. The blend of dark humor and survival comedy in a post-apocalyptic setting has already delighted many fans in the first cour (January to March 2026, 12 episodes).
The second cour is enriched by a new ending theme: "Shiroi Cho ga Tondara" ("When a White Butterfly Flies") by the band Itsuka Saisei, featuring Dr. Washington. As a special guest, Tsuyoshi Ujiki contributes on guitar. Ujiki, who sang the title theme of the original anime "Fist of the North Star" in the 1980s as a member of the children's band (Kodomo Band), expressed a deep connection to the series in a statement: "It's incredible that I get to contribute to this universe again about 40 years later. 'Fist of the North Star' has influenced generations of artists, and I'm proud to be part of this story." The opening theme remains "I'm a Loser" by The Canbellz.
The short anime is produced under the new label Animatica, a collaboration between Frontier Works and the motion comic studio Doraku. The animation is directed by Daisuke Miura as animation director, with music by Seiji Miura. The Japanese voice cast includes Hiro Shimono as Nobu, Shinnosuke Ogami as Zaku, Masaaki Yano as Buzz, and Shinya Takahashi as the narrator.
Broadcasting begins on July 6, 2026, at 8:00 PM (local time) on AT-X with reruns on Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as on TOKYO MX1 from 9:54 PM. The anime will also be available on streaming services like Animatica.
With new gags, familiar faces from the "Fist of the North Star" universe, and the nostalgic touch of Ujiki's guitar, the second cour promises once again lighthearted entertainment for anyone who has ever wondered what life is like for the common foot soldiers in the shadow of the great battles.
The series is based on the manga spin-off of the same name by Hiroshi Kurao, which was serialized on Coamix's Manga Hot platform from November 2017 to February 2020 and completed in three collected volumes. The story revolves around young Nobu, who is job hunting after the nuclear war of 199X and unwittingly enters the service of the feared Ken-oh (Raoh). What sounds like a secure job with meals and lodging turns out to be an extremely dangerous position, where the death rate among recruits is higher than the number of applicants. The blend of dark humor and survival comedy in a post-apocalyptic setting has already delighted many fans in the first cour (January to March 2026, 12 episodes).
The second cour is enriched by a new ending theme: "Shiroi Cho ga Tondara" ("When a White Butterfly Flies") by the band Itsuka Saisei, featuring Dr. Washington. As a special guest, Tsuyoshi Ujiki contributes on guitar. Ujiki, who sang the title theme of the original anime "Fist of the North Star" in the 1980s as a member of the children's band (Kodomo Band), expressed a deep connection to the series in a statement: "It's incredible that I get to contribute to this universe again about 40 years later. 'Fist of the North Star' has influenced generations of artists, and I'm proud to be part of this story." The opening theme remains "I'm a Loser" by The Canbellz.
The short anime is produced under the new label Animatica, a collaboration between Frontier Works and the motion comic studio Doraku. The animation is directed by Daisuke Miura as animation director, with music by Seiji Miura. The Japanese voice cast includes Hiro Shimono as Nobu, Shinnosuke Ogami as Zaku, Masaaki Yano as Buzz, and Shinya Takahashi as the narrator.
Broadcasting begins on July 6, 2026, at 8:00 PM (local time) on AT-X with reruns on Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as on TOKYO MX1 from 9:54 PM. The anime will also be available on streaming services like Animatica.
With new gags, familiar faces from the "Fist of the North Star" universe, and the nostalgic touch of Ujiki's guitar, the second cour promises once again lighthearted entertainment for anyone who has ever wondered what life is like for the common foot soldiers in the shadow of the great battles.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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