Like many iconic villains in pop culture, antagonists in anime often embody such cruelty that when they fall, few shed a tear for them. Enemies of humanity like Frieza (Dragon Ball Z), All For One (My Hero Academia), Aizen (Bleach), and Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen) have committed so many atrocities that imagining a grand funeral for their destructive deeds is nearly impossible.
While these villains have made their mark in the anime world, they were not the first threats Earth faced. Long before these series existed, one work shook Weekly Shonen Jump with a much harsher post-apocalyptic setting: Fist of the North Star. Interestingly, this legendary franchise is about to launch a surprisingly humorous spin-off, a wildly entertaining “funeral” dedicated to the unlucky underlings serving the series’ great villains.
Fist of the North Star: Requiem For The Fist King Army’s Weapons is a new anime project that brings together the franchise’s top villains in a completely fresh way.
This spin-off series will officially premiere on January 5, 2026. The story follows a protagonist trying to join the brutal army that once posed a major threat to Kenshiro in the original series.
The main character, Nobu (voiced by popular actor Hiro Shimono), is someone searching for work in a post-apocalyptic world, hoping to avoid the tragic fate that befell many of his peers. This promises to be a dark comedy worth looking forward to.
Here’s a detailed description of the spin-off’s story:
“In 199X, the world is engulfed in nuclear fire, making survival a constant struggle. Amid this chaos, our protagonist Nobu lands a job with the infamous ‘Fist King Army.’ How long can Nobu survive in a workplace where deaths outnumber job applicants? A diverse cast of supporting characters appears, including a witch disguised as an old woman, the Uighur warden of Cassandra Prison, and the Holy Emperor’s ‘decontamination specialist.'”
What’s more, 2026 will not only bring fans this comedic Fist of the North Star spin-off but also a major celebration of the franchise’s 40th anniversary.
The original series is getting a full anime remake produced by Toei Animation. When the project was announced in 2023, Buronson, the creator of Fist of the North Star, shared his excitement:
“A work from 40 years ago will be reborn as a new animated series. I had somewhat distanced myself from anime before because it was a bit different from manga. Now, animation and film technology have advanced tremendously. How will this shape the new FIST OF THE NORTH STAR: Hokuto no Ken? Moreover, the new anime production approach is to carefully recreate the original work. I am truly looking forward to it. My work has been loved by many fans for 40 years, and it will return in a new anime version. I can’t wait to enjoy it with everyone.”