New Hokuto no Ken Anime Adds Kazuya Ichijō to Its Strong Cast
The new anime adaptation of the legendary Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) series adds another giant to its cast. According to the official announcement, experienced voice actor Kazuya Ichijō will voice the ruthless leader of the Fang Clan, Fang Father. This character will make his first appearance in episode 12 of the anime and stand against the protagonist Kenshiro.
Kazuya Ichijō is known for unforgettable roles such as Kizaru in One Piece, Hiruzen Sarutobi in Naruto Shippūden, and Wamuu in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. His involvement in this project once again shows how ambitious the production is. The new Hokuto no Ken anime reinterprets Buronson and Tetsuo Hara's classic manga with a modern visual style and is being brought to life through a collaboration between Warner Bros. Japan and Shochiku. The series premiered in April 2026 and has received great praise from both old fans and new viewers so far.
Fang Father is remembered as one of Kenshiro's first major rivals in the original manga. This character, who spreads terror across the wastelands with his clan, is an important part of the series' dark atmosphere. Ichijō's deep and threatening voice seems to bring Fang Father to life fully. The production team states that episode 12 will be one of the series' turning points both in terms of action and emotion. In particular, the fight scene between Kenshiro and Fang Father is already a great topic of curiosity among fans.
The new Hokuto no Ken anime, besides being a faithful adaptation, also includes some small innovations to make the story reach a wider audience. The episodes released so far, while preserving the spirit of the old series, compete with contemporary productions in visual quality and sound design. The addition of a name like Kazuya Ichijō to the cast proves how carefully the production is prepared. In the upcoming episodes, other familiar faces are expected to be announced. If you haven't watched it yet, we recommend you don't miss it; this new adaptation reignites the Fist of the North Star legend.
