The upcoming short anime adaptation of Hiroshi Kurao’s comedic spinoff manga, “Fist of the North Star: Elegy of Ken-Oh’s Army Grunts” (Hokuto no Ken: Ken’ō-gun Zako-tachi no Banka), has announced its main voice cast. The series, set to premiere in January 2026, will feature Hiro Shimono as the protagonist Nobu, alongside Shinnosuke Ogami, Masaaki Yano, and Shinya Takahashi in key roles.
Delving into the Grunts’ Lives with a Stellar Cast
Leading the charge in this unique take on the “Fist of the North Star” universe is Hiro Shimono, cast as Nobu. Nobu is a new recruit in Ken-Oh’s army, navigating the perilous post-apocalyptic world with the goal of simply surviving in a notoriously dangerous workplace where “deaths outnumber even the job applicants”. Shimono is known for his roles as Zenitsu Agatsuma in “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” and Connie Springer in “Attack on Titan.”
Joining Shimono are:
- Shinnosuke Ogami as Zaku
- Masaaki Yano as Buzz
- Shinya Takahashi as the Narrator
These voice actors will bring to life the comedic struggles of the nameless soldiers often overlooked in the brutal world of “Fist of the North Star”.
A Comedic Spin on a Classic Franchise
“Fist of the North Star: Elegy of Ken-Oh’s Army Grunts” offers a fresh, humorous perspective on the iconic martial arts saga by focusing on the low-ranking foot soldiers of Raoh’s (Ken-Oh’s) formidable army. The series’ tagline, “Three daily meals included, company room and board, no experience necessary!”, perfectly encapsulates the darkly comedic premise.
The short anime is adapted from Hiroshi Kurao’s spinoff manga, which ran on Coamix’s Manga Hot app from November 2017 to February 2020, concluding with three compiled volumes. This adaptation is part of a larger resurgence for the “Fist of the North Star” franchise, with a new main anime series also slated for a 2026 debut, celebrating the original manga’s 40th anniversary.
Fans can anticipate a blend of action and satire when “Elegy of Ken-Oh’s Army Grunts” begins airing and streaming in January 2026, providing a lighthearted contrast to the intense battles of Kenshiro and his brethren.
