The upcoming short anime series, Fist of the North Star: Elegy of Ken-Oh’s Army Grunts (Hokuto no Ken: Ken’ō-gun Zako-tachi no Banka), has unveiled details regarding its opening and ending theme songs, building anticipation for its premiere in January 2026. The new information sheds light on the musical talent contributing to this comedic spin-off of the iconic Fist of the North Star franchise.
Musical Talent Behind the Grunts’ Saga
Fans can look forward to “Blacker Co., Ltd.” as the opening theme, performed by Itsuka Saisei. The ending theme, “Elegy of the Enemies,” will be delivered by The Canbellz. These announcements provide a glimpse into the auditory experience that will accompany the unique perspective of Ken-Oh’s lesser-known soldiers. Seiji Miura is composing the music for the anime.
What to Expect from the “Elegy of Ken-Oh’s Army Grunts” Anime
The short anime is based on Hiroshi Kurao’s spin-off manga, which offers a comedic take on the post-apocalyptic world of Fist of the North Star. It centers on Nobu, a grunt who joins Ken-Oh’s army in the year 199X, navigating a workplace where fatalities are more common than job applicants. The series promises a humorous exploration of the lives of these often-overlooked characters, with a tagline that amusingly states, “Three daily meals included, company room and board, no experience necessary!”
The anime is directed by Takuma Hase and Yūma Saitō at Do-Raku, who also serve as editors. Daisuke Miura is the animation director, while Mirai Iwai handles art direction and color key artistry. Sayoko Itō is the compositing director of photography.
Key Voice Cast Members Announced
The voice cast for the series includes Hiro Shimono as the protagonist Nobu. Joining him are Shinnosuke Ogami as Zaku, Masaaki Yano as Buzz, and Shinya Takahashi as the narrator. This ensemble aims to bring the comedic struggles of the army grunts to life.
Premiere and Broadcast Details
Fist of the North Star: Elegy of Ken-Oh’s Army Grunts is set to air and stream starting January 5, 2026. It will be broadcast on AT-X and Tokyo MX channels in Japan. This short anime offers a fresh, satirical perspective on the enduring Fist of the North Star universe.
