Launched in 2008 for the 25th anniversary of Hokuto no Ken, the 7Artist project brought together seven creators tasked with reimagining the four Hokuto brothers, each according to their own artistic sensibility. The idea was to create a dialogue between the brutal universe of the series and radically different aesthetics, from the darkest to the most playful. In this eclectic lineup, the DEVILROBOTS collective, led by Kitai Shinichiro, brings the most pop and colorful touch.
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DEVILROBOTS, the “Cute and Dark” collective
Founded in 1997 in Tokyo, DEVILROBOTS is a design collective made up of five members, with Kitai Shinichiro serving as art director. Known for their universe blending the cute and the dark (“Cute and Dark”), they created the mascot To-Fu Oyako (the Tofu family), a character famous worldwide. Their list of collaborations is staggering: Bandai, Coca-Cola, Levi’s, Medicom Toy, the MoMA Design Store, Nike, Nokia, Paul Smith, and Kidrobot, among others. Applying their cubic style to the post-apocalyptic world of Hokuto no Ken inevitably produces a striking result.
The four Hokuto brothers
The four Hokuto brothers have been entirely reimagined in the DEVILROBOTS aesthetic: Kenshiro, Raoh, Toki, and Jagi sport stocky silhouettes with square heads that are both cute and instantly recognizable. The contrast between the toughness of the original characters and this almost toy-like treatment is what makes the series so appealing. Each figure, sold separately, stands approximately 15 cm tall, is molded in painted PVC with an ABS base, and comes in blister packaging.
Released by Dive in 2008 at a price of approximately 4,180 yen each, these figures perfectly illustrate the spirit of the 7Artist project, letting artists from vastly different backgrounds make Hokuto no Ken their own according to their sensibility. Here, the result transforms the manga’s most ruthless warriors into charming little collectible figures.
