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4View all imagesBroadcast since January 5, 2026 on AT-X then Tokyo MX, Hokuto no Ken : Kenoh-gun Zako-tachi no Banka (北斗の拳 拳王軍ザコたちの挽歌) is a short animated spin-off that takes a totally unexpected look at the Hokuto no Ken universe. Adapted from the manga by Hiroshi Kurao published on the Manga Hot app by Coamix between 2017 and 2020, this 4-minute-per-episode parodic comedy leaves the heights of Hokuto Shinken behind to follow the daily lives of the anonymous soldiers of Raoh's Army, those famous zako whom Kenshirō dispatches by the dozens without even remembering their names.
The original manga, by Hiroshi Kurao, was serialized on Coamix's Manga Hot app from October 25, 2017 to February 23, 2020, then compiled into three volumes under the Zenon Comics label (Tokuma Shoten), the last of which was released in March 2020. Having long remained obscure outside Japan, the project suddenly took on a new dimension in late 2025 with the announcement of its animated adaptation, conveniently timed to coincide with the release of the Hokuto no Ken 2026 new animated adaptation. Broadcasting began on January 5, 2026 on AT-X (Monday 8:00 PM JST), with a rebroadcast on Tokyo MX shortly thereafter.
The official synopsis sets the tone: "Year 199X. The world has been ravaged by nuclear flames, and merely surviving is already a feat. For Nobu, the hero, finding a job in this context is even more complicated. And then he finally lands a position... in Raoh's Army! In a post where there are more deaths than applicants, how long will Nobu survive?". The series fully exploits the contrast between the tragic solemnity of the original work and the absurd banality of everyday life for henchmen. Each episode offers a short sketch featuring the secondary bestiary of Hokuto no Ken: zakos disguised as grandmothers, Uighur the warden of Cassandra, Raoh's men confronted with everyday life problems.
The animation is handled by studio Doraku, under the direction of Daisuke Miura who supervises the animation direction. Mirai Iwai serves as art director and color designer, Sayoko Itou as director of photography. The episodes are co-directed by Takuma Hase and Yuuma Saitou, who also handle the editing. The original soundtrack and the opening theme, "Blacker Co., Ltd." (performed by Itsuka▶), are composed by Seiji Miura; the ending theme, "Elegy of the Enemies", is performed by The Canbellz. The production brings together a consortium of strong players from the Japanese anime landscape: arma bianca, AT-X, Coamix, Frontier Works and STARRY.
On the voice acting side, the production enlisted well-known seiyuus. The role of Nobu is voiced by Shimono Hiro, already famous for voicing Zenitsu in Demon Slayer and Connie in Attack on Titan. He is joined by Hai Shinnosuke (Zaku), Yano Masaaki (Bāzu) and Takahashi Shinya as narrator.
A few months after its launch, the series received genuine institutional recognition by being selected for a screening at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival 2026, one of the most respected Japanese festivals in the realm of fantasy and cult works. The screening of the first three episodes is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM at the A-Lisada Gymnasium in Yubari, in the prefecture of Hokkaido. The official tagline for this screening, « Sekimatsu ni warai shinuba ! », literally meaning "Die laughing during the end of the world!", perfectly sums up the spirit of the series.
The first season comprises 12 episodes, airing from January 5, 2026:
| Nobu | Shimono Hiro (下野紘) |
|---|---|
| Zaku | Hai Shinnosuke (拝真之介) |
| Bāzu | Yano Masaaki (矢野正明) |
| Narration | Takahashi Shinya (高橋伸也) |
| Original work (manga) | Hiroshi Kurao (倉尾宏) |
|---|---|
| Original characters | Tetsuo Hara, Buronson |
| Animation direction | Daisuke Miura (三浦大輔) |
| Art direction | Mirai Iwai (岩井未来) |
| Photography direction | Sayoko Itou (伊藤小夜子) |
| Episode direction / Editing | Takuma Hase, Yuuma Saitou |
| Music | Seiji Miura (三浦誠司) |
| Animation studio | Doraku |
| Production | arma bianca, AT-X, Coamix, Frontier Works, STARRY |
| Broadcaster | AT-X (Mondays 8:00 PM JST), Tokyo MX |
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