With the new Mad Max movie coming to theaters soon, the film got a surprise crossover in Japan. Warner Bros Japan recently shared an official art of Furiosa by Fist of the North Star illustrator Tetsuo Hara.
While it doesn’t feature Kenshiro or the other characters from the series, the illustration features Hara’s unmistakable style that is sure to delight Fist of the North Star fans.
Hara being tapped to draw a special illustration for the upcoming film is a full-circle moment, especially given the connection between the two franchises.
Exploring Fist of the North Star and Mad Max’s Surprising Connection
Fist of the North Star is one of Shonen Jump’s most popular properties as it was an icon of the 80s thanks to its action and style.
While the manga has become hugely influential, the series itself owes a lot of elements to George Miller’s Mad Max.
The series started as a martial arts one-shot by Tetsuo Hara back in 1983, but when it was turned into a serialized manga, Fist of the North Star’s setting was changed to a post-apocalyptic wasteland inspired by Mad Max.
Its influence on the manga can be seen in its world along with the protagonist Kenshiro who wears an outfit similar to Max Rockatansky.
This connection between the two was mentioned in an NHK documentary about Fist of the North Star, which was released in January 2023.
Hara himself also acknowledged the influence of Miller’s iconic franchise recently in his comment on the new crossover illustration.
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Fist of the North Star Illustrator Creates Official Furiosa Art
To promote the film’s upcoming Japanese release, Tetsuo Hara was tapped to create an illustration of Furiosa that will be used as the cover art of the Eiga Hiho magazine’s July 2024 issue.
This artwork features Furiosa sporting her metallic arm and with her head shaven. As the new movie explores her origins, it will likely explain why she takes up this appearance.
Regarding the movie, Hara said that he is happy to see another franchise entry get made. He also mentioned his appreciation for George Miller’s work, and he hopes to be his disciple.
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Will There Be More Furiosa and Fist of the North Star Crossovers? Our Prediction
Cross-promotion between Hollywood movies and anime isn’t new, as there are many examples just over the past year such as the Spy x Family and Mission: Impossible crossover.
Typically though, these crossovers feature art and special trailers only. Thus, this illustration may be the only one for now, so fans probably shouldn’t expect an anime short for the new Mad Max film.
On the flip side, there’s a chance that Furiosa will return the favor when the new Fist of the North Star anime gets released in the future.
Are you excited to see George Miller’s latest film? Let us know in the comments.
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