View source for Ashita no Joe

{{Short description|Japanese boxing manga}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Tomorrow's Joe
| image = Ashita no Joe Volume 1.jpg
| caption = Cover of the first {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volume, featuring [[Joe Yabuki]] (left) and Tooru Rikiishi (right)
| ja_kanji = あしたのジョー
| ja_romaji = Ashita no Joe
| genre = [[Sports manga|Sports]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Ashita no Joe Film to Screen in France, Southeast Asia|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-19/ashita-no-joe-film-to-screen-in-france-southeast-asia|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 17, 2018|archive-date=May 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513150850/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-19/ashita-no-joe-film-to-screen-in-france-southeast-asia|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| author          = [[Asao Takamori]]
| illustrator     = [[Tetsuya Chiba]]
|publisher       = [[Kodansha]]
|publisher_en    = {{English manga publisher|NA=[[Kodansha USA]]}}
| demographic     = {{Transliteration|ja|[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]}}
| magazine        = [[Weekly Shōnen Magazine]]
| first           = January 1, 1968
| last            = May 13, 1973
| volumes         = 20
| volume_list     = List of Ashita no Joe manga volumes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| director        = [[Osamu Dezaki]]
| producer        = {{ubl|Koji Tomioka|Tatsuo Ikeuchi|Tadami Watanabe|Takaharu Bessho}}
| writer          = 
| music           = [[Masao Yagi]]
| studio          = [[Mushi Production]]
| network         = [[Fuji Network System|FNS]] ([[Fuji TV]])
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[Crunchyroll]]}}
| first           = April 1, 1970
| last            = September 29, 1971
| episodes        = 79
| episode_list    = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = film
| director        = {{ubl|Yōichirō Fukuda|Osamu Dezaki (chief director)}}
| producer        = Hisao Masuda
| writer          = Yōichirō Fukuda
| music           = Kunihiko Suzuki
| studio          = {{ubl|Sankyo Eiga|Fujifilm|[[Kadokawa Daiei Studio|Herald Enterprise]]|Mushi Production}}
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[Discotek Media]]}}
| released        = March 8, 1980
| runtime         = 152 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| title           = Tomorrow's Joe 2
| director        = Osamu Dezaki
| producer        = {{ubl|Seiji Takahashi|Shunzo Kato}}
| writer          = {{ubl|[[Atsushi Yamatoya]]|Haruya Yamazaki|Hideo Takayashiki|Yoshimi Shinozaki}}
| music           = Ichiro Araki
| studio          = [[TMS Entertainment|Tokyo Movie Shinsha]]
| licensee        = 
| network         = [[Nippon Television Network System|NNS]] ([[Nippon Television|NTV]])
| first           = October 13, 1980
| last            = August 31, 1981
| episodes        = 47
| episode_list    = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = film
| title           = Tomorrow's Joe 2
| director        = Osamu Dezaki
| producer        = Tokuhachi Shimada
| writer          = {{ubl|Atsushi Yamatoya|Haruya Yamazaki|Hideo Takayashiki|Osamu Dezaki|Yoshimi Shinozaki}}
| music           = Ichiro Araki
| studio          = {{ubl|Herald Enterprise|Fujifilm|Chiba Planning|Tokyo Movie Shinsha}}
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[Discotek Media]]}}
| released        = July 4, 1981
| runtime         = 114 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title           = Live action films
| content         = 
*''Tomorrow's Joe'' (1970)
*''Tomorrow's Joe'' (2011)
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title           = Related
| content         =
*''[[Joe vs. Joe]]'' (2003)
*''[[Megalo Box]]'' (2018–2021)
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{Nihongo|'''''Tomorrow's Joe'''''|あしたのジョー|Ashita no Jō|{{lit.|Tomorrow's Joe}}|lead=yes}}, also known as '''''Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow''''', is a Japanese [[boxing]] [[manga]] series written by [[Asao Takamori]] and illustrated by [[Tetsuya Chiba]]. It follows drifter [[Joe Yabuki]], who discovers a passion for boxing in a juvenile prison, and his rise through Japan's and the global boxing scene.

''Tomorrow's Joe'' was serialized in [[Kodansha]]'s ''[[Weekly Shonen Magazine]]'' from 1968 to 1973, with its chapters collected in 20 {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volumes. During its serialization, it was popular with [[working-class]] people and college students in Japan. It has been adapted into various media, including the ''[[Megalo Box]]'' anime, a futuristic reimagining of the original that was made as a part of the 50th anniversary of ''Tomorrow's Joe''.

The manga has been widely influential, with numerous anime and manga referencing it.

==Plot==
{{See also|List of Ashita no Joe characters{{!}}List of ''Ashita no Joe'' characters}}
[[Joe Yabuki]], a young drifter, has a chance encounter with alcoholic former boxing trainer Danpei Tange while wandering through the [[San'ya]] slums. Recognizing his talent, Danpei trains Joe as a boxer, but Joe is arrested for fraud. He fights Nishi Kanichi, the leader of a group of hooligans, in temporary jail, and the two are transferred to a [[juvenile detention center]]. There, Joe meets Tōru Rikiishi, a former boxing prodigy, and they develop a rivalry after Rikiishi prevents him from escaping. The prison sets up a boxing tournament led by Danpei and funded by millionaire Mikinosuke Shiraki and his daughter Yoko. Rikiishi dominates Joe in the final until the latter hits a [[cross-counter]], resulting in a [[Knockout#Double knockout|double knockout]]. Feeling that the match did not resolve anything, Joe and Rikiishi vow to fight again as [[professional boxer]]s.

Upon his release from prison, Joe joins Danpei's new tiny boxing gym together with Nishi. Joe gains popularity as an amateur boxer for his brawling style and trademark cross-counter KO wins, but he is denied a professional license until provoking champion boxer Wolf Kanagushi. Joe performs a triple cross counter on Wolf to win their match, and earns the right to fight Rikiishi in the professional ring.

Rikiishi is assured a promising career funded by Mikinosuke Shiraki, but is intent on settling his score with Joe. Because he is a [[featherweight]], while Joe is a [[bantamweight]], Rikiishi undergoes a taxing weight loss program. Their match is close. Rikiishi knocks Joe out in the 8th round to win, but later dies from the combined effects of weight loss and a brain hemorrhage sustained during the fight. 

Joe is traumatized by Rikiishi's death. Danpei realizes that Joe is unable to deliver headshots to his opponents. Joe loses three straight fights and eventually disappears to join an illegal countryside boxing ring. He returns to fight global sixth ranked fighter Carlos Rivera. Carlos is managed by Yoko, who, having become interested in Joe, has taken over her father's gym. The fight devolves into a brawl, but Joe earns tremendous fame and respect, and he and Carlos become friends. Carlos is later knocked out in the first round by world champion José Mendoza and suffers severe brain damage.

After his fight with Carlos, Joe becomes recognized as a world ranked boxer. He struggles with maintaining bantam weight due to a late [[growth spurt]], forcing him to undergo strenuous weight loss similar to what Rikiishi underwent. He defeats [[OPBF]] Champion Kim Yong-bi, a [[South Korea]]n boxer and survivor of the [[Korean War]], and proceeds to win several title defenses. Meanwhile, Yoko has secured the rights for Mendoza's next title defense. Fearing that Joe has lost his fighting instincts, she forces him to face [[Malaysia]]n fighter Harimau before he can challenge Mendoza. Joe narrowly wins the fight.

The fight against Mendoza is to be held in a packed Tokyo stadium. Before the fight, Yoko discovers that Joe is suffering from [[Dementia pugilistica|punch-drunk]] syndrome. She attempts to cancel the match, confessing her love for him, but he refuses.

Mendoza dominates the early rounds, and Joe loses his vision in one eye. Initially composed, Mendoza begins losing his mind as Joe continues to hold on no matter how much damage he takes. Joe manages to knock down Mendoza several times. The match eventually goes all fifteen rounds. Joe hands Yoko his gloves, and tells Danpei that everything has "burnt to ashes." Mendoza is declared the winner by points, but his hair has turned white from the trauma of the fight. Danpei turns to console Joe only to find him sitting unresponsive in his chair, with a smile on his face.

It has long been debated whether Joe died in the ending. Artist Chiba stated that he drew the ending at the last minute, and that Takamori's original ending was different.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.manga-audition.com/tetsuya-chiba-interview/|title="We don't read, We FEEL it." – Tetsuya Chiba Interview|access-date=December 23, 2016|archive-date=December 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224094046/http://www.manga-audition.com/tetsuya-chiba-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Takamori stated in a 1979 biography that Joe died, while Chiba has refused to directly comment, hinting that Joe may have survived.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://white-ash.net/whistle/did-joe-die|title=Did Joe Yabuki die? It's unclear but there are some comments by creators.|date=October 21, 2018|access-date=January 31, 2022|archive-date=July 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731094124/https://white-ash.net/whistle/did-joe-die|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2001 interview, forensic pathologist Masahiko Ueno concluded that Joe had to be alive in the final panel to remain upright.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kamba|first=Ryosuke|date=December 15, 2017|script-title=ja:「あしたのジョーは生きている」 連載開始から半世紀、法医学者が鑑定|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/jp/ryosukekamba/joe|access-date=June 9, 2024|publisher=[[BuzzFeed News]]|language=ja|archive-date=March 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321142713/https://www.buzzfeed.com/jp/ryosukekamba/joe|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Media==
===Manga===
{{Main|List of Ashita no Joe manga volumes{{!}}List of ''Ashita no Joe'' manga volumes}}
''Tomorrow's Joe'' originally serialized in the [[Shōnen manga|{{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} manga]] magazine ''[[Weekly Shōnen Magazine]]'' from January 1, 1968, to May 13, 1973. It was collected into 20 {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volumes by [[Kodansha]]. Most of the chapters of the manga were reprinted in ''[[Shukan Gendai]]'' from March 2, 2009, to the year end.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2009/02/12/national/ashita-no-joe-makes-a-comeback/|title=Ashita no Joe makes a comeback|publisher=The Japan Times|date=February 12, 2009|author=Kyodo News|access-date=April 12, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412084359/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2009/02/12/national/ashita-no-joe-makes-a-comeback/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2024, [[Kodansha USA]] announced that they had licensed the manga for English release in North America. They will release it digitally and in eight oversized hardcover volumes, starting in December of the same year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=Kodansha to Publish 1st Official English Release of Ashita no Joe Manga|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-22/kodansha-to-publish-1st-official-english-release-of-ashita-no-joe-manga/.207889|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=February 22, 2024|date=February 22, 2024|archive-date=February 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222211015/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-22/kodansha-to-publish-1st-official-english-release-of-ashita-no-joe-manga/.207889|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Anime===
====TV series====
[[Mushi Productions]] produced an anime television series based on the first 14 volumes of ''Tomorrow's Joe''. It was broadcast in Japan by [[Fuji TV]] from April 1, 1970, to September 29, 1971. A second anime television series, which started from volume 9 and covered the rest of the series, was made by [[TMS Entertainment]] and was broadcast by [[Nippon TV]] from October 13, 1980, to August 31, 1981. Both anime were directed by [[Osamu Dezaki]]. On March 2, 2005, the complete version of the first anime was released by Nippon Columbia on 2 DVD box sets, covering 33 hours and 55 minutes of footage across 79 episodes spanning 16 disks. It also includes an all-color explanation book in 3 volumes totaling 120 pages. Previous release formats include mini-box sets on September 21, 2001, and individual discs on September 21, 2002.<ref name="Discotek">{{cite web|title=Discotek Licenses Cyborg 009 The Cyborg Soldier, Tomorrow's Joe, Project ARMS, NieA_7, Lupin III: The Legend of the Gold of Babylon|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-13/discotek-licenses-cyborg-009-the-cyborg-soldier-tomorrow-joe-project-arms-niea_7-lupin-iii-the-legend-of-the-gold-of-babylon/.120065|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 13, 2017|date=August 13, 2017|archive-date=July 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701031748/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-13/discotek-licenses-cyborg-009-the-cyborg-soldier-tomorrow-joe-project-arms-niea_7-lupin-iii-the-legend-of-the-gold-of-babylon/.120065|url-status=live}}</ref> Crunchyroll began streaming the second anime from March 24, 2014, under the name ''Champion Joe 2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/03/22/crunchyroll-adds-champion-joe-2-anime-and-gto-taiwan-drama|title=Crunchyroll Adds "Champion Joe 2" Anime and "GTO Taiwan" Drama|work=[[Crunchyroll]]|date=March 22, 2014|access-date=June 1, 2015|archive-date=June 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612023625/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/03/22/crunchyroll-adds-champion-joe-2-anime-and-gto-taiwan-drama|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Crunchyroll]] began streaming the series in November 2024.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=Crunchyroll Adds Ashita no Joe Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-11-14/crunchyroll-adds-ashita-no-joe-anime/.217872|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 15, 2024|date=November 14, 2024}}</ref>

In 2018, ''[[Megalobox]]'', a futuristic reimagining of the original, was released as part of the manga's 50th anniversary. The series being the final concept of many initial ideas from director Moriyama, one concept being for the story to be based around Rikiishi Toru, Joe's fated rival and lifelong friend.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parker-Dalton|first=Jacob|date=April 30, 2018|title=Origins of 'Megalo Box' Revealed in 'Ashita no Joe' Exhibition|url=http://otaquest.com/megalo-box-origins-ashita-no-joe|access-date=October 4, 2020|website=Otaquest|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020090319/https://www.otaquest.com/megalo-box-origins-ashita-no-joe/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Films====
Edited versions of the two anime series were distributed as anime films by [[Nippon Herald Films]] on March 8, 1980, and July 4, 1981, respectively. Tai Seng released the first anime film in the United States on DVD in 2008, under the name ''Champion Joe''. Discotek Media later released ''Champion Joe'' on Blu-Ray.<ref name="Discotek"/>

The first film ''Tomorrow's Joe'' earned a [[distributor rental]] income of {{JPY|500 million}} at the Japanese box office in 1980.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=28c9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA24|script-title=ja:図解入門業界研究最新ｱﾆﾒ業界の動向とｶﾗｸﾘがよ〜くわかる本|date=2017|publisher={{ill|Shuwa System|ja|秀和システム}}|isbn=978-4-7980-5038-6|edition=2nd|location=Japan|page=24|language=ja|trans-title=Introductory Illustrated Industry Research A book that gives a good understanding of the latest trends and karakuri in the animation industry|author=Isao Taniguchi|author2=Hajime Asō|access-date=April 11, 2022|archive-date=February 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222210931/https://books.google.com/books?id=28c9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA24#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Live-action films===
A live-action film based on the manga was released in 1970 in Japan, featuring Shōji Ishibashi as Joe Yabuki, Ryūtarō Tatsumi as Danpei Tange and Seiichirō Kameishi as Tōru Rikiishi.

The second live-action film adaptation premiered in Japan on February 11, 2011, starring [[Tomohisa Yamashita]] as Joe Yabuki, [[Teruyuki Kagawa]] as Danpei and [[Yūsuke Iseya]] as Tōru Rikiishi. The live-action film also received positive response from Hollywood Reporter's Maggie Lee who praised the cast's boxing but criticized the characterization of Danpei and Yoko.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/tomorrow-s-joe-ashita-no-183313|title=Tomorrow's Joe (Ashita No Joe): Film Review|publisher=Hollywood Reporter|date=April 28, 2011|author=Lee, Maggie|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=June 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602113656/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/tomorrow-s-joe-ashita-no-183313|url-status=live}}</ref> Russell Edwards from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' enjoyed the director's work and, like Lee, enjoyed the work of the leading actors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/tomorrow-s-joe-ashita-no-183313|title=Review: 'Tomorrow's Joe'|publisher=Variety|date=April 28, 2011|author=Edwards, Russell|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=June 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602113656/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/tomorrow-s-joe-ashita-no-183313|url-status=live}}</ref> The film grossed {{JPY|1.1 billion}} ({{US$|{{To USD|1100|JPN|year=2011|round=yes}} million|long=no}}) at the Japanese box office in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=2011|url=http://www.eiren.org/boxoffice_e/2011.html|website=Eiren|publisher=Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan|access-date=April 11, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717225131/http://www.eiren.org/boxoffice_e/2011.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Stage play===
A stage play directed by Eiichi Yogi, ran from May 25 to May 29, 2016, at the Sumida Park Studio Kura theatre in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-11-30/tetsuya-chiba-ashita-no-joe-manga-gets-stage-play-adaptation/.95928|title=Tetsuya Chiba's Ashita no Joe Manga Gets Stage Play Adaptation|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 30, 2015|access-date=December 2, 2019|archive-date=November 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114144357/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-11-30/tetsuya-chiba-ashita-no-joe-manga-gets-stage-play-adaptation/.95928|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Radio drama===
A radio drama was broadcast by TBS Radio from October 3 to October 28, 1977, for 20 episodes, featuring Yoshito Yasuhara as Joe Yabuki.

===Video games===
{|class="wikitable"
! Title
! Publisher
! Developer
! Platform
! Release Date
|-
| ''Tomorrow's Joe''
| [[SCSK|CSK]]
| Filcom
| [[PC-8800 series|PC-8801]], [[FM-7]]
| July 1983
|-
| ''Tomorrow's Joe''
| [[Taito]]
| Wave Corp
| [[Arcade game|Arcade]]
| 1990
|-
| ''[[Legend of Success Joe]]''
| [[SNK]]
| Wave Corp
| [[Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo]]
| 1991
|-
| ''Tomorrow's Joe''
| K Amusement Leasing
| Wave Corp
| [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]
| November 27, 1992
|-
| ''Boxing Mania: Tomorrow's Joe''
| [[Konami]]
| 
| [[Arcade game|Arcade]]
| 2001
|-
| ''Tomorrow's Joe Touchi: Typing Namida Hashi''
| [[Sunsoft]]
| Sunsoft
| [[PlayStation 2]]
| March 29, 2001
|-
| ''Tomorrow's Joe 2: The Anime Super Remix''
| [[Capcom]]
| Capcom
| PlayStation 2
| June 20, 2002
|-
| ''Tomorrow's Joe Masshiro ni Moe Tsukiro!''
| Konami
| 
| PlayStation 2
| December 4, 2003
|-
| ''Tomorrow's Joe Makkani Moeagare!''
| 
| Konami
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
| December 4, 2003
|-
| ''[[Sunday vs Magazine: Shūketsu! Chōjō Daikessen]]''
| Konami
| [[Hudson Soft]]
| [[PlayStation Portable]]
| March 26, 2009
|}

==Reception and legacy==
The manga was very popular, having sold over 20 million copies after its serialization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sankei.jp.msn.com/entertainments/news/131125/ent13112511380003-n1.htm| script-title=ja:ちばてつやさん「あしたのジョー」 力石の死…描き進めていくうちに「これはもう生きていられない」と|date=November 25, 2013|work=[[Sankei Shimbun]]|publisher=[[MSN]]|access-date=November 29, 2013|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128140909/http://sankei.jp.msn.com/entertainments/news/131125/ent13112511380003-n1.htm|archive-date=November 28, 2013}}</ref> Also, during its serialization, it was particularly popular with [[working-class]] people and college students who were involved in the [[New Left]], who saw themselves likewise struggling against the system like Joe Yabuki did and revered him as an icon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.otaquest.com/ashita-no-joe-retrospective/|title=50 Years of Yabuki Joe, the Working Class Hero|date=July 25, 2018|first=Jacob|last=Parker-Dalton|publisher=Otaquest|access-date=July 23, 2020|archive-date=July 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723144213/https://www.otaquest.com/ashita-no-joe-retrospective/|url-status=live}}</ref> An example of this New Left influence were the members of the [[Japanese Red Army]] who took part in the [[Yodogo hijacking]] in 1970 and compared themselves to Joe as they saw a revolutionary message in the manga. During the hijack, they shouted "We are tomorrow's Joe!".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ir.library.osaka-u.ac.jp/repo/ouka/all/75742/cac01_001.pdf|title=ジョー & 飛雄馬: 闘争の時代のヒーロー達|publisher=Osaka University|date=March 28, 2009|language=ja|access-date=November 14, 2020|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413011842/https://ir.library.osaka-u.ac.jp/repo/ouka/all/75742/cac01_001.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://business.nikkei.com/atcl/report/15/070300016/053000022/|title=「よど号」は、なぜ金浦空港に降りたのか|date=January 1, 2016|work=[[The Nikkei]]|language=ja|access-date=November 14, 2020|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204005104/https://business.nikkei.com/atcl/report/15/070300016/053000022/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/scoop/update/director/20101128_010.html|script-title=ja:よど号ハイジャック事件 ～４０年目の真相～ ザ・スクープ|date=November 28, 2010|publisher=TV Asahi|language=ja|access-date=November 14, 2020|archive-date=July 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702235207/https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/scoop/update/director/20101128_010.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Tomorrow's Joe'' has received generally positive reviews, with many critics praising the story and characters. On October 13, 2006, it was voted "Japanese Favorite TV Anime" placing 4 out of 100 among celebrities votes.<ref>Japanese Anime Vote. "[http://pwws.tv-asahi.co.jp/anime100/contents/2006geinou/cur/ TV Asashi Voting] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505172418/http://pwws.tv-asahi.co.jp/anime100/contents/2006geinou/cur/|date=May 5, 2009}}. " "Japanese Anime Vote." Retrieved on 2006-11-19.</ref> Joe Yabuki was ranked seventh in Mania Entertainment's "10 Most Iconic Anime Heroes", written by Thomas Zoth, who commented that, "Tomorrow's Joe captured the [[zeitgeist]] of 1960s Japan. The story of Joe's rise from nothing touched a chord with Japanese audiences, who were seeing their country prosper after a long period of postwar devastation."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/10-iconic-anime-heroes_article_119883.html|title=10 Most Iconic Anime Heroes|last=Zoth|first=Thomas|date=January 12, 2010|publisher=Mania Entertainment|access-date=January 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006211256/http://www.mania.com/10-iconic-anime-heroes_article_119883.html|archive-date=October 6, 2012}}</ref> Anime News Network's reviewer Justin Sevakis analyzed the series, praising its story line but criticized some aspects about the first movie adaptation. He praised Joe's character development and his relationship with other boxers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/buried-treasure/2008-11-13/ashita-no-joe|title=Buried Treasure Ashita no Joe|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 13, 2008|author=Sevakis, Justin|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407055630/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/buried-treasure/2008-11-13/ashita-no-joe|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''The Japan Times''{{'}} Mark Schilling, the series "became the template for not only Fumihiko Sori's 2011 live-action film of the same title, but many Japanese sports movie and TV franchises."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2015/09/16/films/japan-lens-film-genres/#.VyN3FzHuoQJ|title=Japan through the lens of its film genres|publisher=The Japan Times|date=September 16, 2015|author=Schilling, Mark|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426135852/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2015/09/16/films/japan-lens-film-genres#.VyN3FzHuoQJ|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Tomorrow's Joe'' has been considered one of the most influential manga, with many anime and manga referencing it.<ref name="ann-mike-toole">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-mike-toole-show/2018-05-13/.131505|title=The Mike Toole Show: Yo Joe!|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=May 13, 2018|author=Toole,Mike|access-date=April 12, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412075507/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-mike-toole-show/2018-05-13/.131505|url-status=live}}</ref> For the animated adaptation of the manga ''[[Naruto]]'', animator Atsushi Wakabayashi from Pierrot said he was influenced by ''Tomorrow's Joe''. This was mostly because the staff members were fans of the series and felt the character [[Naruto Uzumaki]] to be close to the type of archetype they rooted for when watching the series. As a result, Wakabayashi and the rest of the staff members made Naruto stand out in episode 133 where there was too much focus in his fight against [[Sasuke Uchiha]], whom he shared an intense rivalry.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Newtype|title=Newtype Shonen|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|date=August 2005}}</ref> The opening sequence of Osamu Dezaki's film also influenced anime director [[Gorō Taniguchi]] during the production of ''[[Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manga.tokyo/interview/interview-with-code-geass-lelouch-of-the-resurrection-director-goro-taniguchi/|title=Interview with Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection Director Goro Taniguchi|access-date=November 21, 2020|website=Manga Tokyo|date=February 23, 2019|archive-date=October 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003082851/https://manga.tokyo/interview/interview-with-code-geass-lelouch-of-the-resurrection-director-goro-taniguchi/|url-status=live}}</ref> Joe was also a major influence in [[Kyo Kusanagi]], the main character of [[SNK]]'s [[fighting game]] series, ''[[The King of Fighters]]''.<ref name="AAKOF94">{{cite book|title=All About The King of Fighters '94 (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94)|volume=7|series={{ill|All About (book series)|lt=All About|ja|ALL ABOUTシリーズ#ALL ABOUTシリーズ（スタジオベントスタッフ編著）}}|publisher={{ill|The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|ja|電波新聞社}}|date=December 25, 1994|language=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/kof94/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424230619/http://shmuplations.com/kof94/|date=April 24, 2020}}).</ref> Anime director [[Kenji Kamiyama]], most known for the ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex]]'' series, cited the original anime among the 15 best anime of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madman.com.au/news/kenji-kamiyama-interview/|title=Madman interviews Kenji Kamiyama|date=September 17, 2013|publisher=[[Madman Entertainment]]|access-date=August 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045547/http://www.madman.com.au/news/kenji-kamiyama-interview/|archive-date=August 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://chibapro.co.jp/ Chiba Tetsuya's official website]
* {{Anime News Network|manga|3345}}

{{Ashita no Joe}}
{{Weekly Shōnen Magazine - 1960–1989}}
{{Osamu Dezaki}}
{{TMS Entertainment}}
{{TMS Entertainment films}}
{{Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize}}

[[Category:1968 manga]]
[[Category:1970 anime television series debuts]]
[[Category:1980 anime films]]
[[Category:1980 films]]
[[Category:1980 anime television series debuts]]
[[Category:1981 anime films]]
[[Category:1981 films]]
[[Category:Animated films based on manga]]
[[Category:Boxing in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Crunchyroll anime]]
[[Category:Fuji Television original programming]]
[[Category:Gekiga]]
[[Category:Ikki Kajiwara]]
[[Category:Japanese animated films]]
[[Category:Kodansha manga]]
[[Category:Manga adapted into films]]
[[Category:Nippon Television original programming]]
[[Category:Shōnen manga]]
[[Category:Television shows written by Eriko Shinozaki]]
[[Category:TMS Entertainment]]
[[Category:TBS Television (Japan) original programming]]