In this post, we take a closer look at the current status of the series “Ashita no Joe”, also known by the following titles:
- Tomorrows Joe
- あしたのジョー
- Rocky Joe
- Champion Joe
Status#
Based on our analysis, the series is FINISHED. ✅
Here’s how we reached that conclusion:
- All related entries are marked as finished on MyAnimeList
- The series is listed as ended on Trakt
- The original source material has been fully adapted, according to MangaUpdates
These sources consistently confirm that the main story of Ashita no Joe has been fully concluded.
Watch order#
Ashita no Joe ↗ ↖
あしたのジョー
Summary
Joe Yabuki has learned how to toughen up and stop trusting others after a troubling youth spent bouncing between orphanages and fending off bullies. After finally escaping the cycle of violent temporary homes, Joe adopts a delinquent lifestyle in the streets of San'ya, a slum in Tokyo. He makes his way through the world with his fists, picking fights with anyone he pleases.Danpei Tange, a washed-up and alcoholic former boxing coach, notices Joe’s animalistic combat ability and attempts to mentor the wild teenager. Despite developing an explosive relationship, the two form a close bond and rely on each other to look after the other homeless children in San’ya.
Unable to abandon his destructive habits, Joe is arrested for petty crimes. In jail, he meets and fights with lifelong friends and rivals, including the boxing prodigy Tooru Rikiishi. Continuously challenging Rikiishi to fights, Joe is knocked out time after time due to his savage brawling style failing in the face of Rikiishi’s controlled boxing technique. But eventually, Joe stuns his rival with a knockout blow, earning Rikiishi’s respect and the promise that they will one day meet again inside the professional ring.
Finding a reason to live within boxing, Joe takes life head-on with a new purpose. As he rises through Japan’s amateur and professional boxing scenes, he contends with painful loss and increasing injury. Joe’s passion for fighting is all-consuming, and he grapples with the idea that a life without boxing may not be one worth living.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Background
Ashita no Joe has sold over 20 million copies, was adapted to two anime series and films, as well as two live-action films in 1970 and 2011. Both the titular character and series have become an incredibly influential part of Japanese pop-culture. The series has been published in English as Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow by Kodansha USA under the Vertical Comics imprint since December 24, 2024. It was published in French by Glénat Editions and in Italian by Star Comics.
Ashita no Joe Pilots ↗ ↖
あしたのジョー パイロットフィルム
Summary
Pilot episodes.
Ashita no Joe ↗ ↖
あしたのジョー
Summary
Joe Yabuki is a troubled youth, whose only solution to problems is throwing punches at them. What he lacks in manners and discipline, he makes up for with his self-taught fighting skills.One day, while wandering the slums of Doya, Joe gets into a fight with the local gang. Although greatly outnumbered, he effortlessly defeats them, drawing the attention of Danpei Tange—a former boxing coach turned alcoholic. Seeing his potential, he offers to train Joe into Japan’s greatest boxer. At first, Joe dismisses Danpei as a hopeless drunk; but after the trainer saves his life, he agrees to live with him and learn the art of boxing. Unfortunately, Joe’s personality makes him an unruly student, and he often falls back to his old ways.
To survive the harsh world of his new career, Joe needs to trust his mentor and master the techniques taught to him. However, the road to becoming a professional boxer is rife with struggles that will test his mettle to the end.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Ashita no Joe (Movie) ↗ ↖
あしたのジョー (1980)
Summary
An abridged remake of the first Ashita no Joe TV series, released in 1980 to provide back-story for the second TV series to new fans who were not familiar with the first TV series or the manga.(Source: ANN)
Ashita no Joe 2 ↗ ↖
あしたのジョー２
Summary
Yabuki Joe is left downhearted and hopeless after a certain tragic event. In attempt to put the past behind him, Joe leaves the gym behind and begins wandering. On his travels he comes across the likes of Wolf Kanagushi and Goromaki Gondo, men who unintentionally fan the dying embers inside him, leading him to putting his wanderings to an end. His return home puts Joe back on the path to boxing, but unknown to himself and his trainer, he now suffers deep-set issues holding him back from fighting. In attempt to quell those issues, Carlos Rivera, a world renowned boxer is invited from Venezuela to help Joe recover.
Ashita no Joe 2 (Movie) ↗ ↖
あしたのジョー２
Summary
It has been six months since the tragic accident in Joe and Rikiishi's fight. Joe believes he has overcomed Rikiishi's death and decides to make a comeback. Joe does make a successful comeback by scoring 5 KO's by body blows. Joe is then given a shot at the national title as a means by the boxing commission to put him down. The champion, Tiger Ozaki makes use of Joe's habits and ends up making Joe's corner throw in the towel. Joe is afraid to throw punches at the face because of what happened to Rikiishi. Youko, Joe's love interest and the owner of the gym where Rikiishi trained at recruits a world ranked boxer from Venezuela, Carlos Rivera, to get Joe back on his feet and pursue his boxing career to the regional and world ranks.(Source: ANN)