Is Ashita no Joe Finished?#
If you are looking to dive into the gritty world of Ashita no Joe (also known as Tomorrow’s Joe), you might be wondering if the story reaches a definitive conclusion. The short answer is yes, but you cannot stop at the first series if you want the full experience.
The original anime adaptation provides the foundation, but the story continues into a sequel, Ashita no Joe 2. To get a satisfying conclusion to Joe Yabuki’s journey, you will need to watch both the original series and its sequel. For those who prefer the source material, the manga ran from 1968 to 1973 and provides the complete narrative. You can buy the Ashita no Joe manga to experience the story as it was originally written.
What is Ashita no Joe About?#
Ashita no Joe is a powerful blend of sports, drama, and slice-of-life elements. It follows Joe Yabuki, a 15-year-old wandering orphan living in the worst slums of Tokyo. Joe is a delinquent who crosses paths with Tange, a washed-up boxer who sees potential in Joe after the boy easily defeats several yakuza members.
While Joe’s path to boxing isn’t linear—involving stints in jail and juvenile detention—it is during his time in juvie that he meets Rikiishi Tooru. This encounter sparks a fierce rivalry that transforms Joe’s life. Rather than seeking simple revenge, Joe begins to view boxing as a career and a means of reforming his life.
Who is this anime for?#
This series is best suited for viewers who enjoy:
- Underdog Stories: Following a social outcast’s rise through grit and determination.
- Intense Rivalries: The emotional core of the show is the drive for self-improvement sparked by a worthy opponent.
- Gritty Realism: The “slice of life” aspects of the Tokyo slums provide a stark, dramatic backdrop to the sports action.
With recent Eisner Award nominations and a new official English manga release from Kodansha, this classic remains highly relevant for fans of high-stakes tournament dramas. If you’re a fan of the series, you might also want to check out Ashita no Joe merchandise to commemorate this legendary tale.
Recommended Watch Orders#
Because Ashita no Joe has a complex history of sequels, compilations, and spin-offs, the order in which you watch can vary depending on your goals. Please refer to the relationship tree below for a visual guide to these connections.
The Release Order#
If you want to experience the franchise as the world did, follow the release dates:
- Ashita no Joe (1970)
- Tomorrow’s Joe (1980 Compilation)
- Ashita no Joe 2 (1980)
- Tomorrow’s Joe 2 (1981 Compilation)
- Joe vs. Joe (2003)
- Megalobox (2018)
- Megalobox 2: Nomad (2021)
The Recommended Order#
For most viewers, we suggest focusing on the core narrative and the modern spiritual successor:
- Ashita no Joe
- Ashita no Joe 2
- Megalobox
- Megalobox 2: Nomad
The Completionist Order#
For those who want every single piece of content, including the summaries and related works:
- Start with Ashita no Joe, followed by the Tomorrow’s Joe compilation.
- Move to Ashita no Joe 2, then the Tomorrow’s Joe 2 compilation.
- Watch the related Joe vs. Joe special.
- Finish with the spin-off era: Megalobox and Megalobox 2: Nomad.
The Manga-First Path#
If you don’t mind reading the source material to get the most accurate version of the story, read the original Ashita no Joe manga (1968-1973) first. From there, you can supplement your experience with the anime adaptations or the Joe vs. Joe related anime.
Where to Watch and Support#
You can watch the anime on Prime Video (which collaborates with Crunchyroll in several regions) to start Joe’s journey today. TMS Entertainment has also previously made the first few episodes available on YouTube for those looking for a preview.
If you find our guides helpful in deciding which anime to commit to, consider supporting us on Ko-fi to keep the site running!
Ashita no Joe • manga • 1968-01-01 to 1973-05-13 (Shonen Magazine 1968 No.1 to 1973 No.25)
└─(adaptation)→ Ashita no Joe • anime • 1970-04-01 to 1971-09-29
└─(compilation)→ Tomorrow's Joe • anime • 1980-03-08
└─(sequel)→ Ashita no Joe 2 • anime • 1980-10-13 to 1981-08-31
└─(compilation)→ Tomorrow's Joe 2 • anime • 1981-07-04
└─(spinoff)→ Megalobox • anime • 2018-04-05
└─(sequel)→ Megalobox 2: Nomad • anime • 2021-04-04
└─(related)→ Joe vs. Joe • anime • 2003-05-25
