Tomorrow's Joe

あしたのジョー

1970–1981 · Ended · 2 seasons · 126 episodes · Animation, Drama · Japan

Channel Fuji TV · Starring Teruhiko Aoi, Fuyumi Shiraishi, Shūsei Nakamura

Something will happen tomorrow.

A young drifter named Joe Yabuki wanders through the slums of Tokyo, but when the local ruffians try to give him a hard time he teaches them a rough lesson with his fists. The spectacle sparks a gleam in the eye of an old drunk who happens to be watching—Danpei Tange, a failed boxer and former coach who sees something special in the boy. He pleads with Joe to train with him off, but the cocky young fighter brushes him. Later, though, when Joe is arrested and put in a juvenile detention facility, he realizes that he’s going to need to hone his raw fighting skills if he wants to survive. Thus is born a partnership that might just take Joe all the way to the top…
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Episodes

79 episodes · April 1970 – September 1971
  1. Episode 1: 1. Those are the Eyes of a Beast!April 1, 1970 · 25 min
    A former boxer and current drunkard named Danpei Tange meets a drifter named Joe Yabuki and sees potential in him. Tange offers to teach Joe how to box, but Joe isn't easily convinced.
  2. Episode 2: 2. The Live in the Square JungleApril 8, 1970 · 25 min
    Danpei is severely hurt after trying to protect Joe from the yakuza. Joe goes to visit the head of the yakuza group to try to get reparations for Danpei.
  3. Episode 3: 3. Face the Fangs of the BeastApril 15, 1970 · 25 min
    Danpei works hard day and night to save up for Joe and his boxing gym. Meanwhile, Joe uses the slum kids to con some money out of people and he runs into a woman named Yoko Shiraki.
  4. Episode 4: 4. Shed Tears for the Burning Fist!April 22, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe holes up in an abandoned building after he gets caught lying to con people out of money.
  5. Episode 5: 5. For the Sake of Tomorrow! Part 1April 29, 1970 · 25 min
    Tange sends Joe a letter to teach him boxing while he's at the police hospital waiting for his fate.
  6. Episode 6: 6. Explode! Left Jab!May 6, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe ends up in a juvenile classification home and is quickly put into his place after trying to be cocky against his fellow inmates and their boss Nishi.
Show 73 more episodes
  1. Episode 7: 7. Don`t Judge the Wolf!May 13, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe, Tange, and the kids show up to court to hear if Joe will be sent off to the juvenile training school.
  2. Episode 8: 8. Toko High Security Juvenile PrisonMay 20, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe and Nishi spend their first night at the Toko Special Juvenile Training School and are quickly put into their places.
  3. Episode 9: 9. His Name is Rikiishi Toru!May 27, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe and Nishi are sent out with the rest of the inmates to do some farmwork. Later on, Nishi comes up with a plan to help Joe escape the island, but they meet a man named Toru Rikiishi.
  4. Episode 10: 10. Scream of the Red Sunset!June 3, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe is completely out of it after getting punched by Rikiishi. However, later on, he had a huge surprise in store for everyone.
  5. Episode 11: 11. Burn at the Bottom of Hell!June 10, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe continues to practice boxing while he's alone in solitary. Danpei and the kids try to find a way into the juvenile training school when they unexpectedly run into Yoko.
  6. Episode 12: 12. Shout at the Burning SunJune 17, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe tells Yoko why he treats her so badly. Rikiishi tries to interfere and Yoko proposes that they settle this in a boxing match. Tange finally gets to train Joe again in person.
  7. Episode 13: 13. Stand in the Ring of DestinyJune 24, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe and Rikiishi prepare for their upcoming match. After seeing just how powerful Joe's new punch is, Rikiishi devises a unique training method to counter it.
  8. Episode 14: 14. Is it Time for the KO Gong Yet!?July 1, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe and Rikiishi finally have their first match. But for some reason, Danpei tells Joe to let Rikiishi keep knocking him down. Who will be the winner in the end?
  9. Episode 15: 15. White Mat's LullabyJuly 8, 1970 · 25 min
    Moved by the fight between Joe and Rikiishi, the inmates also start boxing.
  10. Episode 16: 16. The Setting Sun of TreacheryJuly 15, 1970 · 25 min
    Tange becomes the full-time boxing coach at the juvenile training school on Nogiku Island. Joe seems to finally be interested in training more with Tange, but Tange suddenly seems distant.
  11. Episode 17: 17. Alone in the Middle of a StormJuly 22, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe keeps trying to get Tange to coach him again, but Tange just keeps ignoring him and concentrates on training Aoyama. No one expected Aoyama to get into the tournament, but he then somehow defeats the rep for dorm 7, Numata.
  12. Episode 18: 18. Ring Ropes of DespairJuly 29, 1970 · 25 min
    The dormitory boxing tournament begins and everyone finds out just how Aoyama defeated Numata.
  13. Episode 19: 19. The Fearsome Liver BlowAugust 5, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe and Aoyama's match finally begins, but who will come out on top?
  14. Episode 20: 20. Battle Scarred VictoryAugust 12, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe and Aoyama's match concludes and Tange reveals something to our two fighters.
  15. Episode 21: 21. A Small Fight with a Big HonorAugust 19, 1970 · 25 min
    Rikiishi tells Joe that they need to have their match sooner because something came up, so they have an unofficial match out in the rain.
  16. Episode 22: 22. The Legendary Rikiishi TooruAugust 26, 1970 · 25 min
    Rikiishi leaves Toko Special Juvenile Training School and Joe feels empty inside. Meanwhile, the final match of the dorm boxing tournament is about to begin.
  17. Episode 23: 23. Farewell, Juvenile PrisonSeptember 2, 1970 · 25 min
    Following Rikiishi and Aoyama, Nishi is also going to leave the juvenile training school, leaving Joe all alone.
  18. Episode 24: 24. Return to Slum TownSeptember 9, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe finally leaves the juvenile training school and goes back to the slums where he's welcomed back with open arms, and Danpei has a surprise for him.
  19. Episode 25: 25. Law of the Stray DogSeptember 16, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe finally feels like something might be changing in his life, but then he is visited by Guerilla, who's on the run from the police.
  20. Episode 26: 26. License of DespairSeptember 23, 1970 · 25 min
    Tange goes to the Japan Boxing Association to get his gym officially recognized. Meanwhile, Joe starts working at the grocery store Nishi works at.
  21. Episode 27: 27. Bridge to TomorrowSeptember 30, 1970 · 25 min
    Tange is unable to get the license for his gym, but then, an unexpected visitor gives them an unbelievable offer.
  22. Episode 28: 28. Wager for GloryOctober 7, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe goes to see the All Japan Rookie Championship Tournament and figures out a way to get one of the members of the Boxing Association to give Tange the license he needs for his gym.
  23. Episode 29: 29. Challenge for TomorrowOctober 14, 1970 · 25 min
    Tange is able to get the license for his gym after the stunt Joe pulled at the All Japan Rookie Championship Tournament, but he says that Joe's not ready to become a pro yet himself. However, Joe's got his own ideas.
  24. Episode 30: 30. The Ordeal of the Pro TestOctober 21, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe and Nishi go take the pro boxing test and Joe finds out that it's not as easy as he thought it would be.
  25. Episode 31: 31. Spread Your Wings, Pro BoxerOctober 28, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe passes the B-rank exam and takes his first real step towards becoming a pro.
  26. Episode 32: 32. The Road to the Shining RingNovember 4, 1970 · 25 min
    Nishi and Joe both have their debut matches in the pro ring.
  27. Episode 33: 33. Hooray for the First VictoryNovember 11, 1970 · 25 min
    Everyone celebrates after Joe's first victory. Noriko gets him violets but those are quickly overshadowed by the giant bouquet of roses Yoko sends him.
  28. Episode 34: 34. The Aspiring BoxerNovember 18, 1970 · 25 min
    Ishikura watches Joe win a boxing match and decides he wants to be just like him. He then suddenly shows up to Tange's gym wanting to join, but Tange surprisingly refuses.
  29. Episode 35: 35. Do Your Best! Nishi!November 25, 1970 · 25 min
    Nishi loses all three matches so far after becoming a pro and loses his confidence. Tange, Joe, and the kids try to find a way to build his confidence back up and Kinoko finds a surprising solution.
  30. Episode 36: 36. Wolf Kanagushi Bares His FangsDecember 2, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe continues winning match after match and asks Tange when he's going to go up against Wolf Kanagushi. Tange tells him they're going to take it nice and slow, but then, Otaka sends them an invitation...
  31. Episode 37: 37. Training FuriouslyDecember 9, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe, Tange, and Nishi are anxious about what Wolf's secret training could be. The kids decide they'll sneak into the Asia Boxing Club to find out what Wolf's training is, but things go terribly wrong.
  32. Episode 38: 38. The Greatest Six-Round Bout in HistoryDecember 16, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe and Wolf's match finally begins. Whose training will bring them victory?
  33. Episode 39: 39. The Triple Cross of VictoryDecember 23, 1970 · 25 min
    Joe and Wolf's intense match finally comes to an end. Who will stand victorious?
  34. Episode 40: 40. An Oath to the SnowDecember 30, 1970 · 25 min
    Tange takes Joe, Nishi, and the rest of the neighborhood on a hot springs trip to celebrate Joe's victory, but on their way up, they find out that Wolf may have been incapacitated.
  35. Episode 41: 41. Rikiishi Tooru`s ChallengeJanuary 6, 1971 · 25 min
    The new year has arrived and Joe finds out that Rikiishi is losing weight to become a bantamweight so he can face off with Joe.
  36. Episode 42: 42. A Man`s WorldJanuary 13, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe and Rikiishi continue training for their match. However, Rikiishi is starting to worry Yoko and Mikinosuke because he is going to extreme lengths to lose weight.
  37. Episode 43: 43. A Cruel Weight LossJanuary 20, 1971 · 25 min
    Tange formally accepts Shiraki Gym's match request between Rikiishi and Joe and he tells Joe about Rikiishi's brutal weight loss regimen. Meanwhile, Nishi doesn't seem to be losing any weight...
  38. Episode 44: 44. Rikiishi Tooru`s Hard Fight!January 27, 1971 · 25 min
    Rikiishi has his first match as a bantamweight against Pancho Leo. Who will come out on top?
  39. Episode 45: 45. Sway Back to Defeat Rikiishi!February 3, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe asks Tange and Nishi to help him improve his sway backs so he has a way to counter Rikiishi.
  40. Episode 46: 46. The Man Who Risked DeathFebruary 10, 1971 · 25 min
    While Joe continues his intense training, Rikishi is equally devoted to maintaining his weight.
  41. Episode 47: 47. The Two Before the StormFebruary 17, 1971 · 25 min
    On the day of the match, Joe and Danpei reunite with Rikishi during the weigh-in and acknowledge his impressive weight-cutting success.
  42. Episode 48: 48. Showdown of DestinyFebruary 24, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe realizes that Rikishi has stabilized his body after extreme weight loss.
  43. Episode 49: 49. An Endless DeathmatchMarch 3, 1971 · 25 min
    Rikishi's uppercut grazes Joe's cheek, causing it to bleed. Alarmed, Joe moves in close during the third round, leading to an intense exchange of hooks.
  44. Episode 50: 50. End of the BattleMarch 10, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe fortifies his guard for the first time in his professional career, but Rikishi's fierce attack knocks him down.
  45. Episode 51: 51. Burnt-out LifeMarch 17, 1971 · 25 min
    The fierce battle ends. Joe extends a congratulatory handshake to Rikishi, who starts to smile but collapses onto the mat.
  46. Episode 52: 52. Farewell, Rikiishi ToruMarch 24, 1971 · 25 min
    On the day of Rikishi's funeral, Joe leaves their condolences to Danpei and Nishi and tries to distract himself by playing energetically with the children by the riverside.
  47. Episode 53: 53. The Man I HateMarch 31, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe wanders through the town on a snowy night, carrying memories of Rikishi. To Joe, who has no family, Rikishi was an irreplaceable presence...
  48. Episode 54: 54. The Ten-Count Bell of SorrowApril 7, 1971 · 25 min
    Three days after Joe disappeared, a ten-count gong was held at Korakuen Hall to mourn Rikishi's death. Joe watches the scene on a street-side TV.
  49. Episode 55: 55. The Wandering BalladApril 14, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe sees Wolf Kanagushi, who has become a bodyguard for the yakuza, on the streets.
  50. Episode 56: 56. The Wolf RevivesApril 21, 1971 · 25 min
    The brawl with Gondo is treated as extenuating circumstances. After being informed by reporters, Danpei quickly retrieves Joe.
  51. Episode 57: 57. A Wounded BeastApril 28, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe continues training and lands a powerful body blow during sparring with Nishi. However, Nishi notices that Joe avoids striking the head, arousing suspicion.
  52. Episode 58: 58. The Body Blow of VictoryMay 5, 1971 · 25 min
    The ten-round match between Joe and Tonotani begins. Danpei and Nishi, concealing their concerns, watch over Joe.
  53. Episode 59: 59. The Looming Black ShadowMay 12, 1971 · 25 min
    Having returned to form, Joe defeats several Japanese bantamweight contenders with his fierce body attacks.
  54. Episode 60: 60. The Fierce SparringMay 19, 1971 · 25 min
    Pre-match predictions favor Tiger in his fight against Joe. Around this time, the head of Bokuto Gym invites Joe to spar with him, saying it is to substitute for Nishi, who injured his fist.
  55. Episode 61: 61. The Thrown TowelMay 26, 1971 · 25 min
    In the fight against Tiger, Kunimoto, the Sun Gym president, claims to have uncovered Joe's weakness. In truth, Tiger realizes that Joe cannot properly strike the face.
  56. Episode 62: 62. Rikiishi Toru was AliveJune 2, 1971 · 25 min
    After the fight, Danpei shockingly reveals the truth to Joe. However, learning that his actual opponent is the 'ghost of Rikishi' haunting him, Joe strengthens his resolve.
  57. Episode 63: 63. The Final ChallengeJune 9, 1971 · 25 min
    The slump in Joe's performance casts a shadow over the slums. Even so, Joe continues his desperate battle against himself, repeatedly striking the sandbag's temple position.
  58. Episode 64: 64. Enter CarlosJune 16, 1971 · 25 min
    Carlos prays for both fighters' success in the ring for Joe's match against Nangou. As the fight begins, Joe faces his poor condition and a referee influenced by the Hyo clan.
  59. Episode 65: 65. As Long as There's the RingJune 23, 1971 · 25 min
    After Joe's devastating loss to Nangou, Danpei dissolves the Tange Gym. He entrusts the future of Joe and Nishi to the proprietor of Hachiya, but Joe resolves to continue boxing alone.
  60. Episode 66: 66. Setting Out for TomorrowJune 30, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe departs from the Namidabashi Bridge early in the morning and meets a boy who dreams of traveling to far-off places on his way to Ueno Station. Joe sympathizes with his story.
  61. Episode 67: 67. A Little AdventureJuly 7, 1971 · 25 min
    A postcard arrives, informing the children of Joe's whereabouts in Oarai. Determined to meet him, they head to Ueno Station, but an attempt at fare-dodging is discovered, forcing them to disembark.
  62. Episode 68: 68. Fixed MatchJuly 14, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe's new career in the traveling show begins. Kawano attempts to promote Joe as a star by arranging fixed matches and instructing the others to take deliberate losses.
  63. Episode 69: 69. Lullaby of the RanchJuly 21, 1971 · 25 min
    On a day off, Joe goes hiking with Inaba and falls off a cliff in the fog. Yuri, the daughter of a nearby Hiyama Ranch, rescues him.
  64. Episode 70: 70. The Guy I'm Worried AboutJuly 28, 1971 · 25 min
    Yoko organizes a Carlos vs. Nangou match in Sendai, where Joe performs. Interested in Joe, Carlos and Robert visit the Namidabashi Bridge and learn how much Joe is still loved by the community.
  65. Episode 71: 71. Carlos the Uncrowned EmperorAugust 4, 1971 · 25 min
    Joe's performances continue at the sparsely attended Hakusan Shrine. During a break, Joe positions himself in front of the TV Kawano bought, intently watching Carlos's match against Nangou.
  66. Episode 72: 72. Return to the Shining RingAugust 11, 1971 · 25 min
    A postcard from Noriko brings news about the Namidabashi community. However, since watching Carlos's fight, Joe has been unable to focus on his performance.
  67. Episode 73: 73. The Cross Counter ReturnsAugust 18, 1971 · 25 min
    Returning to Tokyo, Joe visits Yoko and requests to spar with Carlos. Reluctantly, Yoko agrees and insists they use heavier 16-ounce gloves for safety.
  68. Episode 74: 74. Setting Out TodayAugust 25, 1971 · 25 min
    Tange Gym fell into disrepair during Joe's absence. Joe begins rebuilding it with Danpei and the children.
  69. Episode 75: 75. Carlos, Magician of the RingSeptember 1, 1971 · 25 min
    As Joe resumes training in the Namidabashi slums, Noriko watches with a complex expression. Meanwhile, the day of Carlos's match against Harashima arrives.
  70. Episode 76: 76. The Burning ChallengeSeptember 8, 1971 · 25 min
    Yoko finalizes the contract for a Carlos vs. Tiger match. Carlos confidently declares he will win with a first-minute KO.
  71. Episode 77: 77. Battle of MenSeptember 15, 1971 · 25 min
    Robert's old friend, promoter Henry James, arrives in Japan. Henry arranges a match between Carlos and the world champion, Jose Mendoza, and proposes canceling the fight with Joe.
  72. Episode 78: 78. Duel!! Carlos Vs. Yabuki JoeSeptember 22, 1971 · 25 min
    The day of Carlos's match against Tiger arrives. As a boxing fan, Danpei expresses his feelings about Joe's journey. Yoko quietly encourages Joe as they pass in the hallway.
  73. Episode 79: 79. Let the Shining Tomorrow Burn in the Distance!!September 29, 1971 · 25 min
    Carlos counters Joe's rope-side techniques with an improvised move, nullifying Joe's strategy. He then proposes an all-out brawl with no tricks.

Trailers and images

Credits

Film and series details

EPISODE LENGTH
25 minutes
FIRST AIRED
April 1, 1970
LAST AIRED
August 31, 1981
PRODUCTION COMPANIES
Mushi Production, Tokyo Movie Shinsha

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