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Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow 1
A massive cultural phenomenon, made even bigger by the hit anime based on it. To this day, “Ashita no Joe” remains one of the most important manga of all time, and now it will finally see the light of day in English for the first time!
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…
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…
580 pages, Hardcover
Published December 24, 2024
10 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Asao Takamori
37 books5 followersAsao Takamori (高森朝雄, Takamori Asao) is another pen name of the Japanese mangaka Asaki Takamori (高森朝樹, Takamori Asaki) or Ikki Kajiwara (梶原一騎, Kajiwara Ikki).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
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January 27, 2025i got this for christmas. this will be my third read-through of ashita no joe LOL.
the second volume is coming out around my birthday too :eyes:
the second volume is coming out around my birthday too :eyes:
October 28, 2024
Joe is unquestionably an underdog of underdogs. One you can’t help but root for, despite how stubbornly he is determined to mess things up. Orphaned, on-the-run, duplicitous, conniving, sly and sarcastic, he’s a far cry from your bog-standard “inspiring” sports manga protagonists.
At the start of the series, he doesn’t even want to try boxing!
Yet, he too dreams of a future, one far different from the life he leads now. Joe represents the forgotten underclass, those abandoned by society but still dreaming of making our world a better one.
The story takes its time introducing its central characters, their quirks, dreams, failures, and what they hope for tomorrow to look like. I liked this gradual reveal, but it did lead to slower plot progression because of its focus on the characters. I appreciate the fact the volumes are bundled together, because they give a better idea of where the story is going when pieced together like this.
Boxing is a very fast, in-the-moment sport, and part of the beauty of seeing it captured in manga is a slow-mo, up-close perspective on all of the lightning fast power of it. While some aspects of the art style might feel cartoonish, the way it captures movement is always striking.
Ashita no Joe needs no introduction... except, I would have liked if the volume did have one, considering how long it took for the series to come out in English. Having recently read some releases of Moto Hagio from Fantagraphics that had extra biographical/series information, I really appreciated getting added historical context to the story as I read.
Overall, this is such an interesting series and I’m glad to see it coming over in English. This is a manga with broad appeal, even if you are not normally interested in sports or retro manga. The translation by Vertical was also very well done, with great lettering and attention to detail.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for my ARC provided through Netgalley.
At the start of the series, he doesn’t even want to try boxing!
Yet, he too dreams of a future, one far different from the life he leads now. Joe represents the forgotten underclass, those abandoned by society but still dreaming of making our world a better one.
The story takes its time introducing its central characters, their quirks, dreams, failures, and what they hope for tomorrow to look like. I liked this gradual reveal, but it did lead to slower plot progression because of its focus on the characters. I appreciate the fact the volumes are bundled together, because they give a better idea of where the story is going when pieced together like this.
Boxing is a very fast, in-the-moment sport, and part of the beauty of seeing it captured in manga is a slow-mo, up-close perspective on all of the lightning fast power of it. While some aspects of the art style might feel cartoonish, the way it captures movement is always striking.
Ashita no Joe needs no introduction... except, I would have liked if the volume did have one, considering how long it took for the series to come out in English. Having recently read some releases of Moto Hagio from Fantagraphics that had extra biographical/series information, I really appreciated getting added historical context to the story as I read.
Overall, this is such an interesting series and I’m glad to see it coming over in English. This is a manga with broad appeal, even if you are not normally interested in sports or retro manga. The translation by Vertical was also very well done, with great lettering and attention to detail.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for my ARC provided through Netgalley.
June 10, 2025
I only ever knew about ashita no joe from people online pointing out a scene from gurren lagann that references it, so when it got a physical release in the states last year I was excited to give it a read. Its from 1968, so there's not a lot of nuanced storytelling to be found (he just keeps punching people until he goes to jail and then he punches the inmates) but tetsuya chiba's cartooning is consistently enjoyable to look at. Vertical's hardback omnibus release is super nice though. Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in old ass manga.
April 23, 2025
5
I picked this up because it’s my favorite mangaka’s (Rumiko Takahashi’s) favorite manga. It does not disappoint. It has a timelessness to it that is so compelling. There isn’t a moment of wasted space in this story, and yet it still feels like it’s just starting. I can’t wait to learn more about Joe’s past and see him build his own future
I picked this up because it’s my favorite mangaka’s (Rumiko Takahashi’s) favorite manga. It does not disappoint. It has a timelessness to it that is so compelling. There isn’t a moment of wasted space in this story, and yet it still feels like it’s just starting. I can’t wait to learn more about Joe’s past and see him build his own future
November 12, 2024
I gotta say this one didn't age all that well for me.
The idea of Joe becoming a fighter is inspiring but sometimes the OG is outclassed and Hajime no Ippo would have been the better series to have brought over to the US so we can enjoy it in paperback form. Ashita No Joe lacks the fun fights, the amazing characters, and the overall flow to the story. A lot of the humor lands flat, and while I appreciate it's much loved from the community I couldn't get into this at all.
The idea of Joe becoming a fighter is inspiring but sometimes the OG is outclassed and Hajime no Ippo would have been the better series to have brought over to the US so we can enjoy it in paperback form. Ashita No Joe lacks the fun fights, the amazing characters, and the overall flow to the story. A lot of the humor lands flat, and while I appreciate it's much loved from the community I couldn't get into this at all.
January 3, 2025
This was a tough manga to read and not because the content was difficult but because it was such a slog to get through. I had a lot of trouble even liking Joe, our main character, by the time I got to the end of the story and he was finally having a boxing match I was honestly rooting for him to lose, he needs to. Of course the end of the fight isn't in this volume but i'm still hoping he loses.
I kept thinking Joe's personality would start to change and he would be less of a jerk and start to see how his actions actually make him extremely unlikeable but that never happened. I do know the whole Ashita No Joe series is around 170 chapters so I will say it safe to assume the growth is slow, but it was truly the most insufferable part of this opening volume. It's very hard to root for someone who is just unnecessarily mean and rude to everyone, sure he has this sad little backstory but unfortunately I don't feel bad for him. I also understand his personality and traits are most likely due to being down on his luck and on his own, but again it wasn't enough to make me go "yah I gotta root for this kid" I wanted someone to genuinely knock him out. Now don't get it twisted I read my share of delinquent and sports manga they are my favorite genres when it comes to reading manga, but what I was getting in this didn't hit the same way as others I have read.
I know how influential Ashita No Joe is in the industry and 100% give it its due, but I'm not going to sit here and pretend that this was a solid strong opening volume. Aside from Joe being unlikable through the whole volume, the cartoony hijinks got old extremely fast, the child henchmen posse was odd and a lot of time felt like filler moments to extend the story. The pacing of the story was so slow, normally I can read a 500 page volume manga is about 2 hours this took me 3 days because I kept finding myself straying away because I wasn't being entertained. I also have to admit I didn't realize it was going to take the entire volume to get to the first boxing match, which was honestly a bummer for me.
I am glad this is getting an English printing, and I hope it continues to do well and hopefully it opens the door for other older mangas to be translated to English. I'm going to keep reading it, like I said I'm a sucker for delinquent and sports manga, and Ashita No Joe is one I have always wanted to read. I'm just going to keep hoping someone knocks Joe out because he needs it.
Thank you netgalley for providing me with an ARC
I kept thinking Joe's personality would start to change and he would be less of a jerk and start to see how his actions actually make him extremely unlikeable but that never happened. I do know the whole Ashita No Joe series is around 170 chapters so I will say it safe to assume the growth is slow, but it was truly the most insufferable part of this opening volume. It's very hard to root for someone who is just unnecessarily mean and rude to everyone, sure he has this sad little backstory but unfortunately I don't feel bad for him. I also understand his personality and traits are most likely due to being down on his luck and on his own, but again it wasn't enough to make me go "yah I gotta root for this kid" I wanted someone to genuinely knock him out. Now don't get it twisted I read my share of delinquent and sports manga they are my favorite genres when it comes to reading manga, but what I was getting in this didn't hit the same way as others I have read.
I know how influential Ashita No Joe is in the industry and 100% give it its due, but I'm not going to sit here and pretend that this was a solid strong opening volume. Aside from Joe being unlikable through the whole volume, the cartoony hijinks got old extremely fast, the child henchmen posse was odd and a lot of time felt like filler moments to extend the story. The pacing of the story was so slow, normally I can read a 500 page volume manga is about 2 hours this took me 3 days because I kept finding myself straying away because I wasn't being entertained. I also have to admit I didn't realize it was going to take the entire volume to get to the first boxing match, which was honestly a bummer for me.
I am glad this is getting an English printing, and I hope it continues to do well and hopefully it opens the door for other older mangas to be translated to English. I'm going to keep reading it, like I said I'm a sucker for delinquent and sports manga, and Ashita No Joe is one I have always wanted to read. I'm just going to keep hoping someone knocks Joe out because he needs it.
Thank you netgalley for providing me with an ARC
July 2, 2025
2025 Eisner Award finalist - Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia
Joe Yabuki is a hot-headed teenage drifter with a chip on his shoulder, but charisma to spare. In the slums of Tokyo, probably shortly after World War 2, Joe befriends orphan gang members and antagonizes the police with his brawling and con games. He eventually is arrested and sent to a dismal reformatory where he continues to make enemies with his cynical attitude towards everyone else. One inmate in particular begins a relentless campaign to put Joe in his place and the book ends with them basically killing each other in a ruthless boxing match, although the ultimate outcome is delayed until the next volume in the series.
This series was originally published in Japan in 1968, later with an anime adaptation, but this seems to be its first English publication. Writer Asao Takamori and artist Tetsuya Chiba present a simple, fast moving story. Despite Joe being immature and not really very lovable, there's something about the story that is intriguing. My guess is that Joe will begin to mature as the series goes on. For no other reason to read it, it is clearly an influential piece of work with a style that has been imitated over the years.
Joe Yabuki is a hot-headed teenage drifter with a chip on his shoulder, but charisma to spare. In the slums of Tokyo, probably shortly after World War 2, Joe befriends orphan gang members and antagonizes the police with his brawling and con games. He eventually is arrested and sent to a dismal reformatory where he continues to make enemies with his cynical attitude towards everyone else. One inmate in particular begins a relentless campaign to put Joe in his place and the book ends with them basically killing each other in a ruthless boxing match, although the ultimate outcome is delayed until the next volume in the series.
This series was originally published in Japan in 1968, later with an anime adaptation, but this seems to be its first English publication. Writer Asao Takamori and artist Tetsuya Chiba present a simple, fast moving story. Despite Joe being immature and not really very lovable, there's something about the story that is intriguing. My guess is that Joe will begin to mature as the series goes on. For no other reason to read it, it is clearly an influential piece of work with a style that has been imitated over the years.
December 2, 2024
It’s finally here, Ashita no Joe: Fighting For Tomorrow made its way to English audiences, it is one of the most influential titles in the manga industry and a cultural phenomenon in Japan, that empowered the working class and college students of Japan. The story focuses on a young drifter named Joe Yabuki, who finds himself wandering through the slums of Tokyo. After a gang of hoodlums tries to get a jump on Joe, Yabuki quickly shows the gang that he is quick with his fists and wits. What he doesn’t know is that this caught the attention of an old drunk named Danpei Tange, a failed boxer and former coach who sees something special in the boy. Tange pleads with the boy to train and help Joe become a boxer, but the boy quickly shoots down the old coach. After Yabuki gets himself arrested and placed in the juvenile detention facility, he realizes that he needs to hone his skills to survive, which leads to a partnership that could take Joe to the top.
The thing you have to remember is that Joe Yabuki isn’t your typical Sports Manga protagonist and that’s not a bad thing, it helps him stand out from the rest. He didn’t even want to take up boxing, just someone who knew how to fight and could take a beating if it meant taking down his opponent with him. Yabuki is a good representation of the forgotten class of society that is quickly overlooked, who have dared to try to make a better world.
Also, keep in mind that this first volume is more of a collection, so it introduces key characters, their quirks, dreams, failures, and what they hope for tomorrow. It’s not at a fast pace, but at a gradual speed where it keeps the reader’s interest, this collected bundle shows its greatest strength because it gives a better idea of where the story is going and pieces it together as it progresses. As far as the story goes, it still resonates with many of its readers today, those who view themselves as Joe Yabuki, going against any obstacle to make their dreams come true. Another aspect to look at was the reality of a post-war Japan after World War II, with the slums being portrayed as bleak, violent, and unforgiving, a place where many had to fight to survive. Joe’s disdain for authority and law wasn’t due to being considered a quirk, but this was considered by some as a reflection of a broader disillusionment of the system that failed people like him. As for Danpei, his alcoholic and washed-up state was supposed to be a representation of the struggle of a generation that couldn’t achieve their dreams in the wake of Japan’s wartime defeat.
While discussing the artwork in this story, Tetsuya Chiba’s artwork and style are something to admire, with Takamori’s writing it was the perfect pairing in terms of a manga. Chiba’s style may look cartoonish to some, but he captured boxing’s fast-paced movements and the sense of grit and realism. The action was dynamic and fluid, Joe’s raw power when it came to his fights, also showing off Yabuki’s ferocity.
The thing you have to remember is that Joe Yabuki isn’t your typical Sports Manga protagonist and that’s not a bad thing, it helps him stand out from the rest. He didn’t even want to take up boxing, just someone who knew how to fight and could take a beating if it meant taking down his opponent with him. Yabuki is a good representation of the forgotten class of society that is quickly overlooked, who have dared to try to make a better world.
Also, keep in mind that this first volume is more of a collection, so it introduces key characters, their quirks, dreams, failures, and what they hope for tomorrow. It’s not at a fast pace, but at a gradual speed where it keeps the reader’s interest, this collected bundle shows its greatest strength because it gives a better idea of where the story is going and pieces it together as it progresses. As far as the story goes, it still resonates with many of its readers today, those who view themselves as Joe Yabuki, going against any obstacle to make their dreams come true. Another aspect to look at was the reality of a post-war Japan after World War II, with the slums being portrayed as bleak, violent, and unforgiving, a place where many had to fight to survive. Joe’s disdain for authority and law wasn’t due to being considered a quirk, but this was considered by some as a reflection of a broader disillusionment of the system that failed people like him. As for Danpei, his alcoholic and washed-up state was supposed to be a representation of the struggle of a generation that couldn’t achieve their dreams in the wake of Japan’s wartime defeat.
While discussing the artwork in this story, Tetsuya Chiba’s artwork and style are something to admire, with Takamori’s writing it was the perfect pairing in terms of a manga. Chiba’s style may look cartoonish to some, but he captured boxing’s fast-paced movements and the sense of grit and realism. The action was dynamic and fluid, Joe’s raw power when it came to his fights, also showing off Yabuki’s ferocity.
February 9, 2025
TL;DR: You can clearly see how this is such a classic in it’s genre, and while not perfect for me it’s very engagin.
Source: NetGalley, thank you to the publisher!
Plot: Joe is a wandering orphan who moves to a new neighborhood. He finds friends, fans, and enemies alike.
Characters: Some of these characters I did like a lot, but Joe himself I found so frustrating to read about.
Setting: This I liked as well. The slum he makes ‘home’ for a time is vibrant and a great setting.
Art: The art here was the most interesting part for me as it really undercut that grittiness in the story and made it much more approachable and lighthearted at times.
Thoughts:
Ashita no Joe is a classic manga that has had several spin-offs and adaptations since it came out in 1968. There is a lot of fascinating history to this story, I highly recommend looking into it if you’re interested in it and or classic manga in general. While the beginning of the story isn’t my favorite, and Joe is a bit of an unlikeable sort, I did really enjoy where and what the manga did over the course of this first volume.
Joe moves himself to a new neighborhood, the slums of San’ya. There he catches the eye of a former professional boxer and the two start a sort of cat and mouse. Danpei wants more than anything to train Joe, while Joe just seems to want to fight. Eventually Joe ends up in a reformatory where this volume ends. Joe throughout this is both a sort of conman and a streetfighter. He refuses Danpei’s help until the last half of the book and we see him start to use his growing boxing skills to fight those who put him down.
I liked the art on this a lot. It’s very much the older style of the day, a vastly different style than we normally see in sports manga these days. It’s more cartoony, and overexaggerated and that helps to cut this story’s grittiness and sometimes dark moments. I think if you’re a fan of this genre and manga in general this is a great story to pick up and try out. I’ll likely try to continue the series myself as it should have about 8 volumes to come on this run. A fascinating reprint of a classic!
Source: NetGalley, thank you to the publisher!
Plot: Joe is a wandering orphan who moves to a new neighborhood. He finds friends, fans, and enemies alike.
Characters: Some of these characters I did like a lot, but Joe himself I found so frustrating to read about.
Setting: This I liked as well. The slum he makes ‘home’ for a time is vibrant and a great setting.
Art: The art here was the most interesting part for me as it really undercut that grittiness in the story and made it much more approachable and lighthearted at times.
Thoughts:
Ashita no Joe is a classic manga that has had several spin-offs and adaptations since it came out in 1968. There is a lot of fascinating history to this story, I highly recommend looking into it if you’re interested in it and or classic manga in general. While the beginning of the story isn’t my favorite, and Joe is a bit of an unlikeable sort, I did really enjoy where and what the manga did over the course of this first volume.
Joe moves himself to a new neighborhood, the slums of San’ya. There he catches the eye of a former professional boxer and the two start a sort of cat and mouse. Danpei wants more than anything to train Joe, while Joe just seems to want to fight. Eventually Joe ends up in a reformatory where this volume ends. Joe throughout this is both a sort of conman and a streetfighter. He refuses Danpei’s help until the last half of the book and we see him start to use his growing boxing skills to fight those who put him down.
I liked the art on this a lot. It’s very much the older style of the day, a vastly different style than we normally see in sports manga these days. It’s more cartoony, and overexaggerated and that helps to cut this story’s grittiness and sometimes dark moments. I think if you’re a fan of this genre and manga in general this is a great story to pick up and try out. I’ll likely try to continue the series myself as it should have about 8 volumes to come on this run. A fascinating reprint of a classic!
November 18, 2024
Summary:
Joe Yabuki is no stranger to fighting - he’s lived in some rough places over the years and knows how to take care of himself. Yet one fight in the slums of Tokyo may just change everything for him.
This latest fight caught the attention of Danpei Tange, a former boxer and coach. He immediately sees the potential in this young man and knows exactly what to do with him. If only he could get him to listen.
Review:
Over the years, I’ve learned that I’m terrible at reading/watching a lot of the classics. You know, the stories that affect pop culture for years to come? I’m trying to remedy that. So here I am reading Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow 1. I should probably plan on checking out the anime, too, right?
I can see why this series was such a hit. We have a stubborn yet down-on-his-luck kid with a lot of potential. It quickly turns into a boxing tale with touches of social commentary, coming-of-age, and other essential tropes.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I wish we had more of a chance to get to know the characters or the world before it all began. I felt like I was thrown into the middle of the ring and had to fight to catch up. Then again, maybe that was the intent?
Highlights:
Manga with an anime
Action & Adventure
Boxing
Will I continue the series? Maybe
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Joe Yabuki is no stranger to fighting - he’s lived in some rough places over the years and knows how to take care of himself. Yet one fight in the slums of Tokyo may just change everything for him.
This latest fight caught the attention of Danpei Tange, a former boxer and coach. He immediately sees the potential in this young man and knows exactly what to do with him. If only he could get him to listen.
Review:
Over the years, I’ve learned that I’m terrible at reading/watching a lot of the classics. You know, the stories that affect pop culture for years to come? I’m trying to remedy that. So here I am reading Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow 1. I should probably plan on checking out the anime, too, right?
I can see why this series was such a hit. We have a stubborn yet down-on-his-luck kid with a lot of potential. It quickly turns into a boxing tale with touches of social commentary, coming-of-age, and other essential tropes.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I wish we had more of a chance to get to know the characters or the world before it all began. I felt like I was thrown into the middle of the ring and had to fight to catch up. Then again, maybe that was the intent?
Highlights:
Manga with an anime
Action & Adventure
Boxing
Will I continue the series? Maybe
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
November 24, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, Vertical Comics, and Asao Takamori for the opportunity to read this manga in exchange for an honest review.
At nearly 600 pages, the first installment of Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, will be officially released in English for the first time. Considered a classic from the 1960's, the time of its publication is something to consider regarding social norms and a contemporary audience.
This manga follows Joe, a 15-year-old miscreant just trying to make his way in the world. When an old hobo finds Joe to be the perfect protege for boxing, the guy can't leave him alone, but Joe isn't interested. Instead, Joe finds himself in street fights, as well as resorting to various con crimes to make money and support some of the local youth.
Joe's crime becomes so negligent that he is taken to a juvenile detention center until his hearing. Of course he can't help getting into a bunch of fights, mostly instigated by the other boys first. Joe lands himself in a more strict reformatory, where he starts to learn more boxing moves and aims to apply himself for the sake of tomorrow!
I found the length a bit daunting, but the story has so much merit in the regard of following one's ambitions and fighting for what one believes in. The fact the Joe is so young is a bit daunting, but offers so much potential for growth as his experiences with the reformatory and boxing later shape who he will become and what his place will ultimately be in society. This is a great manga for sports lovers (specifically boxing), as well as those interested in discovering (or re-discovering) an ageless classic of the genre.
At nearly 600 pages, the first installment of Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, will be officially released in English for the first time. Considered a classic from the 1960's, the time of its publication is something to consider regarding social norms and a contemporary audience.
This manga follows Joe, a 15-year-old miscreant just trying to make his way in the world. When an old hobo finds Joe to be the perfect protege for boxing, the guy can't leave him alone, but Joe isn't interested. Instead, Joe finds himself in street fights, as well as resorting to various con crimes to make money and support some of the local youth.
Joe's crime becomes so negligent that he is taken to a juvenile detention center until his hearing. Of course he can't help getting into a bunch of fights, mostly instigated by the other boys first. Joe lands himself in a more strict reformatory, where he starts to learn more boxing moves and aims to apply himself for the sake of tomorrow!
I found the length a bit daunting, but the story has so much merit in the regard of following one's ambitions and fighting for what one believes in. The fact the Joe is so young is a bit daunting, but offers so much potential for growth as his experiences with the reformatory and boxing later shape who he will become and what his place will ultimately be in society. This is a great manga for sports lovers (specifically boxing), as well as those interested in discovering (or re-discovering) an ageless classic of the genre.
June 18, 2025
Joe Yabuki is a teenage grifter drifting through life looking for a fight at the smallest provocation. He's on a path of self-destruction until a failed boxer sees potential for greatness in him and starts to train the very reluctant Joe.
A classic in every sense of the word, this manga inspired many that followed and remains on must-read lists 50 years after its serialization ended. I knew the plot and some of the big moments before reading this, but I wasn't prepared for how hard a lot of it hits. Joe really does start at the very bottom, and his journey to greatness is violent and bloody while remaining inspirational in how he doesn't give up. It's a desolate story with moments of brightness that show that there's always hope and the possibility of something more if you fight for it.
It's slow-moving with a lot of talking, so you'll be disappointed if you come into it looking for an action-packed story. But come at it with patience and you'll find the archetype of inspiring sports manga and realize why it's so iconic.
I will say, just to be honest, that the art is a little hard to make out at times, with characters that are hard to tell apart and static expressions. Yet, I acknowledge that it's also what manga art looked like in the era it was released.
I know where the story is headed, and I'm looking forward to following Joe's path to greatness.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics | Vertical Comics for the read!
A classic in every sense of the word, this manga inspired many that followed and remains on must-read lists 50 years after its serialization ended. I knew the plot and some of the big moments before reading this, but I wasn't prepared for how hard a lot of it hits. Joe really does start at the very bottom, and his journey to greatness is violent and bloody while remaining inspirational in how he doesn't give up. It's a desolate story with moments of brightness that show that there's always hope and the possibility of something more if you fight for it.
It's slow-moving with a lot of talking, so you'll be disappointed if you come into it looking for an action-packed story. But come at it with patience and you'll find the archetype of inspiring sports manga and realize why it's so iconic.
I will say, just to be honest, that the art is a little hard to make out at times, with characters that are hard to tell apart and static expressions. Yet, I acknowledge that it's also what manga art looked like in the era it was released.
I know where the story is headed, and I'm looking forward to following Joe's path to greatness.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics | Vertical Comics for the read!
December 29, 2024
It's great to have Ashita no Joe finally in English and it works as an omnibus, although it's heavy in that way. Joe Yabuki is a drifter of sorts, violent and a conman to boot too, living in the slums of Tokyo. His fist fighting is noticed by an old drunk and failed boxer, Danpei Tange. He wants to train Joe to become the greatest boxer, something he couldn't do himself. But Joe is cocky and doesn't want to until he ends up in a juvenile detention facility and meets an opponent he needs to defeat. It's no wonder this is a classic and the series started in 1968. Thus the reader should be careful as the manga has animal cruelty and violence against women, children and whatnot. The story is slow, which is great. Takamori takes his time to develop the story and Joe too.
Joe is super annoying and I'm happy every time someone beats him up. Story-wise this still works, but time has eaten so much of it, but that's understandable. The art is childish and comical like the art used to be, but it's still good. The kid henchmen are super weird too, but something that used to be normal. Ashita no Joe proves that times have changed, but at the same time it's easy to see this manga's place in history.
Joe is super annoying and I'm happy every time someone beats him up. Story-wise this still works, but time has eaten so much of it, but that's understandable. The art is childish and comical like the art used to be, but it's still good. The kid henchmen are super weird too, but something that used to be normal. Ashita no Joe proves that times have changed, but at the same time it's easy to see this manga's place in history.
November 20, 2024
The hugely influential classic manga Ashita no Joe is here for the first time in English! Volume one is almost 600 pages and will be bound in hardcover and takes us through a bit of the titular Joe's life as he cheats and swindles his way into the arms of the local slum kids and then out into prison, all haphazardly guided (sort of) by an ex-boxer who wants nothing more than to see him flourish... well, mostly in boxing that is!
This definitely feels like a comic from the 60s/70s in a positive way, from the way the translation has worded the English to the more cartoony style faces/body movements especially with the kids... it's nostalgic even if it's from before my time and it's always neat to see the origin of something that's influenced comics/media SO heavily.
The story itself isn't anything super special, but the named characters stand out to vary despite the huge number of characters there are due to the settings, and while this isn't a quick read just due to the length the story itself goes by pretty quickly with nothing really unnecessary.
Thank you to Kodansha and to NetGalley for the opportunity to check this out pre-publishing!
This definitely feels like a comic from the 60s/70s in a positive way, from the way the translation has worded the English to the more cartoony style faces/body movements especially with the kids... it's nostalgic even if it's from before my time and it's always neat to see the origin of something that's influenced comics/media SO heavily.
The story itself isn't anything super special, but the named characters stand out to vary despite the huge number of characters there are due to the settings, and while this isn't a quick read just due to the length the story itself goes by pretty quickly with nothing really unnecessary.
Thank you to Kodansha and to NetGalley for the opportunity to check this out pre-publishing!
December 26, 2024
Ashita no Joe is an absolute classic. There's an argument to be made that this manga's connection to the working-class/student protest movement in the 1970's has given it a certain academic weight beyond the story being told on the page. I'll admit that I can't be entirely objective here. I'm as interested in the context in which Ashita no Joe was written as I am in the story itself. It's difficult for me not to imagine the impact this would have had on the people reading it as it came out. The rage at an elite class. The rage at the injustice of the world. The discovery of some art to channel that rage into. It hits very well.
I do think this stands on its own as a sports manga. It predates Rocky by several years, but it touches on many of the same plot points. The writing is solid. The art and the humor are both dated, but if a reader can take them on their own terms I think this holds up just fine. With that said, I don't think a modern Shonen Sports fan is going to get what they want out of this. This is a bit of an old head manga. I'm just grateful to finally have an English release.
I do think this stands on its own as a sports manga. It predates Rocky by several years, but it touches on many of the same plot points. The writing is solid. The art and the humor are both dated, but if a reader can take them on their own terms I think this holds up just fine. With that said, I don't think a modern Shonen Sports fan is going to get what they want out of this. This is a bit of an old head manga. I'm just grateful to finally have an English release.
December 30, 2024
I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. When I saw that this was available on Net Galley I was super excited! I'm glad Ashita no Joe is FINALLY getting an English print run after more than 50 years. It most definitely is a product of it's times and is a little senselessly violent (I.e. beating up a drunk homeless man) that wouldn't necessarily fly in a sports manga in today's publishing world, but it is easy to see why this has been so influential and inspirational to so many mangakas that came afterwards. One of the things I liked most was when there were translation notes it is written at the bottom of the page or panel so you don't have to wait till the end of the book for an explanation for an obscure (to the Western reader) cultural reference. In a chonker of a volume like this (it's about 600 pages) having to either wait till the end or flip back and forth would have been annoying. I think more manga volumes should do that when possible. Definitely worth the read!
April 1, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, I was able to access a digital copy.
To be honest, I didn’t check beforehand and didn’t realize this was an omnibus edition. So, it was a great surprise to have even more to read!
I enjoy sports manga because they usually teach you about the sport they focus on, and this was my first boxing manga. Since this is a classic, I expected it to explain the sport from the beginning, but it does so gradually rather than through an overwhelming info dump. Maybe because I’m used to reading modern manga, I was initially surprised by how much dialogue there was per page, but I got used to it as I kept reading.
As for our protagonist, he is not very likable, and his bad deeds have consequences. However, he still has a long way to go, and we don’t yet know if he will change. I haven’t looked up more details because I want to keep reading. This first omnibus ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me eager to know more about the story and its characters.
To be honest, I didn’t check beforehand and didn’t realize this was an omnibus edition. So, it was a great surprise to have even more to read!
I enjoy sports manga because they usually teach you about the sport they focus on, and this was my first boxing manga. Since this is a classic, I expected it to explain the sport from the beginning, but it does so gradually rather than through an overwhelming info dump. Maybe because I’m used to reading modern manga, I was initially surprised by how much dialogue there was per page, but I got used to it as I kept reading.
As for our protagonist, he is not very likable, and his bad deeds have consequences. However, he still has a long way to go, and we don’t yet know if he will change. I haven’t looked up more details because I want to keep reading. This first omnibus ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me eager to know more about the story and its characters.
December 23, 2025
I can see why there is a great divide on this book! There is so much going for it, but then again, the book was created in 1968 and some (not as much as I think some may believe) dating shows. What does not show is a lack of beautifully rendered artwork. The story and the main character have flaws and at least from volume 1, is pretty easy to follow. He is not a very layered character, but I believe when you put the age against series of that time you will be amazed at how far ahead of its time the series is. It has been quoted as being manga legend Rumiko Takahashi's favorite manga and definitely influential on her creating the manga book "One Pound Gospel". With this book going over 550 pages, it is high quality collected into a massive book that we should call an Omnibus. Asa Takamori (writer) and Tetsuya Chiba (artist) crush this book. While retail price is $59.99 one can find deals to own this classic manga series for significantly less.
February 22, 2025
Following some of the more "cinematic" movie-shot paneling styles of older manga, it makes it stand out among flashy character-focused stories designed to drive toy sales to instead work on being a comic book telling a story in the best ways it can, using art and cartooning to its advantage. Much like stories of its time too, it focuses on inequality and squalor, and the harms it brings to people and society. It's not the most complex and developed story around, but it's entertaining and meaningful.
Yabuki Joe is a likeable jerk who just may be the future boxing champion. Danpei is his sympathetic backer. Joined by colorful characters, the small town comes to life to see how the trodden of today might fight for tomorrow.
Yabuki Joe is a likeable jerk who just may be the future boxing champion. Danpei is his sympathetic backer. Joined by colorful characters, the small town comes to life to see how the trodden of today might fight for tomorrow.
December 30, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this manga
This is known in the manga community as one of the beloved books and was recently translated into e English for the first time.
This is an underdog fighter story and it was OK but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, I am glad I have read this and the art style was very old-fashioned like Dennis the Menace style which I liked a lot.
I can see why this is such a beloved book and I say to others to read because I see so many loving this story
This is known in the manga community as one of the beloved books and was recently translated into e English for the first time.
This is an underdog fighter story and it was OK but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, I am glad I have read this and the art style was very old-fashioned like Dennis the Menace style which I liked a lot.
I can see why this is such a beloved book and I say to others to read because I see so many loving this story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2025
Pulse-pounding, thrilling, exhilarating, all the adjectives! This manga from 1968, finally finally finally available in English is a generational pinnacle of graphic storytelling. Reading this today, as someone who is constantly in and around comics, I find myself surprised by the story and characters, breathlessly turning the pages. I was so mad when the volume ended during a fight! Takamori skillfully subverts your expectations and gets under your skin. By the time Joe is in the ring you're standing up and yelling. Please check this out if you love comics ❤️
July 30, 2025
Not my kind of manga but it's classic in so many ways and resonates with audiences. A scrappy kid who moves through the slums of Tokyo with his street skills who trips over a washed-up boxer who wants to turn him into a fighter. He avoids it until he has no choice after being picked up by the cops and fights for his life at every turn.
Plenty of fighting happening but not gruesomely so. It feels more like a classic comic than gratuitous violence and I can see where the anime might be resonant for fans.
Plenty of fighting happening but not gruesomely so. It feels more like a classic comic than gratuitous violence and I can see where the anime might be resonant for fans.
August 20, 2025
OMG this is an epic read. I have always liked the older Japanese manga and this one does not disappoint! Serialized back in 1968-73 the story follows Joe Yabuki a kid with no family, ran away from the orphanage, and ended up slugging it out in the slums. There he runs into a drunk ex-pro boxer who absolutely falls in love with Joe's fighting ability. Can he get Joe to go pro, or even keep him out of trouble? You'll have to check it out for yourself to see but it is a slugfest I will give you that! These volumes cost a bit but man are they worth it.
May 18, 2025
This story is about a young man living on the streets. He's really good at fighting and catches the eye of someone who used to be part of the boxing world and wants to train him. But this kid has a mind of his own and ends up getting himself into trouble. These lessons might just be his way out. The art does a great job capturing the grit and rawness of his life, really bringing the story to life.
February 17, 2025
To say the art is dated in Ashita no Joe is literally insane territory. It's a masterclass of cartooning. Most authors would aspire to draw something even half as good. Sure, the humor I can see, but the art? Hell no. The story gets better as it goes on, and many of the complaints people have here will be solved.
11/10 comic. It's that good.
11/10 comic. It's that good.
November 18, 2025
I really like the artwork in this book. It reminds me of cartoons I grew up with like Popye and Asterix. It’s the over-the-top gag you would find in Heathcliff as well. But the start of the book with fighting a bomb in a park in front of kids and becoming a prize fighter for a better life. I understand the story, I’ve seen it in theaters. I just don’t care to read it in a graphic novel.
October 28, 2024
While the art was really basic the story was really good. It was engaging. It kept me turning the pages. I became more and more invested as the story went on. It is extremely violent though so not great for young children. I didn't like how it ended but will definitely pick up the next one.
dnf-s
March 12, 2025Sadly, had to dnf this one. I was already taking a leap with it as I don’t care for boxing. But, I just couldn’t get into this as the writing and the art weren’t working for me.
That being said I can really see people enjoying this. So, even though it’s not for me it could be for you.
That being said I can really see people enjoying this. So, even though it’s not for me it could be for you.
May 25, 2025
What a wild read. Osamu Tezuka style character design with writing from the bleaker part of Charles Dickens. Just perfect.
July 29, 2025
The classic boxing story in omnibus form! A lotta punching and rough stuff, but not a lot of blood or serious injury overall.
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