Tomorrow's Joe

Name: Tomorrow's Joe
Genre: Animation, Drama, Action & Adventure
Released: 1970-04-01
Rating: 8.2
Cast: Teruhiko Aoi, Fuyumi Shiraishi, Shūsei Nakamura, Jūkei Fujioka, Ryusei Nakao

ENDED2 Seasons126 Episodes★ 8.2

Tomorrow's Joe is an animated drama series on Fuji TV that ran from 1970 to 1981, ending after 2 seasons and 126 episodes.

Never miss an episode of Tomorrow's Joe

Get an email the moment a new episode airs — plus alerts if it's renewed or canceled.

NetworkFuji TV

First AiredApr 1, 1970

Last AiredAug 31, 1981

GenreAnimation, Drama, Action & Adventure

Runtime25 min

Original Titleあしたのジョー

LanguageJapanese

CountryJapan

ProductionMushi Production, Tokyo Movie Shinsha

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…

WHERE TO WATCH

Amazon Prime Video

Crunchyroll

Some links may earn us a commission. Data via JustWatch / TMDB

Cast

Teruhiko Aoi

Joe Yabuki (voice)

Fuyumi Shiraishi

Sachi (voice)

Shūsei Nakamura

Tōru Rikiishi (voice)

Jūkei Fujioka

Danpei Tange (voice)

Ryusei Nakao

Rivera Carlos (voice)

Noriko Tsukase

Chuukichi (voice)

Kei Moriwaki

Noriko Hayashi (voice)

Keiko Ozaki

Mrs. Mendoza Jose (voice)

Norio Wakamoto

Ryuuhi Kin (voice)

Junko Hori

Kinoko (voice)

Emi Tanaka

Youko Shiraki (voice)

Jirô Daruma

Nishi Mammoth (voice)

Seasons & Episodes2 seasons · 126 episodes

0% complete

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.

E1And Then, He Returned...

Oct 13, 198025m

After inadvertently killing Toru Rikiishi in the ring, Joe Yabuki finds himself aimlessly wandering the city at night, when he comes across a fight between Wolf Kanagushi, his former opponent who has become a Yakuza muscleman and Goromaki Gondo, a henchman from an opposing Yakuza group.

E2One Man, One Flower... Venture into the Ring

Oct 20, 198025m

After a long absence, Joe returns to Tange Gym where he is welcomed with open arms. He pays his respect at Rikiishi's grave and swears to return to the ring. Even after being away for several months, Joe proves his punches are still as powerful as ever in his spar against Nishi. The bell to Joe's first comeback match echoes through the hall.

E3Messenger From Hell... Joe Yabuki

Oct 27, 198025m

Joe proves his comeback K.O. victory is no fluke. With his powerful punches, Joe sends his opponents to the hospital one after another. The rival boxing club owners see Joe as a serious threat and band together to get rid of him.

E4Back Then, The Ten-Point Bell Ringed

Nov 3, 198025m

Joe, a fledgling boxer, is unfairly matched up against Tiger Ozaki, the National Bantamweight Champion. Despite the odds, Joe sees it as an opportunity to instantly climb to the top and is confident he can defeat Tiger Ozaki. However, right before the bout, a member of Tiger Ozaki's team reveals they have discovered Joe's weakness.

E5The Phantom... Strike the Temple!

Nov 10, 198025m

After a humiliating defeat against Tiger Ozaki, Joe agrees to another bout despite Danpei's protests. Under Tiger Ozaki's guidance, Ryu Harajima, Joe's opponent takes advantage of Joe's weakness in the ring. To prove them wrong, Joe unleashes a punch to Harajima's temple, the same punch that killed Toru Rikiishi. However, an unexpected physical reaction suddenly overwhelms Joe.

E6Howl... Dogs Will Bite

Nov 17, 198025m

Despite learning his inability to strike his opponent in the temple is psychological, Joe is undeterred and trains for his upcoming fight against Koji Nango. Joe climbs into the ring while Carlos Rivera, the world's No. 6 bantamweight boxer from Venezuela, watches from the ringside.

E7Wandering... Like a Wild Beast

Nov 24, 198025m

Without a club willing to organize a bout against him, Joe's career seems over for certain. Even Danpei says, "Joe Yabuki, the boxer is dead" and urges him to retire. Unable to accept his career may be over, Joe is at a loss. Then, he receives an invitation from Yoko to see Carlos Rivera's fight. What kind of man and boxer is Carlos Rivera?

E8That Guy... Burning Man Carlos

Dec 1, 198025m

Danpei closes the gym and disappears to make Joe realize that his career is over. However, Joe refuses to give up boxing and continues to train. He catches Carlos Rivera's second match on TV and realizes what he saw during Carlos' first match was no trick of the eye. He visits the Shiraki Gym where Carlos is training and offers to be his sparring partner.

E9And then... The Beast Revived

Dec 8, 198025m

Joe is slowly released from the ghost of Toru Rikiishi during his heated spar against Carlos. After realizing Joe can punch his opponent's temple again, Danpei reopens the gym and the two go see Carlos's bout. Before his bout against Tiger Ozaki, Carlos searches Joe out of the crowd and predicts a one round K.O. victory.

E10The Christmas Eve Gift

Dec 15, 198025m

It's Christmas and the mood is merry in the slums. Snow begins to fall, as Carlos and Joe's fire burn quietly inside of them. In the snow-covered park, Joe challenges Carlos to a fight to settle who is best. However, Carlos has another plan.

E11Beginning of the Struggle... Carlos VS Joe

Dec 22, 198025m

As the New Year's Eve bell counts down the passing year, Joe and Carlos' bout kick off with the sound of the boxing bell. Joe and Carlos put on a heated and breathtaking fight. However, Joe is unable to land his forte, the cross-counter. With no other option, Joe makes a daring attack by the ropes, but will it be enough to defeat Carlos?

E12Night of the Snow Storm... The Endless Fight

Dec 29, 198025m

Joe loses consciousness after being hit with Carlos' powerful uppercut. However, he refuses to go down without spending every last ounce of his strength. Carlos' "invincible punch" mercilessly rains down on Joe. Their fierce fight continues, as both boxers fight with all their might. Who will be victorious?

E13The Tange Gym... Is Indestructable

Jan 5, 198125m

With Joe's bout against Carlos now over, Joe, Danpei and the people from the neighborhood are busy organizing Nishi's retirement party. However, unbeknownst to everyone, Nishi was struggling to accept that he could no longer physically box. At his retirement party, Nishi asks Joe to spar with him one last time.

E14Where is... Joe's Youth?

Jan 12, 198125m

Joe visits the Shiraki Gym to pick up his prize money. There, he learns the World Champion had defeated Carlos. Joe also learns Carlos had become incapacitated as a boxer and that he was to blame. Seeing the pain in Joe's eyes, Noriko suggests he quit boxing.

E15For Whose sake...? Deadly Rush

Jan 19, 198125m

Without a boxing club willing to organize a bout against Joe, Danpei visits Yoko for help. However, instead of organizing a bout against a Japanese boxer, she chooses Usman Somkit, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation's No. 5 boxer from Thailand as his opponent. With Carlos still on his mind, Joe climbs into the ring...

E16Distant Aim... Road to the World

Jan 26, 198125m

With a lightening fast victory against Usman Somkit, all eyes are back on Joe. Meanwhile, Joe finally gets the opportunity to watch the gut-wrenching bout between Carlos and Jose Mendoza, the World Bantamweight Champion. Joe vows to avenge Carlos, but before he can challenge Jose he must defeat Tarny Aronzo, the OPBF's No. 3 boxer from the Philippines and climb the ranks.

E17A Figure Seen... A Great Target

Feb 2, 198125m

Joe steps onto the gym scale and makes an unwelcome discovery. Meanwhile, Kanto TV has announced their exclusive broadcasting rights to all of Joe's bouts in Japan. At the announcement party, Joe notices an unlikely man standing amongst the crowd. Who is the uninvited guest and what is his objective?

E18Those Knuckles... The Mark's Message

Feb 9, 198125m

Joe is eager to take on Yongbi Kim, the OPBF Bantamweight Champion, but according to Danpei, Kim is avoiding Joe because he's afraid of him. When in fact, Kim is eager to take on Joe, as well. Danpei has his reasons to want to avoid a bout between the two and is willing to cast a web of lies in order to keep Joe from finding out.

E19Fighting Machine... Dragon Kim

Feb 16, 198125m

With Joe and Kim's Championship match now confirmed, Yoko sends Suga to South Korea to find out Kim's mysterious past, while Kim's manager secretly gathers information about Joe. Joe and Danpei watch Kim's exhibition match against a boxer, who is two weight classes above him. As the fight unfolds, a cold chill runs down Joe and Danpei's spine.

E20My Bantamweight... Weight Loss Challenge

Feb 23, 198125m

Despite the match being three weeks away, Joe is struggling to lose weight. Desperate to lose weight, he turns the gym into a dangerously hot sauna. After almost passing out, Danpei urges Joe to stop his dangerous weight loss attempts. Determined to stay in the bantamweight class and without Danpei willing to support him, Joe holes himself up in the attic room and refuses to eat...

E21Rikiishi... I Hear the Song

Mar 2, 198125m

With Danpei vehemently against Joe's dangerous weight loss, Joe leaves the Tange Gym. He visits the Shiraki Gym and locks himself up in the very same room where Toru Rikiishi once starved himself, so he could fight Joe. Joe's thirst and hunger reaches its peak and he goes into a wild rage as though he were mad. Unable to watch any longer, Danpei relents and offers to help Joe.

E22And... The Morning's Measurement

Mar 9, 198125m

After a grueling weight loss regimen, Joe finally loses enough weight to stay in the bantamweight class. However, during the official weigh-in, Joe discovers he is actually over the weight limit and that Danpei had altered the scale back at the gym. With only a few hours left until the final weigh-in, Joe resorts to drastic measures knowing full well that it might kill him.

E23The Burning Beast... And Ice

Mar 16, 198125m

With the final weigh-in now over, Danpei brings Joe to a restaurant so he can enjoy a small meal before his match. Kim, who happened to come to the same restaurant, asks Joe if he could join him. Seated across from Joe, Kim begins to tell him about his past. What horrifying truth about his past will Kim reveal to Joe?

E24The Gong Chimes.. The Ring of the Devil

Mar 23, 198125m

Kim's manager confidently predicts Kim's victory during the pre-fight press interview. Danpei and Nishi encourage Joe in the locker room, but Joe is not his usual self. Unsurprisingly, Kim dominates the fight and Joe can only defend himself. However, no matter how hard Kim knocks him down, Joe continues to get up. Why does Joe continue to get up in such a hopeless fight?

E25In Round 6... A Miracle Occurred

Mar 30, 198125m

Joe has fought beyond his limit, yet he refuses to go down. Unable to comprehend how Joe can continue to fight, Kim slowly becomes unhinged and resorts to using his deadly technique known as Chom-Chom.

E26A Champion... And a Loser's Glory

Apr 6, 198125m

With is victory over Kim, Joe is now the OPBF Champion. His next goal is to defeat Jose Mendoza, the World Bantamweight Champion who crushed Carlos. Then one day, Joe learns about a Japanese boxer, who once fought Jose and decides to pay him a visit.

E27Boxing... A Requiem

Apr 13, 198125m

Joe happens to run into Wolf Kanagushi, a former boxer at a pachinko parlor. He is relieved to learn that Wolf is now working as a trainer at a boxing gym, and is no longer a Yakuza muscleman. Wolf tells Joe about the financial struggles the gym is facing

E28José... In Hawaii

Apr 20, 198125m

As the OPBF Champion, Joe’s first title defense match has been confirmed in Hawaii. Not wanting to go all the way to Hawaii, Joe is reluctant about the fight, but quickly changes his mind when he learns Jose is also having a bout in Hawaii.

E29Yabuki's... New Defense

Apr 27, 198125m

Knowing Jose is watching from the ringside, Joe predicts a two round K.O. victory. However, Joe quickly realizes that defeating his Hawaiian challenger will be harder than he originally thought.

E30Grand Champion... José

May 4, 198125m

After successfully defending his title, Joe is eager to challenge Jose more than ever. Then one day, Yoko invites Joe to spend some time with Jose and his family on a horse ranch. Joe finally gets an opportunity to question Jose.

E31Meaning... of the V Sign

May 11, 198125m

As the OPBF Champion and world champion hopeful, it seems everyone wants a piece of Joe now. Meanwhile, the new Tange Gym that’s been under construction is finally complete and Danpei accepts several new aspiring boxers as apprentices.

E32Farewell... Dear Old Things

May 18, 198125m

Jose, the WBC World Champion must fight Harold Gomez, the WBA World Champion in a unification bout to determine the true World Bantamweight Champion. Meanwhile, Joe, the OPBF Champion and now the World’s No. 5 boxer, must defeat Leon Smiley.

E33The 13th King Comes From America!?

May 25, 198125m

Leon dominates the fight and Joe is on defense. However, Leon’s underhanded tactics light a fire inside Joe and the fight quickly becomes a fierce and tightly contested battle. With no knockout punch from either side, the winner is determined by points.

E34He... Fell with the Card

Jun 1, 198125m

Jose, the WBC World Champion and Gomez, the WBA World Champion will fight head to head to determine the true World Bantamweight Champion. Joe, who has won his right to challenge the winner of the unification bout, flies to Las Vegas to see Jose and Gomez’

E35The Champion ...Alone

Jun 8, 198125m

Yoko, who feels Joe has lost his wildness within, offers to give up her exclusive rights to Jose’s fights in Japan, under the condition that Joe fights one last bout before his title match against Jose.

E36Yoko's... New Attempt

Jun 15, 198125m

Harimau, a wild beast-like man who grew up deep in the Malaysian jungle has been confirmed as Joe’s challenger. Yoko brings Harimau to the Tange Club to introduce him to Joe, but Joe reiterates his displeasure about having to fight.

E37The Wild Child… Harimao

Jun 22, 198125m

Joe is humiliatingly caught off guard by Harimau, not once, but twice. Admitting he’s lost his street fighting instincts, Joe asks Goromaki Gondo, a Yakuza henchman for his help. Invited by Joe, Gondo and his subordinates show up at the Tange Gym.

E38Unexpected Visitor... Gondo Goromaki

Jun 29, 198125m

The bout between Joe, the Brawler and Harimau, the Wild Beast begins. At first, Joe struggles to keep up with Harimau’s agility and speed. However, Harimau proves to be no match against Joe, who has regained his instincts as a former street fighter.

E39Two Beasts... in the Jungle

Jul 6, 198125m

Yoko arranges Carlos to be admitted into a hospice to recuperate. However, Dr. Kinninski, the world’s leading authority on punch-drunk syndrome delivers the devastating diagnoses that Carlos is suffering from a severe case of punch-drunk syndrome.

E40Joe Fired Up… The Target is Near

Jul 13, 198125m

Noriko and Nishi are engaged. Joe is happy from the bottom of his heart to see his long-time pal marry his dream girl. Meanwhile, Jose arrives in Japan just two days after their bout has been officially confirmed.

E41José arrives in Japan… The Match Date Approaches!

Jul 20, 198125m

E42A Shock… Yoko's Premonition

Jul 27, 198125m

After noticing Joe might also be suffering from punch-drunk syndrome, Yoko asks Dr. Kinninski for his professional opinion. Dr. Kinninski is reluctant to give a concrete diagnosis without examining Joe.

E43Joe and Danpei... Two Everyday People

Aug 3, 198125m

In order to avoid Danpei finding out about his health, Joe decides to train with Nishi and Danpei at a mountain lodge, far away from Yoko. Desperate to tell Joe about his health, Yoko tracks down Joe and visits the mountain lodge.

E44Yoko... Her Love

Aug 10, 198125m

On the day of the title match, Yoko finally tracks down Joe in his locker room and urges him to cancel the fight before he ends up like Carlos. She learns Joe is well aware of what is happening to his body, and that he is going to fight Jose regardless.

E45Joe VS. José... The Gong of the Match Rings

Aug 17, 198125m

Joe and Jose finally face off in the ring. With his impenetrable defense, Jose dodges Joe’s attacks while hitting him with his own punches. After receiving countless blows and unable to land a meaningful punch against Jose.

E46The Violent... Endless Fight to the Death

Aug 24, 198125m

Jose is rattled by Joe’s sudden comeback, but quickly realizes Joe is no longer able to see out of his right eye, due to the effects of punch-drunk syndrome. Jose moves to Joe’s blind spot and batters him with his punches.

E47The Great End

Aug 31, 198125m★ 10.0

No one doubts Jose’s victory, but something begins to change. While, Jose is unable to knockout Joe completely, Joe masters Jose’s corkscrew punch and continues to fight with a blatant disregard for his life.

About Tomorrow's Joe

Tomorrow's Joe is an animation, drama, action & adventure series on Fuji TV. The show first aired on Apr 1, 1970 and currently has 2 seasons and 126 episodes. Tomorrow's Joe has ended. It has a rating of 8.2/10 based on 50 votes. The cast includes Teruhiko Aoi, Fuyumi Shiraishi, Shūsei Nakamura, Jūkei Fujioka, Ryusei Nakao.