Ashita no Joe is a critically acclaimed boxing manga written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba in 1968 that was later adapted into an anime series and movie. The title means "Joe of tomorrow" or Tomorrow's Joe. Outside Japan it is also referred to as Rocky Joe or Joe. It was adapted into a live-action film starring popular actor/singer Tomohisa Yamashita as Yabuki Joe and Yusuke Iseya as Rikishi. The movie premiered in Japan on February 11, 2011.
PLOT:
Joe Yabuki is a troubled young man who runs away from an orphanage. Wandering through the Tokyo slums, he meets former boxing trainer Danpei. Joe is later arrested and goes to a temporary jail where he fights Nishi, his future best friend and leader of a group of hooligans. He and Nishi then go to a juvenile prison miles away from Tokyo. There Joe meets Rikiishi, a former boxing prodigy, and a rivalry develops between them. They face each other in a match in which Rikiishi dominates Joe until the latter hits him with a cross-counter, resulting in both being knocked out. This inspires the other prison inmates to take up boxing. Joe and Rikiishi vow to fight again.
VIDEO GAME:
Ashita no Joe - Masshiro ni Moe Tsukiro!: When darkness falls and thoughts turn to those of tragic heroes, one must give consideration to the tale of Ashita no Joe. From destitute beginnings in the Doya slums and bleak prospects to the top ranks of the boxing elite, Joe Yabuki became a hero to manga readers and college students across Japan during the tumultuous 70s. Creators Asao Takamori and Tetsuya Chiba debuted Ashita no Joe at a time when considerable economic and social upheaval was transforming Japanese culture and Joe's trials struck a resonant chord. The PS2 game recreates the manga and animation with familiar characters, memorable matches and a faithful storyline.
Characters such as archrival Toru Rikiishi, Danpei Tange, Goromaki Gondoh, Tiger Ozaki, Wolf Kanagushi, Carlos Rivera, Hamario, and World Champion Jose Mendoza show up as supporting cast. Boxing matches are viewed from a side perspective where two brutes dance and sting in rapid-fire fashion. Regulation issue health meters above each boxer gauge the progress of the fight. The story starts from Joe meeting Dappei in the slums and ends after Joe's match with Hose Mendoza. Story scenes are told through art panels and character interaction sequences. Defeating or losing to a contender forks the storyline into branches where new fighters challenge Joe. Nostalgic manga fans may find comfort in the Art Gallery which brims with illustrations and character profiles.
MANUFACTURER'S DESCRIPTION:
The faithful reproduction of the world boxing cartoon legend of "Tomorrow's Joe"! I can feel the boxing realistic battle scene. As well as ring, the stage that beginning with the flophouse area comes up, too. By the outcome of the battle, original story that is different from the original but also to deploy. In the "battle mode", card of a dream and "Chikaraishi VS Carlos" also realized.
FEATURES:
- Third person perspective.
- 3D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Boxing & Anime themes.
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