Tomorrow's Joe 2
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
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.
Audience Consensus
Ashita no Joe 2 is widely acclaimed for its profound character development, realistic portrayal of boxing's human cost, and exceptional animation for its time. While a few narrative arcs and specific plot points are criticized for being forced or implausible, the overwhelming sentiment is that of a timeless masterpiece with a powerful, unforgettable ending.
Strengths
- Exceptional character development for Joe, transforming from a loathsome character to one the audience cheers for.
- Remarkable animation and art style for its era, often described as movie-quality and ahead of its time.
- Compelling and realistic portrayal of boxing, focusing on the human drama, sacrifice, and psychological toll rather than just the sport itself.
- Powerful and iconic ending that leaves a lasting emotional impact.
- Well-developed supporting characters who significantly contribute to Joe's growth and the narrative.
Weaknesses
- Some middle arcs and specific opponents in the latter half feel forced, underdeveloped, or like filler, detracting from the overall narrative momentum.
- The portrayal of Rikiishi's extreme weight loss is medically implausible and breaks the series' otherwise grounded realism.
- The English voice acting for some characters, particularly Jose Mendoza, is poor and often difficult to understand.
- Certain comedic elements and supporting characters (like the 'Little Rascals' gang) are considered unfunny and dated.
- Joe's weight loss subplot is mentioned and then abruptly dropped, feeling like a forced narrative device.