Ashita no Joe 2 (Theatrical)

あしたのじょーつー げきじょうばん

Aired: 1981

A theatrical anime film produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha and distributed by Toho. Director Osamu Dezaki re-edits and re-scores material from his 1980 TV series 'Ashita no Joe 2' (itself a sequel to the legendary 1970 original) into a fresh theatrical experience, focusing on the later arcs of the Asao Takamori/Tetsuya Chiba manga - the Carlos Rivera defeat, the brutal showdown with the disgraced ex-champion Kim Ryong-bi, and the buildup toward Joe Yabuki's final battle with World Bantamweight Champion Jose Mendoza. Lifelong rival Toru Rikiishi haunts every punch, mentor coach Tange Danpei pushes Joe to the limit, and Dezaki's signature stillframes, harmonies, and three-step zooms deliver a uniquely lyrical, almost operatic boxing aesthetic. Anchored by Joe Yamanaka's searing theme 'Ashita no Joe 2 no Theme - Ashita e no Sakebi,' the film remains one of the great achievements of theatrical sports anime.