Tomorrow's Joe

Something will happen tomorrow.

AA1970•25m•8.1/10

AnimationDramaAction & Adventure

Ratings

🎬TMDb

8.1/10(45)

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…

Open in PickFlick

Production

Mushi Production, Tokyo Movie Shinsha

Language

Status

Ended

First Aired

April 1, 1970

Last Aired

August 31, 1981

Networks

Fuji TV, Nippon TV

Trailers & Videos

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

No providers available for this region.

Available in Your Library

Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

Those are the Eyes of a Beast!

Air date: 1970-04-01

A former boxer and current drunkard named Danpei Tange meets a drifter named Joe Yabuki and sees potential in him. Tange offers to teach Joe how to box, but Joe isn't easily convinced.

The Live in the Square Jungle

Air date: 1970-04-08

Danpei is severely hurt after trying to protect Joe from the yakuza. Joe goes to visit the head of the yakuza group to try to get reparations for Danpei.

Face the Fangs of the Beast

Air date: 1970-04-15

Danpei works hard day and night to save up for Joe and his boxing gym. Meanwhile, Joe uses the slum kids to con some money out of people and he runs into a woman named Yoko Shiraki.

Shed Tears for the Burning Fist!

Air date: 1970-04-22

Joe holes up in an abandoned building after he gets caught lying to con people out of money.

For the Sake of Tomorrow! Part 1

Air date: 1970-04-29

Tange sends Joe a letter to teach him boxing while he's at the police hospital waiting for his fate.

Explode! Left Jab!

Air date: 1970-05-06

Joe ends up in a juvenile classification home and is quickly put into his place after trying to be cocky against his fellow inmates and their boss Nishi.

Don`t Judge the Wolf!

Air date: 1970-05-13

Joe, Tange, and the kids show up to court to hear if Joe will be sent off to the juvenile training school.

Toko High Security Juvenile Prison

Air date: 1970-05-20

Joe and Nishi spend their first night at the Toko Special Juvenile Training School and are quickly put into their places.

His Name is Rikiishi Toru!

Air date: 1970-05-27

Joe and Nishi are sent out with the rest of the inmates to do some farmwork. Later on, Nishi comes up with a plan to help Joe escape the island, but they meet a man named Toru Rikiishi.

E10

Scream of the Red Sunset!

Air date: 1970-06-03

Joe is completely out of it after getting punched by Rikiishi. However, later on, he had a huge surprise in store for everyone.

E11

Burn at the Bottom of Hell!

Air date: 1970-06-10

Joe continues to practice boxing while he's alone in solitary. Danpei and the kids try to find a way into the juvenile training school when they unexpectedly run into Yoko.

E12

Shout at the Burning Sun

Air date: 1970-06-17

Joe tells Yoko why he treats her so badly. Rikiishi tries to interfere and Yoko proposes that they settle this in a boxing match. Tange finally gets to train Joe again in person.

E13

Stand in the Ring of Destiny

Air date: 1970-06-24

Joe and Rikiishi prepare for their upcoming match. After seeing just how powerful Joe's new punch is, Rikiishi devises a unique training method to counter it.

E14

Is it Time for the KO Gong Yet!?

Air date: 1970-07-01

Joe and Rikiishi finally have their first match. But for some reason, Danpei tells Joe to let Rikiishi keep knocking him down. Who will be the winner in the end?

E15

White Mat's Lullaby

Air date: 1970-07-08

Moved by the fight between Joe and Rikiishi, the inmates also start boxing.

E16

The Setting Sun of Treachery

Air date: 1970-07-15

Tange becomes the full-time boxing coach at the juvenile training school on Nogiku Island. Joe seems to finally be interested in training more with Tange, but Tange suddenly seems distant.

E17

Alone in the Middle of a Storm

Air date: 1970-07-22

Joe keeps trying to get Tange to coach him again, but Tange just keeps ignoring him and concentrates on training Aoyama. No one expected Aoyama to get into the tournament, but he then somehow defeats the rep for dorm 7, Numata.

E18

Ring Ropes of Despair

Air date: 1970-07-29

The dormitory boxing tournament begins and everyone finds out just how Aoyama defeated Numata.

E19

The Fearsome Liver Blow

Air date: 1970-08-05

Joe and Aoyama's match finally begins, but who will come out on top?

E20

Battle Scarred Victory

Air date: 1970-08-12

Joe and Aoyama's match concludes and Tange reveals something to our two fighters.

E21

A Small Fight with a Big Honor

Air date: 1970-08-19

Rikiishi tells Joe that they need to have their match sooner because something came up, so they have an unofficial match out in the rain.

E22

The Legendary Rikiishi Tooru

Air date: 1970-08-26

Rikiishi leaves Toko Special Juvenile Training School and Joe feels empty inside. Meanwhile, the final match of the dorm boxing tournament is about to begin.

E23

Farewell, Juvenile Prison

Air date: 1970-09-02

Following Rikiishi and Aoyama, Nishi is also going to leave the juvenile training school, leaving Joe all alone.

E24

Return to Slum Town

Air date: 1970-09-09

Joe finally leaves the juvenile training school and goes back to the slums where he's welcomed back with open arms, and Danpei has a surprise for him.

E25

Law of the Stray Dog

Air date: 1970-09-16

Joe finally feels like something might be changing in his life, but then he is visited by Guerilla, who's on the run from the police.

E26

License of Despair

Air date: 1970-09-23

Tange goes to the Japan Boxing Association to get his gym officially recognized. Meanwhile, Joe starts working at the grocery store Nishi works at.

E27

Bridge to Tomorrow

Air date: 1970-09-30

Tange is unable to get the license for his gym, but then, an unexpected visitor gives them an unbelievable offer.

E28

Wager for Glory

Air date: 1970-10-07

Joe goes to see the All Japan Rookie Championship Tournament and figures out a way to get one of the members of the Boxing Association to give Tange the license he needs for his gym.

E29

Challenge for Tomorrow

Air date: 1970-10-14

Tange is able to get the license for his gym after the stunt Joe pulled at the All Japan Rookie Championship Tournament, but he says that Joe's not ready to become a pro yet himself. However, Joe's got his own ideas.

E30

The Ordeal of the Pro Test

Air date: 1970-10-21

Joe and Nishi go take the pro boxing test and Joe finds out that it's not as easy as he thought it would be.

E31

Spread Your Wings, Pro Boxer

Air date: 1970-10-28

Joe passes the B-rank exam and takes his first real step towards becoming a pro.

E32

The Road to the Shining Ring

Air date: 1970-11-04

Nishi and Joe both have their debut matches in the pro ring.

E33

Hooray for the First Victory

Air date: 1970-11-11

Everyone celebrates after Joe's first victory. Noriko gets him violets but those are quickly overshadowed by the giant bouquet of roses Yoko sends him.

E34

The Aspiring Boxer

Air date: 1970-11-18

Ishikura watches Joe win a boxing match and decides he wants to be just like him. He then suddenly shows up to Tange's gym wanting to join, but Tange surprisingly refuses.

E35

Do Your Best! Nishi!

Air date: 1970-11-25

Nishi loses all three matches so far after becoming a pro and loses his confidence. Tange, Joe, and the kids try to find a way to build his confidence back up and Kinoko finds a surprising solution.

E36

Wolf Kanagushi Bares His Fangs

Air date: 1970-12-02

Joe continues winning match after match and asks Tange when he's going to go up against Wolf Kanagushi. Tange tells him they're going to take it nice and slow, but then, Otaka sends them an invitation...

E37

Training Furiously

Air date: 1970-12-09

Joe, Tange, and Nishi are anxious about what Wolf's secret training could be. The kids decide they'll sneak into the Asia Boxing Club to find out what Wolf's training is, but things go terribly wrong.

E38

The Greatest Six-Round Bout in History

Air date: 1970-12-16

Joe and Wolf's match finally begins. Whose training will bring them victory?

E39

The Triple Cross of Victory

Air date: 1970-12-23

Joe and Wolf's intense match finally comes to an end. Who will stand victorious?

E40

An Oath to the Snow

Air date: 1970-12-30

Tange takes Joe, Nishi, and the rest of the neighborhood on a hot springs trip to celebrate Joe's victory, but on their way up, they find out that Wolf may have been incapacitated.

E41

Rikiishi Tooru`s Challenge

Air date: 1971-01-06

The new year has arrived and Joe finds out that Rikiishi is losing weight to become a bantamweight so he can face off with Joe.

E42

A Man`s World

Air date: 1971-01-13

Joe and Rikiishi continue training for their match. However, Rikiishi is starting to worry Yoko and Mikinosuke because he is going to extreme lengths to lose weight.

E43

A Cruel Weight Loss

Air date: 1971-01-20

Tange formally accepts Shiraki Gym's match request between Rikiishi and Joe and he tells Joe about Rikiishi's brutal weight loss regimen. Meanwhile, Nishi doesn't seem to be losing any weight...

E44

Rikiishi Tooru`s Hard Fight!

Air date: 1971-01-27

Rikiishi has his first match as a bantamweight against Pancho Leo. Who will come out on top?

E45

Sway Back to Defeat Rikiishi!

Air date: 1971-02-03

Joe asks Tange and Nishi to help him improve his sway backs so he has a way to counter Rikiishi.

E46

The Man Who Risked Death

Air date: 1971-02-10

While Joe continues his intense training, Rikishi is equally devoted to maintaining his weight.

E47

The Two Before the Storm

Air date: 1971-02-17

On the day of the match, Joe and Danpei reunite with Rikishi during the weigh-in and acknowledge his impressive weight-cutting success.

E48

Showdown of Destiny

Air date: 1971-02-24

Joe realizes that Rikishi has stabilized his body after extreme weight loss.

E49

An Endless Deathmatch

Air date: 1971-03-03

Rikishi's uppercut grazes Joe's cheek, causing it to bleed. Alarmed, Joe moves in close during the third round, leading to an intense exchange of hooks.

E50

End of the Battle

Air date: 1971-03-10

Joe fortifies his guard for the first time in his professional career, but Rikishi's fierce attack knocks him down.

E51

Burnt-out Life

Air date: 1971-03-17

The fierce battle ends. Joe extends a congratulatory handshake to Rikishi, who starts to smile but collapses onto the mat.

E52

Farewell, Rikiishi Toru

Air date: 1971-03-24

On the day of Rikishi's funeral, Joe leaves their condolences to Danpei and Nishi and tries to distract himself by playing energetically with the children by the riverside.

E53

The Man I Hate

Air date: 1971-03-31

Joe wanders through the town on a snowy night, carrying memories of Rikishi. To Joe, who has no family, Rikishi was an irreplaceable presence...

E54

The Ten-Count Bell of Sorrow

Air date: 1971-04-07

Three days after Joe disappeared, a ten-count gong was held at Korakuen Hall to mourn Rikishi's death. Joe watches the scene on a street-side TV.

E55

The Wandering Ballad

Air date: 1971-04-14

Joe sees Wolf Kanagushi, who has become a bodyguard for the yakuza, on the streets.

E56

The Wolf Revives

Air date: 1971-04-21

The brawl with Gondo is treated as extenuating circumstances. After being informed by reporters, Danpei quickly retrieves Joe.

E57

A Wounded Beast

Air date: 1971-04-28

Joe continues training and lands a powerful body blow during sparring with Nishi. However, Nishi notices that Joe avoids striking the head, arousing suspicion.

E58

The Body Blow of Victory

Air date: 1971-05-05

The ten-round match between Joe and Tonotani begins. Danpei and Nishi, concealing their concerns, watch over Joe.

E59

The Looming Black Shadow

Air date: 1971-05-12

Having returned to form, Joe defeats several Japanese bantamweight contenders with his fierce body attacks.

E60

The Fierce Sparring

Air date: 1971-05-19

Pre-match predictions favor Tiger in his fight against Joe. Around this time, the head of Bokuto Gym invites Joe to spar with him, saying it is to substitute for Nishi, who injured his fist.

E61

The Thrown Towel

Air date: 1971-05-26

In the fight against Tiger, Kunimoto, the Sun Gym president, claims to have uncovered Joe's weakness. In truth, Tiger realizes that Joe cannot properly strike the face.

E62

Rikiishi Toru was Alive

Air date: 1971-06-02

After the fight, Danpei shockingly reveals the truth to Joe. However, learning that his actual opponent is the 'ghost of Rikishi' haunting him, Joe strengthens his resolve.

E63

The Final Challenge

Air date: 1971-06-09

The slump in Joe's performance casts a shadow over the slums. Even so, Joe continues his desperate battle against himself, repeatedly striking the sandbag's temple position.

E64

Enter Carlos

Air date: 1971-06-16

Carlos prays for both fighters' success in the ring for Joe's match against Nangou. As the fight begins, Joe faces his poor condition and a referee influenced by the Hyo clan.

E65

As Long as There's the Ring

Air date: 1971-06-23

After Joe's devastating loss to Nangou, Danpei dissolves the Tange Gym. He entrusts the future of Joe and Nishi to the proprietor of Hachiya, but Joe resolves to continue boxing alone.

E66

Setting Out for Tomorrow

Air date: 1971-06-30

Joe departs from the Namidabashi Bridge early in the morning and meets a boy who dreams of traveling to far-off places on his way to Ueno Station. Joe sympathizes with his story.

E67

A Little Adventure

Air date: 1971-07-07

A postcard arrives, informing the children of Joe's whereabouts in Oarai. Determined to meet him, they head to Ueno Station, but an attempt at fare-dodging is discovered, forcing them to disembark.

E68

Fixed Match

Air date: 1971-07-14

Joe's new career in the traveling show begins. Kawano attempts to promote Joe as a star by arranging fixed matches and instructing the others to take deliberate losses.

E69

Lullaby of the Ranch

Air date: 1971-07-21

On a day off, Joe goes hiking with Inaba and falls off a cliff in the fog. Yuri, the daughter of a nearby Hiyama Ranch, rescues him.

E70

The Guy I'm Worried About

Air date: 1971-07-28

Yoko organizes a Carlos vs. Nangou match in Sendai, where Joe performs. Interested in Joe, Carlos and Robert visit the Namidabashi Bridge and learn how much Joe is still loved by the community.

E71

Carlos the Uncrowned Emperor

Air date: 1971-08-04

Joe's performances continue at the sparsely attended Hakusan Shrine. During a break, Joe positions himself in front of the TV Kawano bought, intently watching Carlos's match against Nangou.

E72

Return to the Shining Ring

Air date: 1971-08-11

A postcard from Noriko brings news about the Namidabashi community. However, since watching Carlos's fight, Joe has been unable to focus on his performance.

E73

The Cross Counter Returns

Air date: 1971-08-18

Returning to Tokyo, Joe visits Yoko and requests to spar with Carlos. Reluctantly, Yoko agrees and insists they use heavier 16-ounce gloves for safety.

E74

Setting Out Today

Air date: 1971-08-25

Tange Gym fell into disrepair during Joe's absence. Joe begins rebuilding it with Danpei and the children.

E75

Carlos, Magician of the Ring

Air date: 1971-09-01

As Joe resumes training in the Namidabashi slums, Noriko watches with a complex expression. Meanwhile, the day of Carlos's match against Harashima arrives.

E76

The Burning Challenge

Air date: 1971-09-08

Yoko finalizes the contract for a Carlos vs. Tiger match. Carlos confidently declares he will win with a first-minute KO.

E77

Battle of Men

Air date: 1971-09-15

Robert's old friend, promoter Henry James, arrives in Japan. Henry arranges a match between Carlos and the world champion, Jose Mendoza, and proposes canceling the fight with Joe.

E78

Duel!! Carlos Vs. Yabuki Joe

Air date: 1971-09-22

The day of Carlos's match against Tiger arrives. As a boxing fan, Danpei expresses his feelings about Joe's journey. Yoko quietly encourages Joe as they pass in the hallway.