15/10/2026
46 years ago this week, Joe stepped back into the ring.
Ash*ta no Joe 2 first aired in Japan on 13 October 1980, continuing the story of Joe Yabuki after the death of his great rival, Toru Rikiishi.
Joe returns to boxing carrying the trauma of that fight, gradually facing stronger opponents as he makes his way towards the world stage, culminating in his legendary bout with José Mendoza.
More than four decades later, Ash*ta no Joe remains one of the defining works of Japanese sports anime.
A fitting one to revisit this autumn.