Synopsis

Joe Yabuki grew up in and out of orphanages, learning early to trust no one and fight his way through life. After escaping that cycle, he drifts into San'ya, Tokyo's roughest slum, where he survives by picking fights and living on the streets. Danpei Tange, a burned-out boxing coach drowning in booze, spots Joe's raw fighting talent and decides to take him under his wing. Their relationship is messy and volatile, but they end up looking out for each other and the other homeless kids in the neighborhood. Joe's street life catches up with him when he lands in jail. That's where he meets Tooru Rikiishi, a naturally gifted boxer who becomes his bitter rival. Joe's chaotic brawling style can't touch Rikiishi's technique—he gets knocked down repeatedly. But eventually Joe lands a stunning knockout, finally earning Rikiishi's respect and a promise to fight him for real in the professional ring someday. Suddenly Joe has a reason to care about his future. Boxing becomes everything to him as he climbs through the amateur and pro ranks in Japan. He faces brutal losses and mounting injuries, but his hunger for the sport only grows. The line between passion and obsession blurs, and Joe starts to wonder if boxing is the only thing making his life worth living.

Content compiled by AnimeList.moe from publicly available sources.

Genres