Manga publisher Kodansha has revealed plans to publish the iconic boxing manga Ashita no Joe for the first time in English. The manga series written by Asao Takamori and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba will be released under the title “Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow“.
The English translation will be released in eight large-format hardcover volumes and digitally and is scheduled for publication beginning December 2024 with an MSRP of $59.95.
Toshihiro Tsuchiya, Publisher at Kodansha, emphasized the timeliness and importance of inclusion Ashita no Joe to English-Speaking Audience said: “Kodansha believes that the manga market is maturing, as well as is looking for manga classics that have never been translated into English before. This work is truly a masterpiece that Japan is very proud of. This year marks the 50th anniversary since its completion in 1973. For this reason, we think now is the best time to bring Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow to reading manga fans. English around the world. We consider it an honor and a labor of love to introduce such an important manga masterpiece to a new generation of fans. And we hope that this new edition will be as inspiring as when it first launched in Japan.”
Ashita No Joe was first published by Kodansha in Weekly Shonen Magazine from January 1, 1968 to May 13, 1973, and later collected into 20 tankōbon volumes.
During its publication, it became popular with working class and university students in Japan. It has been adapted into various media, including the anime Megalo Box, a futuristic reimagining of the original made for the 50th anniversary. Ashita No Joe.
MAL describes the plot of Ashita No Joe To be:
Joe Yabuki is a troubled young man whose only solution to his problems is to throw punches at them. What he lacks in manners and discipline, he makes up for with his self-taught fighting skills.
One day, while wandering the Doya slums, Joe got into a fight with a local gang. Even though he was heavily outnumbered, he easily defeated them, attracting the attention of Danpei Tange, a former boxing trainer who became addicted to alcohol. Seeing his potential, he offers to train Joe to become the greatest boxer in Japan. At first, Joe sees Danpei as a hopeless drunk; but after being saved by his trainer, he agreed to live with him and learn the art of boxing. Unfortunately, Joe’s personality makes him an unruly student and he often returns to his old ways.
To survive in the harsh world of his new career, Joe needs to trust his mentor and master the techniques taught to him. However, the road to becoming a professional boxer is full of challenges that will test his mettle to the end.
Source: ICv2