Ashita no Joe" 50th Anniversary Production "Megalobox" to Air in Spring 2018! The immortal masterpiece will be revived in the modern age after 50 years!

In spring 2018, a new animated work "Megalobox" will be broadcast to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the serialization of the manga "Ashita no Joe".

Ashita no Joe" is a boxing-themed sports work written by the late Asao Takamori (Kajiwara Ikki) and drawn by Tetsuya Chiba. Since the original story was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Magazine" (Kodansha) in 1968, two animated TV series and two animated movie series have been produced, creating a social boom. The series caused a social boom. In particular, the shocking ending of the final TV animation "Ashita no Joe 2," in which the main character's death is imagined, is still talked about today.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original serialization in 2018, a new project, the original animation "Megalobox," will be produced. This passionate original story depicts a boxer who is immersed in an eight-figure match and fights in the ring with everything he has to fight against his destiny.

Information on the talented main staff involved in the production of the film has also been released.
Hiroshi Moriyama (visual concept for the TV anime "Shinkage no Kyojin") will direct and concept design the film, Katsuhiko Manabe (screenplay for the movie "Solomon's Perjury") and Kensaku Kojima (co-writer for the movie "Setsu Midnight Diner") will write the series composition and script, and the music will be performed by internationally renowned artist mabanua will be in charge of the music.
It was also announced that TMS Entertainment, which also produced "Ashita no Joe 2" broadcast from 1980 to 1981, will produce the animation.

In commemoration of the decision to air the anime, we have received official comments from Asao Takamori (Kajiwara Ikki), the eldest son of the late Asao Takamori, the author of "Ashita no Joe," Tetsuya Chiba, who was in charge of the animation for "Ashita no Joe," and Hiroshi Moriyama, the director for "Megalobox.

Official comments】 （*Titles omitted)
Takamori Shiro, eldest son of Asao Takamori (Kajiwara Ikki), author of "Ashita no Joe" .
Fifty years have passed since Takeshi Yabuki, born of the literal handshake between Mr. Chiba and his father Ikki Kajiwara, appeared on the dooryard and met Danpei Tange. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have loved this work for such a long time. Half a century has made Doya-gai disappear and even the word "guts" a dead word, but the thoughts and way of life of Joe and his friends will never be lost to the ages. I look forward to seeing how "Megalobox" will recreate or rearrange the spirit that the two created.

Tetsuya Chiba <Creator of " Ashita no Joe
Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the serialization of "Ashita no Joe. Mr. Kajiwara and I, who were still young and energetic, were as serious as Joe, Rikiishi, and the other characters in the series. We pursued something so single-mindedly that nothing but pure white ashes remained afterwards. If there is a human drama that does not fade away no matter how much time passes, I think it is this kind of attitude that makes people sympathize with the characters. I hear that various projects are being prepared for the 50th anniversary of the serialization. I am proud to have been involved in a work that has been loved for so long, and at the same time, I am filled with gratitude to all the fans who have continued to love Joe above all else.

The new anime "Megalobox" is being produced by the staff who love "Ashita no Joe" with all their heart and soul. I am looking forward to seeing this new work, which will have a completely new approach that is appropriate for the current era, but will also have a universal core somewhere in it.

Director Hiroshi Moriyama <" Megalobox" director
The protagonists of my favorite stories were always made of longing. I am eager to understand their thoughts and actions, which will never cross paths and live in a different world from my own. I think that longing is something that moves me more intensely than sympathy. Takeshi Yabuki was one such protagonist. I put that same feeling into the main character of "Megalobox. Selfish people desperately resist, fight, and live together. I created a story of such people with the best team I could find. I am sure that this film will reach anyone who has ever wondered "What am I doing now?

Film information】 （*Titles omitted)
Megalo Cross" (Japanese title: "Megalo Cross")
Broadcast date: Spring 2018

＜Story
A dimly lit underground ring.
A man called JD (Junk Dog) is submerging himself in a match of eight hundred fights today.
In order to live.

But then...
He meets a man.
He wants to challenge his "destiny" by risking everything he has.

<Staff> Original story: "Ashita no Joe" (Tomorrow's Joe)
Original Story : "Ashita no Joe" (Original Story: Asao Takamori, Tetsuya Chiba / Kodansha Ltd.)
Director/Concept Design : Hiroshi Moriyama
Series Composition/Screenplay : Katsuhiko Manabe, Kensaku Kojima
Music: mabanua
Animation Production: TMS Entertainment, Inc.
Production: Megalobox Project

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