The Moon's Mighty Alpha

Isn't there a manhwa on this novel? I came here after reading it up to the last chapter. It's pretty well drawn, so you can try that instead to fill in the incomplete chapters.

You must be horrny now. 😎

I'm getting better at reading unedited books. Once you get past the personal pronoun misuse, likely from a difficulty in language translation, it's a very enjoyable read.  I just caught up with the author at chapter 217,and I am looking forward to  what Caos will unfold next for this this couple.

Is it weird that I’m shipping them this early? They’re supposed to be enemies and he’s holding her captive!

Author please update...

Read Ashita no Joe, they said. It's one of those recommendations that reveal absolutely nothing... And holy shit. Truth be told, this was tougher to read than Berserk.

It certainly doesn't feel that way at first, thanks to its classical cartoonish style and setup. You couldn't guess how deep this goes on first glance. On second glance. On third glance, because Joe just keeps going. Unlike Berserk, which requires a strong attachment to the cast in addition to its bountiful artwork, Ashita no Joe does not care about your feelings. It only demands that you keep reading, to keep watching Joe in the same way he asks Shiraki Yoko to never turn away from true greatness.

The story begins with Joe as a dexterous ruffian. But when he finds himself in juvenile detention, he answers his life's calling to become a boxer. Throughout his journey, he quickly realizes that he is alone in the ring and revels in it. Fight after fight, Joe defies all expectations. The beauty of tomorrow is promising yet fleeting. Tomorrow will only feature brutal bruises, bloody wounds, and the dust of dust. To everyone else, it is a revolting sight. But to him... That's tomorrow's Joe.

One thing I found quite striking is the sparse development among its well-written characters. Of course, it's not to say that there's a lack thereof, but it's assumed because the manga overall doesn't need it. Most side characters only grow through the passage of time. Joe goes through intense arcs of emotion and isolation, but quickly grows from it and subtly matures into an apex predator, looking forward to yet another tomorrow. He might continue to thrash around like an unhinged monkey, because one can argue that Joe's fists go through more character development than what Joe displays. But deep down he is one of the most mature sportsmen you'll ever witness. All it took were a few moments of tenderness, ones that showcased how attuned he is to reality more so than anyone else in the room. And he's the one taking all of the punches!

My god, dude. From his clash with Rikiishi all the way to the final bout, there's this uncanny hook in this manga that keeps you reading. A significant part of it is due to its simplistic structure and pacing, never dragging on and never a bore. Another significant part is the timeless style this manga is drawn in, giving it quite the unique and fresh vibe even today. And what would the manga be without the titular character himself? What would Joe be without the ego, the triple counter, the tenacity of a god to eat all of those punches? One word. Weak.

So, if you want to set baseline expectations, you should watch Megalobox first. It's a show that's directly inspired by Ashita no Joe, though set in a different universe and much more digestible. Megalobox's characters, premise, and some story beats are vastly similar to Ashita no Joe, though their journeys are wildly different owing to its styles. Megalobox presents boxing as a symphonic spectacle. While Ashita no Joe is basically the same thing, it's much more nuanced than a symphony. It's a deathmatch in hell.

In conclusion,

It's very difficult to describe the entirety of Ashita no Joe in a single word, but I think I can.

Tomorrow's Joe is UNBELIEVABLE. 10/10.

Until next time.

Ashita no Joe is simply the best "sports" series,  
but for a microsecond, let me clarify—this is NOT about sports. It's a story about its characters.  

STORY:  
As I mentioned, Ashita no Joe's story revolves around the growth of its characters. Don't confuse it with being just a slice of life; while boxing plays a significant role, it serves more as decoration—a very good one. The boxing elements only enhance and support the core narrative.  

CHARACTERS:  
The main character, Joe, is truly amazing. He isn't special or gifted with extraordinary abilities; he starts off as a rough-around-the-edges jerk but eventually becomes a recognized boxer. The journey of his development is incredible. Moreover, the pacing of the series is flawless—the time taken is exactly what the story needs. Joe also forms meaningful relationships with others, most notably his rival (who exudes pure masculinity). From the beginning, Joe's journey is relatable, and we grow alongside him in a way that inspires self-improvement.  

I CAN'T EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH—THE WAY JOE'S DEVELOPMENT IS HANDLED IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

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Simply put, this manga is incredible. Aside from a few relatively minor issues, my experience with it has been overwhelmingly positive. At its heart, Ashita no Joe is a character-driven drama centered on Joe himself, those around him, and how they navigate their challenging lives. Consequently, discussing the story without delving into the characters is nearly impossible, and talking about the characters without spoiling the manga would be quite difficult.

What I can emphasize is how impressively nuanced the main cast is. Beyond some supporting characters who play smaller roles, everyone boasts a believable and multifaceted personality. Over the course of their arcs, you learn about who they are, how they act, how they evolve, and what drives these changes. It's a long, arduous, and deeply tragic tale in a way that isn't immediately apparent or forced upon the reader. The sheer volume of insights into Joe's burning passion for fighting, Tange's attempt to relive his former glory by guiding Joe while battling his self-destructive tendencies, Yoko's subtle efforts to mold Joe's character, and the unique bonds between Joe and most of his opponents is practically overwhelming. The manga is rich with countless fascinating and intricate character moments. While this depth sometimes slows the pace, the rewards are so satisfying that it's hard to complain.

Discussing this aspect of Ashita no Joe in such brevity might seem like a disservice, given its strength and prevalence, but expanding further would likely turn into a plot recap or character analysis.

As for complaints, I have only one significant gripe that affected my enjoyment: Harimau. From here on, there will be spoilers, so if you haven't read the manga, skip this paragraph. I understand why Harimau was included in the story; I grasp his purpose, and he fulfilled it well. However, reading Volume 19 was occasionally tough due to how absurd he is. Most of the manga stays grounded, with little exaggeration regarding the boxers' abilities and minimal melodrama. Then comes a tribal boxer found in the jungle, raised by animals, and capable of killing anything by age 12. Later, an English explorer randomly discovers him and teaches him boxing, yet it's revealed that his boxing skills are lackluster, and he only wins because of his wild nature, strength, and toughness. This could have been acceptable if he were just a dumb but strong and aggressive slugger forcing Joe to revert to his old self, but the guy literally acts like an animal, as Joe notes in one panel. Not only is his character absurd, but his fighting style is equally ridiculous. He jumps from rope to rope like a kangaroo, delivering powerful punches, and his other signature moves include jumping over someone's head mid-air to hit them or performing a double backflip while uppercutting his opponent with each spin. It's dumb, and I couldn't bring myself to like any of it.

That concludes the story segment. Now, onto the art, which I adored. I'm usually not a fan of most very old manga/anime due to their often unimpressive simplicity and overly cartoonish designs, which can ruin scenes with serious tones. However, Ashita no Joe strikes the perfect balance. There's ample detail in the backgrounds, occasional spreads, and while the bodies and faces remain somewhat cartoonish, they aren't comically exaggerated except in a few instances. They effectively convey a wide range of emotions, sometimes even subtle ones.

Overall, it's a fantastic manga well worth reading, especially if you appreciate well-written characters.<p>