u/Kaizuren2

Most modern anime fans only think of Big 3 or dragon ball when they talk about influence, but we’ve reached a point where we’re slowly forgetting the one series that literally shaped the soul of Japan — Ashita no Joe.

Long before Goku, Naruto or luffy existed, Joe Yabuki was the voice of a generation. It wasn't just a boxing story, it was a cultural phenomenon that blurred the lines between fiction and reality.

The level of influence this show had is actually hard to wrap your head around today. In 1970, when Joe’s rival Rikiishi died in the story, over 700 people held a real life funeral for him in a Tokyo theater. They weren't just mourning a drawing, they were mourning a hero who represented their own struggles. That same year, when a plane was hijacked by the Red Army Faction, the hijackers final statement was "We are the Tomorrow's Joe" It became a symbol of revolution for the working class.

Even if you haven't watched it, you’ve definitely seen its DNA in your favorite shows. The cross counter, that iconic double hit climax we see in everything from Dragon Ball to Hajime no Ippo was popularized by Joe. But the biggest tribute is the white ash final frame. That image of Joe sitting in his corner, completely burnt out, has been referenced in hundreds of animes like Gintama, Gurren Lagann, and Bakemonogatari.

Whenever a mangaka wants to show a character giving their absolute everything, they pay homage to Joe Yabuki. He wasn't a chosen one with special powers, he was just a guy from the slums who fought until there was nothing left but white ash. In an era of aura and hype, it’s worth looking back at the series that gave modern Shonen its heart.

Griffith is arguably one of the most complex and layered villains in manga history, but let’s be clear none of that justifies what he did. There is a massive difference between understanding a character’s ideology and excusing their atrocities.

Griffith’s drive, his dream of having his own kingdom, and his absolute refusal to be a stepping stone for others make him a fascinating character. His relationship with Guts is the core of the story, he is the catalyst that forces Guts to change, grow, and eventually suffer. But the moment the Eclipse happened, all that complexity stopped being a shield for his character.

The Eclipse wasn't a necessary sacrifice or a logical progression of a dream, it was a choice fueled by pure, selfish ego. He didn't just sacrifice his soldiers, he betrayed the only people who actually loved him because he couldn't handle being ordinary.

The writing is 10/10 because it makes you understand why he’s a monster, not because it makes his monstrosity okay. If you find yourself justifying his actions especially during the Eclipse, you’re not appreciating a complex villain, you’re just falling for the same charismatic trap that his soldiers did. A villain can be a masterpiece of writing and still be an irredeemable piece of trash.