Despite the show being made in 1970, the video quality is very excellent. However, I have seen people close minded about concluding that an anime has "poor quality in animation and design" just because they can't see the fact that it was made in the 1970s (ie, Gundam and Lupin). However, the ending credits and the episode preview sometimes looks very dated. Then again, I don't really find that significant because the episode previews usually have spoilers so I won't count them. But what really counts is that the video quality of the DVD itself is just top notch and makes you enjoy as if you were watching it for the first time.....in the spring of 1970.

The audio is still in pretty good quality. I would have expected it to be re-recorded like the Gundam trilogy but it's still very audible. The music is very cheesy but it perfectly sets the mood. However, Sachi's voice is just very scratchy (I'm assuming she's to sound like that purposely) and loud. Tange's screams of "JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOE" never gets too old itself since it's his trademark line. Along with "TATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! TATSU N DA, JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOE!!!

The audio is still in pretty good quality. I would have expected it to be re-recorded like the Gundam trilogy but it's still very audible. The music is very cheesy but it perfectly sets the mood. However, Sachi's voice is just very scratchy (I'm assuming she's to sound like that purposely) and loud. Tange's screams of "JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOE" never gets too old itself since it's his trademark line. Along with "TATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! TATSU N DA, JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOE!!!

In comparison to Hajime no Ippo, I think HnI fans will probably appreciate the most in a way. The fighting in Ashita no Joe is no where near the same level of Hajime no Ippo (and I don't blame it on the fact it was made in the 1970s). The boxing kind of lacks the color commentary which makes the fight makes you feel like you're watching a real boxing match. Plus, not all the fights are necessarily built up in the same way Hajime no Ippo does (with the excemption of Wolf, Rikiishi, Carlos, and Jose). However, it's best to say that try to not watch this as a boxing anime, but more of a drama and you'll be able to understand Ashita no Joe for what it truly is. The fights do get bloody and intense and the fights are really good but don't try to expect any Hajime no Ippo quality fights in this one.

The video was great. This is quite an old show but the picture was clear- possibly an R3 rip.

Like I said, this is an OLD show (late sixties/early seventies I think) but the sound is as good as it could probably be. No audible defects- nice and clear.

Like I said, this is an OLD show (late sixties/early seventies I think) but the sound is as good as it could probably be. No audible defects- nice and clear.

Ashita no Joe is an important tv series and had a huge impact on animation and manga in Japan. In fact, when one of the main characters Rakishi died, there was a massive funeral throughout Japan to honor him. The show definitely deserves a better translation to be appreciated fully but since this show is not available by any other means I recommend watching this set. The video and audio are perfect and the crappy grammar is enough to know whats going. This show (and manga) was way ahead of its time. It introduces intelligent and artistic elements of boxing and street fighting that would be later explored in films like "Tokyo Fist", "Fight Club", and even "Raging Bull" and has very unique (and quite bloody) action sequences that really make you feel the pain the characters experience (physically and mentally). Definitely one of my favorite anime tv series along with Mobile Suit Gundam 0079, SDF Macross, and Space Battleship Yamato.

Vidio was good for an older show

Audio was good

Audio was good

The story takes you 25% into the first of two seasons. The story begins with Joe Yabuki encountering an old retired boxer, Danpei Tange. Joe does not want to be a boxer, but because of the insistence of Tange and the appearance of his rival Toru Rikiishi, he begins to enjoy boxing. This is a darker anime...but is extremely well done.