あしたのジョー [Ashita no Joe]

A landmark series from the early 1970s, Ashita no Joe is a gritty, emotionally devastating boxing manga serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine. Created by writer Ikki Kajiwara and artist Tetsuya Chiba, the story follows the fierce, orphaned street fighter Joe Yabuki as he is forged into a professional boxer by his alcoholic trainer, Danpei Tange. Renowned for its raw realism and the tragic arc of Joe's rival, the champion Rikishi Tōru, the series redefined sports manga by focusing on the psychological toll and physical cost of ambition. Its 20-volume run remains a touchstone of the genre, influencing countless creators and cementing its status as a classic of Japanese pop culture.