Ashita no Joe

Both classic sports animes about the same sport, yet different storywise. 

Both our main leads are quite similar in their personality, both being an underdog and a hothead, although Yabuki Joe is more spunky and wild. Focusing on the drama built around the characters, showcasing epic boxing matches and on top of all being thrilling, Ashita no Joe and Megalo Box make you invested in their charismatic cast quite quickly. 

Same historical background and similar characters.  

The anime that I consider closest to Ping Pong is definitely Ashita no Joe, same goes the other way around where I consider Ping Pong the modern equivalent to Ashita no Joe. While the themes of Ping Pong are Dreams and Talent, the themes of Tomorrows Joe (As you can partly guess from the english title) are Dreams and Passion. The two are also very similar stylistically both in visual direction (Namely Ashita no Joe 2's visual direction being similar to Ping Pong) and in that they're both not about the sport they cover but rather they are about the character's lives and how the sport transforms them. Another thing that connects them is that they're very harsh in how they treat their characters, simply not everyone can achieve their dreams, and some dreams have to be crushed for anothers to succeed. Ashita no Joe and Ping Pong both make their characters come to grips with the reality of that fact. If you like one you're nearly guaranteed to like the other so long as you give them a chance despite what make them unappealing at first glance (In Ping Pong's case it's the art style, and in Joe's case it's the episode length and age) I even can stand testament to this since both of these are in my top 3 anime of all time. read more 

Hard-hitting and realistic sports anime with stories that make full use of ordinary life. Ashita no Joe is about boxing while Cross Game is about baseball, but they're much more similar than it may seem.  

Megalobox's direct inspiration 

Eriko Tamura and Joe Kabuki come from opposite corners of the ring/stage if you consider their family background, personality, gender and social status at the beginning of the series, but the stories told in the TV series have some similarities I think. First of all, both protagonists start not all that enthusiastic into their new career, and are rather being pushed than the driving force. Then, they find a liking to what they are doing, which is one motive of pursuing the career in their respective field. A further source of motivation is the competition against their opponents. Both have one major rival (Rei Asagiri for Eriko and Tooru Riikishi for Joe), whom they greatly admire. However, Tooru and Rei meet Joe and Eriko with contempt at first, and criticize them both in their craft and and as a person. Both the protagonists and their main opponents prefer an open confrontation, and do not approve of underhanded tactics. During their rivalry, the victory itself is not Eriko’s and Joe’s only goal, but also the opponent’s recognition and friendship. (Eriko is much more outspoken about that than Joe, who puts it very late into words what Tooru meant to him…) The words and acts of Rei and Tooru greatly influence the protagonists, and help them shape their character and profession. Another aspect that these series have in common is the very diverse cast of characters, with side characters from various backgrounds and age classes. Several of these characters are explored in side stories, in which they interact with the protagonists. In these side stories, also the daily lives, lesser difficulties, relations and minor enemies (which are not always as fair as Tooru or Rei) of Joe and Eriko are explored. These side stories and side characters take quite some of the episode count in both series, but I think they are what make both scenarios feel so much alive. If you like to watch protagonists day to day live and development in a competitive environment, including a major rival, both titles may be for you.  read more 

Both these titles were made at the end of the 60ties/begininng of the 70ties. They show the protagonist's career from humble beginnings to the world top of their respective disciplines in a continuous storyline. Apart from sports, the story contains dramatic elements, is sometimes sidetracked and there is some romance. But the non sports elements greatly enrich the story and add to the character development of the protagonists. Actually, in the field of characterization and character development, I regard Ashita no Joe as my personal reference, to which I compare other titles. Attack No 1 may not be as good in that regard (I know of no other title that is), but it is still pretty good. So if you are interested in an epic story about the development of a character in sports and as person, these titles may be of interest. read more 

past trauma influencing the protagonists`s performance and the protagonists trying to get over it by trying new things - this is what ties both the anime "Ashita no Joe" and "Major" together. So if u enjoyed ANJ and looking forward to a similar anime, watch major and also vice-versa. 

Tiger Mask and Ashita no Joe are series that were created end of the 60ties/beginning of the 70ties (of the 20th century). Both are about an orphan who grew up in poor circumstances and makes his way to the top. Ashita no Joe focuses more on the characterisation and development of the main character and his adversaries. Tiger Mask focuses more on „enemy of the week“ fights. So if you are interested in a fighter career of an underclass hero in an episodic (Tiger Mask) or epic (Ashita no Joe) manner, then you might enjoy these titles. 

It is obvious that the author of F was inspired by the ANJ. Both have a cocky protagonist The main rivals are also similar 

Both shows must be very "old" for many anime fans today. They have completely different settings and genres but both take their time to explore the characters and the world around them and have actual progression (Ginga Tetsudo 999 is more episodic, though). Both shows are very tragic and elegic and are centered around an orphan kid who has to fight his way through life. Both mc's get to know a mysterious (fleshed-out) woman who tends to be some kind of mother figure. Ashita no Joe is a bit more hardcore and clearly aimed at adults while Ginga Tetsudo 999 could be enjoyed by children as well. read more 

May seem like a weird pair of anime to compare to each other, but there's more in common here than you might expect, besides the obvious "Oh hey, Dezaki is at it again with his god-tier anime" While slightly more lighthearted than Ashita no Joe, Takarajima has that same indescribable vibe that AnJ pulled off so well, quaint living, same ability to swing from dramatic and tense to slow and cozy. Both are pretty damn good for 70's anime, and both are able to pull in an audience that otherwise wouldn't bat an eye at sports and piratey anime. The series are both focused more on the characters than the actual "objective" of each anime. Characters feel realistic and consistent, Jim being a 13 year old, acts irrationally and without sense of self preservation, and Joe being a street urchin living with nothing his whole life, is a delinquent who has a really messed up moral compass, both improve and develop rapidly throughout the series. Ashita no Joe tries to feel as realistic and visceral as possible, whereas Takarajima is okay with bending reality a tiny bit, though neither of them hesitate to put you through some emotional hardship, with how they make you love the characters, then put them through absolute hell. I've cried watching both, which ain't easy to do to me, so I feel that's also worth mentioning. Without delving into sequels (Or speaking in enough detail to spoil anything), I liked the endings for both, it made me feel like I had watched a once in a lifetime type of anime. Both are absolute masterpieces, and with both of them having really good quality fansubs (And proper HD remasters), you shouldn't sleep on either of them. read more 

I know it's weird recommendation. But both have similar protagonist. Both Godai & Joe Yabuki grows mature in series as time progresses. Aside from their genres. I find then quite similar in terms of character development in both Protagonist. If you like Ashita no Joe, you should give Maison Ikkoku a chance. 

Both shows are very character driven stories, both main characters in the beginning hate/don't care for the sport they're forced to participate in, both main characters slowly age and grow as people as the show continues, both main characters have an experienced mentor guiding them throughout the entire show, and both shows are dramas at heart. The sport is prominent, yes, but at it's core, both shows are dramas. Ashita no Joe is more dark than Hikaru no Go, however. 

The protagonist from these titles makes his way from the bottom to the top in his profession. The daily life aspect plays an important role. Often, the protagonist gets sidetracked or does odd jobs to stay afloat. On his way, the protagonists meets people from various backgrounds. Especially in Ashita no Joe, I sometimes had the feeling that these people do not fit the stereotypes I usually see on the screen, but reminded me more of people in real life. Whenever I see a character centric real life-ish career story like in Beck, I get reminded of Ashita no Joe. (I like Ashita no Joe much more though.) read more 

You are fan of Kamina? Gurren Lagann? then you should check Ashita No Joe cos Joe Yabuki Inspired Kamina character a lot (even the hairstyle) and I won't spoil more about anj and gurren lagann why they are Similar. one is about boxing and other mecha, but if u watch both you will learn why they are so Similar. 

Both series are underrated boxing legends. Ashita No Joe revolves around an orphan wanderer named Joe whose sent to juvy & learns to box for the sake of defeating his rival Toru Rikiishi. Ganbare Genki is about a father & his son Genki who wish to become world champions. The story for Genki is just as tragic as Ashita No Joe as Genki trains since the age of 5 to fulfill his father's wish of becoming a champion. Not many episodes are available for Genki but the manga will have to do until this series gets properly subtitled. 

Kanta aka the Desert Punk and Yabuki Joe (especially in the beginning) have a lot of similarities. They are both selfish/self-absorbed. They both live in poor conditions but still manage to get by quite well. And they both have a young kid/s depending on them. And finally they are both naturally talented and skilled and fighting/tactics in the respective fields. If you enjoyed one series because of the main character then I'd say you'd probably like the other. However their character development towards the end goes in opposite directions.  

Both are sports anime hits made in the 1970s and also share some staff. 

The softhearted Sora Naegino couldn't be anymore different than Joe Yabuki and his crazy antics, but Kaleido Star and Ashita no Joe share plenty of common narrative elements. Both series tell an underdog story of a young athlete who aims to achieve their dreams through hard work, determination, and a lot of pain. In their journey to reach the top, Sora and Joe meet new friends who aid them with their struggles—and also enemies who want nothing more than to crush their aspirations. To triumph over their ordeals, both athletes must learn to bend the laws of realism by learning techniques that are otherwise almost impossible to achieve by the ordinary person. read more 

For anyone that is already familiar with Joe, Wandering Sun feels like a transposition of it in the world of music instead of boxing. A young girl from the slums is trying to overcome her miserable destiny by making it to the top against all odds. Although Nozomi doesn't share his rebel side and hate for society but is instead more of a Mary Sue. A lot of the cast is really similar to the one from Joe. She has friends from the slums as well as kids from her class always ready to help her, a boxer boyfriend that has an uncanny ressemblance to Joe, an old black pianist that was once on top of his profession but gave it all up after a big accident,etc... The conflicts in Wandering Sun are way more shoujo-esque at heart and almost reminiscent of some works by Riyoko Ikeda. Nozomi also has the exact same outfit as Joe, which seems to confirms its kind of hommage to it.  read more 

Both series are brimming with manliness and oozing testosterone and both at their core are tragic series dealing with very similar concepts of life and death. 

Both are classic series from the 70's. Each have a great story and characters. 

Kurumada Masami, the original manga-ka of Ring ni Kakero made the manga back in 1978 as his own tribute to Ashita no Joe, except he added his own ingredients which would put Shounen Jump on the map. They both cover issues about hard ships of living on the road, and working hard to achieve your dreams.  

Both are fighting sports anime about a fighter growing up. 

Both are about boxing, both Eiji and Joe, are not interested in boxing at the beginning and the old man convincing them to try it, cos both have really good talent for it. Ashita no Joe is a dark, realistic show about boxing. eiji has a really good atmosphere, aesthetic vibe, promising plot but sadly, I can't say much more about eiji, because there is only one movie, but as a Joe fan, I can say that this had a potential and I enjoyed this movie and wish there was more to watch.