Joe del Mañana (Ashita no Joe) #4

Ashita no Joe, published in English as Joe del Mañana, is a foundational work of Japanese sports manga created by writer Asao Takamori and illustrator Tetsuya Chiba. The series debuted in Weekly Shonen Magazine in 1968, emerging during a period of significant social change in Japan. The narrative follows Joe Yabuki, a troubled orphan who discovers boxing as an outlet for his restless spirit, serving as an iconic reflection of the struggles and aspirations of the post-war Japanese youth generation.

The character design and dynamic fight choreography were crafted by Tetsuya Chiba, whose expressive and gritty artistic style was instrumental in defining the genre. Issue number 4 belongs to the early chapters of this serialized run, capturing the initial development of the protagonist's relationship with his coach, Danpei Tange. The work was received with immense critical acclaim, becoming a cultural touchstone that influenced generations of artists and popularized boxing in Japanese media.