About Megalobox

Megalobox is an anime television series that premiered in 2018. Set in the futuristic city of Mankind, the story revolves around a young man named Joe aka 'Junk Dog.' He makes his living by participating in underground boxing matches, controlled by the mafia. The plot thickens when Joe gets a chance to participate in the famed boxing tournament, Megalonia, after crossing paths with Yukiko Shirato, a business tycoon and boxing fanatic. The series showcases Joe’s gritty journey towards proving his worth in a seemingly dystopian world.

Making / Production

Produced by the TMS Entertainment, Megalobox was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the manga ‘Ashita no Joe.’ Directed by You Moriyama, the series became well-known for its unique art style that emulates older anime. Despite the show’s futuristic setting, the creators used a deliberately low-definition aesthetic, which gave Megalobox its distinctive look.

Actors

• Yoshimasa Hosoya as Junk Dog / Joe: Hosoya portrayed Joe’s struggle and fierce ambition with brilliant voice acting, making the character memorable.
• Shiro Saito as Gansaku Nanbu: A seasoned actor, Saito voiced Joe’s mentor and manager, adding depth to the character with his nuanced performance.
• Nanako Mori as Yukiko Shirato: Mori’s mesmerizing voice acting truly shone in her portrayal of the powerful and ambitious businesswoman.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The title “Megalobox” is a portmanteau of the terms “megalopolis” and “boxing,” reflecting the series' setting and theme.
• Megalobox is considered a spiritual successor to the famous manga series “Ashita no Joe,” released in 1968.
• The show was produced in a 480p resolution to emulate the look and feel of older anime series despite being made in the modern era.

Awards

Megalobox was critically acclaimed and won a few awards including the Newtype Anime Awards for Best TV Anime in 2018.

Quotes

• "Does tomorrow belong to the daring or the careful? The boxer’s struggle is over…" - Gansaku Nanbu
• "The only way to change is to fight. If you have a dream, then stand up. If you have a goal, then fight." - Joe

• The dramatic original soundtrack of Megalobox was composed by mabanua, which perfectly complements the gritty nature of the show.
• The series features two opening themes - "Bite" by LEO Imai and "The Beast" by JNRN feat. K Dub Shine, both of which added an atmospheric sound to the show.
• The ending theme "Kakatte Koi yo" by NakamuraEmi packs a powerful punch, mirroring the spirit of the series.