The Best Episodes Directed By Osamu Dezaki

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #1 - The Live in the Square Jungle

   S1:E24/8/1970

   Danpei is severely hurt after trying to protect Joe from the yakuza. Joe goes to visit the head of the yakuza group to try to get reparations for Danpei.

   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A
2. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #2 - Face the Fangs of the Beast

   S1:E34/15/1970

   Danpei works hard day and night to save up for Joe and his boxing gym. Meanwhile, Joe uses the slum kids to con some money out of people and he runs into a woman named Yoko Shiraki.

   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Osamu Dezaki

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3. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #3 - Shed Tears for the Burning Fist!

   S1:E44/22/1970

   Joe holes up in an abandoned building after he gets caught lying to con people out of money.

   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Osamu Dezaki

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4. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #4 - For the Sake of Tomorrow! Part 1

   S1:E54/29/1970

   Tange sends Joe a letter to teach him boxing while he's at the police hospital waiting for his fate.

   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Osamu Dezaki

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5. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #5 - And Then, He Returned...

   S2:E110/13/1980

   After inadvertently killing Toru Rikiishi in the ring, Joe Yabuki finds himself aimlessly wandering the city at night, when he comes across a fight between Wolf Kanagushi, his former opponent who has become a Yakuza muscleman and Goromaki Gondo, a henchman from an opposing Yakuza group.

   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Osamu Dezaki

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6. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #6 - One Man, One Flower... Venture into the Ring

   S2:E210/20/1980

   After a long absence, Joe returns to Tange Gym where he is welcomed with open arms. He pays his respect at Rikiishi's grave and swears to return to the ring. Even after being away for several months, Joe proves his punches are still as powerful as ever in his spar against Nishi. The bell to Joe's first comeback match echoes through the hall.

   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Osamu Dezaki

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7. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #7 - Messenger From Hell... Joe Yabuki

   S2:E310/27/1980

   Joe proves his comeback K.O. victory is no fluke. With his powerful punches, Joe sends his opponents to the hospital one after another. The rival boxing club owners see Joe as a serious threat and band together to get rid of him.

   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Osamu Dezaki

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8. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #8 - Back Then, The Ten-Point Bell Ringed

   S2:E411/3/1980

   Joe, a fledgling boxer, is unfairly matched up against Tiger Ozaki, the National Bantamweight Champion. Despite the odds, Joe sees it as an opportunity to instantly climb to the top and is confident he can defeat Tiger Ozaki. However, right before the bout, a member of Tiger Ozaki's team reveals they have discovered Joe's weakness.

   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Osamu Dezaki

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9. 

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #9 - The Phantom... Strike the Temple!

   S2:E511/10/1980

   After a humiliating defeat against Tiger Ozaki, Joe agrees to another bout despite Danpei's protests. Under Tiger Ozaki's guidance, Ryu Harajima, Joe's opponent takes advantage of Joe's weakness in the ring. To prove them wrong, Joe unleashes a punch to Harajima's temple, the same punch that killed Toru Rikiishi. However, an unexpected physical reaction suddenly overwhelms Joe.

   Director:Osamu Dezaki

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Osamu Dezaki

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10. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Howl... Dogs Will Bite

    S2:E611/17/1980

    Despite learning his inability to strike his opponent in the temple is psychological, Joe is undeterred and trains for his upcoming fight against Koji Nango. Joe climbs into the ring while Carlos Rivera, the world's No. 6 bantamweight boxer from Venezuela, watches from the ringside.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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11. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Wandering... Like a Wild Beast

    S2:E711/24/1980

    Without a club willing to organize a bout against him, Joe's career seems over for certain. Even Danpei says, "Joe Yabuki, the boxer is dead" and urges him to retire. Unable to accept his career may be over, Joe is at a loss. Then, he receives an invitation from Yoko to see Carlos Rivera's fight. What kind of man and boxer is Carlos Rivera?

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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12. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - That Guy... Burning Man Carlos

    S2:E812/1/1980

    Danpei closes the gym and disappears to make Joe realize that his career is over. However, Joe refuses to give up boxing and continues to train. He catches Carlos Rivera's second match on TV and realizes what he saw during Carlos' first match was no trick of the eye. He visits the Shiraki Gym where Carlos is training and offers to be his sparring partner.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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13. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - And then... The Beast Revived

    S2:E912/8/1980

    Joe is slowly released from the ghost of Toru Rikiishi during his heated spar against Carlos. After realizing Joe can punch his opponent's temple again, Danpei reopens the gym and the two go see Carlos's bout. Before his bout against Tiger Ozaki, Carlos searches Joe out of the crowd and predicts a one round K.O. victory.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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14. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - The Christmas Eve Gift

    S2:E1012/15/1980

    It's Christmas and the mood is merry in the slums. Snow begins to fall, as Carlos and Joe's fire burn quietly inside of them. In the snow-covered park, Joe challenges Carlos to a fight to settle who is best. However, Carlos has another plan.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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15. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Beginning of the Struggle... Carlos VS Joe

    S2:E1112/22/1980

    As the New Year's Eve bell counts down the passing year, Joe and Carlos' bout kick off with the sound of the boxing bell. Joe and Carlos put on a heated and breathtaking fight. However, Joe is unable to land his forte, the cross-counter. With no other option, Joe makes a daring attack by the ropes, but will it be enough to defeat Carlos?

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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16. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Night of the Snow Storm... The Endless Fight

    S2:E1212/29/1980

    Joe loses consciousness after being hit with Carlos' powerful uppercut. However, he refuses to go down without spending every last ounce of his strength. Carlos' "invincible punch" mercilessly rains down on Joe. Their fierce fight continues, as both boxers fight with all their might. Who will be victorious?

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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17. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - The Tange Gym... Is Indestructable

    S2:E131/5/1981

    With Joe's bout against Carlos now over, Joe, Danpei and the people from the neighborhood are busy organizing Nishi's retirement party. However, unbeknownst to everyone, Nishi was struggling to accept that he could no longer physically box. At his retirement party, Nishi asks Joe to spar with him one last time.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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18. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Where is... Joe's Youth?

    S2:E141/12/1981

    Joe visits the Shiraki Gym to pick up his prize money. There, he learns the World Champion had defeated Carlos. Joe also learns Carlos had become incapacitated as a boxer and that he was to blame. Seeing the pain in Joe's eyes, Noriko suggests he quit boxing.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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19. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - For Whose sake...? Deadly Rush

    S2:E151/19/1981

    Without a boxing club willing to organize a bout against Joe, Danpei visits Yoko for help. However, instead of organizing a bout against a Japanese boxer, she chooses Usman Somkit, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation's No. 5 boxer from Thailand as his opponent. With Carlos still on his mind, Joe climbs into the ring...

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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20. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - Distant Aim... Road to the World

    S2:E161/26/1981

    With a lightening fast victory against Usman Somkit, all eyes are back on Joe. Meanwhile, Joe finally gets the opportunity to watch the gut-wrenching bout between Carlos and Jose Mendoza, the World Bantamweight Champion. Joe vows to avenge Carlos, but before he can challenge Jose he must defeat Tarny Aronzo, the OPBF's No. 3 boxer from the Philippines and climb the ranks.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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21. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - A Figure Seen... A Great Target

    S2:E172/2/1981

    Joe steps onto the gym scale and makes an unwelcome discovery. Meanwhile, Kanto TV has announced their exclusive broadcasting rights to all of Joe's bouts in Japan. At the announcement party, Joe notices an unlikely man standing amongst the crowd. Who is the uninvited guest and what is his objective?

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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22. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Those Knuckles... The Mark's Message

    S2:E182/9/1981

    Joe is eager to take on Yongbi Kim, the OPBF Bantamweight Champion, but according to Danpei, Kim is avoiding Joe because he's afraid of him. When in fact, Kim is eager to take on Joe, as well. Danpei has his reasons to want to avoid a bout between the two and is willing to cast a web of lies in order to keep Joe from finding out.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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23. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Fighting Machine... Dragon Kim

    S2:E192/16/1981

    With Joe and Kim's Championship match now confirmed, Yoko sends Suga to South Korea to find out Kim's mysterious past, while Kim's manager secretly gathers information about Joe. Joe and Danpei watch Kim's exhibition match against a boxer, who is two weight classes above him. As the fight unfolds, a cold chill runs down Joe and Danpei's spine.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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24. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - My Bantamweight... Weight Loss Challenge

    S2:E202/23/1981

    Despite the match being three weeks away, Joe is struggling to lose weight. Desperate to lose weight, he turns the gym into a dangerously hot sauna. After almost passing out, Danpei urges Joe to stop his dangerous weight loss attempts. Determined to stay in the bantamweight class and without Danpei willing to support him, Joe holes himself up in the attic room and refuses to eat...

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

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25. 

    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - Rikiishi... I Hear the Song

    S2:E213/2/1981

    With Danpei vehemently against Joe's dangerous weight loss, Joe leaves the Tange Gym. He visits the Shiraki Gym and locks himself up in the very same room where Toru Rikiishi once starved himself, so he could fight Joe. Joe's thirst and hunger reaches its peak and he goes into a wild rage as though he were mad. Unable to watch any longer, Danpei relents and offers to help Joe.

    Director:Osamu Dezaki

    Writer:N/A

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