Ashita no Joe (written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Tatsuya Chiba) will be the inspiration behind new original anime Megalo Box. The anime is scheduled to air in Spring 2018.

The anime will be produced as a part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Ashita no Joe. The manga Ashita no Joe focuses on young boxer Joe Yabuki and was serialized in 1968 – 1973 in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine. Megalo Box, on the other hand, tells the story of boxer J.D., who fights in the dark underground ring.

The main staff for the series has already been revealed. You Moriyama is directing the series and is in charge of the concept design. The series composition and script will be handled by Katsuhiko Manabe and Kensaku Kojima. TMS Entertainment will produce the series and mabanua is in charge of music.

Furthermore, original illustrator Tatsuya Chiba, director You Moriyama, and Kajiwara’s eldest son, Jou Takamori, have left comments.

Comment from Tetsuya Chiba

Next year, Ashita no Joe celebrates the 50th anniversary since the start of the series. The young and healthy Kajiwara and I were seriously fighting for Joe and Rikiishi every time and we were able to put our all into it. We’d pursue something everyday as if there would be nothing left but pure white ashes. If there is human drama that continues to be vivid even with the changes in times, it might also be able to evoke empathy.

I heard that a variety of projects are being prepared on the occasion of the 50th anniversary. I am very proud to be a part of a series that has been loved for such a long time and at the same time I am very thankful to the fans who keep loving Joe, even after such a long time.

The new anime Megalo Box is being produced by such people, who love Ashita no Joe. I am looking forward to this work, that will fit the current generation. It will be a completely new thing but will also has a core of ubiquity.

Comment from Jou Takamori

It has been 50 years since Jo Yabuki was literally born through the hands of Chiba-sensei and my father, Fujiwara, and he met Danpei Tange at Doya Town. I want to sincerely thank all those who have kept loving the series for so long. The times might have changed, as the series is already half a century old, but Joe and the others will keep those times in the minds of people. I am looking forward to see how the spirit of Ashita no Joe will shape Megalo Box and how they will arrange it.

Comment from director Moriyama

I was always longing for the hero of my favorite story. I want to understand their world, which I will never be able to visit or cross, and their thoughts. It would be great if this work could not only make you feel empathy but rather grip your heart.
Joe Yabuki was this kind of character. I hope the main character of Megalo Box will embody this as well. Selfish people fight for themselves, struggle and live together. These people come together for the best team in this story. “What am I doing right now?” Those who think like that will for sure be touched by this work.

TV Anime Megalo Box

Staff

Original Work: Ikki Kajiwara (Story) Tatsuya Chiba (Illustration)
Director, concept design: You Moriyama
Series composition, script: Katsuhiko Manab, Kensaku Kojima
Music: mabanua
Animation Production: TMS Entertainment
Production: Megalo Box Project

(c)高森朝雄・ちばてつや／講談社／メガロボクスプロジェクト

source: http://natalie.mu/comic/news/252473
translator: nifa