The anime season that began in April is winding down, meaning that those who prefer to wait and ingest their anime in one flat-out, high-speed burn are starting to look around for series to binge.
This season saw several classic franchises get a high-tech makeover, including the boxing classic "Ashita no Joe" ("Tomorrow's Joe"). The Asao Takamori manga (1968-73), later adapted into anime form by master director Osamu Dezaki, is back with a futuristic twist in "Megalobox."
"Ashita no Joe" took place in Showa Era Japan; "Megalobox" transports the action to the near future, in which boxers strap cybernetic gear to their backs and arms to enhance the strength of their punches. That is, boxers who can afford it. In this mega-stratified dystopia, those on the down-and-out fight in unlicensed, fixed matches on the edge of town. That includes our hero, a fighter without a name who decides to forge a new identity and go legit. You can probably guess what moniker he chooses.