Megalo Box- The Thirst for Victory

The season’s “sleeper hit” comes to a close in a way that most didn’t expect.

Megalo Box opened up with an incredible two-episode start that captivated many people’s attention back in the start of the season and that certainly included the likes of me who showed up nearly two weeks late to the series’ start. As a project meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of legendary sports manga, Ashita no Joe, Megalo Box conveys a retelling of the series with its own spin on things. As exciting as its start was, the question remains on how it continued on to its finale. Since I have yet to actually finish Ashita no Joe, but by presence in the anime/manga community alone, I am aware of some things regarding its plot, I will avoid trying to compare it too much and talk about Megalo Box on its own.

Megalo Box- Episode 12: Leveling the Playing Field

Yuri makes a request to change the finale.

The last calm before the inevitable storm of a finale that will most likely end up going the same way Ashita no Joe does. A pretty heartfelt episode that brings together some of the characters before the final fight goes underway. Hopefully they saved all they could to make the finale as amazing as they could possibly have it.

Megalo Box- Episode 11: The Price of a Dream

Sometimes a lie that goes on long enough eventually becomes true.

In the best case scenario, Nanbu finally sees clearly on what’s truly important. I wasn’t too keen on Sacchio’s scene this episode, and admittedly I wasn’t ever big on his character, but it was still a poignant decision that made Nanbu relinquish what Fujimaki hanged over him from the start of the series. All that remains is the final bout.

Megalo Box- Episode 10: The Nature of Scorpions

Pepe and Glenn surprised me with their voices during the press conference and I guess I didn’t fully believe Fujimaki would let things slide without having something to massively gain. The set up for what will truly happen ends up like the beginning of the series where Joe is asked who to bet for and against while Nanbu clearly has something scheming.

Megalo Box- Episode 9: Man or Machine

The deciding battle begins.

The true skill of Mikio’s ability in both engineering and boxing come face to face with what Yuri seems to acknowledge as the “real deal” when it comes to Joe’s only reliance on his guts and skill. Only one spot remains in the Final Four and there seems to be something else a foot in what we previously thought as a conditional ally.

Megalo Box- Episode 7: The Last Ticket

The long climb has the summit in view.

Joe seemingly has one more opponent to conquer before he is able to obtain the favor of the Megalonia board to have him be the last entrant in the 4-man competition and enter as the supreme underdog. The last fighter in Joe’s way however has more than just an advanced gear to fight with however.

Megalo Box- Episode 3: The Base of the Mountain

Things slow down after the roller-coaster ride of a set-up episodes 1 and 2 where Joe and Nanbu get themselves ready for the fights ahead and set up all the necessary components of Nanbu’s “plan” to get Joe situated at the very top to face Yuri at Megalonia and save their necks.

But first, they need one more helping hand.