Joe is still grappling with the psychological trauma of accidentally killing his rival, Toru Rikiishi, in the previous season. While he is regaining his physical form, his "body blow" tactic is criticized by Danpei as a way to avoid head-on face punches, hinting at lingering mental blocks.
Ashita no Joe Season 2, Episode 3—titled —marks a pivotal turning point in Joe’s return to professional boxing. After his initial comeback victory, this episode explores the growing fear surrounding his destructive power and the brewing conspiracies to stop his rise. Episode Summary
The episode highlights the friction between Joe’s raw, slum-born talent and the organized, often "evil" scheming of the official boxing federations. Production Details Director: Osamu Dezaki. Original Air Date: October 27, 1980.
Early in this season, Joe's character is portrayed as morally ambiguous. Some viewers note his willingness to manipulate and even run "scams" to survive or make money, often testing the limits of Danpei's trust.
The episode sets the stage for the introduction of higher-level opponents, such as , who will eventually expose Joe's deep-seated psychological weakness in the ring.
