Megalo Box (2018–2021) User Reviews

A Modern Masterpiece

[benjaminburt · 9/10 · 17 June 2018]

I went through a good period where I was pretty into anime, but eventually, I just got bored with the medium. Check out what's airing the same season as Megalo Box: a handful of continuing shows, a bunch of sequel series, and all of it is very "anime" - I'm talking art style, writing, most slot very nicely in with their contemporaries. Don't get me wrong, anime is not inherently bad, there's just a ton of it, and the shows start to blend together. In this horde of anime, Megalo Box stands out as a unique, raw, and awesome sports anime.

The show is propped up considerably by its distinctive art style. Beautiful backgrounds and unique character designs are the hallmark of this show. It doesn't look like its peers. If it looks like anything, it's 90s anime like Cowboy Bebop or Trigun. And I say the show looks better for it. Honestly, the art direction on the show is stunning, and is probably the top draw for the show.

As for plot, it's a pretty standard underdog story framed in a tournament arc. This approach is simple, yet effective. The show does a great job in characterizing its characters, specifically Joe, Nanbu, and Sachio, in a myriad of little ways. The characters are brought to life by excellent voice acting. The drama of the show comes from the high stakes of each match and our desire to see (the average) Joe overcome. The show has a great sense of narrative stakes and ramps up the tension in each episode, even when there's no boxing in the episode.

Beyond narrative stakes, tension and other emotions are promulgated by the intensely vivacious and superb soundtrack. The music in this show is so excellent, and well-integrated in the story.

If I had to offer some complaints, tons of anime offer these cheap shortcuts of not showing speaker's faces so they don't have to animate the lips or jaws. Many frames have little-to-no movement in them. This is distracting to me because I look out for stuff like this, it's probably not something that too many people actually care about. Besides that, the actual boxing matches could do with some better boxing choreography. Odd angles and strange pacing in the fights hampers the show. Hajime no Ippo and Rocky Balboa are both better examples of how to frame and direct the sport of boxing.

These complaints are relatively minor, and the show itself is fantastic. Honestly, it just feels refreshing to have an anime that a (mostly) original property that tells an inspired story in an inspired way with an inspired art style. The show smacks of passion, originality, and creativity, all things that I value in art. This is one of the best shows I've seen in recent memory, and I think this one is going to have a long shelf life.

Real Steel Meets Rocky, In The Best Way

[kjproulx · 9/10 · 16 July 2018]

There's only so much you can accomplish when talking a story of a boxer rising to stardom, so when one comes along that impresses most of its viewers, that's nothing to take very lightly. Megalo Box is one of 2018's latest anime to reach completion and it's nothing short of terrific from start to finish. Going into this show, I was worried that it would rip-off classic boxing stories and give them a new spin, and while this show definitely does versions of that, it truly is its own thing and there are quite a few surprises along the way to keep you hooked. Megalo Box is a series that never wastes a moment throughout its 13 episodes and here's why (if you can get into anime in the least) I think it's absolutely worthy of your time.

In a world where underground boxing has boxers wearing gear to enhance their fighting skills, Megalo Box follows a young man with no name but "Junk Dog," as he is used as a tool to throw matches for money. Determined that he has what it takes to take down the champion at this year's "Megalonia," he throws his past in the dust and decides fight fearlessly to the top of the rankings. Along with some surprisingly emotional episodes involving characters from the past, this show takes your heartstrings and tugs on them pretty hard on multiple occasions. While the overall series is slightly predictable in terms of where the story progresses, the point is that it keeps you emotionally invested.

Throughout each episode, whether it's simply a character reflecting on the past or literally fighting in the ring, everyone gets their shot at development here. As I mentioned, there isn't a single wasted moment or filler episode, because at a mere 13 episodes, there are a lot of stories to get through. It's almost as if the core story of fighting to the top takes a backseat and places itself on autopilot, as the writers take you on separate journeys into the past or future. Just when you know you have everything figured out, Megalo Box either gives you a gut-punch of a fight or has you begging for certain character's fates. I was on the edge of my seat through each consecutive episode, with a true standout storyline involving a character who goes by the name Aragaki. To myself, at least, this was a standout moment from the series.

In terms of being satisfying and delivering a final episode that will please all viewers, I believe this show ends on a very, very solid note and leaves you feeling complete, while also possibly wishing for it to continue. When a series can do both of those things at once, then it has done its job perfectly. I do think there are a few episodes that could've devoted themselves to exploring the villain side a little more, but other than that, everything about this show felt earned and worthwhile by the time the credits began to roll on the 13th episode.

In the end, Megalo Box is a generic story of a boxer rising to stardom, but it spins that classic tale on its head by throwing in characters that may have you in tears, boxing matches that could take your breath away, and twists that had my jaw on the floor on one occasion in particular. I don't believe this is a premise that can win any awards, but for being so similar to other things, I truly believe this show deserves all the credit in the world for feeling completely fresh. I loved watching this series and I have no regrets in recommending this one to anime lovers and even casual viewers alike. Megalo Box is fantastic.

One of the best in 2018

[noormehedi · 8/10 · 26 July 2018]

I wanted to give this anime 10/10 but i didn't. Because the story is way too simple. No match to today's boxing but still enjoyable. Art is 7/10. Soundtrack is awesome 10/10. Story is 7/10. But somehow with simple story this series can make you get obsessed with it, just like it did to me. So, it is worth to give this anime a try ;D

"The harder they come, the harder they fall"

[shammyshamnine · 10/10 · 23 September 2018]

I've been watching a lot of anime's at the moment, I usually watch 3-4 episodes of a new anime and if it holds me then that's the one I'll watch. To be honest though home of them usually fade out near the end, but this method usually doesn't disappoint me. Well! Megalo Box hooked me from the first episode with its fresh image and thumping sound track! I just couldn't get enough of it, it really pulls you into the story of Joe an up and coming fighter competing in underground fights. These fights use arm mechanisms to assist the fighters... That's all I'm gonna say to get you started. This is a very emotional anime in a world of tough guys. It's my best anime this year and it's gonna take something unique to knock it of my the spot.

Fantastic

[invisibleunicornninja · 10/10 · 28 September 2018]

This anime is just straight up amazing and I highly regret delaying watching it. Everything from the animation to the story to the characters to the voice acting is absolutely spectacular. A longer review would end up being redundant praise. The music is great, the fight choreography is perfect, its really hard for me to find any flaws in the story or the show itself. I would highly recommend watching.

Binged it all in one day

[ahsanali-13055 · 9/10 · 20 November 2019]

Super hooked the first time I watched it. the whole vibe of this anime is dope - cowboy bebop and oldschool vibes...

Solid boxing show

[tarletons15 · 9/10 · 13 July 2018]

Megalobox official review

Megalobox was a great show about Gearless Joe, a boxer in a tournament against power-suited opponents.

It did a great job of hitting the right gritty tone and I loved the old school look.

Worth a watch, and im hoping for a second season.

8/10

Attractive, entertaining and imperfect.

[dameon_green · 7/10 · 9 September 2020]

With an older school animation style that is reminiscent of some of the classics (Cowboy Bebop, etc.), a simple and clean story and characters just deep enough to enjoy it was worth the binge.

Series length about perfect, episodes were straight forward storytelling without much filler and the final episode was surprisingly fulfilling, especially considering I'm one of those anime fans who always thinks the endings are rushed / needed more wrap up.

All in all it's a nice clean 13 episode arc with a tidy ending leaving one satisfied and feeling "complete".

FYI watch until the final seconds of the credits.

Pros:

• Classic / Old school animation style.
• Good music, with some unique scores for the show.
• Characters that are simple and identifiable with most not feeling like cardboard cutouts.
• Short but satisfying series that is easily binged.
• English dubbing.

Cons:

• Animation quality dips at times, some distracting irregularities.
• Predictable story, but it doesn't pretend to be more than what it is.
• English dubbing misses some of the dialogue (I watch with subtitles on).

Cowboy Bebop + Samurai Champloo = Megalo Box

[MrPupkin · 10/10 · 21 November 2019]

Not only has the series celebrated its name sake, the series has been put together in such a way that fans are noting huge properties like Cowboy Bebop and Trigun as anime in the same vein. With a grungy, nostalgic art style mixed with a hip-hop soundtrack, fans can't believe that a new series would make them think of those famous classics.

1st season binge 2nd season nope

[mikentango · 7/10 · 29 June 2021]

I found the story to be interesting but frankly not very creative. Considering it's going for a classic story plot it does do a good job of keeping your interest, however imo this show gets boring real quick after 2nd season 2nd or 3rd episode. The characters decisions make little to no sense and this is the same frustration that promise never land gave me. Basically they don't build up a character enough for you to believe they can do something they did. And that's basically where Meglabox goes down hill. It never spent the time to build some of the important support characters and frankly the man character isn't even all that interesting and I don't find any narrative tools that work to get you to be sympathetic.

So you end up with a decent story, imo ehh writing and boring fights with questionable character development. I know the anime community is loving it but personally a 10/10 for this anime is really not honest because it's not that good. 10/10 makes meglabox better than some really legendary anime and it's honestly a joke and not serious. It's closer to an 8/10 however I removed a point for the fact that they decided to make the animation blurry for styling but it's just annoying and to noticeable.

Great animation!!!

[gabriellsq · 9/10 · 20 July 2019]

Great design, soundtrack and costume of characters. It takes reference from cyber punk genre and titles like cowboy bebop. One of the best first episodes in Anime. Straight forward plot with a good delivery. Don't expect the best plot of the world, but a very good "rocky"-esque that just works. Definitely worth checking it up.

Accelerated resilience

[Cafelar · 6/10 · 9 April 2020]

Good fights, a history of overcoming and belief that victory does not discriminate against your social status, depends only on your effort and opportunity.

It is worth watching, without much time to develop the characters, simplistic overcoming but a good story.

Looks & Sounds Great but lacking Content

[mayank09876 · 4/10 · 1 December 2018]

I enjoy sports anime so when I saw one on Netflix with just having thirteen episodes, decided to give it a go. The anime is based on boxing with metallic gears, the story of an underdog boxer aiming for the top. Found the plotting and storytelling to be below average and the ending very disappointing. The idea of using gears in boxing sounds and looks cool but not realistic. Also the characters are simple, even by the end I didn't care what happened to them. Also what was with the world making, it only revolved around the boxing ring and we don't get to see anything else of this dystopian style world. The animation itself is really good, it looks great and the music is amazing, but the story is shallow.

A must watch anime, with a bad sequel

[Oneirosophos · 8/10 · 11 January 2022]

Megalo Box is an incredible anime, with amazing realistic art, pumping full on steroids! The first season is phenomenal!

But the second season, although it starts strong, gets tiredsome very quickly, leading me to say "stay at the first season, Nomad was unneeded."

Honestly a very good anime about boxing!!!!!!

[Irishchatter · 8/10 · 31 August 2020]

I have heard of this anime being mentioned by Joey (The Anime Man) many times saying how great this anime is and 110% agree with him on his opinon. The fighting scenes were just beyond incredible. The characters just make the whole viewing experience of the 13 episodes much easier to follow, especially Joe with his laid back but pumped up attitude when it comes to every opponent he fought in the ring.

It's been a very long while since I last heard an English dub and I can honestly tell you, Kaiji Tang among the other English dub actors were pretty soothing to hear haha. It's good seeing and of course knowing, that the voice actors were matched well with their characters. I can definitely say this also for the Japanese voice actors in the sub version of the anime series.

What was a downer though that it did lose a score is that the music was a hit/miss. I personally didn't think that the op and ending songs weren't that pumped up enough for this particular series. Hopefully whenever season 2 comes out this year (or next year if covid did affect its airing), the soundtrack side will be better. Don't get me wrong, the songs were good in a way but just not to my tastebuds.

Literally can't wait for season 2 and what'll bring in Joes boxing journey ^^

Good Enough

[CartoonMan2020 · 10/10 · 18 June 2020]

A good anime with likeable characters, good voice acting, and decent writing. It's a bit derivative; we've seen this main character and his supporting crew a thousand times already. But, it still manages to remain unique thanks to its new take on boxing by adding a technology element that's relatively new. How the writers choose to implement that technology into the story as it unfolds is what truly makes the show surprising and fun to watch.

Would of rated higher if it wasn't for the 2nd season!

[Crankitup_86 · 7/10 · 12 September 2023]

**Before reading please bare in mind these are just my own views/opinions** I absolutely loved the 1st season! ..the story, the fight scenes I couldn't really fault it at all - then came along the second season. When I first had seen that they had made a second season I was overjoyed! Until I watched it.. i was expecting something similar to what they did with the first season maybe build up another fearsome near indestructible opponent for gearless joe to overcome but unfortunately that never happened. The second season was basically about joe coming to grips with the passing of his mentor and trainer "Gansaku Nanbu" why did they have to kill off his character in the fist place is beyond me? But what do I know!? Oh well just thought I'd add my 2 cents.

Must watch for BOXing fans!

[pruebark · 8/10 · 12 June 2019]

About a year ago was broadcast Megalo Box, a tribute that even visually seeks to honor Ashita no Joe and remember that the legend of the seventies is still alive. Reinventing what once made her great, Megalo Box puts us in the shoes of Junk Dog -also known as Gearless Joe-, an unnamed boxer who makes a living selling fights and swindling those who bet on their fights in the company of Gansaku Nanbu, his "trainer".

Megalo Box Anime

The narration begins in medias res, the setting is a cyberpunk Japan, and boxing is no longer boxing but megaloboxing, a sport in which, among other changes such as not dividing by weight categories, boxers are supported by a kind of armor called Gear. But the idea remains the same as in the work on which it is based, and such a reinvention only accentuates the contrast between those who belong to a good social class and can invest in cutting-edge technology, and those who, like Gearless Joe, can only aspire to believe in their own talent.

This is the reason why, like Yabuki Joe at the time, it would surprise a first-class coach who would see in his fists a dazzling tomorrow until now exclusive to those boxers with resources. Joe's inclusion in the ring is therefore a revolution: at a time when boxing cannot be conceived without the use of a Gear that enhances the capabilities of the user, appears a megaloboxer who denies these and in a matter of months manages to stand in the same ring as champion champions Yuri. His Gear is not to have Gear, his only ace in the sleeve is to take advantage of the absence of it and therefore the reaction time he wins against most rivals, but its essence is that of an authentic and real boxer.

Megalo Box

In any case, Joe's Nowhere team won't have it easy. The ascent to the summit of Everest is not something you do in one night, and just as going from being someone who doesn't even have citizenship recognition to a whole champion is not turkey snot. Although the path taken by Junk Dog, Gansaku Nanbu, and the most recent signing Sachio, is common to all three, each has different and disparate goals and ghosts of the past to face and will make the championship even more difficult for Joe, a hungry dog that at the time would have been an eminence but today, and considering what boxing has resulted in, is an unknown.

Megalo Box Anime

The rhythm is tight, the fact that there are only thirteen chapters is an important limitation compared to the legend that in Ashita no Joe is forged during 126 chapters, but Megalo Box stands as a work with its own identity. Although part of the grace I think lies in having seen the work to which it pays tribute and unravel the hundreds of references incorporated, Gearless Joe is Gearless Joe, Yuri is Yuri, Gansaku Nanbu is Gansaku Nanbu and Shirato Yukiko is Shirato Yukiko.

Each one may have more or less grace depending on the perspective with which you look, but their characters are based on something more than acting as parallels to a series of the last century. As a production carried out to celebrate Ashita no Joe's 50th anniversary, it is very fulfilling insofar as there are references by and for all audiences, from the most obvious such as the King of Kings nickname for Yuri to the mythical "Get up, Joe! It's meant to be a gigantic wink to those of us who have enjoyed accompanying Yabuki Joe on his journey through Japan's slums, and he gets it.

Megalo Box Reference

But he's not far behind, either. Chapters such as eleven constitute without the need to look back on experiences loaded with emotions and meaning, see Gearless Joe appearing carrying a Gear as a sign of renunciation and it is in that same ring where he will definitely become something authentic, defeating the marginality and social immobilism to which they have been subordinated until now.

Its public is not limited to fans; Megalo Box is as independent as any other, not only because it can be seen without even knowing the existence of the work on which it is based, but because it does not depend on it for its enjoyment. It doesn't try to emulate something unmatched, but stands on its own. With or without nostalgia and retrospection, it is a really pleasant and enjoyable series for which emotion is served.

Great Style, But Not the Substance of the Classics

[ajjpacifica · 9/10 · 24 May 2019]

I should start by saying I love this show. The art style, music, and worldbuilding are all so good they HAVE to be compared with shows like Cowboy Bebop, especially given the visual similarities and emotional use of music. That said, for all Megalo Box's style, it doesn't have the substance of a show like Bebop.

The main issues I think are character presentation and emotional pacing. My best examples are the many many times Joe is always depicted as being right, even when his decisions have real, negative consequences for other people; the show needs to at least make him morally grey and learn from his mistakes as he is arguably the main character with the least personality growth throughout; and secondly the amount of buildup the show gives only to cut short its emotional payoffs in the two biggest fights of the show by never dwelling on is happening or what just happened.

All that said, the show is still amazing and hits basically every other beat so anyone reading this don't be discouraged.

Pretty poor

[zelaogalvao · 3/10 · 24 April 2019]

A great anime if you want to fall asleep - as I did most of times. Shallow, poor characters and no plot at all. The fightings scenes are nothing but an unsalty effort of something which could do way better. If you have some time to waste...well, still skip this one.

Beautiful

[gfnxjf · 10/10 · 8 August 2021]

I watched the first season and it was amazing so of course when I saw it was a second part I was gonna watch, I did not expect such an amazing , beautiful story! Omg the progression of the characters, I watch a lot of anime and hadn't seen that in a very long time, this story of redemption and family! Omfg 10/10.

This was a pile of dirt

[WeAreLive · 8/10 · 26 April 2019]

I have just finished watching all 13 episodes of the series and I have to say it was pretty good. Yeah, my title may sound misleading but trust me this is a good review, so before you click that 'No' button hear me out.

Plot: Joe is an underground boxer but his coach (Nanbu) boss blackmails him so he signs up for a tournament called megalo box where boxers use gear to fight but Joe. He enters this tournament to settle a score with the evil Yurily a cold blooded boxer. In order to do that he trains with Nanbu the one eye Nick Fury of the series, a boy called Sacho and a soldier who goes to fight a war but loses his legs.

The music was pretty good it sort of reminded me of Samurai Champloo which is another good anime I have heard which has good music and fight scenes.

The voice cast was pretty good including Kaiji Tang as Joe, Jason Marnocha as Nanbu, Lex Lang as Yuri, Erika Harlacher as Yukiko (I had no idea she had that much range) and everyone else. The only voices I did not like was Erica Mendez as Sachio as I thought the voice sounded way too much like a woman then a young boy and I just found the voice a complete joke to take seriously and was the case with the other kids except for the one voiced by Michelle Ruff. Although, Erica had a good performance in the rap she did in episode 11 but that was the only good thing about it, Bang Zoom should just stop casting her as younger boys honestly, cause she just can't voice them. Tara Sands would have made a better Sachio or a male actor.

Animation wise it was pretty good.

Overall if you like a good anime which has good fight scenes, is boxing or sport themed then you will enjoy this.

Apologise for the misleading title I just couldn't think of anything better to call it.

This show is a must watch

[jordanlukaszewski · 8/10 · 25 November 2020]

When I turned this on I wasn't expecting to see a fantastic show like this one. All the characters are very likable and tells a story of a unregistered civilian boxing his way into society. You could classify this as a sports anime although this show drops hints that this could be much more than that. Even if it sticks to the sports theme, I'm all for it. This show is fantastic and the only reason I couldn't give it a 10/10 is because I don't rate that many shows that highly but none the less this show is easily worth a 9/10. Seriously an underrated show!

A Modern CLassic of Boxing Anime (2018)

[AdityaDev007 · 8/10 · 17 January 2021]

The title says its an Modern Classic because of the intensity it put on our brain to think about it in just 13 Episodes whereas other sports anime needs more than 50 episodes to createthis impact on us. Megalo Box is celebration of completing 50 Years of Ashita no Joe (Tomorrow's Joe) (1970) with no link from it and taking the old artstyle with new-age presentation for those children who haven't watched Ashita no Joe. This show is one of the best Exmple of Hero to Zero story set in the future steampunk style where the main character's desperation towards it's goal is one aspect and the side characters are the true gems of the show with its uniqu e animation technique which gives the vibes of od classic animes. If you are a starter for sports anime genre this could be option for you and if you love action+sports than you'll love it. When it sets a new impressions on our mind to its unique storytelling exverthing is so well done. The problem I'm getting here are the lack of words because every episode had a certain feeling that touched my heart very deeply that i'm giving it 10 star rating. The fight scenes in the show are mae in 560p or something resolution and upscaled to 1080p you will be thinking for what purpose it would've done that and the answer is asthethics when you will watch the show you will feel like wathing an old anime in new setting with a modern world and this is the genius of animation no problem with the action scenes while some episodes don't have much but it felt an plleasure to see this amount of focus on the story in such less episode count where many time is not wasted in action scenes and the story build ups make you hyped up for the fight scenes more. An comes an very important thing to this masterpice is its background score pickup where every scenes show an impact on us and the scenes I can't how it would have with the epic background score and the ending song "KakatteKoiyoo" it was so energetic we feel start dancing on our feet right away and happy for the ending. A simple note just go watch it if you have to watch a sport anime it will not dissapoint you when I'm coming it to classic boxing anime its always on the basis of content shown in amount of time where megalo box stands out.