Megalo Box | First Impressions
Megalo Box | First Impressions
Can you say anime of the season contender? Today we look at one of my most anticipated series for the Spring 2018 season, Megalo Box!
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Thanks for watching!
July 27, 2019 @ 2:37 pm
If it try to follow up on the legendary ashita no joe footstep then prepare for complex main character personality ( in a good way ) and an epic fights. Also don’t forget to grab a tissue box or two for the ending… ( you can clearly see at the end of episode 1 what " not dead yet " means ).
July 27, 2019 @ 2:38 pm
I can already see the outcome of the fight between Yuri and Junk Dog. Junk Dog loses but gives Yuri some what a fight who in turn respects his skill. He returns the favor of such a fight and finds a way of getting him citizenship.
July 27, 2019 @ 2:38 pm
God this episode was hype af. From the Ost to art and animation, everything was amazing.
July 27, 2019 @ 2:38 pm
MC and the coach definitely look similar to the characters from Ashita no joe
July 27, 2019 @ 2:40 pm
The old school visual style, the character design, voice acting and the music … Man, I’m so impressed already! I can tell this is going to be an anime I’ll be anticipating each week! Nice vid as always!
July 27, 2019 @ 2:42 pm
i have watch it because of you and i really like it
July 27, 2019 @ 2:42 pm
It was a great first episode. I kind of wonder if Yuri is a red herring though. Maybe JD will actually beat him in the underground boxing ring and that will be the inciting incident. Of course the other (probably more likely) option is Yuri beating JD and setting the stage for a "comeback" story. But I kind of hope the former is what happens because it would be different.
July 27, 2019 @ 2:44 pm
PhenomSage
THANKS for the great video,
i will not let this anime pass me by without giving it at least the standard 3 episodes.
July 27, 2019 @ 2:44 pm
DARN ITTTTT I kept saying I wouldn’t watch this because I’m already watching too much but you’ve convinced me :YellowLaugh:
July 27, 2019 @ 2:45 pm
Is it only me that doesn’t like this show the art seems off sometimes and the first episode didn’t really hook me in the story also wasn’t that great its probably he’s gonna be a under dog while only using his skills the setting also is average i don’t want you to change your mind but this is just my opinion on things last thing "potential anime of the seasons" WHAT?!
July 27, 2019 @ 2:48 pm
KAKATTE KOI YO!!
July 27, 2019 @ 2:48 pm
This is going to be a good season fam. 😉
July 27, 2019 @ 2:54 pm
Honestly this feels like it might be the number 1 this season if everyone in the Youtube anime community promotes this .Overall episode was so good
July 27, 2019 @ 2:57 pm
You convinced me to give this anime a try, I was going to skip over it since I did not think much of it. After watching the first episode it looks to be pretty good.
July 27, 2019 @ 2:57 pm
For me it’s a great reboot amine of "Ashita no Joe," which is a classic boxing anime. This met my expectations. Any fan can distinguish details. Really really good anime to every details. Your review is also great.
July 27, 2019 @ 2:58 pm
You know shit is going to be fire when the opening sequence alone has more production quality thrown in there than most seasonal shows in their entirety.
Oldschool look tingles my fiddle and added to that the amazing soundtrack, we might have an anime of the year contender here, rather than anime of the season. Of course everything can crash and burn but if the series is able to follow through on the themes established this episode without nosediving quality wise, then we’re probably in for a wild ride.
July 27, 2019 @ 2:59 pm
its even cooler when you see how similar it is to Ashita no joe yet it is also completely different
July 27, 2019 @ 3:01 pm
I have a feeling this show is going to be goood
July 27, 2019 @ 3:01 pm
It reminds me samurai champloo
July 27, 2019 @ 3:01 pm
Where can i watch this, or is it out yet
July 27, 2019 @ 3:02 pm
Concept of boxing with enhanced exo skeleton with no head protection…100%Stupid ..
thats like gravity in space.. STUPID..
Good animation Stupid concept
go watch Real Steel
July 27, 2019 @ 3:03 pm
Got that 90s feel which I’m really liking it wit that curly fro of his haha
July 27, 2019 @ 3:04 pm
what should i do next,orga? oh wait wrong anime nevermind
July 27, 2019 @ 3:05 pm
I might check this out ??
July 27, 2019 @ 3:05 pm
Love the style for this series, I’ve never read the Joe series and only watched the live action movie which wasn’t rated that highly… Thoroughly enjoyed the environment and setting, hope the action will also be as good (I didn’t watch the PV). Personally so far I feel that despite its very simple and common premise and story plot; its doing its job well retelling that kind of story plot. (Based only on my knowledge from the Live action AnJ) While the character roles and premise in this anime are similar to those found in Joe, I would say that they are different characters so far in terms of motivation and vibe, though it might be too early in the anime for me to be conclusive with this statement.
Overall, looking forward to this series, definitely gonna follow it (if i can). Haven’t been commenting much as I’ve been behind on all of the previous season’s anime (real life happens). Looking forward to your future reviews!
July 27, 2019 @ 3:06 pm
this is a reboot of Ashita No Joe. the character design is quite literally the same for most of them especially Yokko. Im not a huge Joe fan due to it being so tragic. while i know there a ton of deeper meanings behind it all and it had a lot to do with the establishment in the 60s in japan the entirety of the anime is filled with nothing but loss due to pride and tells the viewer while you may reach your dreams you will still fail and it will cost the happiness of others and any future you take in the sport will only end badly.
Megalo Box looks great but seeing as its so similar to Joe. im not sure i want anything to do with the series.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:06 pm
Excellent first episode. This is my hype show of the season and I am hoping it stays that way. The soundtrack is incredible and the fact that this is made by mostly new people makes me hope this series goes well and they continue on to even more great series. Also thank you for being the only one I have seen to notice the Redline connection.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:08 pm
Really liked this episode. Also some shots gave a powerful Casshern vibe ??
July 27, 2019 @ 3:09 pm
I was a little skeptical, but now I know for sure that this is a must watch. It’s a guaranteed top 5 for the season right off the bat.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:09 pm
Yes!!!! I didn’t even know this anime was coming out, but I decided to watch it and was blown away! This anime is so hype!!! I was jumping while sitting and cheering by the end of it. XD
Other than the hype though, throughout the episode, I had such sympathy for Junk Dog and his situation. It sucks getting beat when you know that you can beat the person. I don’t know what it’s like to get beat up at all, but I can imagine how crappy it feels, both physically and emotionally. The look on his face afterwards was just so sad because it felt really pathetic – not because Junk Dog is pathetic but because his situation was just so depressing. It makes you WANT him to get out of that situation and do something bigger because you know he can.
I also really like Junk Dog’s mechanic. The little conversations they have are so deep even if simple. That slow rain scene between Yuri and Junk Dog gave me chills too!
July 27, 2019 @ 3:12 pm
Just finished watching it and man, JD is SO dang cool, I love him so far. He has such a good design, I dig his look. Such a boss.
The aesthetic, the designs, the music! and the editing! It’s so great I love the vibes. Such a stylish and cool show I was really into it while watching. (Usually I just kind of watch in silence unless I really enjoy something)
It’s so hype, it was perfect for watching right after a horrible work day. Visceral, gritty and cool.
I could go on and on but I think you’ve said it all in your review. I really look forward to watching this series; it lived up to the hype for me.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:13 pm
This one is looking very promising. I am glad you are enjoying it too. The character designs seem to mirror AnJ. Nanbu – Danpei, Yuri – Jose (minus mustache though his position in the story seems to be closer to Carlos), Yoko – Yukiko. I really hope this show keeps up the quality.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:14 pm
This will definitely be the second best series this season.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:14 pm
I literally knew nothing about this show. Checked out the episode, and oh yeah I’m in.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:15 pm
I was waiting all day for this video. This was such a great first episode. And the ost was amazing.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:18 pm
do a first manga chapter impressions and a first anime episode impressions of Ashita no Joe it could be fun (I don’t understand how can be so many anime fans that have never seem so many classic animes or mangas, is kinda sad) (another examples are Fist of the Blue Sky Regenesis, LUPIN The 3RD, Legend of the Galactic Heroes and Gegege no Kitaro)
July 27, 2019 @ 3:20 pm
As a Joe fan, I’m immensely satisfied, and most Joe fans I know are too. It’s doing it’s own thing and playing with Joe’s characters and themes and iconography in fresh and exciting ways. I’m super happy it looks and sounds this good because those aspects alone seem to be driving serious hype, which I couldn’t be happier about. I’m planning on making a video on every Ashita no Joe reference in Megalo Box, but when it finishes up I hope it convinces you to give Joe a try, cause it’s seriously one of the absolute best, one of those series that changes your perspective on the medium 🙂
July 27, 2019 @ 3:20 pm
“best first episode I seen all season”, how many series have debuted this season thus far again? (Sorry could not help myself).
But seriously, great start for this series, though I am concern on the pacing for this series, I feel like this needs at least 24 to 26 episodes to develop correctly. Nonetheless, I am excited for the next episode, this has the potential to be a must watch series.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:21 pm
I only watch your darling in the franxx vids, cuz that’s how I found you, but this anime caught my eye so I’m gonna watch this and come for the reviews ? will also get to watch your older videos of violet evergarden, I think you have made in abyss and place father than the universe, or something like that.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:23 pm
Why does everyone reviewing the first few episodes keep saying that the main protagonist is trying to work his way up? If he is throwing fights then that means he is better than the competition that he is facing. So obviously they all bet against him because he is the underdog and betting against the underdog pays more. He knows how good he is and so that’s why he wants to stop throwing fights.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:26 pm
Oh man, this Premiere made me fall in love all over again with anime. Last time that happened was with Made in Abyss, and even though those are two completaly different animes, that’s why I love them. Animes (stories in general) shouldn’t be all the same, and as Made in Abyss, Megalo Box is totally doing it’s own special thing. I really thing this was a flawless premiere (one of the best I’ve personally seen) in execution, in writing, in the gorgeous Worldbuilding, the Freaking Awesome Soundtrack and GOD that animation and art… the whole aesthetic made me think of things like Cowboy Bebop and even Tron with those flashing motorcycle lights XDD. And I love how the series is violent, but it doesn’t rely on it. In fact, it’s clear through the direction that the show doesn’t glorifies violence, but shows it just as it is: gritty. And this is how a gritty anime is supposed to feel like.
I am not familiared with the Joe franchise, and even as it is PRETTY old, I’ll definitely will check that out as soon as this series is over.
As I know you have a hell of a taste Phenom, I know you’ll be reviewing this, and I can’t wait to see your thoughts on this series, as I can’t wait to see more Megalo Box. What you said about every scene having a purpose… yes, that’s why it felt like a flawless premiere for me.
Really great video Phenom. If anyone is still doubting to check out this first episode, I think this video sums up what made this premiere so awesome without spoiling… as there isn’t much to spoil, but that’s hardly a point against this first episode
PD: That whole scene in the city at night was literally PERFECT… I had to say it.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:28 pm
The plot and characters look super generic but the style is fantastic
July 27, 2019 @ 3:30 pm
the animation remembers me about Juuni Taisen… I hope this ship didn’t sink like that one
July 27, 2019 @ 3:31 pm
It looks like passion was put into this show. I’m looking forward to the rest of it.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:32 pm
after having watched the whole series, my only complaint is that there wasn’t more of it. not to say that any of it was poorly paced out… I actually was impressed that nothing felt rushed, considering the small number of episodes, but I ended up loving the characters so much… I wanted to continue watching them. and actually, something that struck me as I was watching this video was how much our perception of Yuri changes over the course of the narrative.
*(big spoilers are in the rest of this comment)*
your initial impression of Yuri is that he’s the big bad ultimate guy to defeat for the series, and I was so prepared for him to be smug, and talk down to Joe, and for him to basically lean into this elitist feeling that comes off of Megalonia as an event. but the show very intelligently does this with different rivals, building them up so Joe can knock them down, while gradually introducing us to the idea that Yuri’s values as a boxer are much more in line with Joe’s. and don’t get me wrong, Yuri does start out thinking very little of Joe… but I think that was mostly because the impression that he got from Joe (that of a determined contender) clashed with Joe’s actions (throwing matches to scam people) and dismissing Joe would’ve sat better with Yuri if, underneath it all, Joe didn’t really have the talent to back up his attitude.
when Joe starts rising to the occasion, we gradually see Yuri start to root for him because he wants to fight him. he wants to do it right, and he feels like Joe is earning it. there is real talent here… it’s almost like Yuri feels the same way about Joe as the audience, and this is especially interesting considering his relationship to Yukiko. Yukiko *does* represent that elitist mindset behind Megalonia, and it’s not even out of any malicious intent… it’s just good business. but she expects Yuri to align himself with her views, and ultimately, Yuri can’t. this draws a parallel between Yuri and Joe. Joe had to reject the ulterior motives of his mentor so he could box for real on his own terms, and Yuri has to do the same before he feels like he can step into the ring with Joe. they both just want an honest fight, and that makes their match at the end of the series the best… because there are no hangups. even as a viewer of this show who is obviously rooting for Joe because he’s the main character, I wouldn’t have been angry if Yuri had won that match.
and I think that’s because Yuri somehow manages to feel a little like the underdog in that last match. we’ve seen him remove his cybernetic enhancements. we’ve seen the pain it caused him, and we’ve seen how hard Yukiko tried to dissuade him from doing it. we kind of want it to pay off? and Joe has been on a steady rise this whole time… it almost gives Joe the kind of intimidation factor that Yuri should’ve had going into this fight, by virtue of being the reigning champ. Yuri has made himself vulnerable. he’s shaken the very foundation of his prestige and is trying to see if he can still measure up. Joe has come so far… so much farther than anyone expected him to. and he’s stronger than ever.
this is a kind of finale I’m not used to seeing, and it’s what makes me feel like I want more of this show, even if I’m totally satisfied with the narrative being complete as it is. because in terms of character, we only see Joe and Yuri getting along, and talking and laughing with each other… as everything ends. it feels like they should’ve been able to engage with each other like that the whole time. they were always the type of people that would’ve gotten along. and that’s the melancholy of the show’s message. if it weren’t for the addition of gear to this sport, and if it weren’t for the division in their status, these two might’ve been friends all along. they represent what good sportsmanship should really be.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:32 pm
So, story-wise, this series feels a lot to me like an anime called Angelic Layer. Of course Angelic Layer was about kids controlling fighting dolls (if you haven’t seen it and enjoy tournament focused anime and great stories.. do so now) but, similar to MB, we know the goal. There is a championship that our main character strives toward. Assuming the production value, animation, music, etc. remains steady or better throughout the series, it will be how Megalo Box tells the story of JD’s rise toward the championship match that will make this show go from good to great. Here’s to hoping it does so!
July 27, 2019 @ 3:34 pm
New season, new great anime. Hope you will review this anime every week till the end.
July 27, 2019 @ 3:34 pm
This might be even better than uma musume
July 27, 2019 @ 3:35 pm
I just finished the season out of megalobox, just wanted to give you respect you picked a good one and i was going to pass it by until your video i am looking forward to Jaeger in a couple weeks if you are right about that one too i bet i will love that one too. great pick with megalobox
July 27, 2019 @ 3:37 pm
Handshakers got better action prove me wrong.