The BEST episodes directed by Shunji Ooga

#1 - Youth is Now.. Burnt-out

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 47

A thrilling Fight between Joe Yabuki and Jose Mendoza. For the Sake of Tomorrow goes to the final Rounds and Joe's fire burn bright and hot!!

#2 - Outmoded Livery

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 36

Golgo is hired to kill a man named Berne Shulze, a wealthy and influential businessman who has disappeared following accusations of swindling. The moment he accepts the job, the client is suddenly shot dead, but as he had accepted he continues. Schulze being a rich man is thought to have had plastic surgery to change his appearance, but his mistress is prominent in the Monte Carlo casino scene. Leaving the casino Duke notices the mistress accompanied by another woman and whilst following them home, he is ambushed but kills his attackers. Approaching the house he deduces that the other woman is actually Berne Schulze in disguise and at a rally event successfully shoots his target.

#3 - The Violent... Endless Fight to the Death

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 46

Jose is rattled by Joe’s sudden comeback, but quickly realizes Joe is no longer able to see out of his right eye, due to the effects of punch-drunk syndrome. Jose moves to Joe’s blind spot and batters him with his punches.

#4 - Boxing... A Requiem

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 27

Joe happens to run into Wolf Kanagushi, a former boxer at a pachinko parlor. He is relieved to learn that Wolf is now working as a trainer at a boxing gym, and is no longer a Yakuza muscleman. Wolf tells Joe about the financial struggles the gym is facing

#5 - In Round 6... A Miracle Occurred

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 25

Joe has fought beyond his limit, yet he refuses to go down. Unable to comprehend how Joe can continue to fight, Kim slowly becomes unhinged and resorts to using his deadly technique known as Chom-Chom.

#6 - Yabuki's... New Defense

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 29

Knowing Jose is watching from the ringside, Joe predicts a two round K.O. victory. However, Joe quickly realizes that defeating his Hawaiian challenger will be harder than he originally thought.

#7 - Rikiishi... I Hear the Song

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 21

With Danpei vehemently against Joe’s dangerous weight loss, Joe leaves the Tange Gym. He visits the Shiraki Gym and locks himself up in the very same room where Toru Rikiishi once starved himself, so he could fight Joe.

#8 - Yoko... Her Love

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 44

On the day of the title match, Yoko finally tracks down Joe in his locker room and urges him to cancel the fight before he ends up like Carlos. She learns Joe is well aware of what is happening to his body, and that he is going to fight Jose regardless.

#9 - The Tange Gym... Is Indestructable

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 13

With Joe’s bout against Carlos now over, Joe, Danpei and the people from the neighborhood are busy organizing Nishi’s retirement party. However, unbeknownst to everyone, Nishi was struggling to accept that he could no longer physically box.

#10 - Joe VS. José... The Gong of the Match Rings

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 45

Joe and Jose finally face off in the ring. With his impenetrable defense, Jose dodges Joe’s attacks while hitting him with his own punches. After receiving countless blows and unable to land a meaningful punch against Jose.

#11 - Those Knuckles... The Mark's Message

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 18

Joe is eager to take on Yongbi Kim, the OPBF Bantamweight Champion, but according to Danpei, Kim is avoiding Joe because he’s afraid of him. When in fact, Kim is eager to take on Joe, as well. Danpei has his reasons to want to avoid.

#12 - The Gong Chimes.. The Ring of the Devil

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 24

Kim’s manager confidently predicts Kim’s victory during the pre-fight press interview. Danpei and Nishi encourage Joe in the locker room, but Joe is not his usual self. Unsurprisingly, Kim dominates the fight and Joe can only defend himself.

#13 - Where is... Joe's Youth?

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 14

Joe visits the Shiraki Gym to pick up his prize money. There, he learns the World Champion had defeated Carlos. Joe also learns Carlos had become incapacitated as a boxer and that he was to blame.

#14 - The Burning Beast... And Ice

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 23

With the final weigh-in now over, Danpei brings Joe to a restaurant so he can enjoy a small meal before his match. Kim, who happened to come to the same restaurant, asks Joe if he could join him.

#15 - Back Then, The Ten-Point Bell Ringed

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 4

Joe, a fledgling boxer, is unfairly matched up against Tiger Ozaki, the National Bantamweight Champion. Despite the odds, Joe sees it as an opportunity to instantly climb to the top and is confident he can defeat Tiger Ozaki.

#16 - The Wild Child… Harimao

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 37

Joe is humiliatingly caught off guard by Harimau, not once, but twice. Admitting he’s lost his street fighting instincts, Joe asks Goromaki Gondo, a Yakuza henchman for his help. Invited by Joe, Gondo and his subordinates show up at the Tange Gym.

#17 - Grand Champion... José

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 30

After successfully defending his title, Joe is eager to challenge Jose more than ever. Then one day, Yoko invites Joe to spend some time with Jose and his family on a horse ranch. Joe finally gets an opportunity to question Jose.

#18 - Joe and Danpei... Two Everyday People

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 43

In order to avoid Danpei finding out about his health, Joe decides to train with Nishi and Danpei at a mountain lodge, far away from Yoko. Desperate to tell Joe about his health, Yoko tracks down Joe and visits the mountain lodge.

#19 - Joe Fired Up… The Target is Near

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 40

Noriko and Nishi are engaged. Joe is happy from the bottom of his heart to see his long-time pal marry his dream girl. Meanwhile, Jose arrives in Japan just two days after their bout has been officially confirmed.

#20 - José arrives in Japan… The Match Date Approaches!

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 41

#21 - Night of the Snow Storm... The Endless Fight

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 12

Joe loses consciousness after being hit with Carlos’ powerful uppercut. However, he refuses to go down without spending every last ounce of his strength. Carlos’ “invincible punch” mercilessly rains down on Joe.

#22 - Yoko's... New Attempt

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 36

Harimau, a wild beast-like man who grew up deep in the Malaysian jungle has been confirmed as Joe’s challenger. Yoko brings Harimau to the Tange Club to introduce him to Joe, but Joe reiterates his displeasure about having to fight.

#23 - Meaning... of the V Sign

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 31

As the OPBF Champion and world champion hopeful, it seems everyone wants a piece of Joe now. Meanwhile, the new Tange Gym that’s been under construction is finally complete and Danpei accepts several new aspiring boxers as apprentices.

#24 - A Shock… Yoko's Premonition

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 42

After noticing Joe might also be suffering from punch-drunk syndrome, Yoko asks Dr. Kinninski for his professional opinion. Dr. Kinninski is reluctant to give a concrete diagnosis without examining Joe.

#25 - Unexpected Visitor... Gondo Goromaki

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 38

The bout between Joe, the Brawler and Harimau, the Wild Beast begins. At first, Joe struggles to keep up with Harimau’s agility and speed. However, Harimau proves to be no match against Joe, who has regained his instincts as a former street fighter.

#26 - The Champion ...Alone

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 35

Yoko, who feels Joe has lost his wildness within, offers to give up her exclusive rights to Jose’s fights in Japan, under the condition that Joe fights one last bout before his title match against Jose.

#27 - José... In Hawaii

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 28

As the OPBF Champion, Joe’s first title defense match has been confirmed in Hawaii. Not wanting to go all the way to Hawaii, Joe is reluctant about the fight, but quickly changes his mind when he learns Jose is also having a bout in Hawaii.

#28 - Two Beasts... in the Jungle

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 39

Yoko arranges Carlos to be admitted into a hospice to recuperate. However, Dr. Kinninski, the world’s leading authority on punch-drunk syndrome delivers the devastating diagnoses that Carlos is suffering from a severe case of punch-drunk syndrome.

#29 - The 13th King Comes From America!?

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 33

Leon dominates the fight and Joe is on defense. However, Leon’s underhanded tactics light a fire inside Joe and the fight quickly becomes a fierce and tightly contested battle. With no knockout punch from either side, the winner is determined by points.

#30 - He... Fell with the Card

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 34

Jose, the WBC World Champion and Gomez, the WBA World Champion will fight head to head to determine the true World Bantamweight Champion. Joe, who has won his right to challenge the winner of the unification bout, flies to Las Vegas to see Jose and Gomez’

#31 - Howl... Dogs Will Bite

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 6

Despite learning his inability to strike his opponent in the temple is psychological, Joe is undeterred and trains for his upcoming fight against Koji Nango. Joe climbs into the ring while Carlos Rivera, the world’s No. 6 bantamweight boxer from Venezuela

#32 - Fighting Machine... Dragon Kim

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 19

With Joe and Kim’s OPBF Championship match now confirmed, Yoko sends Suga to South Korea to find out Kim’s mysterious past, while Kim’s manager secretly gathers information about Joe. Joe and Danpei watch Kim’s exhibition match against a boxer.

#33 - The Christmas Eve Gift

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 10

It’s Christmas and the mood is merry in the slums. Snow begins to fall, as Carlos and Joe’s fire burn quietly inside of them. In the snow-covered park, Joe challenges Carlos to a fight to settle who is best. However, Carlos has another plan.

#34 - For Whose sake...? Deadly Rush

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 15

Without a boxing club willing to organize a bout against Joe, Danpei visits Yoko for help. However, instead of organizing a bout against a Japanese boxer, she chooses Usman Somkit, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation’s No. 5 boxer from Thailand.

#35 - A Figure Seen... A Great Target

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 17

Joe steps onto the gym scale and makes an unwelcome discovery. Meanwhile, Kanto TV has announced their exclusive broadcasting rights to all of Joe’s bouts in Japan. At the announcement party, Joe notices an unlikely man standing amongst the crowd.

#36 - One Man, One Flower... Venture into the Ring

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 2

After a long absence, Joe returns to Tange Gym where he is welcomed with open arms. He pays his respect at Rikiishi’s grave and swears to return to the ring.

#37 - Distant Aim... Road to the World

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 16

With a lightening fast victory against Usman Somkit, all eyes are back on Joe. Meanwhile, Joe finally gets the opportunity to watch the gut-wrenching bout between Carlos and Jose Mendoza, the World Bantamweight Champion.

#38 - Dead Angle

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 11

Golgo 13 is hired to assassinate the Jordanian emissary to the United States, while the emissary transfers from a plane to his helicopter. However, a young, hot-shot sniper is hired by the American State Department to take Golgo out before he accomplishes this. By leaving two disassembled rifles in fake sniping points, Duke is able to fool the inexperienced gunman. Golgo then uses an M-16 to take out both his new rival and the helicopter.

#39 - My Bantamweight... Weight Loss Challenge

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 20

Despite the OPBF Championship title match being three weeks away, Joe is struggling to lose weight. Desperate to lose weight, he turns the gym into a dangerously hot sauna. After almost passing out, Danpei urges Joe to stop his dangerous weight loss.

#40 - The Superstars' Joint Appearance

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 5

Bob Stigner, vice-president of Conan Associates, hires an ex-Polish olympic athlete and soldier named Ledell Nikolavitch to assassinate the company's president and current leader Ted Conan in order to take over the entire company despite what Ted had done to help Bob escape from his past problems. However, Ted is wise to Bob's game and decides to hire Golgo 13 to assassinate both Bob and Ledell for good.

#41 - And... The Morning's Measurement

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 22

After a grueling weight loss regimen, Joe finally loses enough weight to stay in the bantamweight class. However, during the official weigh-in, Joe discovers he is actually over the weight limit and that Danpei had altered the scale back at the gym.

#42 - Room No. 909

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 2

Golgo 13 is hired by a representative of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission when he was told to target a mafia financier in New York. Despite getting into trouble when his used .30-06 Springfield cartridge fell down from his apartment balcony due to the appearance of a stray cat, Togo tries to cover his tracks when a desperate detective of the NYPD starts to hound him over his stay in New York City.

#43 - The Saint That Reeks of Death

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 16

Fueled by the murder of his fiancée by the new underground cult the NYPD had been investigating, a NYPD Officer hires Golgo 13 to assassinate the cult's masked leader, Michael. However, the cult's members, fearless of death, go to any lengths to protect its leader, a self-proclaimed saint. As Golgo 13 infiltrated the cult, he is quickly recognized as a threat and ordered to be killed. Though, he thwarted their plans and escaped while being pursued by the cult's extremist followers.

#44 - And Then, He Returned...

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 1

After inadvertently killing Toru Rikiishi in the ring, Joe Yabuki finds himself aimlessly wandering the city at night, when he comes across a fight between Wolf Kanagushi.

#45 - The Masterpiece Assault Rifle

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 3

What began as a simple mission to stir up trouble for racers driving Japanese-made vehicles in a rally race turns into a match of sniping when Golgo 13 is targeted by the Savine brothers, ex-French Foreign Legion soldiers turned mercenaries armed with modified XM29 OICW and FN F2000 bullup assault rifles while being aided by customized digital scopes made by a European arms dealer named Kaizer in order to market them to numerous military forces from around the globe.

#46 - An Offering to God

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 6

Golgo 13 is hired out by a mobster to go to Massachusetts and assassinate an anti-crime analyst during the state's presidential elections. When Golgo 13 is arrested by FBI agents for assaulting an agent, he is grilled regarding the murder and the PPS-made revolver that he used until a lawyer named Mr. Barton begins to question the loopholes in the FBI's accusations against Duke.

#47 - Pretty Woman

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 4

Linda, the wife of a mafia leader in New York City hires Golgo 13 for the purpose of assassinating him so as to start another life all over again in Florida. Things gets complicated when the mafia boss kills one of his henchmen after being accused of trying to be in an affair with Linda, resulting in a small gang war fight before Golgo 13 was able to get rid of his targets and unfortunately Linda when she decides to kill him.

#48 - Sleep Inside the Cage

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 9

Golgo 13 is arrested and sent to Pandora Island Prison, an isolated prison somewhere near the Alaska mainland to rescue a prisoner named Patrick Zalas despite being under the thumb of a sadistic and corrupt warden named Kickers. But after the two escape, Golgo executes him under orders of Patrick's bosses.

#49 - That Guy... Burning Man Carlos

Tomorrow's Joe - Season 2 - Episode 8

Danpei closes the gym and disappears to make Joe realize that his career is over. However, Joe refuses to give up boxing and continues to train. He catches Carlos Rivera’s second match on TV and realizes what he saw during Carlos’ first match was no trick

#50 - The Target Returned

Golgo 13 - Season 1 - Episode 10

Golgo 13 assassinates a drug lord after he attacks and wipes out his FBI and NYPD escorts before heading to Hong Kong to do another job when he finds out that a lookalike was responsible for hiring him. After realizing that the lookalike was merely a gangster named Spike Jordan, Duke kills him with cyanide gas.