The BEST episodes written by Hideo Takayashiki

#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 - 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.

#3 - A Fist That Picks You Up

Hajime no Ippo - Season 3 - Episode 13

The evolved Dempsey Roll saved Ippo from the jaws of defeat. Bolstered by the cheering fans, he chases down Sawamura. But with Sawamura more willing than ever to risk an illegal move, will Ippo's last bit of energy be enough to defend the title?

#4 - The Anti-Dempsey Perfected

Hajime no Ippo - Season 3 - Episode 12

Ippo mounts a desperate, full frontal assault as Sawamura continues to toy with him. Determined to take back the pace, Ippo begins to dodge the Bullets and get into a rhythm as he strikes back. Almost naturally he falls into the Dempsey Roll pattern, and Sawamura makes his move!

#5 - Master of the War

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 10

Tamayo's father is arrested. Tamayo and Rin head toward the city while an anti-GGP protest begins. While on the train, they see Suzuri who is mistaken for the mysterious female Rideback and is pursued by the GGP white rides. Suzuri is killed as she attempts to escape. A devastated Rin claims that both her and Tenshirō's obsession with Ridebacks killed Suzuri.

#6 - 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.

#7 - Trick & Trap

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 7

Tagami realises Tokuchi's weakness-his stamina. Tokuchi is forced to push himself. The game goes past the 9th inning. Kojima decides to bat. Tokuchi tells Kojima something. Kojima manages to hit the pitch. The Lycaons win the game. The next game against the Mariners, the Mariners' batters are able to hit Tokuchi's pitches. Takami suspects that Tokuchi has a plan, and at the end of the episode,manages to figure it out.

#8 - Low Spinning Fastball

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 6

Two out of the Mariners's three strong batters are retired by Tokuchi. Takami notices an oddity about Tokuchi's fastballs and explains to his team why it's different. With what Takami has advised them to do, they start to hit the fastballs, but they have yet to score. Tokuchi does something unexpected and Takami is struck out at the third pitch.

#9 - Fearless Challenger

Hajime no Ippo - Season 3 - Episode 11

Sawamura's blatant fouls and bullet-like left jabs leave Ippo scrambling to establish some kind of rhythm. He stubbornly forces his way inside, but is he charging headfirst into a trap?

#10 - To the Stage of Light

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 12

Tamayo's fuel tank is shot. Rin baits the Rideback models to chase her. The BMA and the GGP engage in combat. In the midst of the firefight, GGP is ordered to stand down. Kiefer and Romanof have a face off, however, Romanof is shot by a GGP officer. Meanwhile, Rin leads the Ridebacks to the location where Suzuri died and fights them. She "dances"/rides with Feugo, and it's beautiful. The news cameras are rolling catching every jump and everyone can see her, from her best friend to her little brother in jail. As Rin finishes, snowflakes to fall. Soon after, the GGP steps down from total government control and Tomayo's father is put in charge. A new school year has begun, the Rideback club is up and running again. The final scene is similar to the beginning, with cherry blossoms falling. Rin ends the episode by saying, "I'm back."

#11 - One Outs Contract

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 3

Kojima lets himself get hit in order not to lose. He gets Tokuchi to join the Lycaons. Tokuchi negotiates an astounding contract that looks very much to be in his disadvantage with the Owner of the Lycaons. The Owner is shocked when he receives the amount he is to pay Tokuchi after the pre-season game, which is the first game Tokuchi plays in. In the second game, which is against the Fingers, Tokuchi retires all the batters.

#12 - Hope

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 5

The player,Yoshida, plays excellently. Tokuchi becomes tired and pitches a dead ball. Yoshida takes over him. The Lycaons win the game. Four more conditions are added to Tokuchi's contract. The next game they play is against a very strong team, the Mariners. He pitches first and walks the first two batters, an unexpected action.

#13 - The Team's Qualification

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 4

The Lycaons play against the Eagles. There is a bribed player within their midst. Tokuchi tells the player to stop playing. The Lycaons are now a disadvantage, but fight to get the points. Tokuchi allows the player to return at the end of the episode.

#14 - 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.

#15 - Settlement

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 9

The 4th inning ends with the Lycaons in the lead by one point. The Mariners underestimate Tokuchi, thinking he'll have trouble pitching in the rain. Instead, he turns it to his advantage. The game ends in an unexpected way.

#16 - A Close Call for Shoko

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 4

Shouko goes shopping. There is a terrorist attack at the new GGP commander's inauguration ceremony and Shouko is taken hostage. Rin goes to Shouko's rescue on Fuego, evading both the terrorists and the army. She is eventually cornered by the army but saved by a mysterious man on a Rideback.

#17 - A One Player Infield

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 15

Game 3 in a 3 game series between the Lycaons and the Bugaboos has entered extra innings with the score tied 0-0. Tokuchi uses the manager Mihara Yuuzaburou's desire to win this game to break the owner's hold over the manager. With the manager no longer obeying every order that is given to him by the owner, Tokuchi is free to pitch the remainder of the game against the order of the owner. Tokuchi uses the rest of the game to break down every aspect of Johnson's game showing that nothing about him is to be feared, not his batting ability or his speed. The Lycaons go on to win the game 1-0 thus winning the series against the Bugaboos, 2-1.

#18 - Gambler

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 2

The One Outs battle between Kojima and Toa Tokuchi does not end according to Kojima's wishes, leading him to seek enlightenment to beat Toa in the mountains.Kojima returns and rechallenges Toa Tokuchi, betting his pro career against Toa's arm.

#19 - Foul Play

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 8

Tokuchi plays for time while the Mariners rush to reach the fifth inning. When it's the Mariners's turn to defend, Tokuchi tells his team to tie with the Mariners. They manage to do so.

#20 - Beyond the Triumph...

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 25

Tokuchi is uninjured. He goes back to the mound to pitch. The Blue Mars try to frame him. The batter that accused Tokuchi finds the tables turned, and in order to avoid the Blue Mars being found of cheating, Tokuchi tells him to kneel down as an apology. The Lycaons go on to win the game and are no longer last place. But this is just the beginning. The aim is the championship.

#21 - Strategist vs Gambler

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 10

The Lycaons are up against the Bugaboos. The Bugaboos have a new team manager, one who is known as Shirooka the Strategist. In the midst of the game, Tokuchi is placed in an unexpected position in defense. Then, Manager Shirooka sends out a player to play-Johnson. A very fast runner.

#22 - The Deceiving Knuckleball

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 17

The Lycaons are shocked and become discouraged when the Blue Mars tie them. The manager Mihara tries to lift their spirits. The Lycaons end up losing to the Blue Mars in the first game. Tokuchi states that he can pitch the deceiving knuckleballs, and then shows the team why the pitches are fake knuckleballs. The team becomes angry when they know that the BlueMars were cheating.

#23 - The Mysterious RideBack Girl

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 5

#24 - The Lightning-Fast RideBack

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 6

#25 - Ridicule

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 20

The manager listens to Tokuchi. Tokuchi does something without the manager's knowledge that enables them to get a point. The Lycaons manage to take the lead. The Owner has a plan to get Tokuchi's earnings to disappear.

#26 - Conspiracy

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 24

The Blue Mars catcher realises that Tokuchi knows about the fake knuckleballs. The Lycaons take the lead.The Owner's plan to clear the amount Tokuchi has earned is explained.It is then sat into motion when Tokuchi goes to bat. Tokuchi retaliates in an unexpected way. The episode ends with Tokuchi lying on the ground.

#27 - A Nine Players Infield

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 14

Tokuchi shifts the outfielders defending positions. Tokuchi intimidates the batters. Shirooka realises that Tokuchi is really a terrifying person. The episode ends with the game going into extra innings.

#28 - Crime and Punishment

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 7

#29 - 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.

#30 - The Sealed Feet

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 13

Johnson is the leadoff batter for the third game. Tokuchi is sent to pitch while Johnson is at third base. Tokuchi intimidates the batter. Shirooka decides to change the strategy. Tokuchi is making errors at his position at first base.Another strategy to stop Johnson is carried out. However, Shirooka carries out a plan to counter it.

#31 - Capture

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 23

Tokuchi's plan is accidentally revealed.Williams is sent to pitch in the final inning. Tokuchi has a plan to counter the fake knuckleball and goes to bat. At the end of the episode, he manages to steal up to second base.

#32 - Disclosure

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 21

Tokuchi suggests changing signs. In the second game, yet the Blue Mars are still able to hit the pitches. Ideguchi realises that their signs are being stolen. At the end of the episode, Tokuchi states that they are being wiretapped.

#33 - World's Fastest Man

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 11

Johnson successfully steals home while Tokuchi is the pitcher,and Tokuchi has given up his first run as a professional. Tokuchi talks to the team about the way to stop Johnson. Tokuchi bats near the end of the episode.

#34 - And There's the Flag

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 3

Rin and Tamayo enter the All-Japan championship race. Rin has some trouble with her Rideback: Balon. She eventually makes a comeback from last place to fourth but is force to retire on the last lap. Tamayo wins the race.

#35 - Stolen Sign

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 18

Tokuchi tells Ideguchi that their signs are being stolen. Tokuchi, Kojima and Ideguchi search for the signal that tell the BlueMars the Lycaons's signs. Tokuchi decides to use the Blue Mars sign stealing against them.

#36 - Shady Signal

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 19

Tokuchi, Ideguchi and Kojima continue to search for the way the Blue Mars are stealing the Lycaons's signs. Tokuchi discovers the trick behind their shady signal. Tokuchi goes off to turn their sign stealing against them. Since the manager is unwilling to listen to Tokuchi, Tokuchi finds a way to convince manager Mihara.

#37 - Challenge from Tamayo!? S.L.F. - Spread Legs Form

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 2

Rin agrees to race Tamayo, the club leader and national Rideback champion. She impresses Tamayo who decides to train her as a Rideback driver.

#38 - In the Sunny Garden

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 9

#39 - The Challenger Smells Like Paris

Cat's Eye - Season 1 - Episode 4

Lupin's Bride, a rival thief from Paris, arrives and challenges Cat's Eye by targeting the same art pieces. The Kisugi sisters must outsmart Lupin's Bride and evade the traps the Inunari Precinct has devised in order to prevent some of their father's art collection from being taken out of the country.

#40 - Interception

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 22

Tokuchi states that they have been wiretapped. He realises where the wiretap is. The assistant manager for the BLue Mars is revealed. The Lycaons manage to lessen the point difference.

#41 - Trick Stadium

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 16

Tokuchi explains why he was so sure his plan would work. Tokuchi tells Kojima there is a simpler way to defeat Johnson, and the method is shown when Kojima watches the game where the Bugaboos go against Blue Mars, the Lycaons next opponent. The owner of the Lycaons talk with a mysterious person. Tokuchi attends the briefing on the Blue Mars. Tokuchi stays back and watches the video, and says to Kojima that the Blue Mars are cheaters. In the game, though the Lycaons were leading, the Blue Mars caught up.

#42 - Invincible Pitching Style

One Outs - Season 1 - Episode 12

Tokuchi discovers the weakness in Johnson's defense. Tokuchi's plan to stop Johnson is set into motion.However, Tokuchi has another plan in addition.The plan works. Later, when the Bugaboos are attacking at the ninth inning, Johnson taunts Tokuchi and Tokuchi decides to battle it out with Johnson.Tokuchi wins the battle and the Lycaons win the game.The episode ends with Tokuchi saying that the real battle will be tomorrow.

#43 - Be Careful of the Mini-Devil

Cat's Eye - Season 1 - Episode 3

While guarding an emerald targeted by Cat's Eye, Toshio discovers by accident that his nemesis is in fact a woman. As a rattled Hitomi makes her escape, Kazumi, member of a newspaper club at Ai's school, catches her flight on camera. Ai frantically tries to stop the film from being developed but fails. While Cat's Eye finalizes their plans to steal the emerald, Kazumi pursues her suspicions. The Kisugi sisters must therefore outwit Toshio and Kazumi to keep their identity from being exposed.

#44 - The Crimson Iron Horse

RideBack - Season 1 - Episode 1

Rin hops on a Rideback, loses control, and ends up jumping off a ledge with the Rideback.

#45 - 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.

#46 - 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.

#47 - 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.

#48 - 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.

#49 - 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.

#50 - 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.