Size: Pan-size Cel (Approx. 14.5" x 9.0")
Included: Layer 1 - Soldiers cel
Original Matching Hand-painted Background
Film/Show: Ashita no Joe
Source/Appeared in: Episode 23 "The burning beast... and the ice"
Original Broadcast Year: 1981
Studio/Publication: Mushi Production/Shonen Magazine
Created by: Kajiwara Ikki/Chiba Tetsuya
Condition Notes: Excellent condition - the cel and background could have been rolled up during storage by the previous owner, but are in excellent condition with no creases or visible blemish
Description: A very nice cel setup of the shocking scene when Kim Yong-bi, a Korean war orphan turned boxer, unknowingly murdered his father who tried to bring back the rations he saved and smuggled back from his deployment.
Undoubtedly one of the most intense moments in the entire series both in and outside the ring, as Yabuki just risked his life to pass the weigh-in while Tange risked his own to prevent him. As anti-Korean discrimination and racism were far more severe in 1960's Japan than it is now, an inspiring Korean character such as Kim (that wasn't painted in negative light) was unheard of; it very well could have been an attempt by Kajiwara to provide somewhat of a role model to the young Korean generation residing in Japan, while teaching the post-war Japanese generation the devastation of war and while life was not easy in Japan back then either, life can always be much tougher.
Chiba Tetsuya has said that he was reminded of the horrifying sights he witness as a child escaping Manchuria at the end of WWII, as he drew the scenes of dead bodies, starving refugees, and dirty swamps.
As Joe is overpowered by the cold and calculating Kim in the ring, as well as his intensely tragic upbringing, the thoughts of rival Rikiishi crosses Joe's mind, and he finds the power to defeat Kim as he realizes the strength it took for Rikiishi to dedicate his own life and die for a cause that he chose on his own choice and will, as opposed to surviving through a horrifying abuse brought on by external factors, and most importantly, what he is truly fighting against.
