Summary
Joe Yabuki serves as the main protagonist of the narrative, instantly recognizable by his long bangs, a worn beige coat, and a red flat cap. Abandoned shortly after birth, he cycled through numerous orphanages and facilities before growing restless with the mundane existence. He frequently escaped these institutions, eventually making his way to Doya Town, where the story unfolds. Raised with a rough demeanor, Joe is initially portrayed as a rude delinquent who prefers solitude and is quick to initiate fights. He can be frivolous and struggles to understand women, treating them with politeness only out of a sense of obligation. However, his perspective shifts as he matures, learning to value the bonds he forms with his new friends and rivals. Professionally, Joe is a boxer competing in the Bantamweight division, which has a weight limit of 115 to 118 pounds. He trains at the Tange Boxing Gym. Despite weighing 132 pounds before a weight cut to remain in the Bantamweight class, a significant growth spurt in the second half of the series alters his bone and muscle mass, allowing him to compete naturally as a Lightweight with a 135-pound limit. Physically, he stands approximately 5'5" to 5'6", though he appears shorter in the first season and taller in the second. In the ring, Joe employs an Orthodox stance and is famous for his aggressive No Guard stance, alongside variations like the Turtle Cross Arm and Brawler or Infighter stances. His fighting style relies heavily on raw power, fortitude, and an indomitable spirit. He possesses extraordinary punching strength and the resilience to recover from devastating blows. His signature technique is the Cross Counter, which he can execute in double and triple variations. He also utilizes a left jab, body blows, gut punches, uppercuts, right hooks, overhand rights, and Corkscrew Blows. Joe is regarded as a naturally talented brawler with high-level technical skills, evidenced by his ability to counter double crosses with a triple-cross. Following his match against Rikiishi, he begins to refine his defensive capabilities and improve his guarding.
