Tomorrow's Joe's influence on Shoh-nen is understated.

I think Joe is the first notable example of a protagonist who loves fighting more than anything else. At least in anime/manga, anyway.

Some people call Ring ni Kakero the most influential Shoh-nen, but lol no; that owes its whole identity to Joe.

@SSJ2
@Fantastische Hure
@Mystic

I'm not well versed on manga from that time period but I can see it. Ashita no Joe is about the only manga that comes to mind from back then for me.

Ah, I shouldn't understate Ring ni Kakero's influence, either. Although it was heavily inspired by Tomorrow's Joe, it eventually took a life of its own with its flashier, more over the top battles. Ring ni Kakero pioneered a lot of writing tropes you see in Shoh-nen today.