Joe (at this point still Junk Dog), in an exhibition bout challenging Yuri, who claims he could defeat Joe with just one arm, throws a straight so strong Yuri is forced to block it with the arm he said he wouldn’t use. It’s the first hint the audience gets that Joe is the real deal.
Sachio proving his worth in Team Nowhere’s first proper match, beating back Joe’s paralysing fear of “Maneater Samejima” and chastising both Nanbu and the crowd for their relentless derision of Joe, pointing out that Joe more than any other Gear boxer is putting his life on the line by fighting Gearless. This plus his win turns the crowd in Joe’s favour.
Joe and Aragaki’s match, Nanbu’s old student versus his new one, a fantastic showing for the 17th ranked Megalo Boxer Particularly given that he wanted this to be his retirement match and an unequivocal demonstration of Joe’s Determinator status.
How does Joe react to after Mikio blackmails him and Team Nowhere to forfeit by threatening to reveal his past? Storm the Megalo Box Fourth Contestant announcement party on his motorcycle, and call out Yukiko on national television for letting Mikio get in without ‘true skill’.
After a dark turn for Team Nowhere in the match against Glen Boroughs, where Joe relents to throwing the match on Nanbu’s instructions so they can pay back Fujimaki, it seems all is over for Team Nowhere, one minute left till Joe takes the dive. Cue Sachio rushing in, demanding Joe not let it end like this. At the same time, while the count is going, Nanbu realises Fujimaki will never let them be free. He bellows at Joe to get up and fight, and not let anyone take away his tomorrow, as he himself fights off the mob goons, giving Joe the Heroic Second Wind he needs to take Boroughs out.
Added to and crossed with both Heartwarming and Tear Jerker, Nanbu cutting his remaining eye out to pay off his and Joe’s debts
Yuri deciding to surgically remove his Gear, a process that he is repeatedly told will be excruciatingly painful for him and will cost him the faith and backing of the Shirato corporation, because he wants to fight Joe on even terms.
Every rap sequence, especially the one at the end of Episode 12, summarising Yuri and Joe’s rivalry.
The final match ending with a recreation of the famous Cross Counter.
Nomad
Chief winning the tournament in episode 4 with Joe’s coaching, coinciding with Mio’s return to his family and rejecting his hooligans. Joe resolving to face his past thanks to his win also counts.
A retroactive example, but Chief describing how seeing Joe win Megalonia with nothing but his own body and spirit served as a beacon of hope to all of them on their long, dark and hard immigration.
Though it comes after his heartbreaking death, Chief managing to get the paperwork in order to buy their land for the immigrant community is equal parts this and heartwarming.
Upon hearing Joe is in town, Liu insists on challenging him again, believing that the man he fought in the exhibition match was not in the same form as the one who beat Yuri. After struggling on the defensive, Joe lands a counter to the jaw that brings Liu to his knees. All fired up, they both take off their defensive gear and go at it, a brilliant glimpse of Joe at his prime again.
The ending fight, between Joe and Mac. Both fighters at the best of their ability, throwing on a match rivaling that of the previous seasons end clash between Yuri and Joe, but here? They’re both fighting to come back to their families. Sachio throws in the towel, and the fight ends with Joe’s defeat, but in a way it doesn’t matter. Both Mac and Joe fought with their hearts out on friendly terms in what would be both of their final matches, so they can leave the ring behind with their heads held high, moving on from their pain and returning to their loved ones.
