Judo Boy

Sanshiro, a teenage martial artist, trains in the Kurenai School of Jiujitsu and searches for his father's killer. Accompanying Sanshiro is an orphaned boy named Kenbo and his pet dog Boke. Sanshiro's only clue to his father's murderer is a glass eye left on the scene of the crime, suggesting that his father's murderer was one-eyed.

Directed by Tatsuo Yoshida, Judo Boy leans on a strong ensemble — Ikuo Nishikawa, Azumato Kenbo, Kenji Utsumi — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about animation titles of 1969.