Crusher Joe
First edition cover of the first novel
クラッシャージョウ (Kurasshā Jō)
Novel series
Written by	Haruka Takachiho
Illustrated by	Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Published by	Asahi Sonorama/Asahi Shimbun Publications
Original run	1977 – 2016
Volumes	13
Manga
Written by	Haruka Takachiho
Illustrated by	Fujihiko Hosono
Published by	Asahi Sonorama
English publisher	NA: Studio Ironcat
Magazine	Manga Shōnen
Demographic	Shōnen
Published	1979
Volumes	1
Anime film
Directed by	Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Written by	Haruka Takachiho Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Music by	Norio Maeda
Studio	Studio Nue Nippon Sunrise
Licensed by	NA: Discotek Media
Released	12 March 1983 (1983-03-12)
Runtime	132 minutes
Original video animation
Crusher Joe: The Ice Prison
Directed by	Toshifumi Takizawa
Written by	Fuyunori Gobu
Music by	Keiichi Oku
Studio	Studio Nue Sunrise
Licensed by	NA: Discotek Media
Released	5 February 1989
Runtime	60 minutes
Original video animation
Crusher Joe: The Ultimate Weapon: Ash
Directed by	Toshifumi Takizawa
Written by	Fuyunori Gobu
Music by	Keiichi Oku
Studio	Studio Nue Sunrise
Licensed by	NA: Discotek Media
Released	5 June 1989
Runtime	55 minutes
Manga
Crusher Joe Rebirth
Written by	Haruka Takachiho
Illustrated by	Yu Harii
Published by	Kodansha
Magazine	Evening (2017–2022)
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	12 September 2017 – present
Volumes	5

Crusher Joe (Japanese: クラッシャージョウ, Hepburn: Kurasshā Jō) is a series of science fiction novels written by Haruka Takachiho and published by Asahi Sonorama from 1977 to 2005 (an additional trilogy was published between 2013 and 2016). During the late 1970s one of the founding fathers of Studio Nue, Takachiho, decided that besides being a designer he would try his hand at penning novels. The result was Crusher Joe, a group of antiheroes who were not the typical self-sacrificing types but noble in their own right nonetheless.^[1]

Crusher Joe was made into an animated film in 1983 and two original video animation (OVA) episodes in 1989. The film version won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize in 1983.^[2] The film features several guest designs by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira Toriyama, Rumiko Takahashi and Hideo Azuma.^[3] In 2021, Takachiho revealed that he worked with Otomo on a sequel film "a long time ago." Otomo created a storyboard for the beginning of the sequel and gave it to Sunrise, but the project fell through.^[3] The movie and the OVA series were licensed for English release by Discotek Media in 2016.

A manga series illustrated by Yu Harii, titled Crusher Joe Rebirth, started in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Evening on 12 September 2017;^[4] the manga entered on hiatus in February 2022,^[5] and the magazine ceased its publication in February 2023.^[6] Its chapters have been collected in five volumes as of February 2022.^[7]

Plot

Enter the tale of the Crusher Council, a group of rugged individuals known for assignments ranging from transportation to terraforming and everything in between. In the early days of space exploration the Crushers took on the job of destroying asteroids and defining space lanes. Because of their work, they were nicknamed "Crushers" which eventually became their business moniker.

Despite the rough and ready nature of the Crushers' work, they subscribe to a few steadfast rules. Unethical and illegal assignments are taboo, and any Crusher accepting one is barred from the Union. Of course, this presents problems for shady clients who try to trick the Crushers into accepting misleading assignments. They know that once the Union accepts a case the Crushers are honor-bound to follow it through. Among the various worlds, the Crusher Council has a stunning reputation, and among the Crushers, the most elite team is the one led by Crusher Dan and his successor, Crusher Joe.

Characters

Joe

The headstrong leader of his Crusher Team, Joe became a Crusher at the age of ten and replaced his father as the active head of the Crushers. Now nineteen, he maintains his Triple A rating. Joe has an intensive dislike for authority (other than his own) and refuses to take orders from anyone, including his father. However, he does have a lighter side, which enables him to take the balance of a situation and to act quickly and calmly. He and Alfin are romantically involved.

Alfin

Princess of the Planet Pizanne who left her home and royal status to join the Crushers. After the Pizanne incident she sneaks aboard the Minerva and takes the late Gambino's place as navigator. Perky, bubbly and easily intoxicated, Alfin is also quick-witted and fearless. She and Joe are romantically involved.

Talos

Talos served with Joe's father, Crusher Dan, in the early days of the Crusher Union. After 40 years of being a Crusher eighty percent of his body has been replaced with cybernetic implants. These artificial limbs often come in handy (His left arm contains a machine gun). Talos is gruff and reserved and possesses enormous strength, a trait that has saved his teammates from more than one occasion. He serves as the team's pilot.

Ricky

At the age of fifteen, Ricky is the youngest member of the Joe Team but this in no way hinders his performance as the ship's engineer. Orphaned when gang members killed his parents Ricky stows away on board the Minerva. His sharp wits and instant reflexes soon establish him as a member of the team. Quick tempered and easily riled. His teammate Talos often finds himself restraining the young engineer. He also spars with Alfin like a younger sibling.

Dongo

The Dongo Mabot served with both Talos and Crusher Dan in the early days of the Federation. A robot with a warped sense of humor (he is often seen reading porn magazines), he is completely loyal and is capable of operating the Minerva when the team is absent.

Cast

Novels

Crusher Joe 1: Crisis on Solidarity Planet Pizanne (クラッシャージョウ 1 連帯惑星ピザンの危機, Kurasshā Jō 1: Rentai Wakusei Pizan no Kiki)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76093-1 (November 1977), ISBN 4-257-76920-3 (November 2000)

Crusher Joe 2: Extermination! The Space Pirates Trap (クラッシャージョウ 2 撃滅!宇宙海賊の罠, Kurasshā Jō 2: Gekimetsu! Uchū Kaizoku no Wana)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76098-2 (January 1978), ISBN 4-257-76925-4 (April 2001)

Crusher Joe 3: The Final Secret of the Milky Way (クラッシャージョウ 3 銀河系最後の秘宝, Kurasshā Jō 3: Gingakei Saigō no Hihō)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76103-2 (January 1978), ISBN 4-257-76939-4 (July 2001)

Crusher Joe 4: Cave of the Cult of the Dark God (クラッシャージョウ 4 暗黒邪神教の洞窟, Kurasshā Jō 4: Ankoku Jashinkyō no Dōkutsu)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76109-1 (January 1978), ISBN 4-257-76951-3 (November 2001)

Crusher Joe 5: Treachery Toward the Galactic Empire (クラッシャージョウ 5 銀河帝国への野望, Kurasshā Jō 5: Ginga Teikoku e no Yabō)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76118-0 (January 1978), ISBN 4-257-76958-0 (February 2002)

Crusher Joe 6: Challenge of the Human-faced Demon Beasts (クラッシャージョウ 6 人面魔獣の挑戦, Kurasshā Jō 6: Jinmen Majū no Chōsen)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76132-6 (June 1979), ISBN 4-257-76967-X (May 2002)

Crusher Joe 7: The Beautiful Demon King (クラッシャージョウ 7 美しき魔王, Kurasshā Jō 7: Utsukushiki Maō)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76176-8 (1983), ISBN 4-257-76978-5 (August 2002)

Crusher Joe 8: Kukuru, the Haunted City (クラッシャージョウ 8 悪霊都市ククル, Kurasshā Jō 8: Akuryō Toshi Kukuru)

Part 1: Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76501-1 (November 1989), ISBN 4-257-76981-5 (October 2002)

Part 2: Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76508-9 (March 1990), ISBN 4-257-76984-X (November 2002)

Crusher Joe 9: The Phantom Beast Wormwood (クラッシャージョウ 9 ワームウッドの幻獣, Kurasshā Jō 9: Wāmuūddo no Genjū)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-77017-1 (October 2003)

Crusher Joe 10: The Holy Virgin Dairon (クラッシャージョウ 10 ダイロンの聖少女, Kurasshā Jō 10: Dairon no Seishōjo)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-77047-3 (26 May 2005)

Crusher Joe Extra 1: Rainbow Hell (クラッシャージョウ 別巻1 虹色の地獄, Kurasshā Jō Bekkan 1: Nijiiro no Jigoku)

Novelization of the movie, Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-76233-0 (January 1983), ISBN 4-257-76999-8 (February 2003)

Crusher Joe Extra 2: The Doruroi Storm (クラッシャージョウ 別巻2 ドルロイの嵐, Kurasshā Jō Bekkan 2: Doruroi no Arashi)

Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 4-257-77047-3 (26 May 2005)

Video release

The 1983 film version was released on LaserDisc in 1996 with English subtitles. It was released on VHS in the United States by AnimEigo on 27 June 2000 in both dubbed and subtitled versions. A DVD released by AnimEigo on 23 September 2003 contained the original film and both OVA versions. All are now out of print. Discotek acquired the rights to retail the CJ movie and OVAs in English in 2016.^[12] The movie was released on June 20, 2020^[13] while the OVA was released on August 25, 2020.^[14]

A version of the 1983 film was released in the UK on VHS, under the name Crushers. Aimed primarily at children, this version was dubbed into English. Particularly violent/sexual references were cut.

Video games

Crusher Joe: Kanraku Wakusei no Inbou was released in 1994 by Family Soft for the PC-98).