Joe Asakura, born George Asakura on BC Island to scientist parents Giuseppe and Katarina Asakura, witnessed their assassination by a female Galactor agent during a beach retreat when he was eight. The attack, involving gunfire and an explosive rose bomb, critically injured him. Dr. Kozaburo Nambu arrived soon after, rescued the boy, falsified his death, and smuggled him off the island. Renamed Joe for protection, he was raised under Nambu's guardianship alongside other wards, including Ken Washio. Joe grew into a headstrong and impulsive individual driven by vengeance against Galactor. Serving as second-in-command and weapons expert of the Science Ninja Team under the codename "Condor Joe" (G-2), his combat style prioritized aggression and marksmanship, favoring direct confrontation. He wielded feather shurikens and a multi-function grappling-hook pistol capable of firing bullets, deploying a lasso, or operating as a drill. Despite a cynical exterior and lone-wolf tendencies, he maintained loyalty to the team. Fragmented memories of his parents' deaths, later fully recalled with Ken's help, revealed they were Galactor defectors planning to leave. This knowledge added complexity to his hatred of the organization and slightly mellowed his outlook, though his dedication to its destruction remained absolute. In the original series finale, Joe sacrificed himself during the assault on Galactor's Himalayan base. Severely wounded by Berg Katse and presumed dead, his body was never recovered. He returned in the sequel series *Gatchaman II* as a cyborg, rebuilt by Dr. Pandora with enhanced durability and near-indestructibility. This transformation led him to view himself as a combat machine, often acting recklessly to protect teammates. An implanted bomb near his heart prevented him from eliminating Galactor's leader, X. His character design varied across adaptations. The original series depicted him with ash-blond hair, a burgundy Bird Style suit, and a blue feathered cape. The 1994 OVA redesigned him with auburn hair, a navy-blue suit, and a crucifix necklace, emphasizing a "bad boy" aesthetic with a skull tattoo. The cancelled Imagi film project planned a leather-clad civilian look and a gray-and-black Bird Style inspired by NTT advertisements. *Infini-T Force* featured him with a ponytail and a modernized uniform. His relationships involved friction and loyalty. He frequently clashed with Ken over strategy but shared a deep, unspoken bond. Dr. Nambu tolerated his temper due to guilt over withholding the truth about his parents. Romantic attachments typically ended tragically, as three love interests—all affiliated with Galactor—died during their respective storylines. In non-anime media, the light novel *The Condor Flies!* presented an alternate origin where Joe was a genetically engineered soldier with implanted memories. The *Tatsunoko vs. Capcom* video game translated his combat style into wild punches and projectile-based moves, though his gameplay mechanics lacked high-tier effectiveness.