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Fighting Spirit
2000 - 2014 8.7 (1113 votes) 3 Seasons
Official Website
Genres
Animation Comedy Drama Action & Adventure
Networks
Nippon TV
Created By
George Morikawa

Fighting Spirit (はじめの一歩)

The moment you back down is the moment you lose!

Overview

Makunouchi Ippo is an ordinary high school student in Japan. Since he spends most of his time away from school helping his mother run the family business, he doesn't get to enjoy his younger years like most teenagers. Always a target for bullying at school (the family fishing business grants him a distinct odor), Ippo's life is one of hardship. One of these after-school bullying sessions turns Ippo's life around for the better, as he is saved by a boxer named Takamura. He decides to follow in Takamura's footsteps and train to become a boxer, giving his life direction and purpose. Ippo's path to perfecting his pugilistic prowess is just beginning...

Key Crew

Writer: Tatsuhiko Urahata

Top Cast

Kohei Kiyasu
Kohei Kiyasu

Ippo Makunouchi (voice)

Rikiya Koyama
Rikiya Koyama

Mamoru Takamura (voice)

Wataru Takagi
Wataru Takagi

Masaru Aoki (voice)

Keiji Fujiwara
Keiji Fujiwara

Tatsuya Kimura (voice)

Jurota Kosugi
Jurota Kosugi

Ralph Anderson (voice)

Hidenobu Kiuchi
Hidenobu Kiuchi

David Eagle (voice)

Hisao Egawa
Hisao Egawa

Iwao Shimabukuro (voice)

Shin-ichiro Miki
Shin-ichiro Miki

Ryuhei Sawamura (voice)

Seasons

Season 1 poster
Season 1 (2000)

No overview available.

75 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: The First Step
2000-10-03

Ippo is a high school student who works full time at his mother's fishing though. Because of this, he gets bullied on by the kids at his school. That's when his life turns around, when a professional boxer happens to be jogging along the way, and introduces Ippo to the world of boxing.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 2: Fruits of Labor
2000-10-10

Ippo succeeds in catching 10 falling leaves, and is granted his first sparring session.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 3: Tears of Joy
2000-10-17

Ippo loses his first sparring session, but shows enough potential to be accepted into the gym.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 4: Shadow Boxing
2000-10-24

Ippo practices shadow boxing.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 5: 3 Months to Counter
2000-10-31

Ippo trains for a rematch.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 6: The Opening Bell of the Rematch
2000-11-06

Ippo and Miyata face off in a rematch.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 7: The Destructive Force Of One CM
2000-11-13

Ippo and Miyata are in the last round of the rematch

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 8: Promise to Meet Again
2000-11-20

Ippo trains with Takamura and discovers the hardship of pro boxing.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 9: C Class License
2000-11-27

Ippo takes the License Test and meets Mashiba.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 10: Debut Match!
2000-12-04

Ippo and his opponent Yusuke train for Ippo's debut match.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 11: Obsession for Victory
2000-12-11

Ippo defeats Yusuke via K.O.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 12: Becoming a Bully's Buddy
2000-12-18

Ippo fights and wins his second match via K.O.,After the fight he was befriended by Umezawa, his former bully.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 13: The Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament Begins
2000-12-25

Ippo and his opponent Jason prepare for the first match of the Rookie King Tournament.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 14: Powerful Arms! Hooks vs. Uppercut!
2001-01-08

Start of Ippo vs Jason match, both men exchange powerful punches but neither goes down.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 15: Test of Endurance
2001-01-15

Ippo defeats Jason via K.O. after a tough match.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 16: Premonition of a Hard Battle
2001-01-22

Ippo watches the fight videos of Kobashi and Hayami, his future opponents.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 17: Ippo on the Beach
2001-01-29

Ippo joins Takamura, Kimura, and Aoki in a training camp near the beach.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 18: Clinch
2001-02-05

Start of Ippo vs Kobashi match, Ippo is loosing by points because of Kobashi's strategy.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 19: K.O. Dream
2001-02-12

Kobashi abandoned his strategy and loses the match to Ippo via K.O.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 20: Threat of Shotgun
2001-02-19

Takamura wins the Japanese Middleweight Championship belt, Ippo trains with Aoki to counter Hayami's Shotgun punch.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 21: The Way to Capture a Prodigy
2001-02-26

Start of Ippo vs Hayami fight, Hayami takes the advantage during the early rounds.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 22: Forward! Forward!!
2001-03-05

Ippo defeats Hayami via K.O. Ippo's training with Aoki and Kimura's help Ippo win the match.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 23: Another Semi-Final
2001-03-12

Ippos day off. Miyata and Mashiba face off.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 24: To the Place We Promised...
2001-03-19

Miyata and Mashiba continues to fight. Ippo is angred by the outcome.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 25: Every Emotion
2001-03-26

Ippo trains for Mashiba flicker jabs.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 26: Battle for Distance
2001-04-02

Ippo VS Mashiba Round 1

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 27: Death Match
2001-04-09

Ippo VS Mashiba continues.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 28: Victory or Defeat
2001-04-16

Ippo defeats Mashiba for Rookie King of Eastren Japan.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 29: Rocky of Naniwa
2001-04-23

Sendo goes to Japan to meet Ippo and make him go to All Japan and gets a chance to spar with Takamura.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 30: To Enemy Ground
2001-04-30

Ippo learns how to heal his right fist and gets ready for the All Japan but something happens his powerful right punches!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 31: Traces of Intense Battles
2001-05-07

Episode 31 is a retrospective on the hope that managed Ippo championship. It is made in the form of a newspaper article commented and written Fuuji, journalist of the monthly "boxing fan."

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 32: Throw Your Right!
2001-05-14

After two straight missed Ippo, the sparring match is abandoned. Meanwhile, Sendo, the great favorites of the match, continues to train. Just before the game, the pain in the fist Makunouchi have not disappeared, his orthopedic injects an anesthetic. The pain, however, can return at any time of the match, but Ippo is determined to face Sendo costs!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 33: Smash Force
2001-05-21

Makunouchi takes the smash improved Sendo, and crashed into the ropes, but do not fall! Alas, his legs tremble, Sendo and the opportunity to boost its smash. Ippo then chooses the combat body to body pure to prevent Sendo launched its smash, blow midway. Both boxers are equal forces in this area, and no stroke reaches its target.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 34: The Rookie King
2001-05-28

Sendo Makunouchi and continues to cast powerful blows to turn, but neither weakens, they are very determined !! But after a few moments, Sendo eventually take the lead, and pushes Ippo the ropes. Our hero then decides to fight back, he took advantage of a moment's respite to launch its right on Sendo, but he dodges and launches Smash Makunouchi that takes the brunt, then connects with an uppercut and a violent series Ippo preventing strokes to attack ...

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 35: The Continuing Journey
2001-06-04

It is the day of graduation, Ippo has also obtained his. At his high school, he became The Star, Idol of all students. This awareness leads logically significant upsurge in new boxers Club Kamogawa, known mainly through Takamura, Aoki and Kimura. But most do not have the mind needed to make boxing, and quickly brought back to reality by Takamura which they all did make a fool of jogging. Only a poor fan Ippo Yamada, managed to keep up, somehow.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 36: The Champ and I
2001-06-11

Ippo finally meets the champion in its class, Eiji Date. The latter is there to comment on the evening's matches as a guest. It turns out that date and Takamura are old friends. It is then time fighting. Aoki and Kimura wins them narrowly, and ranks both 5 of their category. Takamura broke his opponent as usual. Ippo meanwhile, is ranked 10 ° in its class. A few days later, the right fist Ippo is healed and he immediately asked by Newest Eiji in person for a sparring.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 37: A Thing to Strive For
2001-06-18

Ippo gets to get up, the game resumes. Date returned, and hardly the match resumed, Ippo is again stuck in the ropes. Date then returns its corkscrew, trying to anticipate where Ippo Date will strike, and protects his body. But the blow-out date is very accurate and comes crashing right in the heart of Ippo. The latter is then locked again, and again takes the left of Date. Our young boxer collapses into the ring for the 2nd time. Date who just wanted to test this one, decided to no longer use and Sparring resumes...

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 38: Two Rookies of the Year
2001-06-26

Okita also control the blow that had allowed Date set down Ippo 2 times !! Ippo, panicked, took distance, and Okita feints put the uncomfortable, it can not predict its moves. Ippo then test to get closer, but is kept at bay by jabs Okita !! The latter took the lead thanks to its experience and managed to place all his shots !! He finally ends up stuck Ippo in the corner, what he expected from the beginning of the round, in order to launch its Corkscrew, once dreaded by Makunouchi !!!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 39: Challenge in a Foreign Land
2001-07-03

In Thailand, Miyata a draw against a second-class boxer. Decision of the arbitrator although debatable, the Japanese are not welcome there, and Miyata seems to be the target of combatants wishing to earn points easily. But our young prodigy does not intend to scroll and accept a new challenge, against the wishes of his father, who would rather see it go up in the lightweight category. For Miyata, that change is impossible, it MUST NOT prevent Ippo, about dignity, he refused to flee the face of obstacles.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 40: A Counter to Surpass All Counters
2001-07-10

The boxing stadium tremble with excitement, the crowd goes wild and wants to see only one thing, the victory of Jimmy Sisfer, and the defeat of Ichiro Miyata ... While the gong is about sound, Payao and baby Chana brother are on their way to see one of the most beautiful game of the life Miyata. Back at the stadium Runpini, Miyata can only see the reputation of Jimmy Sisfer, while his father described the situation of the failed against Ichiro. Payao Chana and finally arrives at the stadium before the match is over.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 41: Barf-michi's Big Fight
2001-07-17

At sunset, While Ippo's mother prepares the material for fishing, it can hardly his training, sorry for being late to help his mother. The next day at Kamogawa club, while everybody is training, the coach delivers some news: Aoki and Kimura are registered in Class A tournament - a competition of the highest level. Ippo learns with astonishment that it is also registered for this tournament. But always with astonishment, Geromichi learns that he was included in Pro test.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 42: Sharing a Dream
2001-07-24

Ippo thinks of quitting boxing.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 43: The Speed Star
2001-07-31

Ippo gets ready for his match against Saeki the Speed Star.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 44: Blind Spot in the Ring
2001-08-07

Ippo fights Saeki.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 45: The White Fangs of the Wolf
2001-08-14

Gero-michi leaves and has to move away.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 46: Be the Gazelle
2001-08-21

Aoki, Kimura & Ippo train hard for their next match of the tournament class A. They linked together jogging, sparring and Shadow Boxing to be at their best. It is time for the semifinals of Aoki. The match was balanced, but the 4th round, Aoki is counter to "the shot of the Frog" and collapses in the ring. But he gets up, feint and then delivers a powerful one to two who puts his opponent down. The latter in turn reports to, and through a nice web...

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 47: The Fighting Spirit Within
2001-08-28

The tactics of the coach against Vorg is based on a succession of sudden melee after which the least enduring two boxers will drop his guard for breath. The victory Ippo so upon his endurance. He will have to work hard breathing and cardiovascular system. In order to have a chance, the coach must impose an extremely strong pace to Ippo. Because of that, a few days before the game, Ippo begins to think that it will not recover in time from his training.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 48: The Red Wolf
2001-09-04

The match between Volg and Ippo begins.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 49: The Courage to Believe
2001-09-18

Volg and Ippo continue to duke it out in a hard-fought and long battle.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 50: Something to Convey
2001-09-25

The end of the Volg match.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 51: Group Date
2001-10-02

Group date, literally. Ippo walks Mashiba's Kumi home.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 52: The Challenger
2001-10-09

Recap episode.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 53: So That I Can Be Myself
2001-10-16

Background episode for Date Eiji.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 54: Fists of the Champ
2001-10-23

"The champions have special powers! "That is what was said to Takamura Ippo before his defense of the title match. But after weight problems and a passage in a sauna that has significantly weakened, Takamura finds himself in trouble with his challenger Tamaki but still holds out and the gong sounds the end of the 1st round. The 2nd round barely begun, but Takamura load Tamaki is pushing his fitness is at its lowest, it is out of breath and roll with the punches of his opponent.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 55: The Japan Featherweight Title Match
2001-10-30

The episode begins the day before the match for the title of Ippo, during training with mittens. But the latter is shortened, the coach looks ill. While Aoki asks Ippo to reach him, Kimura Takamura and Tomiko to make something interesting ... When the young boxer arrives, he learns that Tomiko will predict his future, but then refuses Takamura and Kimura are there to prevent him from leaving the coach then makes appearance and berates everyone !!!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 56: The Power that Stands in the Way
2001-11-06

During the break, Ippo is concerned, he has not had the sensation he usually hit when Date but his coach made him regain confidence in him. The beginning of the 3rd round is the perfect copy of the 2nd, shots exchanges and this time it's the date that takes advantage. But Ippo not allowed to do, Liver Blow launches and connects to a violent attack! Ippo but still has that feeling to touch and see in fact nothing Date Eiji swinging his head depending on the direction of the shot, a technique made to dissipate the power of the blows ...

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 57: Conclusion
2001-11-13

"What should I do?". This is the question that arises while Ippo Date street shots, then he remembers that he told Takamura just give the maximum for this fight. It resumes and cons Date of overkill shot! Champion legs no longer obey him and Ippo launches a huge live date but with its iron will narrowly dodge and 4th round ends. No one in the audience knows what will happen, not even the defending champion of average weight Takamura Mamoru.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 58: Heartbroken
2001-11-20

While the coach Okita Date and congratulated the champion, Ippo wishes to thank for this game then goes on a stretcher to applause from the audience ... We then see Takeshi Sendo raging against Ippo! He thought that he would win and would give him a match demand, but he realizes that there are now two people above him. Vorg then appeared, both boxers are actually in the same situation, they want to take their revenge on Makunouchi!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 59: Look of Determination
2001-11-27

The match between Sendou Takeshi and Volg Zangief starts.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 60: Rival
2001-12-04

Sendou wins the match versus Volg.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 61: Comeback Anxiety
2001-12-11

Miyata Ichirou defeats Li Chou Bil.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 62: Revival
2001-12-18

Coach returns from the hospital, and Makunochi "hits without being hit".

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 63: Youth of Fire
2001-12-25

The past of Aoki and Kimura is shown.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 64: Hot Rod Era
2002-01-08

Second part of Aoki's and Kimura's past.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 65: The Summer of the Kamogawa Corps
2002-01-15

The group go to training camp in the mountains.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 66: Mr. Takamura's Tears
2002-01-22

Takamura fights a bear.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 67: The Kamogawa Gym Swings Into Action
2002-01-29

After this strong hectic camp, we find our boxers at the gym. While the coach told them all to go to rest, two men have one a shin-coach nihon club and the other being Shigeta Akira, a young boxer ranked 4th featherweight and will therefore fight for the title against Sendo. The coach asks the coach if his boxer could eventually do a sparring ippo face. The coach agrees. We then see ippo completely lost against an opponent whose main feature is ...

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 68: The Chief's Peril
2002-02-05

Finally the day of the games of our boxers happens, Kimura very fit explodes his opponent, when Aoki to beat his opponent but as usual with a little more difficulty. But hey go to the main match of the evening, obviously this is the game Takamura who calls himself "the bear killer" now. While everyone is impatient in the room. Takamura offers us a memorable entrance, nay exceptional !!! He wears the skin of the bear Nekota-san brought him mountains.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 69: The Trap of the Southpaw
2002-02-12

Ippo and coach arriving in the city where the featherweight champion, Takeshi Sendo must defend his title against Shigeta Akira, 4th category. At the beginning of the match, we see very manhandled by the champion challenger. Indeed, as Ippo, Sendo is struggling to impose its style of boxing against a southpaw boxer, that is to say a southpaw boxer. Sendo tries to put his best shots Shigeta, but it dodges every time and even manages to outsmart his famous fatal blow, the Smash.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 70: The Young Punk
2002-02-19

We find our hero in him, in his room, he can not help thinking about the game he has just seen in Osaka, acceleration Sendo, his blows so powerful and his expression bloodthirsty killer scared. The Ippo thoughts suddenly stopped by his mother. Kumi, the friend of ippo wants to talk on the phone joy Ho, Ho love, Ippo is quick to take the handset. After some discussion between timid, our lovebirds decide when even an appointment.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 71: Time for the Showdown
2002-02-26

While the title match approach Ippo trains again and again. As it enters its footing, a crowd gathered in front of the room, there are people coming to buy their tickets for this match promises to be memorable. Yagi advertisement for Ippo that all match tickets were sold in one day, amazing. The next day is the day of the weigh-in. Ippo enters the room, always a little anxious, he sees Sendo, the defending champion has not changed, still relaxed too.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 72: Lollapalooza
2002-03-05

What wonder what Dempsey Roll early in the 1st round, Ippo sends his best and most powerful blow while Sendo had not yet had time to get into position. The champion is found on land that is a panic down. But we suspected that Sendo was not going to stop there, he gets up with difficulty ... In revenge and especially to repel the new qu'Ippo Dempsey Roll is about to launch, the champion sent a straight right in the custody of our hero, not to worry, in theory ...

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 73: Surpass That Moment
2002-03-12

Ippo happens somehow to join his corner. This end of the second round was very rude for the challenger, the 3rd round starts in exactly the same way as has finished the second. Ippo gets scared, he knows a single shot Sendo could send it to the mat. Distraught, our hero does not know what to do, he took refuge behind his guard and cash titanic blows champion. After an uppercut and a smash Sendo took the full brunt, it makes up for in accuracy and sends a desperate shot ...

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 74: Mixup
2002-03-19

Takamura has noticed, Ippo has had enough it is burnt and courage in this game is like a time bomb because if Sendo quite put down Ippo, it will never recover. 5th round begins with a superb one to two of Ippo, but Sendo replica and sends ippo the ropes and starts sending high-powered shots in the custody of the challenger. Seeing his boxer so ready for victory, the coach still Sendo revisit it when it was just a thug brawler.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 75: One Step Further
2002-03-26

Ippo and Sendo's match concludes.

Runtime: 24 min
Season 2 poster
Season 2 (2009)

Ippo Makunouchi continues his boxing career and his goal on knowing the meaning of being strong, and the desire on fighting his idol Ichiro Miyata once again. Along him are pro boxers Takamura, Aoki and Kimura that each one of them aspire to their own dreams. the continuation after Ippo won his Japan Championship match.

26 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: The New Step
2009-01-06

The first episode of the second season starts with mostly the match of Miyata against Arnie. Shows Kimura sparring with Miyata and then the Weigh-in. Then the match is about to start, Miyata and Arnie are ready for battle!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 2: Bloody Cross
2009-01-13

The second episode of the second season starts off on Miyata's OPBF Title Match. With it Arnie showing his special weapon called Bloody Cross and Miyata throwing strong counters to escape from this techniques strange name 'Bloody Cross '.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 3: To a Promise
2009-01-20

The third episode of the second season continues on the OPBF Match with Miyata against Arnie. With almost everytime Miyata is about to fall down from hits of the champ, but then he tooks big step and takes the OPBF Champion Arnie Gregory to the ground. The count starts, and the episode ends.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 4: Towards The World
2009-01-27

Miyata Ichirou wins the title of OPBF Featherweight Champion, but now Ippo feels even further from him than before. After his match, Date Eiji's second Title Match against Ricardo Martinez is officially finalized, after seven years. As they look at the boxing magazine, the coach comes in and says that Ricardo Martinez has requested a sparring match with Ippo.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 5: The Strength of the World
2009-02-02

Ippo comes to the sparring match against Ricardo Martinez as focused as if it were a real match, and he is determined to land at least one hit on the World champion. However, Martinez's lightning-fast lefts and instant reflexes are like nothing Ippo's ever seen. Will Ippo's Dempsey Roll work on the strongest man in the world?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 6: A Figure to Chase After
2009-02-11

After seven years Eiji Date will finally have his rematch with Ricardo Martinez, the world featherweight champion. The title match begins, Date starts the match off with two lefts, the second landing on the champion's face.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 7: The Advent of the Devil
2009-02-17

The world featherweight title match has begun, in the first round, neither Date or Martinez use their rights. The second round is more exciting than the first. In the third round, Martinez steps it up and becomes more aggressive.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 8: Spirit For One Last Attack
2009-02-25

Date tries the heart-breaker shot but Martinez blocks it with his elbow breaking Date's hand. By the end of the round Date's hand, jaw, and ribs are broken. After ten rounds the match has a winner.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 9: Inheritance Qualifications
2009-03-03

The Kamogawa Boxing Gym gets a new recruit: Itagaki Manabu, the inter-high national runner up who happens to idolizes Ippo. Meanwhile, Ippo is hit with a blast from the past when he is challenged by Hammer Nao, his former junior who now seeks to defeat him and take his belt.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 10: Biting Dog
2009-03-10

Ippo is reluctant to fight Nao, who used to be his junior and friend. Nao faces his fear of fighting Ippo and resolves to let Ippo know how strong he has become firsthand. Who will come out on top?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 11: Ippo vs. Hammer Nao
2009-03-17

The match begins. Ippo goes on an all-out offensive, hoping to end this match as soon as possible, but Nao refuses to stay down until he has shown Ippo his new power! Nao makes use of relentless and forceful body blows, pushing Ippo into a corner.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 12: Requirements For A Pro
2009-03-24

Ippo lowers his guard and it becomes a blow-for-blow confrontation, with Ippo winning out and knocking Nao down. Nao reflects on his past with Ippo as he gets up once more, only to be ultimately knocked out. Ippo remarks that Nao hasn't felt the pain of losing yet, and now that he has, he will become much stronger.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 13: Ippo At The Beach 2
2009-04-01

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 14: Two Spars
2009-04-08

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 15: Itagaki`s Debut Fight!
2009-04-14

Takamura and Ippo's next matches are finalized. Itagaki has a jarring introduction to the world of pro boxing when he fights a boxer desperate enough to cheat, and Kimura's Dragon Fish Blow can't seem to get the job done. To top it all off, Takamura has botched his weight management due to Aoki's revenge and is in no shape to fight! Can Takamura defeat the Filipino Middleweight Champion?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 16: The Two Hawks
2009-04-21

Takamura's light punches and decreased stamina have put him at a great disadvantage, but when he sees a familiar and taunting face, his anger allows him to fight back. Bryan Hawk finally makes his appearance - but his behavior is far from that of a true champion...

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 17: Wild Kid
2009-04-28

Takamura attacks Hawk in a fit of anger, but Hawk effortlessly blocks his attack, stunning everyone. The Kamogawa gang reviews Hawk's previous matches and learn how terrifyingly strong he is. When Ippo and friends visit Takamura's home out of curiousity, Takamura's checkered past with his family is revealed.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 18: Extreme Weight Control
2009-05-05

Takamura resolves to reach the top of the world for the sake of his friends and for the coach. In order to do so, he must lose 20 kilos (44 lbs) before the match. Takamura starves and dehydrates himself to accomplish his goal, but will he make it through this bout of extreme weight control?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 19: Critical Situation
2009-05-12

The coach and Nagi see Hawk's devastating boxing firsthand. Takamura barely makes weight and is taunted by Hawk for his skinny appearance. Later, when a press conference turns into utter chaos, all of Japan roots for Takamura to beat Hawk. Ippo makes a risky promise to Takamura, but will he be able to fulfill it?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 20: Junior Middleweight World Title Match
2009-05-19

Ippo manages to win his title defense with a 1-round KO as per his promise and rushes back to see Takamura. There, he sees all of the Japanese champions and former champions, including Eiji and Sendo,encouraging Takamura to do his best. After a flashy entrance ceremony, the long-awaited world title match finally begins!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 21: Battle of Hawk
2009-05-26

Takamura takes the pace at the beginning of the match, but Hawk unveils his unique style that allows him to dodge and attack simultaneously! After being caught off-guard and taking a beating in the first round, Takamura uses his speedy footwork to circle around Hawk, but Hawk outspeeds him and knocks him down. Can Takamura learn to counter Hawk's wild fighting style in time?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 22: Brawl
2009-06-02

Takamura is outsped once more and knocked unconscious, but manages to recover just in time. Relying on what he has learned from the coach, he knocks down Hawk and discovers his weakness! An all-out brawl ensues and Takamura comes out on top! Takamura begins the next round with a KO proclamation - but can he really end the fight in this round?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 23: Supporting Hand
2009-06-09

Despite using all of his remaining energy, Takamura cannot break through Hawk's defense and is left with no way to fight back. Hawk's wild bloodlust comes out, and he aims to kill Takamura in the ring! With nothing supporting him but the love of his friends and the coach's help, can Takamura mount a comeback?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 24: The King
2009-06-16

Takamura is knocked unconscious while standing yet again, and remembers all of the pain, suffering, and disrespect he faced for the sake of this match. Realizing that his pain is because of Bryan Hawk, he begins fighting back, this time driven purely by instinct and anger. Takamura turns the table, but the champion on the ropes has one last trick up his sleeve...

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 25: Please Accept This Bronze Statue
2009-06-23

After a gruesome fight, Takamura becomes the WBC Jr. Middleweight World Champion, and orders a giant bronze statue of himself to celebrate. Itagaki wins his first official match, and Ippo meets Itagaki's family - and learns how terrifying a simple pun can be!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 26: New Challenger
2009-06-30

When Miyata confronts Ippo about their promise, it is revealed that Miyata has risen far above Ippo's level due to his over-reliance on the Dempsey Roll. When Ippo's next challenger, Shimabukuro Iwao, declares that he will destroy the Dempsey Roll, Ippo decides to train his Dempsey Roll so that it has no weaknesses. The coach decides to help Ippo, even if it means fighting against modern boxing itself!

Runtime: 24 min
Season 3 poster
Season 3 (2013)

Hajime no Ippo: Rising continues Ippo's quest to become stronger, featuring the same cast of loveable dimwits from Kamogawa Gym, as they put their bodies and hearts on the line to make their way in the harsh world of professional boxing. With a will of iron, Ippo steps into the ring once again.

25 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: The Strongest Challenger
2013-10-06

Makunouchi Ippo defeated Sendou Takeshi with his Dempsey Roll and became the Japanese Featherweight Champion! Reflecting on his recent title defenses, Ippo reminisces about his late father Kazuo, and his own desires to be as strong as his dad was.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 2: The Dempsey Roll Destroyed
2013-10-12

With his title on the line, Ippo goes toe-to-toe with Shimabukuro. The battle is so intense Ippo doesn’t even have room to breathe, to the point he starts turning blue! With Ippo struggling at the “bottom of the ocean,” has Shimabukuro met his goal of destroying the Dempsey Roll?!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 3: A Woman's Battle
2013-10-19

Ippo emerges victorious after a vicious war with Shimabukuro, and Itagaki’s sister Nanako comes to pay him a visit at home while he rests. Meanwhile, Aoki is busy preparing for his first ever title match against the lightweight champion Imae Katsutaka.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 4: The Goddess of Victory
2013-10-25

After an infuriating face-off with Imae, Aoki turns to his girlfriend Tomiko for comfort. Meanwhile, Imae chooses to focus all his energy on boxing and his upcoming title defense, rebuffing his former girlfriend Sachiko’s attempts to rekindle their romance. Will Tomiko’s support carry Aoki to victory, or will Imae’s intense focus keep the belt on his waist?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 5: 100% Fake
2013-11-01

Imae’s long hours of research quickly pay off as he decimates Aoki by countering every one of his trademark attacks, even the Frog Punch! As Tomiko watches on and the crowd awaits the inevitable knockout, Aoki does something that leaves the whole arena in shock.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 6: The Distance Between Me and Glory
2013-11-08

Imae, cowed by Aoki’s fearsome new move, suddenly realizes what it is Aoki has that he lacks. Summoning up all the energy he has left, he faces his challenger once again. As the fight drags on, will Imae retain his championship, or will Aoki finally reach the belt?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 7: Cheese Champion
2013-11-15

Sendou Takeshi, the "Naniwa Tiger," returns to the ring! But it's his sparring partner, Sawamura Ryuuhei, who knocks Ippo for a loop when he calls the Dempsey Roll a "clumsy technique" and declares he's gunning for the Featherweight Title!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 8: The Mad Dog and the Red Wolf
2013-11-22

Ippo's next title defense is confirmed to be against Sawamura Ryuuhei, and after realizing the Dempsey Roll is vulnerable to counter punches, Ippo realizes he doesn't stand a chance. His only option is to somehow evolve the Dempsey Roll into a more effective move, but as he mulls over exactly how to do it, a surprisingly familiar face appears in front of him.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 9: A Savage Scenario
2013-11-29

Volg has return to Japan to take back his boxing gloves from Ippo. He hopes to travel to America, but with no contacts there he must rely on Coach Kamogawa to introduce him to someone. The gang at the gym asks Volg to spar with Ippo to help him prepare for the Sawamura fight, but after such a long time away from the ring, can the Russian get in fighting shape in time?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 10: The Face Of Determination
2013-12-07

As the fight with Sawamura draws near, Ippo has pinned all his hopes on the newly-evolved Dempsey Roll, to the point where practicing it has left him worn out and overtrained. Left with a dire warning from his massage therapist about the toll his new move is taking, will Ippo be able to perfect his technique in time for the fight?!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 11: Fearless Challenger
2013-12-28

Sawamura's blatant fouls and bullet-like left jabs leave Ippo scrambling to establish some kind of rhythm. He stubbornly forces his way inside, but is he charging headfirst into a trap?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 12: The Anti-Dempsey Perfected
2014-01-04

Ippo mounts a desperate, full frontal assault as Sawamura continues to toy with him. Determined to take back the pace, Ippo begins to dodge the Bullets and get into a rhythm as he strikes back. Almost naturally he falls into the Dempsey Roll pattern, and Sawamura makes his move!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 13: A Fist That Picks You Up
2014-01-04

The evolved Dempsey Roll saved Ippo from the jaws of defeat. Bolstered by the cheering fans, he chases down Sawamura. But with Sawamura more willing than ever to risk an illegal move, will Ippo's last bit of energy be enough to defend the title?

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 14: Empowering Words
2014-01-11

Ippo visits Dr. Yamaguchi and learns the full extent of the damage caused by the evolved Dempsey Roll. As he walks home on crutches, Umezawa drives by and gives him a lift. Ippo's relief is short-lives, however, as Umezawa suddenly reveals he plans to quit working on the Makunouchi fishing boat!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 15: A Storm Descends on Makunouchi Fishing Boat
2014-01-17

To celebrate Ippo's win and recovery, the whole gym gang hops aboard the Makunouchi Fishing Boat for a fun fishing trip. Yagi suggests they liven things up with a little contest, and suddenly a relaxing afternoon turns into an all-out war!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 16: Golden Eagle
2014-01-25

While Takamura approaches his physical limits as he cuts weight for his upcoming world title match, the American champion David Eagle arrives in Japan. Talented, dedicated, respectful, and honorable, he exudes the aura of a true champion.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 17: Eleki's Shocker and Papaya's Coconut
2014-02-01

It's time for Kimura and Aoki to step into the ring at the Yokohama Arena! Kimura's up first, and nerves come into play as he stands before a huge crowd for the first time. Then when Aoki's turn comes up, he finds himself perplexed by a boxer every bit as unorthodox as himself! Can the duo set the right tone for Takamura's title match?!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 18: The Unfinished New Counter
2014-02-08

It's the semifinal match, Miyata vs. Dachboy, and the Miyata camp recognizes a familiar face in the opponent's corner... Mister Sakaguchi, the former manager of the boxer Miyata beat for the OPBF title!

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 19: Hawk vs. Eagle
2014-02-15

It's finally time for the main event, Takamura Mamoru vs. David Eagle! The challenger is full of vim and vigor, but even in the face of Takamura's fury, Eagle's face remains calm and collected.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 20: A Lesson Never Forgotten
2014-02-22

Despite being stymied by Eagle, Takamura assures his corner he has a plan for victory. Just as he seems to be making progress, a shocking development changes the entire fight.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 21: The End of the Death Match
2014-03-01

Blood sprays across the ring as Takamura and Eagle pound at each other's cuts. Takamura's good eye is quickly swelling shut, and the ringside doctor stands ready to call the match at any time.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 22: Flower of Hope
2014-03-08

And old photo and a little prodding from Ippo and Aoki prompts Coach Kamogawa and Nekota to take a trip down memory lane. Theirs is a tale of hope, frustration, and ultimately redemption in the early days of postwar Japan.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 23: The Courage to Live
2014-03-15

Prizefighting turns out to be no match for boxing as Sergeant Ralph Anderson easily manhandles Kamogawa and Nekota. The two fighters redouble their training even as they adjust to their new lives living with Yuki...and each other.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 24: Iron Fist
2014-03-22

Kamogawa breathes a sigh of relief as he watches Nekota run circles around Anderson with his spectacular footwork... Until round four, when the soldier's frustration reaches a critical mass and things take a dark turn.

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 25: A Vow
2014-03-29

Kamogawa resorts to pounding a log with his bare fists as he trains to face Anderson and avenge Nekota. Anderson rediscovers his pride as a boxer and brings Miguel along as his cornerman. Everything comes down to this!

Runtime: 24 min

Videos

No Ribs Survived | Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting

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