Completed
“New champion Ippo defends belt against doctor-boxer Sanada while pursuing Kumi's heart.”
Fighting Spirit: Champion Road
はじめの一歩 -Champion Road-
8.26
373 rank · 158,240 viewers · 278 favorites
Sports
Combat Sports
Shounen
Would You Love or Hate This?
AI-powered analysis tailored to your taste
Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Personalized to you
Honest pros & cons
Based on your library
Synopsis
New champion Ippo defends belt against doctor-boxer Sanada while pursuing Kumi's heart.
The challenger has become the champion as Ippo Makunouchi now wears the featherweight championship belt of Japan. Some time has passed since Ippo's victory, and he has found his friends and coach as supportive as ever; his crush, Kumi Mashiba, seems to enjoy spending time with him as well. Things are looking bright for the new champion, but just as he once set his sights on becoming the best, his first challenger poses an intimidating threat. Kazuki Sanada works as a doctor at the same hospital as Kumi and fights strategically. Known for integrating his knowledge of the human body into his fights, Sanada is a fearsome contender—however, more unnerving than his physical ability, he has garnered the support of the nurses. Despite being the champion, Ippo feels the pressure as he must face the daunting challenge, retain his belt, and win over the girl he loves.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 13 sampled reviews
8.6
/10
What 13 viewers settled on.
100%
recommend
Score distribution
median 9
mode 8
σ 1.00
Agreement
Strong agreement
σ 1.00 · scores cluster tight
The polarity gap
—
Not enough recommend signal yet
Score over time
↓ 0.38
Running avg · Apr 2008 → Aug 2024
Snap verdicts
· shortest highly-rated reviews
- 9 “This movie was absolutely fantastic, nearly matching the iconic moment when he won the title, while brilliantly showcasing why he loves boxing and what true strength means. The dual narrative of...”
- 8 “A satisfying anime movie that stands out by being canon, introducing a likable rival character while maintaining the charm and humor that makes Hajime no Ippo special. The plot is ridiculously...”
- 10 “This special earns a perfect 10 for masterfully developing the relationship between Ippo and Kamogawa into a powerful "two man fighter" dynamic that carries through from the prequel. The portrayal...”
Verbosity
Short · 69%
Medium · 8%
Long · 23%
Watch Order & Related
Explore the Fighting Spirit: Champion Road universe
Cast
See all →Trailers & videos
See all →Gallery
See all →If you stay for this, you'll stay for these
See all →The community pairs this with
See all →Made by
See all credits →Production slate
A Tv special Production
Madhouse.- Format 1 × 91′ eps × min
- Total runtime 1h 31m all episodes
- Aired Apr 2003 – ongoing
- Source Tv special media type
- Rated PG 13 - Teens 13 or older
- Ref. BS-0241 catalog
Licensed by
- Discotek Media Licensor
- Geneon Entertainment USA Licensor