“Bullied teen Ippo, saved by boxer Takamura, discovers boxing talent and trains to become a professional fighter.”
Hajime no Ippo: Fighting Spirit!
はじめの一歩
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...
Synopsis
Bullied teen Ippo, saved by boxer Takamura, discovers boxing talent and trains to become a professional fighter.
Makunouchi Ippo is a 16-year-old high school student who helps his mother run the family business. His hefty workload impedes his social life, making him an easy target for bullies. One day, while being beaten up by a group of high school students, Ippo is saved by a boxer named Mamoru Takamura, and is brought to the Kamogawa Boxing Gym. This afterschool bullying session turns his life around for the better, as Ippo discovers his latent talent for boxing and decides to practice the sport professionally. However, Mamoru doubts Ippo's determination and assigns him a task deemed impossible to complete; but the resolute Ippo trains tirelessly to fulfill his mission. Along the way, he finds out what it means to attain true strength while making new friends and fighting formidable foes.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 27 sampled reviews
What 27 readers settled on.
Polarized
σ 2.09 · split reception
4.6 pts
Recommenders 9.3 · others 4.7
↑ 2.15
Running avg · May 2009 → Apr 2026
- 10 “There is nothing that would describe the greatness behind this manga The art style and the storytelling are great, The series will develop the side character as thoroughly as the protagonist. I...”
- 10 “Entre más avanza mejor se pone, es increíble, 1300 capítulos y todo lo que hace es gustarme mas. también hay que decir que en serialización las peleas no serán tan amenas pero igualmente pienso que...”
- 9 “This series has been a part of my life. It's incredible, the best sports manga and anime I've ever seen in my entire life. I can't complain about anything, the art has evolved along with the manga,...”
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A Manga Publication
- Published Sep 1989 – ongoing
- Source Manga media type
- Ref. BS-M0005 catalog