Ongoing Manga
Hajime no Ippo: Fighting Spirit!

“Bullied teen Ippo, saved by boxer Takamura, discovers boxing talent and trains to become a professional fighter.”

Hajime no Ippo: Fighting Spirit!

8.77
59 rank · 102,940 readers · 7,702 favorites
Shounen Combat Sports Award Winning Sports
1989 - Present · Manga
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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...

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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.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

What people say

Community consensus

Derived from 27 sampled reviews

8.1 /10

What 27 readers settled on.

87% recommend
Score distribution
median 9 mode 10 σ 2.09
1510
Agreement

Polarized

σ 2.09 · split reception

split
The polarity gap

4.6 pts

Recommenders 9.3 · others 4.7

Yes
No
Score over time

↑ 2.15

Running avg · May 2009 → Apr 2026

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Publication slate

A Manga Publication

  • Published Sep 1989 – ongoing
  • Source Manga media type
  • Ref. BS-M0005 catalog

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