HAJIME NO IPPO

If you’re reading this it’s because you’ve been in the comic scene long enough and you’re curious enough about boxing to have heard of it. You’re now on this site wondering if you should check it out.

Do it.

This is by far one of the most honest and closest portrayals you are gonna get about being Japanese amateur and professional boxer. Is there romanticism and glorification about it? Definitely. But beyond the author’s love of the sport, there is truth in it’s characters and storylines. The pain, the trauma, the hard work and tactics, all of it is here. From Japanese penis jokes to heart breaking back stories of losses, to the most emotionally motivating wins, you get everything in people’s lives.

Not only are the characters and stories great, but the action is :chef’s kiss:. This is how I want to write fight scenes. Each person comes in with tactics. In the amateur field it’s just one or two small tools. But as Ippo gets better, as his fellow teammates fight stronger opponents, you get tools on tools, counters to tools, different mindsets of strategy and large game plans. Is there power from heart in this? Yes, of course, it’s classic manga, but so much of it is also in how different fighters utilize different strengths and weaknesses. Honestly, your mind’s eye and the images do more justice to the fight than the anime.

This is one of those stories you won’t regret reading. There are stories in life that are classics. Stories that resonate beyond generation and nation. This is one of them. It’s not perfect, and it has it’s flaws, but the story that is told here in the method that is told, it has meaning and value.

If you’ve been reading a lot of reincarnation, isekai, regression, and power-progression stuff for a while, and you’re looking for something more, something deeper, give this a try. It’s got action, but it’s also got a lot of heart. This is the kind of thing I can always come back to and appreciate.

The art might turn off some people cause it’s old ass 80s manga art, but I swear that you will stop caring as you continue reading.

8.5/10 would read again. Would recommend to anybody who has ever wanted to be a champion.

SPOILER BELOW

Also for people who are sad about Ippo and his situation since 1210: it’s okay. Sometimes stuff like this happens and learning to accept it and moving on to enjoy other things in life is part of living. If you can’t handle it and quit I understand, but the story is still great, so if you’re ever curious come back and check out how much Ippo still loves boxing and owns random people as a support. 😛