Fighting Spirit (anime)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fighting Spirit
はじめの一歩 (The First Step)
Genre	Action, Boxing, Comedy, Drama, Martial Arts, Shōnen, Sports
Manga
Authored by	Jyoji "George" Morikawa
Publisher	Kodansha
Other publishers: Level Comics
Serialized in	Weekly Shonen Magazine
Original run	17 February 1990 –
No. of volumes	79
TV anime
Directed by	Satoshi Nishimura
Studio	Madhouse
Network	Nippon Television
Original run	3 October 2000 – 27 March 2002
No. of episodes	76

Fighting Spirit (はじめの一歩, Hajime no Ippo^?); in full, Hajime no Ippo: THE FIGHTING, is a boxing anime and manga series created by Jyoji "George" Morikawa (森川 ジョージ Morikawa Jōji) which is serialized by Kodansha in Weekly Shonen Magazine.

The manga has been running since 1989 and currently spans 79 tankōbon. A 76-episode anime adaption was produced by Madhouse Production and ran on the Nippon TV Network from October 2000 to March 2002. One OVA and a movie were also produced. The anime is licensed in North America by Geneon as Fighting Spirit. It was called Knockout in the Philippines.

Contents 1 Story 2 Characters 3 Video Games 4 Music 4.1 Anime Theme Songs 5 Episode List 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Story

Ippo Makunouchi (幕之内 一歩, Makunouchi Ippo^?) is a very shy high school student who never had the time to make friends because he was always busy helping his mother with the family fishing boat business. Because he kept to himself, a group of bullies lead by Umezawa got into the habit of picking on him. On one particular day these bullies decided to give him a rather serious beating, but a middle-weight professional boxer who was passing by stopped the bullies and took the injured Ippo to the Kamogawa Gym (鴨川ボクシングジム, Kamogawa Bokushingu Jimu^?), owned by retired boxer Genji Kamogawa (鴨川 源二, Kamogawa Genji^?), to treat his wounds. After Ippo awoke to the sounds of boxers training, the boxer who saved him, Mamoru Takamura, tried to cheer Ippo up by letting him vent his frustrations on a sandbag. It was then that they had their first glimpse into Ippo's talent for boxing. After that incident, Ippo started his regular training and began his path in Japan's professional boxing.

The story focuses heavily on character development, even during the matches something is learned about the fighters. Ippo and his friendly rivalry with Miyata is the main draw in the early part of the series. That later changes to Ippo's path towards the Japanese Featherweight Championship and eventually the world championship. Along the way we are given glimpses into the other side character's pasts, motivations, relationships to others and current boxing trials.

The anime series has two spin-off movies that were actually part of the manga. Champion Road, which takes place after Ippo becomes the Japanese Featherweight Champion and showcases his first defense of the title, and Kimura Vs. Mashiba, which pits one of Ippo's senpai (upper classmen) Kimura against the Japanese lightweight champion Mashiba (Ippo's love interest's brother).

[edit] Characters

Main article: List of Fighting Spirit characters

• Ippo Makunouchi (幕之内 一歩, Makunouchi Ippo^?)

The kind and easily intimidated titular hero of the series, Ippo wishes to become stronger, both physically and mentally, by becoming a pro boxer. As a boxer, Ippo's greatest strength lies in his undying willpower and his natural physical strengths, which include monstrous stamina, raw power, and capacity to withstand damage. Whenever he can, he helps his mother (Hiroko) at home with the family occupation of renting out fishing boats. His current record as Japan's featherweight champion is 20-1-0, with 20 KOs and is ranked WBC #12.

• Ichiro Miyata (宮田 一郎, Miyata Ichirō^?)

Ippo's greatest rival. Not only is the taciturn Miyata a boxing prodigy, but he's also blessed with good looks, amazing reflexes, and nearly unmatched speed. He began at the Kamogawa Gym, but later transferred to Kawahara Gym in hopes of one day facing Ippo in an official match. Miyata has trained all across the Pacific and eventually returned to the mainstream boxing scene as the OPBF (Orient Pacific Boxing Federation) featherweight champion. Miyata's record is 22-1-1, with 20 KOs. Miyata himself looked down on Ippo a little at first, but after he helped Ippo to buy new boots for their first match, he started to respect him more, developing a friendly rivalry.

• Genji Kamogawa (鴨川 源二, Kamogawa Genji^?)

Head coach and founder of the Kamogawa gym. He fought as a prizefighter in Japan shortly after the end of World War II. Along with his friends, Ginpachi Nekota and Dankichi Hama, Kamogawa developed a style of fighting that both presumably became the forerunner of boxing in Japan and emphasized scientific theory in its techniques. As a coach, Kamogawa's wealth of knowledge and experience has been tapped into on multiple occasions during training as well as in matches.

• Mamoru Takamura (鷹村 守, Takamura Mamoru^?)

A veteran boxer who introduces Ippo to the sport after rescuing him from bullies. Gifted with incredible physical ability, he is considered to be one of the very few Japanese boxers that can make it on the world stage. As a result of his incredible skill, Takamura has an equally large ego and is not above bad-mouthing his enemies, teammates, and even Coach Kamogawa. He is the estranged son of a family that runs a large line of successful hotels and resorts, and was quite a troublemaker until Coach Kamogawa managed to get him out of a life of street violence. Currently, Takamura has a record of 21-0-0, with 21 KOs, and is the reigning WBO middleweight Champion. His current aspiration is to conquer the next 4 classes up through heavyweight.

• Masaru Aoki (青木 勝, Aoki Masaru^?)

Ippo's senpai and Kimura's best friend. Aoki provides much of the gym's comic relief and exercises one of the world's most unique fighting styles. In the past, he and Kimura were the toughest high-school thugs around, but now Aoki's real job is at a ramen restaurant. He shares an apartment with his girlfriend, Tomiko, a friend of Kumi Mashiba whose nice personality and good body more than compensate for her less-than-stellar face. His current record stands at 10-6-4, with 6 KOs.

• Tatsuya Kimura (木村 達也, Kimura Tatsuya^?)

Ippo's senpai and Aoki's best friend. He is the smooth, collected type and a romantic at heart, but trains as hard as anyone. His style incorporates a fast left and faster footwork. In the past, he and Aoki were the toughest high-school thugs around, but now Tatsuya's real job is at his family's flower shop. His current record stands at 13-5-3, with 8 KOs. After losing to Ryo Mashiba, he announced his retirement from boxing. Shortly after, unable to stay away from boxing, he returned saying he'd spell his name in katakana (キムラ, Kimura) instead of kanji (木村, Kimura).

• Manabu Itagaki (板垣学, Itagaki Manabu^?)

The most recent addition to the roster, the charming Manabu has a prodigy's talent and was the captain of his high school's boxing team. Cheerful and a lover of bad puns, Manabu is a fierce outboxer with extremely high speed and reflexes and whose fighting style is uncanny in its resemblance to Miyata's. Outside of boxing, Manabu is employed as an assistant at the Makounouchi family's fishing business. His current record as the Rookie King of his class stands at 8-1-0, with 6 KOs.

• Kumi Mashiba (間柴 久美, Mashiba Kumi^?)

Kumi is Ryo Mashiba's sweet-natured, but hard-working and willful younger sister, and as such understands him better than anyone else. She will do almost anything to support her brother and make him happy. Ippo becomes infatuated with her early on, but didn't have a chance to tell her until more than a year later, when they met in an hospital as patient and nurse some months after the Ippo/Mashiba match. They become friends and Kumi comes to like Ippo back, but their relationship tends to suffer from their friends' and relatives' constant interference.

• Ryo Mashiba (間柴 了, Mashiba Ryō^?)

Known by ringnames such as the "Executioner" or "Shinigami (God of Death)" by those who watch his matches, Mashiba is one of the most intimidating boxers in the series. He later moves to Junior Lightweight Division where he reigns as Champion (defending the belt against Kimura, amongst others) before losing to Sawamura in one of the dirtiest matches ever seen in the series (even knee strikes were present!). Outside of the ring, Mashiba is a very quiet, if also very unnerving figure who is spurred on to earn wages and box for prize money all to support both himself and his beloved younger sister, Kumi, orphaned after their parents died in a tragic accident many years ago. He holds a record of 17-2-0, with 13 KOs.

• Takeshi Sendou (千堂 武士, Sendō Takeshi^?)

Brash and fearless, Sendou is the hero of Osaka's boxing fans, to whom he is known as "Rocky" or the "Naniwa Tiger". Considered to be a superior infighter to Ippo at mid-range. He has held the Japanese featherweight championship once after Eiji Date's retirement (defeating Alexander Volg Zangief by decision), defending it twice by KO, and some time later, he loses his Featherweight belt to Ippo by KO. Sendou is Ippo's greatest rival, next to Miyata. He has a record of 17-2-0, with 16 KOs; both losses were against Ippo

[edit] Video Games

There have also been some video games based on the series, first released on the PlayStation, then later the PlayStation 2 and GameBoy Advance. Two of the games have made it to the US and have also seen PAL releases. There is some confusion regarding the Western title Victorious Boxers 2 Fighting Spirit as this is generally assumed to be the same game as Hajime no Ippo 2: Victorious Road, when actually it is the next title in the series, Hajime no Ippo - The Fighting! All Stars. The Japanese released Victorious Road is unique amongst the titles as it includes the option to create your own boxer and control his training, diet, weight etc. The second Western title, Fighting Spirit, gives you a choice of over 70 fighters for VS play. Each title has its own story mode which closely follows that of the manga, though obviously the storytelling is not of the same quality. The games have attracted a loyal following and persuaded many fans of boxing games to consider importing for their PS2, as the VB series is reckoned by many to be the best game of its kind.

• For PlayStation:
  • はじめの一歩 THE FIGHTING! (Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! (Japanese Title), はじめの一歩 THE FIGHTING!^?)
• For PlayStation 2:
  • Victorious Boxers - Ippo's Road to Glory (US Title) (はじめの一歩 VICTORIOUS BOXERS, Hajime no Ippo Victorious Boxers (Japanese Title)^?)
  • Hajime no Ippo 2: Victorious Road (はじめの一歩2 VICTORIOUS ROAD (Japanese Title), Hajime no Ippo 2: Victorious Road^?)
  • Victorious Boxers 2 - Fighting Spirit (US Title) (はじめの一歩 ALL☆STARS, Hajime no Ippo - The Fighting! All Stars (Japanese Title)^?)
• For Game Boy Advance:
  • はじめの一歩 THE FIGHTING! (Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! (Japanese Title), はじめの一歩 THE FIGHTING!^?)^[1]
• For Nintendo Wii:
  • はじめの一歩 THE FIGHTING! Revolution (Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting Revolution, はじめの一歩 THE FIGHTING! Revolution^?)^[2]

[edit] Music

The music for the anime series was composed by Tsuneo Imahori, who also did the third opening theme song. Various tracks of guitars, drums, piano, horns, and combinations of the instruments were used to help accentuate the mood and action of the scenes. The soundtrack was released in Japan on two CDs, "First KO" & "Final Round".

[edit] Anime Theme Songs

Opening Theme Songs

1. Under Star by Shocking Lemon (Episodes 1 - 25)
2. Inner Light by Shocking Lemon (Episodes 26 - 52)
3. Tumbling Dice by Tsuneo Imahori (Episodes 53 - 76)

Closing Theme Songs

1. Yuuzora no Kamihikouki by Mori Naoya (Episodes 1 - 25)
2. 360° by Mori Naoya (Episodes 26 - 52)
3. Eternal Loop by Saber Tiger (Episodes 53 - 76)

[edit] Episode List

Episode	Japanese Title	English Translation	English Title
01	The First Step	The First Step	The First Step
02	努力の成果	Results of Great Effort	Fruits of Labor
03	うれし涙	Happy Tears	Tears of Joy
04	シャドーボクシング	Shadow Boxing	Shadow Boxing
05	カウンターへの3ヶ月	3 Months to Counter	3 Months to Counter
06	再戦のゴング	Gong of the Rematch	The Opening Bell of the Rematch
07	1cmの破壊力	Destructive Power of 1cm	The Destructive Force of 1cm
08	再会の約束	Promise of Another Meeting	Promise to Meet Again
09	C級ライセンス	C Class License	C Class License
10	デビュー戦!	Debut Fight!	Debut Match!
11	勝利への執念	Tenacity to Win	Obsession for Victory
12	手荒なダチ宣言	Violent Friend Announcement	Becoming a Bully's Buddy
13	開幕、東日本新人王戦	Curtain Rises! Eastern Japan Newcomer King Fight	The Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament Begins
14	強腕!フックvsアッパー!	Strong Arms! Hook vs Upper!	Powerful Arms! Hooks vs. Uppercut!
15	我慢くらべ	Patience Comparing	Test of Endurance
16	激戦の予感	Premonition of a Fierce Fight	Anticipating a Fierce Fight
17	イッポ・オン・ザ・ビーチ	Ippo On The Beach	Ippo on the Beach
18	クリンチ	Clinch	Clinch
19	KOの夢	Dream of a KO	Dream of a KO
20	ショットガンの脅威	Threat of the Shotgun	The Threat of Shotgun
21	天才攻略の道	The Way of Capturing a Genius	The Way to Capture a Prodigy
22	前へ!前へ!!	Forward! Forward!!	Forward! Forward!!
23	もう一つの準決勝	1 More Semi-Final	The Other Semi-Final
24	約束の場所へ…	To the Place of Promise	To the Promised Place...
25	それぞれの想い	Each Emotion	Grudges, Sorrows & Dreams
26	距離の攻防	Attack and Defense of Distance	The Battle for Distance
27	死闘	Struggle to the Death	Death Match
28	勝敗	Victory or Defeat	Victory or Defeat
29	浪速のロッキー	Rocky of Naniwa	Rocky of Naniwa
30	敵地へ	To Enemy Ground	To Enemy Ground
31	激闘の足跡	Footprints of Fierce Fighting	Traces of Intense Battles
32	右を打て!	Right Hits!	Throw Your Right!
33	スマッシュの威圧	Powerful Pressure of the Smash	Smash Force
34	新人王	Newcomer King	The Rookie King
35	さらなる旅立ち	To Go Further on the Journey	The Counting Journey
36	王者との出会い	Encounter with the King	The Champ and I
37	目指すもの	Something to Aim At	A Thing to Strive For
38	二人の新人王	Two Newcomer Kings	Two Rookies of the Year
39	異国での挑戦	Challenge in a Foreign Country	Challenge in a Foreign Land
40	カウンターを超えたカウンター	Counter that Surpassed the Counter	A Counter to Surpass All Counters
41	ゲロ道の戦い	Geromichi's Fight	Barf-michi's Big Fight
42	夢への共感	Sympathy to Dream	Sharing a Dream
43	THE SPEED STAR	The Speed Star	The Speed Star
44	リングの死角	Dead Angle of the Ring	Blind Spot in the Ring
45	狼の白い牙	White Fangs of the Wolf	The White Fangs of the Wolf
46	かもしかになれ!	Become the Gazelle!	Be the Gazelle
47	秘められた闘志	Concealed Fighting Spirit	The Fighting Spirit Within
48	赤い狼	Red Wolf	The Red Wolf
49	信頼する勇気	Confidence	The Courage to Believe
50	伝えたいこと	What I want to Say	Something to Convey
51	合コン	Combination	The Group Date
52	挑戦者	Challenger	The Challenger
53	俺が俺であるために	I am Me	So That I Can Be Myself
54	王者の拳	Fists of the King	Fists of the Champ
55	日本フェザー級タイトルマッチ	Japan Feather Rank Title Match	The Japan Featherweight Title Match
56	立ちはだかる力	Power which Confronts	The Power that Stands in the Way
57	決着	Conclusion	Conclusion
58	傷心	Heartbreak	Heartbroken
59	決意のまなざし	Look of Determination	A Determined Gaze
60	ライバル	Rival	Rival
61	再起への不安	Anxiety to Recovery	Comeback Anxiety
62	復活	Revival	Revival
63	炎の青春	Youth of Flame	Youth of Fire
64	熱中時代	Enthusiastic Era	Hot Rod Era
65	鴨川軍団の夏	The Summer of the Kamogawa Troops	The Summer of the Kamogawa Corps
66	鷹村さんの涙	Takamura's Tears	Mr. Takamura's Tears
67	動き出す鴨川ジム	Kamogawa Gym Moves Out	The Kamogawa Gym Swings into Action
68	会長の危機	The Chairman's Crisis	The Chief's Peril
69	サウスポーの罠	Trap of the Southpaw	The Trap of the Southpaw
70	ごんたくれ	It is Giving	The Young Punk
71	決戦の刻	Moment of the Decisive Battle	Time for the Showdown
72	LALLAPALLOOZA	Lallapallooza	Lallapallooza
73	あの時を超えろ	Surpass that Time	Surpass that Moment
74	ミックスアップ	Mix-Up	Mix-Up
75	さらなる一歩を	Into the Next Step	A Step Further
76	ボクサーの拳	Boxer's Fist	Boxer's Fist

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Official Geneon's Fighting Spirit website Hajime no Ippo official website (Japanese) English Dynamite Glove - A Hajime no Ippo Guide Jolt!: The Hajime no Ippo Resource Center Hajime no Ippo manga preview at Mangareviewer.com Fighting Spirit (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia Fighting Spirit (anime) (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia Hajime no Ippo at AnimeNfo.com Hajime no Ippo at AniDB

Japanese はじめの一歩年表 French Les épisodes d'Hajime no Ippo Japimpact |Hajime no Ippo : Anime Hajime no Ippo Other languages Hajime no Ippo (Italian) Music Hajime no Ippo (はじめの一歩) - First KO at MusicBrainz Hajime no Ippo OP Single at MusicBrainz

Fighting Spirit v • d • e
Characters:	Ippo Makunouchi • Ichiro Miyata • Mamoru Takamura Takeshi Sendo • Alexander Volg Zangief • Ryo Mashiba
Video Games:	Victorious Boxers • Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting Revolution
Other:	Dempsey roll