#What does it mean to be strong?
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This is the question George Morikawa is set out to answer when he decided in October 1989 to create a boxing series titled Hajime no Ippo. When someone looks at the chapter count, they might think "Hold on a minute, you're telling me this series is longer than even the likes of Naruto, Detective Conan, ONE PIECE and it is STILL ONGOING? (as of 2022) This is a series about boxing where all people do is punch each other in a small ring following rules, the author surely dragging on for no reason right?"
I am here to tell you to throw out these doubts, because the more you contemplate about the series' length, the more likely you will miss out on this beautiful masterpiece of a series that in my opinion is not just the best sports series out there, but one of the greatest anime you could lay your eyes upon. This series has so much going for it that I am amazed by how long it is, and yet it can still teach you so much you can not only apply to boxing but anything you desire to seek out. But what is it that makes Hajime no Ippo one of the greatest anime out there?
"I must become stronger to overcome my obstacles" has become one of the most overused cliché in series targeted at the shonen demographic, not because the message is bad, quiet the opposite actually, but because of the execution. Many times this phrase is used as a cheap device for characters to unlock a new power never seen before, which makes the whole message naïve and unrealistic. Hajime no Ippo is a series about a bullied young boy called Makunouchi Ippo seeking strength. While the series is also about "become stronger to overcome obstacles" like any shonen, the reason it differs from other series is because it is used as a realistic, valuable lesson you could apply to anything in real life. An example would be the conclusion to Ippo's first ever sparring session with Miyata Ichiro in episode 3, where Ippo fell in love with boxing, which then he uses as a way to seek out his goal of finding true strength on top of obtaining an ever-lasting hobby and a group of people he can train with and a place he can call home.
Hajime no Ippo moves it's plot in a way where each fight touches on a different aspect of boxing be it different stances, techniques, leg movement, or on a specific part of the human psyche, thus creating a hype train that won't let you get off. This series doesn't know how to become stagnant because there is so much George Morikawa introduces in his series, you will always be floored at how complex and exciting boxing is, making you the viewer always look forward to a new fight and see how the characters develop on top of having to witness a thrilling match with beautiful choreography and amazing animation.
On top of the serious moments and character-building aspects, Hajime no Ippo perfectly balances this with hilarious, 90s dude bro humor that never gets old. I personally love it when a comedy isn't just about "a cute girl making herself look like an idiot while being sexualized" or "a boy being as obnoxious and loud as possible" but characters interacting with each other in the most stupid yet realistic way that truly resembles what it is like when boys are doing stupid boys things like being complete idiots.
My biggest positive regarding Hajime no Ippo has to be it's large and fully fleshed out cast. George Morikawa fully explored every boxer he created when it comes to their personality through their boxing style, why they have become boxers, what is it they strive for and the lessons they all learn while providing us with entertaining matches. The bond the Kamogawa gym members share has to be some of the most realistic portrayals of human connection and helping each other become better boxers, while also showcasing moments where things aren't as positive as we want them to be. Characters even outside the Kamogawa gym are full of personality and nuance, you cannot help but sometimes root against Ippo in favor of the opponent he currently faces. Notable characters I absolutely adore would be Makunouchi Ippo, Takamura Mamoru, Coach Kamogawa, Sendo Takeshi, Date Eiji and Alexander Volg.
Another big positive regarding Hajime no Ippo has to be the awesome matches it has. This series has some of my favourite fights in anime history because they give me an adrenaline rush nothing else does and besides that, they have a very detailed choreography I look back at them, slow down the video and notice how much detail the animators have given to each swing the characters throw out. On top of the well choreographed fights, the series made sure tension is built up before the main event thus making you excited for the fight to just happen. Also this series does a fantastic job at making the viewer actually feel and see how hard the punches are especially when those punches are thrown against our boy Ippo. During the fights, an aspect that stands out to me is willpower. Yes, willpower is shown in every shonen in existence but the way it's shown in this series resonates with me as it is grounded and relatable especially when you set out a challenge you seriously want to overcome.
Last but not least, Hajime no Ippo anime has gorgeous visuals, great voice acting, memorable soundtracks, beautiful, fluid animation and openings that won't leave your head anytime soon. This has to be one of the best ever adaptation I have witnessed, no wonder people call this peak Madhouse era.
The only negative I can personally think of when it comes to Hajime no Ippo has to be a lot of slice of life moments that provides nothing to the main plot of Ippo seeking to find strength. One of the biggest one has to be the "romance" between Ippo and Kumi which is one of the most awfully built ship in anime. It is so bad that the author could've cut it out completely and the average viewer would not even notice it.
Overall I believe Hajime no Ippo is one of the greatest anime ever created because it provides a lot of entertainment, has one of the best cast with full of personality, lot of valuable lessons taught, provides some of the best choreographed and exciting fights, the comedy is genuinely hilarious that never gets old and you can see the passion poured into it by the anime staff and the author himself.
Last but not least I just want to say thank you to George Morikawa for providing me one of my favourite fictional work ever. Hajime no Ippo has inspired me to apply the lessons it taught into both my physical and mental health and I will forever be thankful to the author for this absolute masterpiece of a gem that everyone needs to watch. Seriously it is so underrated I'm sad it's not more popular.
10/10
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