Name: Hajime no Ippo
Genre: Action, Comedy, Sport
Year: 2000
Rating: Must See
Based on the famous and popular shounen manga by Jyoji “George” Morikawa, Hajime no Ippo is the animated adaption of the story about a young and talented boxer. Makunouchi Ippo was an ordinary high school student in Japan, one who often spends time away from his studies to assist his mother with her family business. Unlike other teenagers he doesn’t get to enjoy the fun of being a youth however he doesn’t complain and helps his mother with a smile. Ippo is a kind hearted boy who is picked on by bullies at school. One day he is being beaten up by a group of school bullies however he is saved by a boxer. The boxer turns out to be the Japanese middle weight champion. Ippo is inspired by this person and decides to train to become a boxer.
This series is one of my favorites, it easily resides in my top 5. The reason why I liked this series so much is because of the awesome storyline accompanied by rounds and rounds of action and suspense. Furthermore to top it off the series isn’t short on humor. I’d have to say this series is defiantly for guys, its designed to be a shounen anime and hence is made for the enjoyment of boys. The plot is heavily focused on character development. Ippo learns through his success and his failure and grows to become a formidable player within the boxing world. Hajime no Ippo was first recommended to me by a friend of mine and of those I have shown it to have come to enjoy the series so much that they finished the series in a very short amount of time. Give this series a try and like the other Must See anime I have labeled you will most likely be satisfied.
