Fighting Spirit
Makunouchi Ippo is an ordinary high school student in Japan. Since he spends most of his time away from school helping his mother run the family business, he doesn't get to enjoy his younger years like most teenagers. Always a target for bullying at school (the family fishing business grants him a distinct odor), Ippo's life is one of hardship. One of these after-school bullying sessions turns Ippo's life around for the better, as he is saved by a boxer named Takamura. He decides to follow in Takamura's footsteps and train to become a boxer, giving his life direction and purpose. Ippo's path to perfecting his pugilistic prowess is just beginning.
- 2000-2002
- 1 season
- Netflix
- Animation, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Sports
- TV-PG
Makunouchi Ippo is an ordinary high school student in Japan. Since he spends most of his time away from school helping his mother run the family business, he doesn't get to enjoy his younger years like most teenagers. Always a target for bullying at school (the family fishing business grants him a distinct odor), Ippo's life is one of hardship. One of these after-school bullying sessions turns Ippo's life around for the better, as he is saved by a boxer named Takamura. He decides to follow in Takamura's footsteps and train to become a boxer, giving his life direction and purpose. Ippo's path to perfecting his pugilistic prowess is just beginning.
Season 1 Episode Guide
76 Episodes 2000 - 2002
Episode 1
Hajime no ippo
Wed, Oct 4, 2000 23 mins
Ippo gets invited to see a movie with his new classmates but can't go since he has to work at his mothers fishing store. On the way home he gets beaten up by some of his bullies before a boxer, Takamura Mamoru, steps in. Ippo faints and is brought to the Kamogawa boxing gym. When Ippo wakes up Takamura draws a picture of one of the bullies, places it on a punching bag and forces him to punch it. Doing that, Ippo feels something stir inside him and he later starts to watch videos and buys magazines about boxing. Eventually Ippo asks Takamura to train him in boxing. Takamura says he will accept if Ippo manage to succeed with a seemingly impossible task.
Episode 2
Doryoku no seika
23 mins
Ippo's goal is to catch 10 leaves, with only a week to do so. While balancing school and work, Ippo is also practicing his jabs.
Episode 3
Ureshi namida
23 mins
At first, it seems that Ippo could not keep up with Miyata. Ippo keeps taking hit after hit and gets knocked down twice. After receiving some advice from Takamura, Ippo keeps getting back up to fight.
Episode 4
Shado bokushingu
23 mins
Ippo finally begins his training in the gym. First, Kamogawa himself, helps Ippo to focus on his jabs and the one-two technique. After getting the hang of it, Kamogawa instructs Ippo to practice shadow boxing.
Episode 5
Three months for the counter
23 mins
Ippo begins training with coach Kamogawa for about in order to prepare for a rematch with Miyata. During that time, he begins working on more techniques. Also, he learns more about Miyata's father, who was a former professional boxer.
Episode 6
Saisen no gongu
23 mins
A representative from a boxing magazine comes to Kamogawa's Gym on the same day Ippo and Miyata have their rematch. With Takamura as referee, the rematch begins. Both fighters begin their four-round match, each displaying their progress.
Episode 7
1 cm no hakairyoku
23 mins
After a powerful knockout from Miyata, Ippo insists on standing up again and completing the match no matter what.
Episode 8
Promise to Meet Again
23 mins
With Miyata nowhere to be found, Ippo seems distracted in his training, so Kamogawa sends him to train with Takamura. Ippo experiences all the hardship his mentor endures since he prepares for a championship match.
Episode 9
C Class License
23 mins
Ippo finally applies to get his featherweight boxing license. During the exam, he meets Ryo Mashiba. Ippo finally gained his license. Back at Kamogawa's Gym, Ippo is about to learn the name of his opponent in his debut match.
Episode 10
Debut Match!
23 mins
After determining Ippo's opponent, Ippo and Oda prepare for their match
Episode 11
Obsession for Victory
23 mins
The awaited moment has come, And Ippo's first official match against boxer Oda has begun
Episode 12
Becoming a Bully's Buddy
23 mins
The news of Ippo's boxing spreads in the school, which makes the thugs secretly admire him and insist on attending his next match.
Episode 13
The Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament Begins
23 mins
The Rookie Championship is about to begin. Ippo's first opponent is an American soldier, Jason Ozma. To prepare Ippo trains with Takamura. Ozma trains for the people he came to know in the Japanese gym where he was based.
Episode 14
Powerful Arms! Hooks vs. Uppercut!
23 mins
Ippo begins his first tournament match against Jason
Episode 15
Test of Endurance
23 mins
Ippo continues his tactic of exchanging punches, however, he finds himself struggling to land them as the fight nears its end
Episode 16
Anticipating a Fierce Fight
23 mins
After completing his fight, ippo decides to spectate miyata's match, meanwhile his opponent for his next match is decided
Episode 17
Ippo on the Beach
23 mins
Ippo and the others head to the beach to relax before they start their training. Ippo realises he must practise his foot-work ahead of his next match.
Episode 18
Clinch
23 mins
After meeting kobashi, ippo realises he must work hard to beat him, Ippo and Kobashi start their second match of the tournament
Episode 19
Dream of a KO
23 mins
As the fight between Kobashi and Ippo nears its end, Ippo looks for an opportunity to KO, while Kobashi switches up his tactics
Episode 20
Shotgun's Menace
23 mins
Ippo spectates Hayami's 3rd match to see what he's up against. He trains vigorously for his semi final match
Episode 21
The Way to Capture a Prodigy
23 mins
Ippo arrives at his semi final match against Hayami with bruises on his face, round 1 commences
Episode 22
Forward! Forward!!
23 mins
Ippo and Hayami continue to exchange blows as their battle nears its end. Hayami realises he shouldn't underestimate Ippo
Episode 23
The Other Semi-Final
23 mins
Miyata begins his semi-final match against Mashiba as Ippo and the others spectate
Episode 24
To the Promised Place...
23 mins
As the battle continues, Miyata discovers a pain in his foot that limits his abilities. He struggles through the match as it reaches its climax
Episode 25
Grudges, Sorrows & Dreams
23 mins
Ippo and Mashiba both train for their match, meanwhile, Mashiba's motive and reasoning for boxing are revealed
Episode 26
The Battle for Distance
23 mins
After a period of immensely focused training, Ippo steps into the ring for his final match for the rookie championship
Episode 27
Death Match
23 mins
As Ippo and Mashiba continue their fight, they both develop weaknesses, however both fighters give their best to try and win even under harsh circumstances
Episode 28
Victory or Defeat
23 mins
The eastern japan rookie tournament finally comes to an end with Ippos victory. Ippo decides to take a break from boxing due to his right hand
Episode 29
Rocky of Naniwa
23 mins
After winning the Easter japan rookie tournament, Takeshi Sendo, the winner of West japan rookie tournament, takes interest in Ippo and tries to convince him to take part in the All Japan tournament
Episode 30
To Enemy Ground
23 mins
Ippo wants to fight Sendo so he goes to an orthopedic doctor to get his fist looked at. Ippo then starts an intense training regime.
Episode 31
Traces of Intense Battles
23 mins
A recap of the boxing matches that have taken place thus far.
Episode 32
Throw Your Right!
23 mins
Ippo is still having trouble with his right fist but his match with Sendo begins.
Episode 33
Smash Force
23 mins
Ippo tries a different fighting stance making his match with Sendo only get more intense.
Episode 34
The Rookie King
23 mins
Ippo and Sendo keep fighting, the crowd starts cheering Sendo on and the match reaches its climax.
Episode 35
The Counting Journey
23 mins
Ippo graduates and takes photos with people from his school. New people join the gym and are put to the test by running with Takemura, Ippo, Aoki, and Kimura.
Episode 36
The Champ and I
23 mins
Kimura, Aoki, and Takemura each fight their match. Ippo spars with the featherweight champion, Date.
Episode 37
A Thing to Strive For
23 mins
Dante uses his secret weapon on Ippo, the fact that Date used it on Ippo made Okita challenge Ippo to a real match.
Episode 38
Two Rookies of the Year
23 mins
Okita uses moves that makes him unpredictable for Ippo. Okita also uses a fighting style like Dante and he uses a corkscrew.
Episode 39
Challenge in a Foreign Land
23 mins
Miyata's in Thailand and he get's a tough opponent with a great record, Jimmy Sisfa.
Episode 40
A Counter to Surpass All Counters
23 mins
Miyata's fight with Jimmy Sisfa begins, Miyata starts off bad and when that happens Miyata tries a counter punch.
Episode 41
Barf-michi's Big Fight
23 mins
Aoki, Kimura, and Ippo all try going A-class. Yamada has his first fight. All the guys want to go to training camp.
Episode 42
Sharing a Dream
23 mins
Ippo's mother collapses from overworking so Ippo has to look after the family business. Ippo thinks about quitting boxing so that his mother doesn't overwork herself again.
Episode 43
The Speed Star
23 mins
Ippo Prepares for his match against Saeki, the speed star, by trying to improve his movements and become faster.
Episode 44
Blind Spot in the Ring
23 mins
Ippo's match with Saeki has begun, but Saeki is so fast that Ippo can't land a hit on him. Ippo Is left with a blind spot after getting his eye swollen making it even harder to track Saeki.
Episode 45
The White Fangs of the Wolf
23 mins
After all, the guys are done with their matches they go to karaoke. Takemura lets everyone know Yamada is leaving so they give him a send-off.
Episode 46
Be the Gazelle
23 mins
Aoki and Kimura fight their matches. Kamogawa wants Ippo to train his legs to get flexible muscles so that he can deliver a more powerful punch that can beat Volg.
Episode 47
The Fighting Spirit Within
23 mins
Ippo meets Volg after Volg gets lost. Volg tells Ippo that he boxes so he can get money for his mother.
Episode 48
The Red Wolf
23 mins
The match with Ippo and Volg begins and the two boxers seem to get the edge over one another quite a bit.
Episode 49
The Courage to Believe
23 mins
The fight between Ippo and Volg carries on. Ippo takes a lot of hits and gets knocked down a couple times.
Episode 50
Something to Convey
23 mins
After many rounds, Ippo and Volg are both exhausted. After the match is finished Volg visits Ippo in the hospital and meets Ippo's mother.
Episode 51
The Group Date
23 mins
Ippo wakes up after a couple days at the hospital. When Ippo is in the hospital he meets Mashiba's sister, Aoki, Kimura, Takemura, and Ippo go on a group date.
Episode 52
The Challenger (Recap)
23 mins
A recap of some of Ippo's fights told by Date.
Episode 53
So That I Can Be Myself
23 mins
Date's past is revealed. Takemura gets ready for his match.
Episode 54
Fists of the Champ
23 mins
Takemura has real trouble at the beginning of his match. Ippo finds out that Mashiba won the championship and celebrates with him and his sister.
Episode 55
The Japan Featherweight Title Match
23 mins
Ippo's title match with Date has begun, Date is surprised by how much better Ippo is since the last time he sparred with him.
Episode 56
The Power That Stands in the Way
23 mins
Ippo punches Date in the face quite a bit but Date isn't taking the full impact of the punch because he's twists his neck.
Episode 57
Conclusion
23 mins
Both Ippo and Date are beaten up bad. The match reaches the climax.
Episode 58
Heartbroken
23 mins
After Ippo loses he finds out that Sendo and Volg will fight for the title. Kamogawa tells Ippo that he shouldn't go to the gym for three months because of all the damage from his fights. Ippo goes out with Kumi, Mashiba's sister.
Episode 59
A Determined Gaze
23 mins
Ippo watches his match with Date. Ippo goes to watch the title match with Volg and Sendo, when he's there he runs into Miyata and spectates the match with him.
Episode 60
Rival
23 mins
Volg and Sendo face off with the crowd cheering for Sendo, in the end, the match comes down to a decision by the judges.
Episode 61
Comeback Anxiety
23 mins
Aoki, Kimura, and Ippo will all be making their comeback match with Ippo being the main event. Kamogawa trains Ippo to have a better defense but overworks himself and collapses he then ends up in a hospital.
Episode 62
Revival
23 mins
Aoki, Kimura, and Ippo have their comeback matches. Ippo tries a new move, the Dempsy Roll.
Episode 63
Youth of Fire
23 mins
Aoki, Takemura, and Ippo visit Kimura because he has a high fever. Aoki's and Kimura's life as delinquents is shown.
Episode 64
Hot Rod Era
23 mins
A look at how Aoki and Kimura became boxers and joined the Kamogawa gym, also shown is their debut matches.
Episode 65
The Summer of the Kamogawa Corps
23 mins
Sendo beats Saeki the speed star comfortably. Sendo wants a fight with Ippo. All the guys from the gym go to training camp in the mountains and meet Kamogawa's friend.
Episode 66
Mr. Takamura's Tears
23 mins
The guys learn that killer intent can make it seem like your throwing a punch. Kamogawa and Nekota's history with one another is told. Takamura battles a bear. Everyone finishes training camp.
Episode 67
The Kamogawa Gym Swings Into Action
23 mins
Ippo spars with Shigeta who's ranked fourth among Japanese featherweights and who also uses southpaw. People find out about Takemura fight with a bear. There is talk about Takemura getting a world title fight.
Episode 68
The Coach's Crisis
Mon, Jun 10, 2002 23 mins
Aoki, Kimura, and Takemura all fight their fights. Before fighting Takemura makes a grand entrance wearing a bear pelt and fight his match only using his left hand. Nekota starts teaching at the gym for a bit.
Episode 69
The Trap of the Southpaw
23 mins
Sendo begins his title defense match with Shigeta the southpaw user. Sendo fights Shigeta but gets more angry with him as the fight goes on.
Episode 70
The Young Punk
23 mins
Ippo invites Kumi to the zoo. Kumi lets Ippo know that she was the one who wrote idiot outside the gym. Sendo's grandma tells Iimura Mari about Sendo's childhood and how he was brought up.
Episode 71
Time for the Showdown
23 mins
Ippo reads Mari's article. Ippo invites Nekota to his fight. Both Sendo and Ippo have their weigh in. Sendo and Ippo begin their rematch with Ippo getting a very early knockdown on Sendo.
Episode 72
Lollapalooza
23 mins
Sendo and Ippo's fight begins guns blazing with the two giving each other blow for blow. Ippo finds out that Sendo has the advantage of having a bigger frame.
Episode 73
Surpass That Moment
23 mins
Ippo starts the third round by charging at Sendo but then hesitates which leads to Sendo beating Ippo all through the third round. The fourth round is a different story being more in the favor of Ippo.
Episode 74
Mixup
23 mins
A flashback shows how Sendo joined his gym. Ippo gets knocked down two times but when he gets up the fifth round gets more brutal. The fifth round ends and after that, the sixth round begins and is just as brutal as the last round.
Episode 75
A Step Further
23 mins
The match between Ippo and Sendo finally reaches its conclusion after seven ruthless rounds.
Episode 76
Boxer's Fist
23 mins
The story about how Kamogawa got Takemura to join his gym and how he trained him. Takemura has his debut match.
