| Author | Year | Language | Pages |
| George Morikawa | 1966 | English | 164 |
Hajime no Ippo is a popular Japanese sports manga series written by George Morikawa. It’s a boxing-themed manga series published in 1989 and remains highly popular today.
Main Story
Ippo Makunouchi, the series’ main character, was a shy and soft-spoken high school student. Due to his calm and gentle nature, he was often bullied by others. The series revolves around how he turns his life around and about Ippo’s self-improvement. The series is exciting as it teaches how to overcome life’s obstacles and move forward.
Ippo’s life changes dramatically when he meets Takamura, a professional boxer who introduces him to the boxing world and takes him to Amogawa Boxing Gym. Takamura teaches and guides Him in unleashing his inner strength and courage. Under Takamura’s mentorship, Ippo slowly transforms, developing his skills and confidence, and begins his journey to become a successful boxer.
Why is the series impactful and Popular?
Hajime no Ippo is not just a manga; it inspires those who are often bullied by others. It is a tale of boosting confidence. The main mantra of the series is to overcome any obstacles in life with hard work and perseverance. The realistic portrayal of the boxing world, skillful character development, and dramatic moments make this series insanely famous.
In the history of sports manga, the contribution of Hajime no Ippo is significantly important as it motivates and inspires readers.
Awards and Recognition
The series has gained huge popularity and has been praised by many manga readers. In 1991, it was awarded the Kodansha Manga Award in the Best Shonen Manga category.
