Boxing anime fans are in for a treat as Netflix has officially added Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger and Hajime no Ippo: Rising to its streaming library in the United States. This marks the first official U.S. release for New Challenger, the first television sequel to the popular series. The move comes after Netflix began streaming the original 75-episode anime series in June 2024, much to the delight of fans both old and new.
A One-Two Punch: Sequels Arrive on Netflix
The addition of New Challenger and Rising significantly expands the availability of the Hajime no Ippo anime franchise for US viewers. Both series are streaming with Japanese audio and English subtitles, as well as subtitles in other languages, ensuring a broad audience can enjoy the gripping boxing action. This is particularly exciting for fans, as Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger had not previously been officially available in the U.S.
From Bullied to Boxer: The Story of Ippo Makunouchi
Hajime no Ippo follows the journey of Ippo Makunouchi, a timid high school student who is frequently bullied. After being rescued by professional boxer Mamoru Takamura, Ippo is inspired to take up boxing to understand the meaning of true strength. The series chronicles his evolution from a novice to a formidable contender in the boxing world.
Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger – Continuing the Fight
Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger, which originally aired in 2009, picks up where the first series leaves off. Ippo, now a certified professional boxer, continues his quest to define what it means to be strong, while also aiming for a rematch with his idol, Ichiro Miyata.
Plot and Key Themes
The series sees Ippo facing new and increasingly challenging opponents as he climbs the ranks. It also highlights the personal ambitions of Ippo’s fellow boxers at the Kamogawa Gym, including Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura, as they pursue their own dreams within the sport.
A Deeper Dive into the Characters
- Ippo Makunouchi: The protagonist, driven by a desire to understand strength and to challenge himself.
- Mamoru Takamura: Ippo’s mentor and a powerhouse boxer with world title aspirations.
- Ichiro Miyata: Ippo’s long-time rival and a technical boxing genius.
- Masaru Aoki & Tatsuya Kimura: Ippo’s training partners and close friends, each with their own unique boxing styles.
Hajime no Ippo: Rising – New Challenges Await
Hajime no Ippo: Rising, which premiered in 2013, represents the third season of the anime adaptation. This season sees Ippo defending his Japanese Featherweight title against a growing pool of fierce challengers.
Plot and Character Development
Beyond Ippo’s journey, Rising explores the ambitions of other characters. Takamura challenges for his second WBC title in the middleweight class, and Aoki aims for the Japanese Lightweight title. The series also takes a reflective look at Coach Kamogawa and Nekota’s past as prizefighters.
Themes and Emotional Depth
Rising further delves into the themes of determination, camaraderie, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The series provides powerful fight sequences as well as heartfelt character moments, making it a favorite among fans of the franchise.
How to Watch Hajime no Ippo in Order
For those new to the series, here’s a guide to the correct order to watch the Hajime no Ippo anime, combining both chronological and release order:
- Hajime no Ippo (also known as Fighting Spirit) (2000-2002): This is the first season, consisting of 75 episodes plus a special 76th episode. It covers Ippo’s initial foray into boxing and his rise through the ranks.
- Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road (2003): A TV movie that takes place after the first season.
- Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs Kimura (2003): An Original Video Animation (OVA) that focuses on a match between two of Ippo’s fellow boxers.
- Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger (2009): The first television sequel, depicting Ippo’s continued journey as a professional boxer.
- Hajime no Ippo: Rising (2013-2014): The second television sequel, following Ippo as he defends his title and faces new challenges.
This order ensures viewers experience the story as it was intended, following Ippo’s progression and the development of the other characters.
Netflix Expands its Anime Arsenal
Netflix’s acquisition of Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger and Rising further strengthens its anime catalog, which continues to grow with both original content and classic series. The addition of the Hajime no Ippo franchise caters to a diverse audience that enjoys action, sports, and compelling character-driven narratives.
A Win for Anime Fans
The release of these series on Netflix makes them more accessible than ever to a global audience. Whether a longtime follower of Ippo’s journey or a newcomer to the world of boxing anime, viewers can now experience the thrill, heart, and humor of Hajime no Ippo.
A Look Back
The Hajime no Ippo anime is based on the manga series created by George Morikawa that first launched in 1989. The first anime adaptation by Madhouse debuted in 2000 and quickly became a favorite of many fans of the sport. The series’ popularity led to the production of additional seasons, movies, and OVAs. Discotek Media has also contributed to making the series more widely available, re-releasing the special “Champion Road” on Blu-ray and releasing the OVA “Mashiba vs. Kimura” for the first time in the US.
A Promising Future
With the addition of Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger and Rising to Netflix, fans can now enjoy almost the entire anime collection in one place. While there are currently no new anime projects announced for the series, this availability could spark new interest and hopefully lead to more of Ippo’s story being brought to the small screen.
Fans can now stream all 75 episodes of the first season, the special 76th episode, Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger, and Hajime no Ippo: Rising on Netflix. This vast collection provides a wealth of entertainment for those eager to step into the ring with Ippo and his fellow boxers.
