Hajime no Ippo

Hajime no Ippo is a Japanese boxing manga series written and illustrated by George Morikawa.

Hajime no Ippo (Japanese: はじめの一歩, lit. 'The First Step') is a Japanese boxing manga series written and illustrated by George Morikawa. It has been serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine since October 1989 and follows high school student Ippo Makunouchi as he begins a boxing career. The series has also been adapted into multiple anime series, a film, and an OVA, and is known in English-speaking markets including Canada under titles such as Fighting Spirit.

Premise

The story follows Ippo Makunouchi, a high school student who enters boxing and develops as a fighter over time. The series tracks his training, matches, and progress in the sport.

Publication

Hajime no Ippo has been serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine since October 1989. Its chapters have been collected into tankōbon volumes, reaching 145 volumes by January 2026.

Anime adaptations

The manga was adapted into a 76-episode television anime by Madhouse that aired from 2000 to 2002. It was followed by a TV film, an OVA in 2003, and later television series titled New Challenger and Rising.

Reception and legacy

The series is widely noted for its long run and status as one of Japan's longest-running manga series. It has also become a major boxing-themed franchise with multiple adaptations.