Should You Commit to Hajime no Ippo?#
If you are looking for a series that blends high-stakes action with genuine heart and humor, Hajime no Ippo is a powerhouse. The story follows Makunouchi Ippo, a young man who spends his time working a night fishing job and enduring constant bullying. His life takes a dramatic turn when he finds inspiration from boxing magazines, videos, and professional fighters. Deciding to fight back, Ippo takes up boxing, sparking a journey from a timid boy to a driven athlete with a dream of becoming a professional.
With a mix of sports drama, tournament arcs, and comedy, it is perfectly suited for fans who enjoy underdog stories and the thrill of athletic competition. If you’re ready to dive in, you can watch the anime on Prime Video to see Ippo’s journey begin.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
If you are watching only the anime, you will not get a complete, final conclusion to the story. While there are several anime series and specials that cover a significant portion of Ippo’s career, the source material is still very much active.
The Hajime no Ippo manga has been serialized since September 1989 and has exceeded 100 million copies in circulation. Recent news from 2024, 2025, and even projecting into 2026 indicates that the manga is still ongoing, despite occasional hiatuses and breaks due to the creator’s hospitalization. To see the ultimate resolution of Ippo’s boxing career, you will eventually need to transition to the manga. You can buy the Hajime no Ippo manga to catch up on the latest chapters.
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Recommended Watch Order#
Navigating the Hajime no Ippo anime can be confusing because it is split across different series and specials. To get the best experience, we recommend referring to the relationship tree provided below the article for a visual guide. Here are the best ways to approach the series:
The Standard/Release Order#
For most viewers, following the release order is the most straightforward way to experience the growth of the characters:
- Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!
- Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road
- Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger
- Hajime no Ippo Rising
The Completionist Order#
If you want every single piece of content, including side stories, add the spinoff into the mix:
- Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!
- Hajime no Ippo - Mashiba vs. Kimura (Spinoff)
- Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road
- Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger
- Hajime no Ippo Rising
The “Manga Transition” Order#
For those who don’t mind switching mediums to get the full story as quickly as possible, we recommend watching the anime series in order until you reach the end of Hajime no Ippo Rising, and then picking up the manga to continue where the animation leaves off.
Useful Extras for Fans#
Beyond the screen and the page, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the sport of boxing. You can find various Hajime no Ippo merchandise to show your support for the series.
Whether you are coming for the tournament action or the comedy of the gym, Hajime no Ippo remains one of the most influential sports series in history.
Hajime no Ippo • manga • 1989-09 (serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine, 1989 #43)
└─(adaptation)→ Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! • anime • 2000-10-03 to 2002-03-27
└─(spinoff)→ Hajime no Ippo - Mashiba vs. Kimura • anime • 2003-09-05
└─(sequel)→ Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road • anime • 2003-06-25
└─(sequel)→ Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger • anime • 2009-01-06
└─(sequel)→ Hajime no Ippo Rising • anime • 2013-10-05
