Common Sense Media Review
Winning boxing anime is fun and inspirational, has violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hajime no Ippo
What's the Story?
HAJIME NO IPPO is a series centered around Ippo Makunouchi (voiced in English by Steve Staley), a kind and timid high school student who's frequently beaten up by bullies. One day Ippo is rescued from his bullies by Mamoru Takamura (Eddie Frierson), a talented up-and-coming boxer. Inspired, Ippo decides to follow in Takamura's footsteps and become a boxer.
Is It Any Good?
This inspirational boxing sports anime is considered one of the best of the genre. Hajime no Ippo is a great underdog story that's relatable and believable. Ippo as a main protagonist is someone viewers can sympathize with and root for: a kind high school kid just trying to find himself and what he's passionate about. The additional cast are also well fleshed out; each character has unique motivations that drive them to participate in boxing. The boxing matches are thrilling and feature action that's more grounded in reality than most other sports anime. Ippo and friends can't easily defeat their opponents with unrealistic and exaggerated techniques; instead, their opponents feel like real challenges for the characters. The inspirational story that encourages viewers to stand up for themselves and find passion and drive is a positive. Overall, Hajime no Ippo is a great classic in the genre that delivers a fun-filled story full of action, heart, and determination.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about positive ways to stand up for themselves. How can you contribute to your kids feeling confident and capable?
Families can also talk about the graphic violence in this anime. Does the context of the violence shown being within the sport of boxing change its impact? Why or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 6, 2004
- Cast : Eddie Frierson
- Network : Crunchyroll
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : School ( High School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 8, 2025
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