Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Episode 12 - Hajime No Ippo
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Episode 12 - Hajime No Ippo
Episode 12 – Hajime no Ippo
Subtitle: The Boxing Manga That Refused to Fade
In this episode, I talk about Hajime no Ippo, a boxing manga that has been running quietly and consistently for decades. First serialized in 1989, it’s a series that existed long before many modern readers were paying attention, yet it continues to shape conversations around sports manga today.
Rather than chasing trends or rushing its story forward, Hajime no Ippo focuses on steady growth, discipline, and the reality of pursuing something difficult over a long period of time. It follows Makunouchi Ippo, a bullied high schooler who stumbles into boxing and slowly builds himself into a professional fighter through training, setbacks, and persistence.
What We Talk About
The origins of Hajime no Ippo and its long publication history
Makunouchi Ippo’s journey from outsider to professional boxer
Why the series’ slow pacing works in its favor
The realism of its boxing, training, and recovery arcs
The anime adaptations across three different eras
How character growth and rivalries drive the story forward
Why the series still matters after more than three decades
Why This Manga Stood Out
Hajime no Ippo doesn’t try to overwhelm the reader with constant spectacle. It allows time to pass naturally, giving space for training, injuries, relationships, and doubt. Fights feel earned because you see the work that leads up to them, and victories never come without consequence.
The series also treats boxing with respect. It emphasizes fundamentals, preparation, and mental endurance rather than exaggerated techniques, which gives the story a grounded tone that’s rare in long-running sports manga.
Final Thoughts
This episode isn’t about convincing everyone to start reading 1,500 chapters overnight. It’s about recognizing a series that has lasted as long as it has for a reason. Hajime no Ippo rewards patience, attention, and an appreciation for gradual growth.
If you enjoy stories that value discipline, character development, and realism — especially within sports — this is a manga that’s worth approaching at your own pace.
About the Show
Manga With Josh is a podcast where I explore manga — well-known and obscure — through first impressions, reflection, and honest discussion.
As always, this is Manga With Josh — where we explore manga you may not have heard of, but probably should have.
View all episodes
By Joshua RodriguezEpisode 12 – Hajime no Ippo
Subtitle: The Boxing Manga That Refused to Fade
In this episode, I talk about Hajime no Ippo, a boxing manga that has been running quietly and consistently for decades. First serialized in 1989, it’s a series that existed long before many modern readers were paying attention, yet it continues to shape conversations around sports manga today.
Rather than chasing trends or rushing its story forward, Hajime no Ippo focuses on steady growth, discipline, and the reality of pursuing something difficult over a long period of time. It follows Makunouchi Ippo, a bullied high schooler who stumbles into boxing and slowly builds himself into a professional fighter through training, setbacks, and persistence.
What We Talk About
The origins of Hajime no Ippo and its long publication history
Makunouchi Ippo’s journey from outsider to professional boxer
Why the series’ slow pacing works in its favor
The realism of its boxing, training, and recovery arcs
The anime adaptations across three different eras
How character growth and rivalries drive the story forward
Why the series still matters after more than three decades
Why This Manga Stood Out
Hajime no Ippo doesn’t try to overwhelm the reader with constant spectacle. It allows time to pass naturally, giving space for training, injuries, relationships, and doubt. Fights feel earned because you see the work that leads up to them, and victories never come without consequence.
The series also treats boxing with respect. It emphasizes fundamentals, preparation, and mental endurance rather than exaggerated techniques, which gives the story a grounded tone that’s rare in long-running sports manga.
Final Thoughts
This episode isn’t about convincing everyone to start reading 1,500 chapters overnight. It’s about recognizing a series that has lasted as long as it has for a reason. Hajime no Ippo rewards patience, attention, and an appreciation for gradual growth.
If you enjoy stories that value discipline, character development, and realism — especially within sports — this is a manga that’s worth approaching at your own pace.
About the Show
Manga With Josh is a podcast where I explore manga — well-known and obscure — through first impressions, reflection, and honest discussion.
As always, this is Manga With Josh — where we explore manga you may not have heard of, but probably should have.