はじめの一歩
"The moment you back down is the moment you lose!"
Fighting Spirit - Episode Highlights
Episode Highlights
The First Step
The inaugural episode introduces Ippo Makunouchi, a bullied high school student, and his fateful encounter with boxer Mamoru Takamura. It establishes Ippo's timid nature, his desire to change, and the central question that will drive the series: "What does it mean to be strong?".
This episode lays the entire foundation for Ippo's journey. His first punch on the sandbag, filled with pent-up frustration and a glimmer of hope, is the literal and metaphorical "first step" into a new world that will redefine his life.
Promise to Return
This episode features the brutal and emotional climax of Ippo's first major rivalry against Ichiro Miyata. The fight is a strategic and thrilling match between Ippo's power and Miyata's genius counters. Miyata ultimately wins, but the match forges a deep mutual respect and a promise to meet again in the professional ring.
This loss is a crucial moment in Ippo's development. It teaches him humility and gives him a concrete goal: to climb the professional ladder to one day face Miyata again. It establishes the central rivalry that fuels much of Ippo's early career.
Lollapalooza
The finale of the first season, this episode showcases the epic conclusion to the Japanese Featherweight Title match between Ippo and Takeshi Sendo. The fight is a brutal slugfest between two of Japan's hardest hitters. Ippo, pushed to his absolute limit, unleashes a perfected Dempsey Roll to claim victory and become the new champion.
This episode marks the culmination of Ippo's journey from a bullied kid to the champion of Japan. It's the fulfillment of his initial goal and a testament to his growth, hard work, and fighting spirit. It provides a satisfying climax to the first major arc of the series.
The World-Level Match
This episode (part of the larger arc) focuses on Mamoru Takamura's first world title challenge against the formidable Bryan Hawk. The fight is incredibly intense, with Takamura enduring a brutal beating and near-certain defeat. He digs deeper than ever before, fueled by his promise to his coach, to win the WBC Junior Middleweight belt.
Takamura vs. Hawk is often cited as one of the best fights in the entire series. It's a pivotal moment that shows the true depth of Takamura's character beyond his arrogant facade and demonstrates the world-class level the Kamogawa gym is striving for. His victory elevates the entire gym and inspires Ippo immensely.
A Fist That Could Reach
The final episode of "Hajime no Ippo: Rising." It concludes the brutal war between Ippo and Ryuuhei Sawamura for the Japanese title. Ippo is forced to evolve his Dempsey Roll to overcome Sawamura's counters and dark, foul-ridden fighting style. The match pushes Ippo to his moral and physical breaking point, culminating in a dramatic and hard-won victory.
This episode showcases a more mature and hardened Ippo. He not only wins a difficult title defense but also confronts a darker side of boxing. His victory solidifies his reign as champion and serves as a powerful conclusion to the third season, leaving the audience to anticipate his next steps toward the world stage.