The BEST episodes of Hajime no Ippo
Every episode of Hajime no Ippo ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Hajime no Ippo!
Makunouchi Ippo is an ordinary high school student in Japan. Since he spends most of his time away from school helping his mother run the family business, he doesn't get to enjoy his younger years like most teenagers. Always a target for bullying at school (the family fishing business grants him a distinct odor), Ippo's life is one of hardship. One of these after-school bullying sessions turns Ippo's life around for the better, as he is saved by a boxer named Takamura. He decides to follow in Takamura's footsteps and train to become a boxer, giving his life direction and purpose. Ippo's path to perfecting his pugilistic prowess is just beginning...
#1 - The King
Season 2 - Episode 24 - Aired 6/17/2009
Takamura is knocked unconscious while standing yet again, and remembers all of the pain, suffering, and disrespect he faced for the sake of this match. Realizing that his pain is because of Bryan Hawk, he begins fighting back, this time driven purely by instinct and anger. Takamura turns the table, but the champion on the ropes has one last trick up his sleeve...
#2 - Mixup
Season 1 - Episode 74 - Aired 3/20/2002
A flashback shows how Sendo joined his gym. Ippo gets knocked down two times but when he gets up the fifth round gets more brutal. The fifth round ends and after that, the sixth round begins and is just as brutal as the last round.
#3 - Supporting Hand
Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 6/10/2009
Despite using all of his remaining energy, Takamura cannot break through Hawk's defense and is left with no way to fight back. Hawk's wild bloodlust comes out, and he aims to kill Takamura in the ring! With nothing supporting him but the love of his friends and the coach's help, can Takamura mount a comeback?
#4 - A Fist That Picks You Up
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/4/2014
The evolved Dempsey Roll saved Ippo from the jaws of defeat. Bolstered by the cheering fans, he chases down Sawamura. But with Sawamura more willing than ever to risk an illegal move, will Ippo's last bit of energy be enough to defend the title?
#5 - The Anti-Dempsey Perfected
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/4/2014
Ippo mounts a desperate, full frontal assault as Sawamura continues to toy with him. Determined to take back the pace, Ippo begins to dodge the Bullets and get into a rhythm as he strikes back. Almost naturally he falls into the Dempsey Roll pattern, and Sawamura makes his move!
#6 - Spirit For One Last Attack
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/25/2009
Date tries the heart-breaker shot but Martinez blocks it with his elbow breaking Date's hand. By the end of the round Date's hand, jaw, and ribs are broken. After ten rounds the match has a winner.
#7 - Brawl
Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 6/3/2009
Takamura is outsped once more and knocked unconscious, but manages to recover just in time. Relying on what he has learned from the coach, he knocks down Hawk and discovers his weakness! An all-out brawl ensues and Takamura comes out on top! Takamura begins the next round with a KO proclamation - but can he really end the fight in this round?
#8 - A Step Further
Season 1 - Episode 75 - Aired 3/27/2002
The match between Ippo and Sendo finally reaches its conclusion after seven ruthless rounds.
#9 - Victory or Defeat
Season 1 - Episode 28 - Aired 4/17/2001
Ippo defeats Mashiba for Rookie King of Eastren Japan.
#10 - A Vow
Season 3 - Episode 25 - Aired 3/29/2014
Kamogawa resorts to pounding a log with his bare fists as he trains to face Anderson and avenge Nekota. Anderson rediscovers his pride as a boxer and brings Miguel along as his cornerman. Everything comes down to this!
#11 - Battle of Hawk
Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/27/2009
Takamura takes the pace at the beginning of the match, but Hawk unveils his unique style that allows him to dodge and attack simultaneously! After being caught off-guard and taking a beating in the first round, Takamura uses his speedy footwork to circle around Hawk, but Hawk outspeeds him and knocks him down. Can Takamura learn to counter Hawk's wild fighting style in time?
#12 - Conclusion
Season 1 - Episode 57 - Aired 11/14/2001
Both Ippo and Date are beaten up bad. The match reaches the climax.
#13 - Forward! Forward!
Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/6/2001
Ippo defeats Hayami via K.O. Ippo's training with Aoki and Kimura's help Ippo win the match.
#14 - New Challenger
Season 2 - Episode 26 - Aired 7/1/2009
When Miyata confronts Ippo about their promise, it is revealed that Miyata has risen far above Ippo's level due to his over-reliance on the Dempsey Roll. When Ippo's next challenger, Shimabukuro Iwao, declares that he will destroy the Dempsey Roll, Ippo decides to train his Dempsey Roll so that it has no weaknesses. The coach decides to help Ippo, even if it means fighting against modern boxing itself!
#15 - Revival
Season 1 - Episode 62 - Aired 12/19/2001
Coach returns from the hospital, and Makunochi "hits without being hit".
#16 - Surpass that Moment
Season 1 - Episode 73 - Aired 3/13/2002
Ippo starts the third round by charging at Sendo but then hesitates which leads to Sendo beating Ippo all through the third round. The fourth round is a different story being more in the favor of Ippo.
#17 - The Rookie King
Season 1 - Episode 34 - Aired 5/29/2001
Ippo and Sendo keep fighting, the crowd starts cheering Sendo on and the match reaches its climax.
#18 - Time for the Showdown
Season 1 - Episode 71 - Aired 2/27/2002
Ippo reads Mari's article. Ippo invites Nekota to his fight. Both Sendo and Ippo have their weigh in. Sendo and Ippo begin their rematch with Ippo getting a very early knockdown on Sendo.
#19 - Lollapalooza
Season 1 - Episode 72 - Aired 3/6/2002
Sendo and Ippo's fight begins guns blazing with the two giving each other blow for blow. Ippo finds out that Sendo has the advantage of having a bigger frame.
#20 - Something to Convey
Season 1 - Episode 50 - Aired 9/26/2001
The end of the Volg match.
#21 - The Destructive Force of 1cm
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/14/2000
Ippo and Miyata are in the last round and Ippo does a short upercut to Miyata's chin, Miyara was knocked down and was unable to get up, Ippo wins the rematch.
#22 - The Courage to Believe
Season 1 - Episode 49 - Aired 9/19/2001
Volg and Ippo continue to duke it out in a hard-fought and long battle.
#23 - 100% Fake
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/1/2013
Imae’s long hours of research quickly pay off as he decimates Aoki by countering every one of his trademark attacks, even the Frog Punch! As Tomiko watches on and the crowd awaits the inevitable knockout, Aoki does something that leaves the whole arena in shock.
#24 - To the Promised Place...
Season 1 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/20/2001
Miyata and Mashiba continues to fight. Ippo is angred by the outcome.
#25 - The Other Semi-Final
Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/13/2001
Ippos day off. Miyata and Mashiba face off.