The BEST episodes of Fighting Spirit

Every episode of Fighting Spirit ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Fighting Spirit!

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...

Last Updated: 8/25/2024Network: Nippon TVStatus: Ended
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The King
star
9.27
40 votes

#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...

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Mixup
star
9.00
46 votes

#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.

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A Fist That Picks You Up
star
8.89
71 votes

#3 - 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?

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Supporting Hand
star
8.84
38 votes

#4 - 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?

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The Anti-Dempsey Perfected
star
8.83
42 votes

#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!

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Spirit For One Last Attack
star
8.74
38 votes

#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.

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A Step Further
star
8.73
44 votes

#7 - 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.

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Brawl
star
8.70
37 votes

#8 - 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?

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Victory or Defeat
star
8.69
86 votes

#9 - Victory or Defeat

Season 1 - Episode 28 - Aired 4/17/2001

Ippo defeats Mashiba for Rookie King of Eastren Japan.

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Battle of Hawk
star
8.65
37 votes

#10 - 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?

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A Vow
star
8.65
68 votes

#11 - 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!

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Forward! Forward!
star
8.63
60 votes

#12 - 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.

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New Challenger
star
8.61
64 votes

#13 - 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!

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Revival
star
8.61
51 votes

#14 - Revival

Season 1 - Episode 62 - Aired 12/19/2001

Coach returns from the hospital, and Makunochi "hits without being hit".

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The Rookie King
star
8.61
56 votes

#15 - 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.

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Conclusion
star
8.60
47 votes

#16 - Conclusion

Season 1 - Episode 57 - Aired 11/14/2001

Both Ippo and Date are beaten up bad. The match reaches the climax.

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Surpass that Moment
star
8.57
40 votes

#17 - 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.

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Lollapalooza
star
8.43
42 votes

#18 - 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.

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Time for the Showdown
star
8.42
43 votes

#19 - 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.

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Something to Convey
star
8.37
43 votes

#20 - Something to Convey

Season 1 - Episode 50 - Aired 9/26/2001

The end of the Volg match.

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The Destructive Force of 1cm
star
8.34
71 votes

#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.

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The Courage to Believe
star
8.33
45 votes

#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.

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To the Promised Place...
star
8.33
55 votes

#23 - To the Promised Place...

Season 1 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/20/2001

Miyata and Mashiba continues to fight. Ippo is angred by the outcome.

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100% Fake
star
8.33
43 votes

#24 - 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.

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The Other Semi-Final
star
8.29
56 votes

#25 - The Other Semi-Final

Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/13/2001

Ippos day off. Miyata and Mashiba face off.

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