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...
#1 - 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.
#2 - Victory or Defeat
Season 1 - Episode 28 - Aired 4/17/2001
Ippo defeats Mashiba for Rookie King of Eastren Japan.
#3 - 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.
#4 - 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.
#5 - 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?
#6 - 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?
#7 - 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?
#8 - 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...
#9 - 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!
#10 - 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!
#11 - 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?
#12 - Ippo on the Beach
Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/30/2001
Ippo joins Takamura, Kimura, and Aoki in a training camp near the beach.
#13 - 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!
#14 - Promise to Meet Again
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/21/2000
Ippo trains with Takamura and discovers the hardship of pro boxing.
#15 - The Courage to Live
Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/15/2014
Prizefighting turns out to be no match for boxing as Sergeant Ralph Anderson easily manhandles Kamogawa and Nekota. The two fighters redouble their training even as they adjust to their new lives living with Yuki...and each other.
#16 - The End of the Death Match
Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/1/2014
Both Takamura and Eagle are bleeding from their eyes, the doctor is about to stop the match but Takamura tells him to continue the match. Takamura can hardly see, one eye is swollen, the other is covered in blood.
#17 - Golden Eagle
Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/25/2014
While Takamura approaches his physical limits as he cuts weight for his upcoming world title match, the American champion David Eagle arrives in Japan. Talented, dedicated, respectful, and honorable, he exudes the aura of a true champion.
#18 - Traces of Intense Battles
Season 1 - Episode 31 - Aired 5/8/2001
A recap of the boxing matches that have taken place thus far.
#19 - Throw Your Right!
Season 1 - Episode 32 - Aired 5/15/2001
Ippo is still having trouble with his right fist but his match with Sendo begins.
#20 - Iron Fist
Season 3 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/22/2014
Kamogawa breathes a sigh of relief as he watches Nekota run circles around Anderson with his spectacular footwork... Until round four, when the soldier's frustration reaches a critical mass and things take a dark turn.
#21 - Flower of Hope
Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/8/2014
An old photo and a little prodding from Ippo and Aoki prompts Coach Kamogawa and Nekota to take a trip down memory lane. Theirs is a tale of hope, frustration, and ultimately redemption in the early days of postwar Japan.
#22 - A Lesson Never Forgotten
Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/22/2014
Despite being stymied by Eagle, Takamura assures his corner he has a plan for victory. Just as he seems to be making progress, a shocking development changes the entire fight.
#23 - Hawk vs. Eagle
Season 3 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/15/2014
It's finally time for the main event, Takamura Mamoru vs. David Eagle! The challenger is full of vim and vigor, but even in the face of Takamura's fury, Eagle's face remains calm and collected.
#24 - The Unfinished New Counter
Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/8/2014
It's the semifinal match, Miyata vs. Dachboy, and the Miyata camp recognizes a familiar face in the opponent's corner... Mister Sakaguchi, the former manager of the boxer Miyata beat for the OPBF title!
#25 - Empowering Words
Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/11/2014
Ippo visits Dr. Yamaguchi and learns the full extent of the damage caused by the evolved Dempsey Roll. As he walks home on crutches, Umezawa drives by and gives him a lift. Ippo's relief is short-lives, however, as Umezawa suddenly reveals he plans to quit working on the Makunouchi fishing boat!