The WORST episodes of Fighting Spirit
Every episode of Fighting Spirit ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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 - Traces of Intense Battles
Season 1 - Episode 31 - Aired 5/8/2001
A recap of the boxing matches that have taken place thus far.

#2 - The Challenger
Season 1 - Episode 52 - Aired 10/10/2001
Recap episode.

#3 - Eleki's Shocker and Papaya's Coconut
Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/1/2014
It's time for Kimura and Aoki to step into the ring at the Yokohama Arena! Kimura's up first, and nerves come into play as he stands before a huge crowd for the first time. Then when Aoki's turn comes up, he finds himself perplexed by a boxer every bit as unorthodox as himself! Can the duo set the right tone for Takamura's title match?!

#4 - A Storm Descends on Makunouchi Fishing Boat
Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/17/2014
To celebrate Ippo's win and recovery, the whole gym gang hops aboard the Makunouchi Fishing Boat for a fun fishing trip. Yagi suggests they liven things up with a little contest, and suddenly a relaxing afternoon turns into an all-out war!

#5 - The Goddess of Victory
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/25/2013
After an infuriating face-off with Imae, Aoki turns to his girlfriend Tomiko for comfort. Meanwhile, Imae chooses to focus all his energy on boxing and his upcoming title defense, rebuffing his former girlfriend Sachiko’s attempts to rekindle their romance. Will Tomiko’s support carry Aoki to victory, or will Imae’s intense focus keep the belt on his waist?

#6 - 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.

#7 - So That I Can Be Myself
Season 1 - Episode 53 - Aired 10/17/2001
Background episode for Date Eiji.

#8 - Biting Dog
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/11/2009
Ippo is reluctant to fight Nao, who used to be his junior and friend. Nao faces his fear of fighting Ippo and resolves to let Ippo know how strong he has become firsthand. Who will come out on top?

#9 - To Enemy Ground
Season 1 - Episode 30 - Aired 5/1/2001
Ippo learns how to heal his right fist and gets ready for the All Japan but something happens his powerful right punches!

#10 - Debut Match!
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/5/2000
Ippo and his opponent Yusuke train for Ippo's debut match.

#11 - Shadow Boxing
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/24/2000
Ippo practices shadow boxing.

#12 - 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!

#13 - 3 Months to Counter
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/31/2000
Ippo trains for a rematch.

#14 - Youth of Fire
Season 1 - Episode 63 - Aired 12/26/2001
The past of Aoki and Kimura is shown.

#15 - Anticipating a Fierce Fight
Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/23/2001
Ippo watches the fight videos of Kobashi and Hayami, his future opponents.

#16 - C Class License
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/28/2000
Ippo takes the License Test and meets Mashiba.

#17 - The New Step
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/7/2009
The first episode of the second season starts with mostly the match of Miyata against Arnie. Shows Kimura sparring with Miyata and then the Weigh-in. Then the match is about to start, Miyata and Arnie are ready for battle!

#18 - The Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament Begins
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/26/2000
Ippo and his opponent Jason prepare for the first match of the Rookie King Tournament.

#19 - Fists of the Champ
Season 1 - Episode 54 - Aired 10/24/2001
Takemura has real trouble at the beginning of his match. Ippo finds out that Mashiba won the championship and celebrates with him and his sister.

#20 - 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!

#21 - Becoming a Bully's Buddy
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/19/2000
Ippo fights and wins his second match via K.O.,After the fight he was befriended by Umezawa, his former bully.

#22 - The Kamogawa Gym Swings into Action
Season 1 - Episode 67 - Aired 1/30/2002
Ippo spars with Shigeta who's ranked fourth among Japanese featherweights and who also uses southpaw. People find out about Takemura fight with a bear. There is talk about Takemura getting a world title fight.

#23 - Hot Rod Era
Season 1 - Episode 64 - Aired 1/9/2002
Second part of Aoki's and Kimura's past.

#24 - The Young Punk
Season 1 - Episode 70 - Aired 2/20/2002
Ippo invites Kumi to the zoo. Kumi lets Ippo know that she was the one who wrote idiot outside the gym. Sendo's grandma tells Iimura Mari about Sendo's childhood and how he was brought up.

#25 - Challenge in a Foreign Land
Season 1 - Episode 39 - Aired 7/4/2001
Miyata's in Thailand and he get's a tough opponent with a great record, Jimmy Sisfa.