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...

Last Updated: 8/25/2024Network: Nippon TVStatus: Ended
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Traces of Intense Battles
star
6.45
82 votes

#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.

The Challenger
star
6.47
38 votes

#2 - The Challenger

Season 1 - Episode 52 - Aired 10/10/2001

Recap episode.

Eleki's Shocker and Papaya's Coconut
star
6.90
63 votes

#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?!

The Goddess of Victory
star
7.05
40 votes

#4 - 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?

A Storm Descends on Makunouchi Fishing Boat
star
7.06
66 votes

#5 - 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!

Flower of Hope
star
7.18
65 votes

#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.

So That I Can Be Myself
star
7.28
40 votes

#7 - So That I Can Be Myself

Season 1 - Episode 53 - Aired 10/17/2001

Background episode for Date Eiji.

Debut Match!
star
7.37
93 votes

#8 - Debut Match!

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/5/2000

Ippo and his opponent Yusuke train for Ippo's debut match.

Shadow Boxing
star
7.40
97 votes

#9 - Shadow Boxing

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/24/2000

Ippo practices shadow boxing.

The Unfinished New Counter
star
7.41
63 votes

#10 - 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!

To Enemy Ground
star
7.42
77 votes

#11 - 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!

Anticipating a Fierce Fight
star
7.42
88 votes

#12 - Anticipating a Fierce Fight

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/23/2001

Ippo watches the fight videos of Kobashi and Hayami, his future opponents.

Youth of Fire
star
7.43
37 votes

#13 - Youth of Fire

Season 1 - Episode 63 - Aired 12/26/2001

The past of Aoki and Kimura is shown.

The Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament Begins
star
7.43
92 votes

#14 - 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.

3 Months to Counter
star
7.44
100 votes

#15 - 3 Months to Counter

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/31/2000

Ippo trains for a rematch.

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C Class License
star
7.44
93 votes

#16 - C Class License

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/28/2000

Ippo takes the License Test and meets Mashiba.

Biting Dog
star
7.46
35 votes

#17 - 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?

The New Step
star
7.47
38 votes

#18 - 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!

Fists of the Champ
star
7.47
38 votes

#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.

Becoming a Bully's Buddy
star
7.48
90 votes

#20 - 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.

Empowering Words
star
7.48
66 votes

#21 - 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!

A Figure to Chase After
star
7.50
36 votes

#22 - A Figure to Chase After

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/11/2009

After seven years Eiji Date will finally have his rematch with Ricardo Martinez, the world featherweight champion. The title match begins, Date starts the match off with two lefts, the second landing on the champion's face.

The Kamogawa Gym Swings into Action
star
7.50
40 votes

#23 - 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.

Hot Rod Era
star
7.50
38 votes

#24 - Hot Rod Era

Season 1 - Episode 64 - Aired 1/9/2002

Second part of Aoki's and Kimura's past.

The First Step
star
7.53
129 votes

#25 - The First Step

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/2000

Ippo is a high school student who works full time at his mother's fishing though. Because of this, he gets bullied on by the kids at his school. That's when his life turns around, when a professional boxer happens to be jogging along the way, and introduces Ippo to the world of boxing.