Complete Synopsis of the Anime Hajime No Ippo (2000), The Shy Guy Who Became a Great Boxer

Kapanlagi.com - Hajime no Ippo (2000) tells the story of Ippo Makunouchi, a shy young man who is often bullied, until he becomes a skilled professional boxer at the Kamogawa gym.

This anime highlights themes of perseverance, friendship, and the spirit of boxing through hard training and epic fights. This 75-episode series has become an iconic foundation for fans of the shonen sports genre.

1. Synopsis

Ippo Makunouchi, a quiet high school student, spends his days helping his mother Hiroko manage their fishing boat business, leaving him no time to make friends.

One day, while walking home from school, he is attacked by school bullies like Masahiko Umezawa who beat him up and insult his mother. Professional boxer Mamoru Takamura, who is jogging, saves him, takes Ippo to the Kamogawa boxing gym, and treats his injuries.

At the gym, Ippo is fascinated watching the boxers train hard. Takamura asks him to hit a punching bag with a picture of Umezawa's face, revealing Ippo's natural punching power despite his bruised hands.

Takamura gives Ippo a world championship match tape to watch at home, which immediately inspires the young man. The next day, Ippo seeks out Takamura and begs to be trained as a professional boxer.

Takamura tests Ippo by kicking a tree and catching falling leaves using his lightning jab, challenging Ippo to do the same. Although he fails at first, Ippo's determination impresses Takamura and coach Genji Kamogawa, who accept him as a student.

Ippo begins brutal basic training such as mountain running, shadow boxing, and sand kicking, while befriending the funny Masaru Aoki and Tatsuya Kimura.

After months of training, Ippo makes his professional debut against wild boxer Yusuke Oda, winning by KO with the Dempsey Roll, a signature in-fighter technique developed by Kamogawa from Jack Dempsey's style.

2. Miyata's Opponent

(Credit: Fandom)

This victory brings Ippo into the spotlight, but he must face rivals like Ichiro Miyata, the son of an elite trainer who fights as a nimble out-boxer.

Ippo participates in a beginner's tournament and encounters tough opponents like Daisuke Ebihara the "Hammer," forcing him to sharpen his stamina and Gazelle Punch defense.

The rivalry with Miyata culminates when they compete, where Ippo narrowly loses but learns the importance of the peek-a-boo strategy. Takamura is also pursuing his own middleweight world title.

As he rises in the OPBF rankings, Ippo faces Ryo Mashiba the "Jaguar Killer" with sharp teeth and deadly punches, forcing Ippo to improve his speed and counter.

Despite being battered, his evolved Dempsey Roll defeats Mashiba, but a shoulder injury puts him on a temporary hiatus. Meanwhile, Aoki and Kimura are also struggling in their respective tournaments.

3. After Hiatus

(Credit: Fandom)

Recovering from injury, Ippo faces Takemura and Saeki "Hollywood," a charismatic boxer with accurate punches. This long fight tests Ippo's endurance, where he develops the Liverpool Dempsey to win in the final round. Ippo's popularity skyrockets, attracting the attention of Kumi Mashiba, Ryo's sister who secretly likes him.

Ippo reaches the number one ranking and challenges OPBF champion Eiji Date, the "Texas Homerun," an experienced boxer with demolition punches. The brutal 12-round match ends in a draw, but Ippo claims the title when Date withdraws for world priorities. This marks Ippo's evolution as a complete boxer with a face-breaker and adaptive strategies.

The season concludes with Ippo defending his title against new opponents like Wally and preparing to face threats from the lightweight class such as Ricardo Martinez. Takamura achieves the interim world title, while the Kamogawa gym grows stronger.

(kpl/jpg)