Nitrate

Fighting Spirit

  • TV-PG
  • 2000–2014
  • 3 seasons
  • Animation, Comedy
  • 8.7

The moment you back down is the moment you lose!

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...

Episodes

Hajime no Ippo: Rising continues Ippo's quest to become stronger, featuring the same cast of loveable dimwits from Kamogawa Gym, as they put their bodies and hearts on the line to make their way in the harsh world of professional boxing. With a will of iron, Ippo steps into the ring once again.

25 episodes
  1. 1The Strongest Challenger

    24 minOct 6, 2013

    Makunouchi Ippo defeated Sendou Takeshi with his Dempsey Roll and became the Japanese Featherweight Champion! Reflecting on his recent title defenses, Ippo reminisces about his late father Kazuo, and his own desires to be as strong as his dad was.

  2. 2The Dempsey Roll Destroyed

    24 minOct 12, 2013

    With his title on the line, Ippo goes toe-to-toe with Shimabukuro. The battle is so intense Ippo doesn’t even have room to breathe, to the point he starts turning blue! With Ippo struggling at the “bottom of the ocean,” has Shimabukuro met his goal of destroying the Dempsey Roll?!

  3. 3A Woman's Battle

    24 minOct 19, 2013

    Ippo emerges victorious after a vicious war with Shimabukuro, and Itagaki’s sister Nanako comes to pay him a visit at home while he rests. Meanwhile, Aoki is busy preparing for his first ever title match against the lightweight champion Imae Katsutaka.

  4. 4The Goddess of Victory

    24 minOct 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?

  5. 5100% Fake

    24 minNov 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.

  6. 6The Distance Between Me and Glory

    24 minNov 8, 2013

    Imae, cowed by Aoki’s fearsome new move, suddenly realizes what it is Aoki has that he lacks. Summoning up all the energy he has left, he faces his challenger once again. As the fight drags on, will Imae retain his championship, or will Aoki finally reach the belt?

  7. 7Cheese Champion

    24 minNov 15, 2013

    Sendou Takeshi, the "Naniwa Tiger," returns to the ring! But it's his sparring partner, Sawamura Ryuuhei, who knocks Ippo for a loop when he calls the Dempsey Roll a "clumsy technique" and declares he's gunning for the Featherweight Title!

  8. 8The Mad Dog and the Red Wolf

    24 minNov 22, 2013

    Ippo's next title defense is confirmed to be against Sawamura Ryuuhei, and after realizing the Dempsey Roll is vulnerable to counter punches, Ippo realizes he doesn't stand a chance. His only option is to somehow evolve the Dempsey Roll into a more effective move, but as he mulls over exactly how to do it, a surprisingly familiar face appears in front of him.

  9. 9A Savage Scenario

    24 minNov 29, 2013

    Volg has return to Japan to take back his boxing gloves from Ippo. He hopes to travel to America, but with no contacts there he must rely on Coach Kamogawa to introduce him to someone. The gang at the gym asks Volg to spar with Ippo to help him prepare for the Sawamura fight, but after such a long time away from the ring, can the Russian get in fighting shape in time?

  10. 10The Face Of Determination

    24 minDec 7, 2013

    As the fight with Sawamura draws near, Ippo has pinned all his hopes on the newly-evolved Dempsey Roll, to the point where practicing it has left him worn out and overtrained. Left with a dire warning from his massage therapist about the toll his new move is taking, will Ippo be able to perfect his technique in time for the fight?!

  11. 11Fearless Challenger

    24 minDec 28, 2013

    Sawamura's blatant fouls and bullet-like left jabs leave Ippo scrambling to establish some kind of rhythm. He stubbornly forces his way inside, but is he charging headfirst into a trap?

  12. 12The Anti-Dempsey Perfected

    24 minJan 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!

  13. 13A Fist That Picks You Up

    24 minJan 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?

  14. 14Empowering Words

    24 minJan 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!

  15. 15A Storm Descends on Makunouchi Fishing Boat

    24 minJan 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!

  16. 16Golden Eagle

    24 minJan 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.

  17. 17Eleki's Shocker and Papaya's Coconut

    24 minFeb 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?!

  18. 18The Unfinished New Counter

    24 minFeb 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!

  19. 19Hawk vs. Eagle

    24 minFeb 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.

  20. 20A Lesson Never Forgotten

    24 minFeb 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.

  21. 21The End of the Death Match

    24 minMar 1, 2014

    Blood sprays across the ring as Takamura and Eagle pound at each other's cuts. Takamura's good eye is quickly swelling shut, and the ringside doctor stands ready to call the match at any time.

  22. 22Flower of Hope

    24 minMar 8, 2014

    And 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.

  23. 23The Courage to Live

    24 minMar 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.

  24. 24Iron Fist

    24 minMar 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.

  25. 25A Vow

    24 minMar 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!

Where to watch Fighting Spirit

Availability from JustWatch, via TMDB. Full listing for United States

Series cast

Kohei KiyasuIppo Makunouchi (voice)126 episodes
Rikiya KoyamaMamoru Takamura (voice)126 episodes
Wataru TakagiMasaru Aoki (voice)126 episodes
Keiji FujiwaraTatsuya Kimura (voice)126 episodes
Tomokazu SekiIchiro Miyata (voice)101 episodes
Kenji UtsumiGenji Kamogawa (voice)101 episodes
Toshihiko NakajimaHaruhiko Yagi (voice)101 episodes
Sanae KobayashiKumi Mashiba (voice)101 episodes
Masaya OnosakaTakeshi Sendo (voice)101 episodes
Akemi OkamuraReiko Mikami (voice)101 episodes
Emi ShinoharaMari Iimura (voice)101 episodes
Hiroyuki YoshinoAkira Shigeta (voice)101 episodes
Kiyoyuki YanadaTakuma Saeki (voice)101 episodes
Koji TsujitaniRyuichi Hayami (voice)101 episodes
Masahiko TanakaRyo Mashiba (voice)101 episodes
Masaki AizawaDate Eiji (voice)101 episodes
Nobutoshi CannaYusuke Oda (voice)101 episodes
Unsho IshizukaMiyata's father (voice)101 episodes

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