Japanese Featherweight Champion Ippo Makunouchi has successfully defended and retained his title. Meanwhile, his rival, Ichirou Miyata, has resurfaced in Japan, aiming for his own Featherweight belt in the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation. When the rest of the world comes knocking, however, will Japan's best fighters rise to the challenge and achieve glory at the top? Or will the small island nation be crushed under the weight of greater entities? This time, champions will become challengers issuing a call to the rest of the world and ready to show off their fighting spirit!
Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger – Carving his path to the Top!
Synopsis
As the anime opens, Ippo Makunouchi has successfully defended his Featherweight Champion title for the second time and is quickly rising through the boxing world. Amidst grueling fights and intensive training, he seeks to perfect his Dempsey Roll technique. However, a new challenger and former junior featherweight champion Ichiro Miyata returns to Japan after training in the US, determined to face Ippo in the ring. As Miyata bounces back defeating new opponents, Ippo’s world is turned upside down with unexpected adversaries and harsh losses.
Simultaneously, we witness the stories of Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura unfolding as Takamura aims for the global stage, and Aoki and Kimura struggle to perfect their own techniques. New Challenger traces the journey of these boxers as they overcome personal obstacles and rivals to become better fighters.
Review
My fellow anime enthusiasts, if you’re looking for pulse-pounding action, emotional depth, and intricate storytelling, Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger ticks all the boxes. This season showcases an exceptional blend of incredible boxing sequences and heartwrenching character storylines. Even if you’re not a sports anime fan, the masterful storytelling will keep you glued!
Madhouse continues its brilliant work with this sequel, and the production value is simply top-notch. The fights are more brutal, realistic, and exciting than ever. With each punch, you can feel the sheer determination and camaraderie that the characters exhibit. Moreover, the anime does a fabulous job of walking the line between realism and shōnen exaggeration, giving us fights that hit as hard as they do because of what’s occurring within and outside the ring.
Each character is given a chance to shine in this season. Ippo’s growth as he continues to defend his title, coupled with the anticipation created around his face-off with Miyata, forms the mainstay of the series. But what truly stands out is the depth given to side characters like Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura. Their arcs blend seamlessly into the narrative, making for some truly intense and emotional storytelling.
In terms of art and sound, the quality is brilliant. The character designs remain true to the manga, giving fans an authentic experience. The opening and ending themes, ‘Hekireki’ by LAST ALLIANCE and ‘8 AM’ by coldrain, provide the perfect music score, skillfully hyping up the viewers before and after each episode.
One of the significant strengths of Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger is how it manages to move the story forward, introducing new characters and challenges while keeping the essence of the original series intact. While some anime sequels suffer from losing the charm of their predecessors, this one remains as engaging as the original.
Verdict
In a nutshell, Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger adhering to the legacy of its predecessor, delivers a perfect blend of sports, drama, and character development. If you’re new to Hajime no Ippo, I recommend watching the first season before jumping into this one, but for returning fans, it’s a must-watch.
Whether you plan to rent, buy or stream it, the series holds immense value, particularly for those who adore intense sports action and well-developed character arcs. Trust your faithful Anime Critic on this one; make sure Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger is on your watch-list this season!
Score: 9/10
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