Story 10/10
The Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger story has a different approach of other sports anime like Haikyu!! and Kuroko no Basket. The difference boxing has with volleyball and basketball is that boxing is not a team sport. The boxer has to fight for him and what he has to protect. That is why this is quite different from other sports anime. Makunouchi Ippo and the other main characters must fight their fights alone. The story of Hajime no Ippo is about a young man named Ippo and his endeavors to become the best boxer around. However, New Challenger doesn't only focus on Ippo. Many of the other main character have their own fights and their own struggles and that is why the story was so enjoyable. And of course there is also the comedy. Ippo's comedy is always top notch and this is easily one of the funniest animes to date.
Art 9/10
Not really much to say for this except for the fact that it is different from the original series. The fight scenes are well done and thats all that one needs for this show.
Sound 10/10
Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger has an entirely new soundtrack and it is AMAZING. They fit in extremely well with the fights, the comedy, and the training. Another part of the sound to praise is the opening. The opening is one of those openings where you just cant skip no matter how busy you are. It's THAT good.
Character 10/10
In my opinion, characters are Hajime no Ippo's strong point. Obviously, there is our main character Ippo. Ippo has a very weird personally for a boxer. He is timid and shy. He even has trouble talking to the girl he likes. But this changes when he is in the ring. He becomes a fierce fighter and can take on anyone he sets his mind to. Another member of the kamogawa gym, Takamura Mamoru gets a lot focus this season. Takamura is a wild beast. Yeah, that is the best way to describe him. He is a monster found in the streets by Kamogawa and will take down any boxer in the whole word. The other members of the gym, Aoki and Kimura are also very awesome, but what I really love them for is how funny they are. Aoki is my king of comedy and I can't watch a scene with him without pissing myself laughing. The last character that needs focus in this series is Miyata. Miyata is Ippo's rival and has left the gym so he can fight Ippo eventually. Miyata has been struggling to get back in the ring and this series focuses a lot on Miyata's recovery. All these characters are extremely enjoyable and you just have to like em.
Enjoyment 10/10
Ippo is one of the most enjoyable anime I have ever watched. While watching it, I had to actually try to limit myself with the amount of episodes I watched so I could savor it. Ippo is the type of show to watch to put yourself in a good mood. The show just makes me happy.
Overall 10/10
Haijime no Ippo: New Challenger, and its whole series, is a a gem among all anime. The story, the characters, the comedy, and of course, the boxing are taken to the next level in this anime. You'd actually have to be a fool to not check this out. Don't let the fact that it is a sports anime stop you from watching this. Most people who have watched this will say it with me, GO WATCH HAJIME NO IPPO.
