hajime no ippo is just like some other stories in the combat sports genre. A shy kid who is bullied until he is saved by a martial arts teacher, just like the karate kids movies of the 80s. But the story that Hajime in Ippo follows is totally different and absolutely majestic, ippo's maturing process in relation to the boxing world, how he deals with his career, how he reacts to his first defeat and so on... The plot building before the fights leaves you excited and encouraged to keep watching the anime.
The characters: 9/10
it is very rewarding to follow the evolution of all the characters during 75 episodes, at the beginning when Ippo decides to be a boxer and from the moment he enters the gym kamogawa you can already imagine the maturation process he will have to go through, after all he is a 17 year old boy. Not only does Ippo have impressive development, but Takamura-san can seem playful and a bit cruel when he actually cheers, cares and celebrates for and with them. The rest of the characters also take an important interest in the process for Ippo to become an experienced boxer.
Animation: 9/10
The studio did a good job in both the visuals of the characters and the fight scenes. The impact of each punch managed to convey the emotion and the feeling that the blow was extremely strong and powerful.
soundtrack: 10/10
we come to my favorite part, I absolutely fell in love with the main soundtrack that plays in the fights both in Ippo's main entrance, both later in his victory and in some moments when the music fits perfectly. Taking pride for its creation is a great reference to "Going to Fly Now" from Rocky Balboa, another great boxing movie franchise. The opening and closing are all wonderful, especially the second opening of the anime.
Enjoyment: 10/10
I was totally fascinated by Hajime in Ippo from the first episode I watched to the last. Absolutely the best boxing anime I've ever seen.
Overall: 10/10
a masterpiece that everyone, being a fan or not of the sports genre, should watch. Now on to season 2 :D
