What is ippo manga?

Hajime no Ippo, also known as Fighting Spirit in English, is a Japanese boxing manga series written and illustrated by George Morikawa. It was first serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine in 1989 and has since become one of the most popular and longest-running sports manga series in Japan.

The story follows the life of a shy high school student named Makunouchi Ippo, who begins his boxing journey after being saved from bullies by a professional boxer. Inspired by the boxer's strength and determination, Ippo decides to become a boxer himself and joins the Kamogawa Boxing Gym to train under the tutelage of Coach Kamogawa and former featherweight champion Takamura.

Throughout the series, Ippo faces various opponents in the ring and overcomes personal and professional challenges as he strives to become the Japanese featherweight champion. The manga is known for its realistic and detailed portrayal of boxing techniques and tactics, as well as its character development and emotional storytelling.

Hajime no Ippo has been adapted into a successful anime series, several video games, and a live-action film. The manga has received critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including the prestigious Kodansha Manga Award for Best Shonen Manga.