Hajime no Ippo - New Challenger Review - 87,5/100
When I first learned about Hajime no Ippo, I wasn’t that eager to check it out. Heck, I had no interest in sports, and it’s one of those shows that has a premise that you just can’t explain without making it sound like some sort of Dragonball Z knock-off:
“So yeah this show is about a guy and he trains to become a boxer and then they fight and he gets beaten and beaten and then he manages to find his inner strength to win from his opponents!!1!1!1″.
It’s true that this show is formulaic, but it’s also SO INCREDIBLY ADDICTIVE. The sheer intensity of the boxing matches is nearly unrivalled, and the only way you can really get an idea of how incredibly good this show is is by watching it yourself. This series knows exactly how to pull the right strings during the boxing matches, and even though most boxing matches take up multiple episodes, they just keep you glued to the screen and only make you want more.
New Challenger forms an excellent introduction to the franchise for those who find the 75 episodes of the first season a bit too much of a commitment. It’s an excellent standalone series to watch. I myself watched nothing of the first series and yet I was perfectly able to follow it; some of the references to the first season that it made were perfectly explained for those new to the franchise, and the characters were already strong enough to carry the show on their own.
What’s also interesting about this new season is that while you might expect this show to be mostly about the titular Makunouchi Ippo, it’s actually one of those series that doesn’t have a clear main character. Instead, we get a bunch of arcs that each focus on a different character, and Ippo only plays the central role in one of them (that arc, by the way, also was arguably the weakest of the bunch; the thing with Ippo is that he’s by no means a bad character, but he is one of the least interesting members of the cast). Especially the Brian Hawk-arc was absolutely epic.
So yeah, Hajime no Ippo stands out in its simplicity; for every arc you know exactly what you’re going to get: an incredibly intense boxing match with sympathetic and strong characters and awesome graphics. And it never gets old. It’s the perfect series for if you want to blow off some steam.
| Storytelling: | 9/10 |
| Characters: | 9/10 |
| Production-Values: | 9/10 |
| Setting: | 8/10 |
I know it’s INCREDIBLY addictive!!! I for one didn’t also liked the premise but then I watched season 1 and I was like…ok yeah let’s watch 10 more episodes!! It’s so epic in a weird way…
Comment by Julian — July 1, 2009 @ 12:21
So they’ve finally managed to animate just under half of the manga up to around the chapter 400 mark and its currently up to chapter 858 and still kicking. I’m hoping they continue to animate this awesome series as some of the best fights are yet to come.
Comment by tisb0b — July 1, 2009 @ 18:02
psgels, you’ll probably enjoy the first season more since due to being longer, it is more focused on Ippo and his character development, at the same time allowing other characters to have major fights, specially some side-characters who haven’t nearly shown up in the second season and a greater exploring of the show’s setting. Also it is of general opinion this season’s soundtrack did poorly next to the first’s, it is too Death Note-ish.
That aside, I’m able to say NC was as good as S1, but everyone should definetly watch it to see what the hype is really about, why it stands as the best sports anime ever.
Comment by Howling-kun — July 1, 2009 @ 18:28
PSGELS,
You have to watch season 1 to say that Ippo’s character is not weak. This season focused more on other characters rather than Ippo. This anime is truly addictive and I went back and rewatch season 1 several times. No anime has been like that for me. If I rewatch it and still enjoy every episode, then it’s my #1 anime. This anime is enjoyable and it keeps you laughing and on the edge of your seat when you’re watching Ippo fight. I say take some time and enjoy season 1…you’ll love it.
Comment by headachebaby — July 2, 2009 @ 6:40
Agreed with headachebaby, though the S2 gives summaries about S1, that doesn’t really show how much Ippo has evolved from S1 to S2. though S1’s story is mainly about Ippo (and his rival).
Comment by Julian — July 2, 2009 @ 11:22
There is imo no other anime that has such detailed explanations about its own theme and character development. Granted you have to watch s1 to fully understand that. #1 anime for me too.
Comment by doed — July 2, 2009 @ 20:47
Thank you very much for the review of Hajime no Ippo. :)
Comment by Best Anime Movies — July 3, 2009 @ 18:29
Well, I posted my 1st comment before I finished watching episode 26 and now I’ve got to say that it’s not over yet. The magna is still going on and episode 26 is just starting Ippo’s new training. Damn…can’t wait for another season and watch Ippo fight Miyata. Miyata was Ippo’s 1st opponent and the rivalry between them hasn’t stop.
I was SO HAPPY they created a second season after the first season ended YEARS ago. I hope MADHOUSE doesn’t wait for YEARS to make a 3rd season. It’s crazy how other animes that shouldn’t be coming out with new seasons still come out…it’s like “please end it already.”
Hajime no Ippo is a GREAT ANIME and you don’t have to be a sports or boxing fan to enjoy it. I hope that the creators feel they owe it to the fans to continue what they have started…really, it’s a great anime and worth continuing.
Comment by headachebaby — July 3, 2009 @ 22:37
hey guys i just finished the last episode of new challenger and wanted to know if thats the end or they gonna have another season…..i really hope so this anime is tooo good
p.s. if anyone know if there i s gonna be another season please email me
Comment by ajay — July 5, 2009 @ 8:43
i got interested in this anime about a week ago after reading your review on the series. but i dont like watching sequels cause i like starting from the begining.
so i watched the first series to see what it was like and was suprised. i havent seen a anime this good in a long time. i have finished all 76 eps and am on ep 9 of NC. and i feel its much better watching NC as a continuance. so to anyone interested in checking this series out i sugest starting from the begining. both series are staggering good and ths fights are incredible. my only complaint is the music. the music in the first series especially the music that starts when ippo makes a nockout is incredible. the music in NC isnt quite as good. apart from that both series are excellent.
the series has alot of heart and spirit with fully fleshed out characters. and watching NC after having seen the first series is so much beter cause of the nowledge and backstory of the first series makes the stories and fights in NC all the more epic and emotional. def a series id recomend to anyone.
Comment by edward — July 7, 2009 @ 12:01
I’ve been waiting for already 2 weeks for that episode to be launched… from the beginning of hajime no ippo until this latest series. It is very very entertaining. Much more than that of Hayden Kho, Katrina Halili, and Maricar Reyes.
Comment by Maricar Reyes — July 9, 2009 @ 16:47
nice review, I don’t want to add anything as this anime is just epic, absolutely love it, has anybody got any news on new challenger episode 27 being released? i went away on holiday for 2 week just after ep 26 was released and expected there to be two more available when i got back….but the usual site i use is only up to episode 26!!! any help please?
Comment by Robbie — July 23, 2009 @ 21:23
Reply to Robbie. I think that episode was the final episode for the season. I couldn’t find the episode either and I just checked a site that put Hajime no Ippo new challenger as final episode, so i’m guessing it was the last for the season. Plus if you read some of the other comments they all say that their hoping for a new season so i’m pretty sure
Comment by gibbitup — July 25, 2009 @ 7:45
the 2nd season took like 3-4 years to be released.. i watch the 1st season while i was still 13-14 yrs old so i really hope they make the 3rd one in a flash cause my HUNGER for HNI is still unsatisfied!!
Comment by k3rtz — August 28, 2009 @ 8:11
One of the voice actors of Hajime no Ippo confirmed that a 3rd season would definitly be comming and was already planned.
And not only is the anime really good, the manga’s really nice aswell.
Comment by pudding — September 15, 2009 @ 1:27
i wan to noe when is the 3rd season coming out
Comment by - — October 25, 2009 @ 3:14
I feel that you gave this anime a fair review. I personally think its a 10/10 myself. The hard thing about this anime is finding actual English based sites that are just for the anime. the only one i’ve found so far is Hajime No Ippo Episodes
Comment by David — October 27, 2009 @ 19:13