So, you want to get into Hajime no Ippo. Good luck. Honestly, it’s one of the best sports stories ever written, but the release schedule is a total disaster. We’re talking about a series that started its anime run in 2000 and has been sporadically dropping new content for over two decades. If you just search for it on a streaming site, you’ll probably find three different titles and a couple of specials that don't seem to fit anywhere. It’s confusing.
Watching the journey of Ippo Makunouchi—from a bullied kid to a powerhouse in the featherweight division—requires a bit of a roadmap. You can't just jump into "Rising" and expect to know why everyone is crying about a guy named Volg. You need the full context. If you're wondering how to watch ippo in order, you have to follow the chronological release path, because the producers actually did a decent job of keeping the timeline straight even if the gaps between seasons were massive.
The Foundation: The Fighting!
Everything starts with the original 2000 series, often just called Hajime no Ippo or Fighting Spirit. This is the meat of the story. It’s 76 episodes of pure, unadulterated 90s-style animation grit. Don't let the old-school art style put you off. Madhouse handled the production, and they put more love into the weight of a punch than most modern studios put into entire fight sequences.
This first season covers Ippo's entry into the Kamogawa Gym, his rivalry with the genius Ichiro Miyata, and the iconic Rookie King Tournament. You basically get to see him learn the basics of boxing—the jab, the hook, and eventually, the Dempsey Roll. It’s essential. If you skip this, the rest of the show is meaningless. You have to see the struggle. You have to see the literal blood and sweat.
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After you finish those 76 episodes, don't just jump to season two. You’ll hit a massive wall in the plot. There are two "bridge" pieces of content that are canon and vital. First is the Champion Road TV special. It’s basically "Episode 77." It deals with Ippo’s first title defense and features a very specific opponent that tests his resolve as a champion, not just a challenger.
Then there is the Mashiba vs. Kimura OVA (Original Video Animation). Some people tell you this is optional. Those people are wrong. It’s arguably one of the best-written arcs in the entire franchise. It shifts the focus away from Ippo for a moment to show the heart of the "supporting" cast. It’s gritty, it’s emotional, and it sets the tone for how dangerous the pro boxing world actually is.
Moving Into the Modern Era
Once you’ve cleared the 2000s era, you move into Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger. This came out in 2009. The jump in animation quality is jarring in a good way. The fights are faster. The impact feels heavier. This season is shorter, only 26 episodes, but it covers some of the most legendary fights in manga history, specifically the Takamura vs. Bryan Hawk match.
If you haven't seen the Takamura vs. Hawk fight, you haven't seen the peak of sports anime. It’s a masterpiece of tension. New Challenger also dives deeper into the backstories of the gym members, making them feel like a real family rather than just background noise for Ippo’s career.
Finally, you hit Hajime no Ippo: Rising, which aired in 2013. This is another 25 episodes. It moves at a breakneck pace. Some fans of George Morikawa’s original manga actually complain that Rising moves too fast, cutting out some of the "slice of life" comedy that makes the series so charming. But for a pure adrenaline hit, it’s incredible. It concludes with a flashback arc about Coach Kamogawa and Nekota in post-war Japan that is surprisingly heavy and deeply moving.
Why the Order Actually Matters
You might think, "Can’t I just watch the shiny new stuff?"
No. Boxing is a sport of accumulation. Every technique Ippo learns in episode 5 of the original series is still being used and refined in the final episode of Rising. If you don't see the origin of his signature peek-a-boo style, you won't appreciate the moments when opponents finally figure out a counter for it. The emotional stakes are built over hundreds of rounds.
Here is the straightforward breakdown of how to watch ippo in order:
- Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! (2000) – 76 Episodes.
- Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road – TV Special.
- Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura – OVA.
- Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger (2009) – 26 Episodes.
- Hajime no Ippo: Rising (2013) – 25 Episodes.
There is a weird quirk regarding the Rising season. The final three episodes are technically a prequel set decades before Ippo was even born. However, you should still watch them at the very end. They carry more weight once you’ve spent 120+ episodes with the Coach. Seeing his "Iron Fist" origins explains everything about why he pushes Ippo so hard.
Where Does the Story Go From Here?
The biggest heartbreak for any Ippo fan is that the anime stops right when the story gets truly insane. The manga has been running since 1989 and has over 1,400 chapters. The anime, even with all three seasons, only covers roughly the first 550 to 600 chapters.
There is so much more left. There are world title fights, heartbreaking retirements, and character evolutions that the anime hasn't even sniffed yet. If you finish Rising and feel an empty void in your chest, your only option is to pick up the manga. Most fans suggest starting around Chapter 555 if you want to pick up exactly where the anime left off, though reading from the beginning is highly recommended because the art becomes legendary later on.
Finding the Content
Streaming rights for Ippo are a bit of a mess. For a long time, it was stuck in licensing limbo. Thankfully, Netflix and Crunchyroll have started picking up various seasons depending on your region. The original 2000 series is often listed under its English title, Fighting Spirit.
Be careful with fan edits or "condensed" versions on YouTube. They often cut out the character development in favor of just the fights. Ippo is a character-driven show first and a boxing show second. You need the scenes where they are just hanging out at the fishing boat rental or making fun of each other in the locker room. That’s the soul of the series.
A Note on the Pacing
You’re going to notice a shift. The first 76 episodes have that slow, methodical 2000s pacing where a single fight can last five or six episodes. It’s great for building tension. By the time you get to Rising, the show is sprinting. It’s a different vibe, but it reflects Ippo’s progression from a confused amateur to a seasoned pro who has to make split-second decisions.
The reality is that Hajime no Ippo is a journey. It’s not a show you binge in a weekend and forget. You’ll find yourself unironically wanting to go to the gym after a few episodes. That’s the "Ippo Effect."
The Logical Path Forward
Stop scrolling through forums and just start the first episode of the 2000 series. If you can get through the first six episodes—up to Ippo's first spar with Miyata—you’ll be hooked. Once you finish the original 76, immediately track down Champion Road. Don't skip it. It’s the bridge that makes the later seasons make sense.
If you find yourself stuck after finishing Rising, start reading the manga from Chapter 558. This is where the "Post-Anime" life begins. You have nearly 900 chapters of content waiting for you, which is enough to keep any boxing fan busy for months.