Summary
Sports anime, when done well, can be one of the medium’smost exciting genres, and it’s no different for combat sports like boxing. Over the years, boxing anime has managed to win the hearts of many, with both old classics and new shows garnering intrigue. Despite primarily focusing on the combat aspect, boxing anime involve many other interesting themes, such as friendship, love, and rivalry.
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Many of these anime are also detailed in their approach, showcasing different strategies, techniques, and routines associated with the sport. They serve not only as a source of entertainment but also as asource of inspiration, as their realistic depiction of different events is capable of resonating deeply with their audiences.
10Ring ni Kakero
Created by Masami Kurumada,Ring ni Kakerois a boxing anime that came before the release of his far more popularKnights of the Zodiacseries. The story centers around Kiku and Ryuji, two siblings whose paths are greatly influenced by the deaths of their father, who had a great talent for boxing.
With Kiku inheriting his analytical skills and Ryuji inheriting his strength, the siblings combine their talents to aid Ryuji in reaching the top of the boxing world. Outside the ring, it also includes story arcs that are just as entertaining, narrating conflicts and emotional issues different characters face along the way. It is considered one of the pioneers of the boxing anime genre and has influenced different works that came after it.
9Slow Step
Slow Step is a sports anime with both boxing and softball as the main focuses. The creator, Mitsuru Adachi has also worked on different series which combine sports and romance, as well as a good amount of humor. The story revolves around three characters who find themselves in a high-school love triangle. Minatsu Nakazato, the main girl, is a softball ace, while Naoto Kadomatsu is a boxer, and Shu Akiba is a classmate.
As an anime featuringromance and love trianglesthat aired in the early 90s, it contains a lot of cliches and generic tropes. However, it still manages to entertain its audience with a vibrant art style and refreshing animation.
8One Pound Gospel
One Pound Gospelis a fifty-minute OVA that takes a refreshing and comedic approach to the boxing genre. It was released in the late 80s and produced by Studio Gallop, responsible for iconic serieslikeRurouni Kenshin,Yu-Gi-Oh!, andInitial D. It tells the story of a gluttonous boxer Hatanaka Kosaku and a devout nun, Sister Angela, who supports him as best as she can.
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Since Kosaku is a hopeless glutton who sometimes lets his desires affect his matches, Sister Angela tries to help him better control his urges. However, as the two continue to interact in this way, they end up forming a deep bond that goes beyond just that of a helper and an athlete.
7Rokudenashi Blues
Another series from the late 20th century,Rokudenashi Bluesis an anime that was adapted into two movies. It is set in a high school environmentwhere delinquents are commonplaceand the main character Taison Maeda is one of the strongest. Despite his strength, however, Taison is rather eccentric, being angered easily and having a clumsy nature.
Taison aspires to be a real boxer and aims to become the world boxing champion. He is known for being one of the strongest street fighters in the series and earned himself a place among the Four Heavenly Kings, the strongest fighters in Tokyo. The story consists of other themes like friendship and honor, while also incorporating a good amount of humor.
6Ganbare Genki
Ganbare Genkiis a 35-episode anime about the ambitious Horiguchi Genki and his desire to become a boxerlike his father. Genki’s father raised him alone, as his mother died when he was born, leading to him becoming heavily inspired by his lone parent. Though his father’s boxing career didn’t end on a stellar note, Genki still believed him to be the ideal.
On his way to becoming a professional boxer, Genki is put through different ordeals and meets different people. These experiences teach him a lot about what he wants to achieve and what is needed to get there. It is a fascinating and exciting story about growth, friendship, and perseverance
5Nozomi Witches
Nozomi Witchesis a boxing anime with a protagonist who didn’t exactly pick up the sport on his own. After meeting the beautiful and bewitching Nozomi Egawa, the main character Ryoutaro Shiba is coerced into joining his school’sboxing club due to her. Though he may not have lofty ambitions or a solid source of inspiration, the story’s direction gradually adds more meaning and weight to his actions and decisions.
Ryoutaro also finds out that he may have a talent for boxing, as he finds himself on the winning end more often than not. It is a show not only centered around boxing but also romance, with interesting characters and plot twists.
4Levius
One of the more recent additions to the boxing anime genre,Leviusis an ONA that was released on Netflix in the Fall of 2019. It is set in a steampunk world ravaged by a devastating war, where boxers are cybernetically enhanced and the sport is of elevated importance. The titular protagonist Levius Cromwell is an orphaned fighter trained by his uncle who wishes to climb the boxing hierarchy and reach the highest rank possible.
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Fights inLeviusmay be cybernetically enhanced, but they still involve strategy and raw technique. It was animated by Polygon Pictures and makes heavy butgood use of CGIin all of its fights. The story is also filled with a diverse cast of characters from different backgrounds who have unique motivations.
3Megalo Box
Another Netflix anime featuring boxers enhanced by technology,Megalo Boxis a thrilling series that pays homage to the iconicTomorrow’s Joefranchise. It tells the story of the promising underground fighter Junk Dog who was used to throwing money for cash. However, after meeting and being effortlessly defeated by the powerful Yuuri, Junk Dog resolves to seriouslyclimb up the boxing ranks, assuming the name Joe in the process.
Despite the heavy use of technology and futuristic setting, the anime makes use of a retro art style as a form of tribute to its classic predecessor. The anime also has many other aspects that are heavily inspired, including characters, relationships, and themes.
2Tomorrow’s Joe
Tomorrow’s Joeis an iconic boxing anime that has served as an inspiration to many people as well as different series focused on boxing. It has also been referenced multiple times by anime with completely different genres, showcasing just how much of acultural impact the franchise has had. Its titular protagonist Joe Yabuki was originally a wayward young man who couldn’t stay out of trouble, but after being picked up by trainer Danpei Tange and meeting with other specific individuals, he set out on the path of a real, professional boxer.
The road for Joe isn’t easy, as he comes across one problem after the other while having to face powerful fighters at the same time. The tale of how he is able to overcome these challenges and push forward is one of the most gripping things about the series, and why it is loved by so many.
1Hajime no Ippo
Airing near the beginning of the 21st century,Hajime no Ippois arguably the most iconic boxing anime there is. It has a compelling story that follows the journey of Ippo Makunouchi, from being a humble helper in his family business to a promising boxer whose talents are immediately recognized by those he comes across. It is a captivating underdog tale that details Ippo’s rise and growth over many events and fights, each more challenging than the last.
It carries its audience along with great success, as its capable of evoking genuine emotion with its compelling storytelling and character development. It was alsoanimated by studio Madhouseand is one of their most successful projects ever to be released.
