Common Sense Media Review
By Jeremy Looney, based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 13+
Winning boxing anime is fun and inspirational, has violence.
-
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hajime no Ippo is a boxing anime series based on the manga created by George Morikawa. As series centers around a high school boy's journey to become a boxer, expect to see fantasy violence that includes fighting, blood, and broken bones. Boxing matches are very intense, and characters take a lot of physical punishment throughout the series. There's some mild nudity (characters are shown shirtless while fighting) and a character is implied to be aroused and rapidly punches at their crotch to try and hide their arousal. Language includes "idiot," "damn," "bastard," and "ass." Some characters are shown smoking and drinking. The series features positive role models that inspire viewers to stand up for themselves and achieve their goals through effort and determination.
-
Violence & Scariness
some
Some fantasy violence that includes physical altercations, blood, and broken bones. The series is about boxing so there are fights throughout. Characters punch each other in the ring and get bruised and bloodied. Devastating blows will sometimes switch to an X-ray view that show character's bones breaking.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Get started
-
Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
In one scene a character is implied to be aroused and rapidly punches at their crotch to try and hide their arousal. Some characters look at clothed women's cleavage and backsides. Boxers are shown without their shirts in the ring.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Get started
-
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Some characters are shown smoking and drinking. A character falls asleep in a hotel room after drinking too much alcohol.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.
Get started
-
Language
a little
Language includes "idiot," "damn," "bastard," and "ass."
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
Get started
-
Positive Messages
some
Themes include hard work, passion, transformation, and redemption.
-
Positive Role Models
some
Ippo is a kind boy who helps his widowed mother run their family business. After being frequently assaulted by school bullies, Ippo learns how to box and defend himself. He displays passion and hard work as he trains to improve his boxing skills and become a new man.
-
Diverse Representations
a little
The cast of this Japanese series set in Japan is mostly Japanese and centered around male boxers. There are some non-Japanese characters that are boxing challengers in the series. Some of these characters are depicted favorably and show a great deal of respect and honor. Others have disrespectful personalities and are shown in a poor light.
Did we miss something on diversity? .
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hajime no Ippo
Parent and Kid Reviews
See all
- Parents say (2)
- Kids say
age 9+
Based on 2 parent reviews
fc844c20-217f-4772-ba90-d2d5b495f58c Adult
July 14, 2024
age 2+
Marcquelle O. Adult
October 28, 2023
age 16+
Its a bingeworthy, funny, and entertaining anime with tons of episodes. 76 to be exact, I wouldnt watch with your parents as there is some crude humour, mild sex scenes and some bad language
See all 2 parent reviews
What's the Story?
HAJIME NO IPPO is a series centered around Ippo Makunouchi (voiced in English by Steve Staley), a kind and timid high school student who's frequently beaten up by bullies. One day Ippo is rescued from his bullies by Mamoru Takamura (Eddie Frierson), a talented up-and-coming boxer. Inspired, Ippo decides to follow in Takamura's footsteps and become a boxer.
Is It Any Good?
This inspirational boxing sports anime is considered one of the best of the genre. Hajime no Ippo is a great underdog story that's relatable and believable. Ippo as a main protagonist is someone viewers can sympathize with and root for: a kind high school kid just trying to find himself and what he's passionate about. The additional cast are also well fleshed out; each character has unique motivations that drive them to participate in boxing. The boxing matches are thrilling and feature action that's more grounded in reality than most other sports anime. Ippo and friends can't easily defeat their opponents with unrealistic and exaggerated techniques; instead, their opponents feel like real challenges for the characters. The inspirational story that encourages viewers to stand up for themselves and find passion and drive is a positive. Overall, Hajime no Ippo is a great classic in the genre that delivers a fun-filled story full of action, heart, and determination.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk with their kids about positive ways to stand up for themselves. How can you contribute to your kids feeling confident and capable?
Families can also talk about the graphic violence in this anime. Does the context of the violence shown being within the sport of boxing change its impact? Why or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 6, 2004
- Cast : Eddie Frierson
- Network : Crunchyroll
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Sports and Martial Arts, Great Boy Role Models, High School
- TV rating : TV-PG
- Last updated : August 2, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Hajime no Ippo
Suggest an Update
Your privacy is important to us. We won't share this comment without your permission. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. See our privacy policy.
