A good comic, like Netflix First timecontinues to impact, influence, and entertain readers long after its heyday. Upon its release, Hajime no Ippo was widely regarded as one of the best martial arts/combat sports manga of its time. Incredibly, even today, Hajime no Ippo remains a top choice for anyone interested in a well-constructed, technically solid, and emotionally engaging fighting story.
The world first heard about George Morikawa's Hajime no Ippo in the 1989 issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump. Since that debut some 35 years ago, Morikawa has continuously added and updated chapters and content to the story. As a result, Hajime no Ippo is one of the longest-running manga series in the history of the genre. The story details the adventures of shy teenager Makunouchi Ippo, who, due to his lack of friends, becomes an easy target for school bullies who see him as an easy target to exploit.
However, one day after being saved from a beating by a local boxer, Ippo becomes interested in the sport of fighting. This leads to an audition, where Ippo impresses a local boxing coach/instructor with his raw natural talent. Although initially hesitant to take on a beginner, the coach reluctantly decides to train him alongside his current student, Miyata. Thus begins Ippo's – and the reader's – adventures in the world of boxing.
Hajime no Ippo sparks new interest in martial arts manga
The depiction of combat in Hajime no Ippo is moving visual poetry
Most recently, Netflix, the streaming giant and growing force in the anime industry, began streaming the anime adaptation of Hajime no Ippo. Netflix's decision to air Hajime no Ippo is a testament to its continuing influence and relevance as an anime and manga. Unlike other anime streaming services like Crunchyroll or HIDIVE, anime is only a part of Netflix's total content.
Accordingly, in order to maximize anime viewership, the streaming giant tends to choose series that it knows or believes will appeal to its anime fans, as well as convince non-anime fans to tune in. While their “strategy” often focuses on well-known entities in terms of popularity and fan following, such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Pokémon, as well as currently popular martial arts/combat sports series like Baki, Kengan Ashura, and Garouden; they see value in choosing a traditional anime like Hajime no Ippo, whose most recent anime series ended in 2014.
Hajime Ippo Brings Real Boxing to the World of Manga and Anime
There’s little to argue about Netflix’s choice of Hajime no Ippo. It’s a prime example of the genre. Indeed, it’s one of the best depictions of the world of boxing ever made. The details of a boxer’s training routine, or how fighters manage their hopes and fears, or how they outwit their opponents, are mesmerizing to watch. No combat sports series has come close to Morikawo’s depiction of the mind – from the emotional highs to the debilitating lows.
There’s plenty of real-life content for Morikawa to tap into. Boxing has been his favorite sport since he was a child – he even owned and managed his own boxing gym. He certainly tapped into that passion for the sport to create characters and storylines that are as accurate as possible. That way, even after three decades, First time remains one of the best manga out there, and certainly the best boxing manga. Despite its age, it remains relevant and – most importantly – a compelling story that showcases Morikawa’s love for boxing as well as creating a snapshot of the boxing sports industry. No wonder Netflix pick it up