Hajime no Ippo (Japanese: はじめの一歩, lit. "The First Step") is a legendary boxing manga series written and illustrated by George Morikawa. Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine since 1989, it is one of the longest-running manga in history, with over 140 volumes and counting. It is widely considered the definitive combat sports manga, praised for its technical accuracy, gut-busting comedy, and profound character studies.

The story follows Ippo Makunouchi, a shy, kind-hearted high school boy who helps his mother run their family fishing boat business. Because of his quiet nature and the smell of fish on his clothes, he is constantly bullied. His life changes when he is rescued from a beating by a professional middleweight boxer, Mamoru Takamura. After waking up at the Kamogawa Boxing Gym, Ippo discovers he possesses a "pro-level" punching power from years of carrying heavy fishing crates. He decides to take "the first step" into the ring to answer one burning question: "What does it mean to be strong?"

Alternative Names by Language

はじめの一歩 / Fighting Spirit / Первый шаг / هاجيمي نو إيبو / ก้าวแรกสู่สังเวียน / 第一神拳 / 第一神拳 / 더 파이팅 (The Fighting