A classic boxing anime that served as inspiration for Creed 3 has recently been added to Netflix, allowing subscribers the opportunity to rewatch the series.
Fans of the early 2000s sports anime, Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting, can now stream their favorite show on Netflix in the US. The streaming service has quietly added all 75 episodes, as well as the epilogue, to its library.
The manga, Hajime no Ippo, was created by George Morikawa and first published in 1989. It tells the story of Ippo Makunouchi, a young boxer who rises from a high school athlete to become a champion, facing numerous challenges and obstacles along the way.
The manga has consistently been a fan-favorite, with over 100 million copies sold as of July 2023. The adaptations have also been successful, with each installment receiving a physical release on Blu-ray. When Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting was first released on DVD, it spanned over 15 discs.
Fortunately, you no longer have to make room for this collection as it is readily available on your Netflix dashboard. Being released between 2000 and 2002, Hajime no Ippo was part of an era where numerous people were discovering the greatest anime of all time for the very first time.
At the time, One Piece and Naruto were just beginning while Spirited Away and Cowboy Bebop: The Movie were released in theaters. Additionally, there were re-runs of Dragon Ball Z, Vampire Hunter, Cowboy Bebop, and various other shows.
During its golden period, Hajime no Ippo gained a significant following, with even Michael B Jordan drawing inspiration from the show for Creed 3.
“During the release of Creed 3, the director explained to Total Film that his love for anime had influenced the artistic decisions made in the boxing and training scenes. Drawing inspiration from boxing anime such as Hajime no Ippo, he particularly appreciated the inner dialogue of the characters during intense fights.”
Now available on Netflix, The Dumpster Battle will show you why sports anime is currently experiencing a surge in popularity.
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