Love of Shooting Star is sending you
A flash of light... Yeah!
With eternal dreams
Let's roll and go
Without thinking anything
I'm just living in the Now
What keeps me going is
A street song
I want to dive lost mind, I want to dive lost mind (I want to immerse myself in my dream till I can't think of anything else)
I want feeling, I want feeling, always (That's how I want to feel all the time.)
I want to dive lost mind, I want to dive lost mind (I want to immerse myself in my dream till I can't think of anything else)
Why, why, why, why? I want to dive feeling over (I don't know why, but I want to keep feeling passionate)
Love of Shooting Star is sending you
A flash of light... Yeah!
With eternal dreams
Let's roll and go
KAMOGAWA Boxing Gym
He's late.
Welcome back!
- Hey there! - Why are you standing out here?
Uh, I have my pro certification exam today.
Oh, yeah. Now I remember.
Takamura-san is supposed to come with me, but...
Yeah. He's punctual when it comes to himself...
but he's pretty sloppy when it's other people's time.
All right. As your senior, I'll help you steel yourself for the exam.
Huh? Uh, sure.
Listen. The most important thing in the exam is your fighting spirit.
Oh.
You must forget what you've learned and show them you've got the drive.
Hey, what are you talking about? You won't get anywhere with drive alone.
Huh?
Basics are key. The jab...
defense, and footwork.
Th-That's true.
Ha! I remember how you ran around in circles for the whole exam.
Look who's talking. You're the guy who's been slinging mud ever since.
You were so stiff and nervous, I'm amazed you passed at all!
And you looked like you were about to wet your pants!
Don't laugh!
I'm sorry. So, you both took the certification exam together?
- Well, yeah.
- Sort of.
Now I get it, but...
So, are you feeling more relaxed now?
Uh, oh... Yes!
However!
It is possible to be suddenly matched against someone great like me!
Oh, man!
The poor stiff who was pitted against me couldn't show off any of his stuff...
because I knocked him out in 10 seconds.
That reminds me. I heard Miyata has already passed the certification exam.
If you fail, it'll build a gap between you guys again!
Don't say that.
Well, although there's no-one as great as me in the entire world!
What are you yakking about?!
Kid! Be confident! With what you've got, you'll pass for sure!
Uh, right!
If he doesn't screw up.
Oh, shut up!
They all look so strong. I wonder if they're all taking the exam?
Don't get wigged out! Stop peeking around!
Right!
Gimme a break.
Huh?
Korakuen Hall
It's that girl!
She's cute!
Well, aren't we feeling cocky?
So, you don't need me to come along with you?
No... Don't!
Maybe I should wreck you right now so you can't take the test!
I'm sorry!
No non-licensed personnel allowed. No Smoking (4PM until match is over)
Number 9, 117.9 pounds.
- Next, Number 10.
- Here!
They only check body weight here. I can't get nervous now!
Number 11, 140.5 pounds.
- Next, Number 12!
- Here!
Number 12, 124.5 pounds.
Uh, excuse me!
Next, Number 13.
He's kind of scary-looking. He looks strong, too.
Number 13, 125.66 pounds.
Huh?
That's about the same as me!
He'll be taking the written test by now, but I'm sure he'll do fine.
Hey, Takamura.
Hi, Fujii-chan! Doing an article?
Today, I'm just observing.
It's my policy to follow around boxers who catch my attention.
You followed me all the way here? All right, why don't you name it...
"Exclusive Coverage! A Day in the Life of Mamoru Takamura"?
How has Makunouchi-kun been?
He's so nervous, he's shaking like a leaf!
Fujii-chan, you must be bored if you're chasing around a small-shot like him.
I'm not after Makunouchi-kun exclusively.
One other fighter interests me.
Miyata-kun already passed the exam. I can't fall behind!
- What's your problem?
- Keep it down!
I'm sorry.
Here, you can use this.
Thank you so much! Ow!
- What a joke.
- He's helpless.
Maybe he should go into comedy instead.
Thank you for your kindness earlier.
Huh? Oh, it's you.
Don't worry about it. We're both in the featherweight class, aren't we?
Thanks to you, I was able to relax a lot.
It was nothing.
Anyway, let's both do our best.
Yeah!
Huh?
Right.
Successful Applicants of the Pro Certification Exam
What's his problem?
Begin!
Hey, what are you doing?!
Defense! Defense! Remember practice!
It's just a test, so relax!
Use your feet!
What pathetic sparring!
That's usually how it is with applicants.
When I took the exam, everyone was pathetic, myself excluded.
Stop!
Next, Number 5 and 6! Into the ring!
By the way, I haven't seen Makunouchi-kun yet.
Hey, you're right. Where'd he wander off to?
The Chief said I'd pass for sure...
but I really do tend to screw up at the most crucial moments.
I have to relax. My opponent is an applicant just like me.
Ah, so there you are!
- It's almost your turn!
- Uh, right!
Were you able to relax?
Yeah, sort of.
Hey, Ippo!
Yes?
Go out there and spill your blood!
I don't wanna!
Then go out there and feed him leather!
Yes, sir!
Next, Number 11 and 12! Into the ring!
- Yeah! - Go on!
Show 'em what you've got!
Listen, don't concern yourselves with winning or losing.
Try to show the basics you learned at your gyms.
Yeah. Don't rely on your right straight. Use the left.
What's he mumbling about?
I lucked out getting this guy to fight with.
He seems nervous as usual.
Did my efforts go down the drain?
Begin!
Here I come, Mr. Mumble!
I can see it!
Compared to Miyata-kun's speed, it's almost like slow motion!
Hey, it's that klutz from earlier.
I thought he looked slow, but he's actually rather good.
Ooh, good moves.
He's wide open!
Hey, that right straight completely flipped the guy over!
- Amazing!
- What a big move!
He's a monster.
He used jabs to stop his opponent and flattened him with a single straight punch.
The power of his punches is extraordinary.
He's not bad, for applicant level.
Gosh, you surprised me. That was an awesome punch!
Uh, thanks.
I'm up next.
Good luck!
Next, Number 13 and 14!
Okay, let's go!
Knock him down.
It's that guy.
Begin!
Go for it!
Jab, jab, jab!
Hey, what are you waiting for?!
Hey, Fujii-chan! Is this the other guy you're after?
Just watch. You'll see.
Go, go, go!
Hey, get a move on!
- Hey... - That's right. Flicker jabs.
The rush of flicker jabs. That pattern.
He's fast! Also, each punch is beautifully supported by his hip.
Stop! Stop, Number 13!
The bell! Ring the bell!
He's beyond applicant level.
Yeah. His boxing has a high level of perfection.
South Seats
You need a strong spine to make it as a pro.
But he didn't have to go to that kind of extreme at an exam.
Do you have the leeway to be upset about something like that right now?
Did you notice the jab that triggered the rush of punches?
Uh, yeah. He made some weird movement.
That is called a flicker jab.
Flicker jab?
It's Hearns' special move.
Hearns? You mean the famous Thomas Hearns?!
You got it! The guy whose punches made him a champion in five ranks.
A flicker jab always triggered the explosion of strong punches.
Makunouchi-kun.
I thought I should introduce you.
This is Mashiba-kun of Toho Gym.
This is Makunouchi-kun of Kamogawa Gym.
You are both in the featherweight class.
As long as I exist...
you won't reach the top of the featherweight class.
Wanna switch classes?
I will not switch classes.
I promised to see someone at the Eastern Japan Rookie Tournament.
Naturally, I'm not totally sure that I'll make it there, but...
I'm working hard with that as my goal.
That's why I will not switch from the featherweight class, no matter what!
Shoin High School
Good afternoon!
Excuse me!
Would you keep the noise down?
Oh, I'm sorry!
Yagi-san, you said it would arrive today, right?!
Yup, it's here.
Here you go. Congratulations!
Thank you so much!
Good for you, Ippo.
I'm so happy!
I couldn't sleep at all last night...
and I couldn't concentrate at all in school today!
Wow!
I don't know why, but when I actually hold the license, it feels so real!
It renders you speechless!
This is not good. I need to get with the program.
I need to help my mother today, so I have to go now!
Kid! Just because you've become a pro doesn't mean you can get carried away!
You need to start preparing for your debut match with lots of running!
If you're looking for Ippo-kun, he said he had to go home...
to help out his mother.
Good-bye!
Hey there. Long time no see, Ippo.
Ume...
We missed you horribly, you know!
Lately you've been going home right after school lets out.
Why don't you hang out with us once in a while?
We saw you. You're going to a boxing gym, huh?
What?
You bastard! I bet you've been training to get revenge against us.
You've got some nerve!
What? That's not why I'm going.
Shut up!
What's this? A driver's license?
P-Professional boxing license?!
Registered with Kamogawa Gym? Is this for real?
There's no need to get scared. In this day and age...
even celebrities can get a professional license of some sort.
I'm sure anyone can get one.
Please give it back!
I don't think so!
Anyway, I can't believe it. Is this guy a professional boxer?
Why don't we experiment and see...
just how strong he's got!
My license!
I didn't start boxing for a pitiful reason like revenge.
I'm gonna be a professional boxer because I love boxing!
Is this a dream?
I can't believe it.
Him, a boxer?
I'm so glad I got it back.
It's been half a year since I met Takamura-san...
when I used to be bullied all the time.
I've come a long way.
I got permission from Mom.
I'm finally a real professional boxer!
I'll do my best!
Huh?
Good-bye!
All right!
Huh?
You've got a lot of guts to challenge me.
Guys preparing for their debut match sure are a strange breed!
T-Takamura-san! Me, challenge you?
I just didn't see you there!
Come on! Take a shot at me, Ippo!
But I don't stand a chance against you.
Giving up before you even try won't get you ahead in the world of pro boxing!
Here I come!
Not bad, Ippo.
All right!
Just kidding!
It'll be a million years before you can take me on!
That's mean!
Hello!
Hey, Fujii-chan!
I brought a video I think Makunouchi-kun should see.
A video?
One minute and 33 seconds into the first round of his debut match...
Ichiro Miyata scores a brilliant KO victory.
That's how I'd write it.
Ippo wouldn't be able to beat him in his current shape.
Miyata-kun really is amazing!
I have to work harder or I'll be left behind.
Hold it!
There's one more tape.
Mashiba-san!
He scored an instant KO with the barrage following the flicker jab.
Ryo Mashiba lands an overwhelming victory in his debut match.
What a flashy victory.
I'm returning to practice.
I envy you! The featherweight class looks like a lot of fun.
You buttinsky.
Yes, Miyata-kun and Mashiba-kun are way past the level of your average newbie.
However, Makunouchi-kun also has an amazing, destructive single punch.
It's amazing that he doesn't realize that for himself.
Ippo-kun! Ippo-kun!
Yes?
What is it?
I have good news.
- Good news? - Ooh, what is it?
Kid, the opponent for your debut match has been selected.
The name of your opponent is...
Reflecting on Today
That's coming to an end
I try to search for what I can do
I might have thought too hard
If I can tell myself "I'll be fine,"
That would be the first step
A paper plane is flying away
Hopefully it will make it to Tomorrow
Forever, forever, forever, forever
I'll keep believing
That's why... forever, forever, forever, forever
It will keep flying
The straight punch. A basic punch that all boxers must acquire.
A long-distance form which causes major damage to one's opponent.
Sometimes, that single punch can turn the flow of the match...
and sometimes, it cuts off the opponent's resilience.
Even if they tell me I'll win easily, I can't underestimate him!
Because it will be my first time in that ring!
The next episode is "Debut Match!"