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
Chinese Noodle Restaurant IWATA
Here!
Wow, is this your treat?
To celebrate your first anniversary with the gym.
Oh, thank you!
Go ahead and eat up!
You're not the guy paying for it.
Come on. Go ahead and eat!
Okay, I will!
Has it really been a year already?
Uh, yeah.
That means it's almost time for the Rookie King Championship Tournament.
You're probably dying to find out who your first match opponent is.
Y-Yeah.
Actually, you're right. I've been a nervous wreck.
The Rookie Championship, huh?
It didn't leave much of an impression on me because I won it so easily.
He overwhelmed 'em, that's why.
Kimura-san, Aoki-san, how did you do?
Huh?!
Uh...
I believe Kimura got dumped by a chick and developed a live-threatening fever.
That's not true.
I had the high fever from a cold before I got dumped.
There isn't much of a difference.
Uh, how about you, Aoki-san?
Did I ask something I shouldn't have?
I'll have you know that I lost in the first match...
but my opponent was said to be the champion hopeful!
I went all four rounds with him on equal footing, but he won by decision.
You don't have to be so depressed!
You did great against a champion hopeful!
Do you really think so?
That 'hopeful' lost easily in the second match, though.
Y-Yeah, but even the strongest boxer can get hit by a lucky punch.
The dude who won against the hopeful lost in the third match hands-down.
And the guy who beat that guy flopped in the fourth match.
Damn it!
I'm sorry! I never should have asked such a stupid question!
KAMOGAWA Boxing Gym
Damn it! Hey, hey...
Wait! Hold on!
Damn, the kid is way too fired up.
Kimura, tag.
Man, that's pathetic. And you call yourself a 6-rounder?
Shut up!
When he gets in your range, he's impossible to handle.
Ippo is getting his in-fighting down to an art.
He's gotten so tough it makes me mad.
All right, I guess I'll go rough him up a bit.
Ippo-kun!
We just received the fax regarding the Rookie King Tournament.
Uh, right!
Featherweight Class Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament Chart
Let's see... Where's Ippo?
Featherweight Class Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament Chart He's in Block A.
Featherweight Class Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament Chart Miyata and Mashiba are both seeded in Block B.
Featherweight Class Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament Chart They would be!
Ippo's lucky those two will have to eliminate each other.
Still, he has to defeat everyone seeded in Block A.
Block A According to this, he can't fight Miyata unless he gets to the final match.
Ippo Makunouchi According to this, he can't fight Miyata unless he gets to the final match.
This is pretty tough.
Uh, yeah. But I'm more curious about my first match opponent.
What is his name?
Jason Ozuma (Hachinohe Boxing Group) Ippo Makunouchi (Kamogawa Gym)
Jason... Otsuma? Is that how it's pronounced?
That's an unusual last name. Maybe it's common in Hachinohe region.
Yagi-chan, we need to start scavenging for reference materials.
Right!
At any rate, "Jason" certainly is a bold ring name.
Yeah. It makes you conjure up a gruesome image.
In contrast, we've got "Makunouchi."
- Huh? - His name is lacking punch.
What do you say we come up with a ring name for Ippo?
What? A ring name for ME?
Why don't we counter his Jason with "Freddy Ippo"?
Hmm... It lacks something.
Then how about "Puma Ippo"?
It doesn't fit his image.
All right, I have just the thing!
"Big Mara Ippo."
Ooh!
Hey, that sounds kind of cool!
I know what "Big" means, but what does "Mara" mean?
This is what Mara means!
I'll be out doing roadwork.
Wait a minute, Ippo!
Huh?
How about "Tama Aru Ippo"? (Tama Aru = With Balls)
I don't want a ring name anymore!
Fujii-san.
Hey there.
What? It's not a ring name?
Oh, come on! No Japanese person has a name like that.
Exactly. He's not Japanese.
What?
His real name is Jason Ozuma.
He's an American soldier stationed at Misawa Base in Aomori Prefecture.
Is this possible?!
He's a puncher boxer with an orthodox style.
His record so far is 3 out of 3, all KOs.
Huh? Is that all you have on him?
Well, he's fought only in the Tohoku Region up north...
so we don't have much info on him here.
I've already contacted our branch office in Aomori Prefecture...
and they're gathering more intel, but according to rumors...
he's quite powerful.
What are you gonna do, Ippo?
W-What am I gonna do?
I have to fight him.
That's right!
At this point, instead of adjusting to his style...
you must refine your own style.
Uh... Yes, sir!
HACHINOHE Boxing Group
Hey, Ozuma! Finish him!
Hey, are you all right?
Yes.
Okay, that's perfect. Nice hook!
Oh, no! You're bleeding!
Are you all right?
I'm fine. This is nothing!
Oh, really? I was very worried!
Thank you for helping me practice!
At any rate, his hook is as fierce as ever!
Yeah, it is Ozuma's finishing blow.
Are you all right?
Yeah, but if I hadn't been wearing head gear...
my head would have flown off!
Ozuma, you're going to Tokyo today.
Call it a day and go get changed.
Oh, okay!
Amazing. Not only is he talented...
he's very diligent about training.
I told him to take it easy for the day of his departure, though.
No wonder you ran out of things to teach him...
after the 3rd match since his debut.
The upcoming Rookie King Championship Tournament...
is the perfect stage for a local boxer like Ozuma to become famous.
I desperately want him to be a success!
Oh, Mama-san!
What is it? You're training today, too?
I am always training.
Anyway, it takes strength to fix the sandbag leather. I'll do it for you.
Oh, don't worry about it.
You're a boxer, so just focus on your training.
No, no! I'm the one who wrecks the sandbags.
I should be the one to fix it.
If you get hurt doing stuff like this, my husband will get mad at me.
Mama-san, I'll get stronger.
I'll get stronger and become champion...
so I can buy everything, gloves and sandbags.
Then you won't have to go though this.
Oh, what are you talking about?
Don't worry about something trivial like this and just fight for yourself.
No. I want to fight for my family.
Ozuma...
I've already spoken to the president of the Nerima Boxing Group.
I'll join you as soon as I can.
Okay. Japanese people are all so kind.
I'll be fine. I have no worries about going by myself.
I just wish I could help you with your final tuning.
Oh, no! You all stuck with me until you were all exhausted.
Thanks to you, I got strong!
Aw, cut it out.
We know that you didn't use even half your real power sparring with us.
We don't wanna admit it, but we're no longer good enough...
to fine-tune you.
Oh, come on! You have a long face...
for someone who's leaving to fight!
But you're all saying such sad things.
Become the rookie champ, Ozuma!
You can overcome the disadvantages of training in a rural gym.
We'll be at your match to cheer you on!
Ozuma, take this with you.
Everything is expensive in Tokyo.
It's not much, but add it to your spending money.
No, no! I have my own spending money!
I don't need it.
Just take it.
Mama-san... Everyone...
Good luck, Ozuma!
- You can do it! - We'll be there to cheer for you!
Don't lose, Ozuma!
You'll see, guys.
I will win!
Ippo looks more fired up than usual.
What do you think would happen if you had to fight a black boxer?
Well, to be honest...
I probably wouldn't be able to exert even half my power.
Yeah.
Most boxers who represent the USA, the boxing kingdom, are black.
But what do you think of Ippo's tough stance?
Maybe he isn't as freaked out as he should be.
Maybe he'll be able to keep his cool under pressure.
Jason Ozuma-san.
I bet he's tough. Fujii-san said he was tough.
No! I'll lose heart!
If I keep winning, I'll eventually be matched against someone very strong.
So, it's happening sooner than later, that's all!
- Wow! - He's full of spirit.
I can only fight Miyata-kun in the final match!
I have to keep winning until then!
NERIMA Boxing Group
Those are great sounds. Who is he?
He's Ozuma. He's under our care while he's in Tokyo.
Ah, so that's him.
At any rate, he's got great spring.
Hey, Ohta!
Huh?
Aren't you both entered in the Rookie Tournament in the featherweight class?
You're the hope of our gym, but you're gonna have it rough, huh?
Wha?
You're lucky you're in different blocks.
Hey, Ozuma-san!
Huh?
Don't train in that little corner. Wanna step into the ring?
Didn't you come here to find a sparring partner?
Since we're both here, want to have a sparring session?
Sure! But is that okay?
We are both entered in the same Rookie King Tournament.
Oh, don't worry about that.
Let's just box light, like in preliminary practice.
Yeah.
Hey, Ohta and Ozuma are gonna spar.
I wouldn't wanna miss this!
Yeah, 'cause Ohta's also tough.
Ohta-san, what about your head gear?
I don't need that junk!
Come on! What's wrong with you?!
Ohta-san, please put on your head gear!
What?!
Oh, is that all?
I guess he's not as strong as he looks.
Hey, you're fragile.
Is it really true you can't find a sparring partner?
Go show them what you've got and give it your best!
You can do it!
I can't believe you had the nerve to tell me to put on head gear.
Okay.
H... Hey, Ohta.
Ohta!
Get a stretcher! Call an ambulance!
Yes. With a single hook, he sent his sparring partner to the hospital.
Chief's Office Yes. With a single hook, he sent his sparring partner to the hospital.
Apparently, Ohta has withdrawn from the Rookie King Tournament.
Jason Ozuma is far stronger than we initially thought.
So, his finishing blow is a hook.
For Ippo, whose asset is close proximity fighting...
that's the worst type of punch.
Takamura! Come here a second.
Huh? What is it, old geezer?
- Kid! - Uh... Yes, sir!
Put on your gloves and get into the ring!
Huh?
Hop to it!
Um... I'm sorry, but I need to use the ring.
What?
Rejoice! I'll be your sparring partner!
What?!
What are you screaming about?
Takamura-san can't be my partner! He's seven classes higher than me!
If I take a punch, I'll die!
What did you say?!
It's hopeless. He's gonna make me do it anyway.
Listen! You must dodge Takamura's hook.
What?
Wow! This is a great way to relieve stress.
You idiot! Don't punch him out of nowhere!
I was in the middle of my explanation!
Jeez! Get to the point.
If I hadn't been wearing head gear, I might have been killed!
Which means you would've just been killed by Ozuma.
Huh?
That hook was a simulation of Ozuma's finishing blow.
- What? - You're kidding!
Sir, Takamura-san's punches have way more destructive power...
than featherweight level punches. even with those 16-ounce gloves on.
Are you saying that Ozuma's hook is on the same level in power and speed?
No. In speed alone, Ozuma's hook may be comparatively superior to Takamura's.
Black people are better at producing instantaneous bursts of muscle power.
However, in the event his hook swings and misses...
he will temporarily be thrown into a vulnerable state.
If you can slip through Takamura's hooks and return even one punch...
you will be given that moment!
What? I have to dodge those?
There's only ten days to the match. Can I do it?
If you can't...
your first match of the Rookie King Championship will also be your last!
The final match of the Eastern Japan Tournament!
That's the only place I'll wait for you.
I have no choice.
I understand, sir. Please instruct me!
All right, start with ducking.
Refine your ducking technique as much as humanly possible!
Yes, sir!
I gotta do better than this.
There's no way I can compete with Ozuma-san.
I understand the theory, though.
Huh?
It's about this height.
Okay!
This is hard!
But if I practice it over and over...
Again!
I practiced lots with those horizontal bars.
I'll dodge his hooks today for sure!
Good afternoon!
Oh, you're here!
I wasn't totally up-to-snuff yesterday...
so I warmed up in advance for you today.
Now, let's start your fun, fun intensive training.
Th-Thanks for your help... in advance.
I guess one day of practice wasn't enough.
Okay.
I'll clear them all today!
Mustn't get sidetracked! Practice, practice!
I'm ready!
- All right!
- What?
An upper?
To prepare you to react to unexpected timing of hooks...
I'll be mixing in all kinds of punches, all right?
What? That's mean!
No! I won't make it in time!
No! I have to keep trying!
If I give up, it's over!
Ippo-po...
Ippo-po?
You're finally wakey-wakes.
Your face...
While you were sleeping, the bastard said he didn't wanna lose his rhythm...
so I got pulp-faced.
I'm so sorry.
Say that to Kimura, too, 'kay?
Hey, hey, hey!
Why is this happening to me?!
Hey, hey, hey!
What's the matter?
Takamura-san!
Oh, you're awake.
- I'm sorry I kept you waiting! - Huh?
Hurry, hurry!
- Hey, slow down. - But we'll miss it! Hurry!
Family...
I never had a family to begin with.
When I was relocated to the base in Japan, no one came to see me off.
My life was filled with Loneliness.
I thought working out would distract me, so I started boxing.
The people in Japan were very kind to me.
Now, everyone at the gym is family to me...
and I will work hard for my family.
That is the only reason I fight!
Jason Ozuma (Hachinohe Boxing Group) Ippo Makunouchi (Kamogawa Gym) No matter who my opponent is, I cannot lose.
I can't afford to lose!
I can take more!
Shut up! It's no fun to flatten a flounder!
By the time I see it, it's too late to react!
Hey...
Your face is back to normal.
Yeah. I'm taking less punches directly in the face now.
Aw, that's no fun.
Yeah, but lately I've been taking a pounding to the back of the skull...
and it makes me feel light-headed.
Moron! It's your fault for not dodging them.
If you stay like that, you'll get beat up in the real match.
Uh, right! I'll keep working on it!
He just doesn't give up, does he?
Yeah, he's a real stickler.
If it were me, I would have half-given up...
when I found out my sparring partner was "King Unreasonable."
Like I said, why is this happening to me, too?
I feel like I'm so close to grasping the timing.
Left... Right... Left!
I did it! If I can slip through this fast...
No, it's no good. I need to completely avoid contact.
I... I did it.
Uh-oh.
- All right, Ippo! Go for it! - Punch that bastard!
What?!
Ippo, are you alive?
Takamura-san, it's not fair to use your elbow.
Wha? Oh, shut up!
At any rate, it looks like he did it in the nick of time.
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 hook. You bend your elbow...
and punch from the side, dragging your whole body with it.
It has bad chemistry with boxers who tend to charge forward.
But if I can dodge that hook, it will create a window of opportunity!
I've done everything I can. All I can do now is do my best.
The opening bell of the Rookie King Championship is about to ring!
The next round is "Powerful Arms! Hook vs. Uppercut!"