Seek... without asking for the answer
I want to discover in the match on the edge
GET LIFE... not much time is left
That is the beginning
I WANT THIS ONLY
I will continue to seek
In the midst of that silver light
I may hurt others
As others may hurt me
But it doesn't end there
Keep seeking single-mindedly
I still don't see anything... WHY?
But I still keep seeking
NO PAIN TRANCE CONTINUE
Fishing Boat Rental MAKUNOUCHI
Oh, no!
I'm sorry!
I got too absorbed in training and forgot.
I'm fine here. Don't worry about me and keep training.
Oh. Okay, thanks.
See you later!
KAMOGAWA Boxing Gym
Aoki, Kimura!
Yes?
I entered you in the A-Class Tournament.
Thank you, sir.
All right, I'm gonna do it this year!
Excuse me, but what is this A-Class Tournament?
It's a tournament for 8-round boxers with A-Class licenses.
The most powerful challengers, including those with first ranking...
are competing in it, so it's really high-level.
And Aoki-san and Kimura-san are taking part in this tournament?
Yeah! Isn't it amazing?
Kid, you're taking part as well!
Huh?!
I entered you thinking you wouldn't refuse.
Me? In the A-Class Tournament?!
The match intervals are short...
and you have to fight before you can shake off the damage.
However, if you keep winning as you just suggested...
you will be given priority challenging rights to the Japan title.
Priority challenging rights to the Japan title.
I'll do it!
Yes. And you!
Me?
Take the next certification exam.
Certification exam, sir?!
If you use everything you've learned so far...
there shouldn't be a problem!
C-Certification exam.
Hey, don't start getting scared now.
B-But...
You fool! Who do you think trained you anyway?! US!
That's right! I know you'll be fine, Yamada-kun!
All right, let's aim for mutual victory and Barf-michi passing the exam!
Yeah!
Actually, I have happy news to add to that.
A TV show is going to be doing a report on our gym!
What? A TV show, sir?
And the interviewer is none other than Kumiko Morita!
Kumiko-chan?!
Kumiko-chan the idol?!
What'll I do?! I'm a fan of hers!
You'll be interviewd on how you box...
and about your hopes and aspirations.
Apparently it won't take much time, so play along.
An interview with Kumiko-chan...
It's good to be a boxer.
Kumiko Morita, huh?
I can't afford to be doing roadwork at a time like this.
Takamura-san.
Since when?
I want you guys to stay in the background.
I'm the only one who gets to show off to Kumiko.
What? That's unfair!
Everyone should be given a fair chance.
I can't hear anything.
I will not back down this time!
Your tyranny will be displayed on television for all to see!
Shut up! Want me to fix you up so you can't appear on TV at all?!
You're giving us more material to use.
We'll have to split her equally three ways.
Three ways? They've excluded you, Sempai.
Hello, everyone! I'm Kumiko Morita!
Today I will introduce boys who stake their youths on boxing.
Actually, my heart is racing right now.
Maybe I'm a little afraid to open the door.
But I'll give it my best!
I'm going to throw myself into today's interview!
- She's here! - It's the real thing!
Is this no holds barred?!
What the hell are you thinking?!
C-Can I have your autograph?
S-Sign this here.
Me, too, please. I'll frame it!
That's not really what we expected.
Maybe we should have chosen another gym.
Hey, camera guy! Get a shot of this!
I'll make your trip worthwhile.
This is the greatest punch in the world!
Incredible!
That's the Japan Middleweight champion Takamura-san!
The heavy sand bag is shaking like a leaf!
Kumiko-chan, look over here.
This is called "mouth boxing."
The punches stop before they hit...
but it's important training to nurture our feel for a match.
They're being all giddy. It's kind of sloppy.
No, this is definitely a gym full of high-ranking boxers.
Even with all their nonsense, their moves are impressive.
- Avoid his face. - Right.
This is definitely the realm of fighting men.
I can feel the heat from every corner!
I want to do something, too.
Something that would appeal to Kumiko-chan.
Amazing!
No, no! I'm getting stupid!
My goal is to fight Date-san!
I have to forget about the stupid camera and practice.
I'm NOT jealous.
I can't get sucked into their pace!
I'm already starting to go along with their act...
to become The Idiotic Four!
Excuse me, Makunouchi?
Uh, yes?
Can I get you to do a little sparring?
Sparring, sir?
As it turns out, I'm not going to just be watching...
I'm going to experience sparring for real.
My opponent is ranked 5th in Featherweight...
the rising hope getting all the buzz, boxer Makunouchi.
Why does it have to be Ippo?!
Damn it!
Wow, I've never seen such a cute fighting pose before.
You can do it lightly...
but I want you to throw pretend punches and stuff like that.
Huh?! Y-Yes, sir!
Eek! That looks so dangerous!
I know it's only pretend, but I can't aim for her face.
F-For the time being, I'm going to t-try for a body blow!
She'll be able to dodge something like this, right?
I got hit.
You thug! You went right for it!
It hit here! It hit here, right?!
Your angle is bad!
Hit her from below! Use a combination!
Go, Ippo, go!
Don't listen! You'll get sucked into his pace!
Those have a lot of kick.
I shouldn't underestimate her because she's a girl.
Sempai, what's wrong with you?
Ippo, you bastard! Tag me in!
God damn it!
I'd kill him if it weren't for the camera!
Finish it already, Ippo.
The first round hasn't ended yet.
Takamura-san, we're gonna take turns killing him.
We settled it by rock-paper-scissors, okay?
Thanks for your time, everyone!
Thanks for coming!
Come back again sometime!
You're starting to act like them, Sempai.
Several Days Later
KAMOGAWA Boxing Gym Oh, it's started.
KAMOGAWA Boxing Gym Ooh, it's Kamogawa Gym!
Yeah, but it's kind of embarrassing to watch yourself on TV, eh?
That's true. It's nothing like having your fight broadcast.
And now let's ask everyone at Kamogawa Gym about their goals.
Japan Middleweight Champion Mamoru Takamura My goal? Naturally, to become the strongest man in the world!
Japan Lightweight 3rd Ranking Tatsuya Kimura Setting the goal thing aside, I guess I want to get higher in the ranking.
Wow, you all got interviewed.
You're up, Ippo.
M-My goal?
Well, I'm committing myself...
to fight and win matches one at a time, but actually...
Damn, you get on my nerves! Spit it out already!
I can't do anything about that now.
I want to fight the Japan champion E-Eiji Date-san.
That's my only goal right now.
Whew! Thank goodness I didn't say anything weird.
What's wrong?
Do you understand the meaning of what you just said?
You just challenged Eiji Date on national television.
What?! I-I was only telling her about my current goal.
Well, now, I wonder how the old guy will react?
He's so strong he can't even find an opponent for a defense fight.
Now that you've challenged him, there's the possibility...
he may reverse-nominate you for his next defense fight.
H-His next? Out of the question! That's way too fast!
I hope the old guy agrees with you.
Now I'm nervous. I think I'll practice.
Hey, they're showing another gym.
Oh, so ours wasn't the only gym they filmed?
This is Otowa Gym. There is a fighter here...
who came from a faraway land to realize his dream.
This fighter is ranked 3rd in the Japan Featherweight class.
This is Alexander Volg Zangeif from Russia!
Russia is in the process of taking over the amateur boxing world...
in nearly every weight class.
I believe that our current level is good enough...
for professional boxing!
I came to Japan staking the pride of my motherland.
It is my mission to become a professional world champion.
For that goal, I will start out by using the Japan title as a step.
My current goal...
is to take Eiji Date's belt!
I think this guy is last year's...
Amateur World Champ.
Is he gonna be in the A-Class Tournament too?
That's probable.
Russia, huh? We got one more challenge...
from somewhere really unexpected.
It's kind of nerve-wracking being his only escort.
Takamura-san and the others said they'd probably come and didn't.
But I have to have my act together as his mentor.
I know Yamada-kun won't have a problem with the written test...
but sparring is another matter.
It's common to get too nervous to do your best.
I was a wreck when I took it.
I got into the ring...
And the lights were so bright...
And Mashiba-san was there...
It's been two years since then.
The written test is over.
What?
He's not there.
Don't forget to punch left, shake your head...
I thought so.
Like this... and this...
Sempai!
Yamada-kun.
I thought I'd rehearse it.
It's all right. Just do it as usual.
You've been running and sparring...
with Japan rankers for a long time now.
That's true. There's no way any of the other applicants...
are stronger than you or the guys at the gym.
That's the way. Okay, let's go!
Right.
Yamada-kun!
Right!
Take deep breaths! You have to relax.
R-Right.
Take a deep breath...
I forgot we were in the bathroom!
Box!
Yamada-kun is next.
Maybe they're with someone from another gym.
What was that supposed to be?
And he actually practiced?
They don't have to say that at the top of their voices.
Next, Number 16 and Number 17!
Y-Yes, sir!
Yamada-kun!
What a schmuck.
He put on too much resin and tripped!
Are you all right?
Y-Yes.
Just calm down and show them what you learned at your gym.
You can do it.
Box!
Aw, you have to shake your head! We did that in practice!
What a loser!
There's no need to laugh at him.
Yeah! That's the jab!
He's so slow.
The gym that produced him has no shame.
You have no idea how hard he worked to accomplish that.
You can do it, Yamada-kun!
Ref, stop them!
It's painful to watch!
What's with you?
Why are you laughing at him?
He's an applicant! He's supposed to be awkward!
You want something?
He's clumsy, so he has no choice but to pummel on...
even if it looks bad!
Do you even know how it feels to be in his position?!
What's your problem?!
Are you picking a fight with us?!
No... You're wr...
He got a knockdown.
Number 16, that's good. You tried very hard.
Now go wait for the results.
Yes, sir.
S-Sempai, how did I do? Did I do my best?
Even though I got a knockdown, it could be disallowed.
I took hits, so I was getting anxious.
W-Was it not good, Sempai?
Yamada-kun, you tried really hard.
Sempai.
Heh! Get a room, you two losers.
Barf-michi passed the test, don't you think?
Naturally.
We made a boxer out of him.
By the way, who are you calling shameless?
You guys enjoy the moment.
Huh?
Good work!
You did good, Barf-michi.
You passed the test for sure!
Hey, you guys congratulate him, too!
It was a brilliant sparring session.
Because he's from the fabulous Kamogawa Gym.
It's those hecklers.
Don't sit there and let them badmouth one of ours.
You stood up to them a little, so we'll let you off lightly this time.
It'll never happen again.
Two Days Later I see, so you passed.
You did it! Congratulations.
Thank you for all your help!
- Yagi-chan, the printout.
- Right.
A-Class Tournament (Featherweight Class) What's this?
The entry chart for the A-Class Tournament!
All right! Who am I up against?
Are both Sendo-san and Mashiba-san not entered?!
Sendo-kun is taking a personal route in the Kansai region.
As for Mashiba-kun...
Mashiba's entered in the Junior Light class!
This isn't funny.
I don't want to fight that freaky monster of a guy.
Mashiba-kun raised his weight class due to weight reduction trouble.
Are there eight guys in the Light class?
You're lucky. Featherweight looks easy.
Toshio Suzuki (Shin-Nippon) VS Volg Zangeif (Otowa) It only has four fighters. You'll have your victory in two fights.
I wouldn't call it easy.
The truth is, the moment Volg entered...
3 of the 7 Featherweight fighters who originally entered cancelled.
They cooked up convenient excuses and fled.
Japan rankers fled?
That's how much of a threat Volg is.
Right.
Man, it's so hot.
Why the gloomy faces?
The entry charts for the A-Class Tournament came in!
So that's why everybody's nervous.
Man, it must be rough being a small fry!
What? Don't take it so seriously.
Fine. I'll whip you shaky bozos into shape with my superior skills!
The season is just right, so let's go for our annual training camp!
Training camp, huh?
Sounds good.
That's what enabled you to make rapid progress last time.
Uh, right!
You come, too! If you can withstand training camp...
you'll catch up to those two in no time.
What's this? Are you guys still in 5th ranking?
Sempais!
Yes! I'd love to take part in it!
You don't have to try so hard!
I wish you failed the certification exam!
But why?!
I'm home!
Mom! Huh? What's wrong?
I fell asleep for a bit.
Hey, listen! Yamada-kun passed the certification exam!
And now there's talk of me and Aoki-san and Kimura-san...
going to training camp...
so we can be at our best in the A-Class Tournament!
So, would it be okay if I took a week off work?
You're going to fight strong people, aren't you?
You don't want to lose, so go ahead.
Can I?!
Sure.
Thanks, Mom!
Training camp!
I was able to win and keep on fighting...
all thanks to training camp.
The A-Class Tournament.
I need the right amount of confidence and preparation to fight in it.
If I go to training camp...
I can't wait!
You depart in two days.
I want you five to get into the proper spirit!
- Yo! - Yes, sir!
This time around I will accompany you from Day One!
What?!
What is it?
Oh, nothing.
It's over.
Low!
He sure is fired up.
Of course he is.
If he wins the A-Class Tournament...
he'll be up for his much sought after title match.
He's really enthusiastic about training camp.
I haven't forgotten the vow we made under last year's fireworks.
Our goal is to conquer the A-Class Tournament...
and the champion belt!
Y-You're all amazing.
Ippo-kun!
Yes?
We just got a call from the hospital!
It's your mother!
I don't have any details...
but apparently your mother collapsed.
KONO General Hospital
She's sleeping right now, hooked up to an IV.
She needs to be hospitalized for about a month.
Hospitalized?
They said she collapsed right after getting off a boat.
She's anemic from overwork.
Her fatigue is accumulated...
so we have to allow her to rest slowly.
Mom.
I'm sorry.
I didn't help you when you were tired...
until you collapsed.
Don't worry about me and keep training.
Go ahead.
All I did was think about myself.
Getting excited about training camp...
I... I'm sorry!
I'm sorry.
No matter what I do, it's the same
I keep making mistakes
What is truly important?
Weary about what's under my feet
I can't stop looking down
When that happens
Just look up
Look far into the distance
Find a new perspective from a different angle
When walking down a narrow path, look up
You'll find the world has a 360-degree view
Fighting pose.
A pose made while boxing.
Something that is acquired through daily training.
But it can't be helped if I lose everything I've trained for...
down to the basics of my two years of training.
I can't possibly keep boxing...
if it makes Mom work too hard for me!
The next episode is "Sharing a Dream."