Sagasou Kotae wo kikanaide
Mitsuketai Girigiri no shobu de
GET LIFE Jikan wa sonna ni naize
Sorega START WAY
I WANT THIS ONLY
Sagashi motomeru
Ano giniro no hikari no naka de
Dareka wo kizutsukete
Jibun mo kizutsuite
Dakedo owarazu ni
Tada oimotome
Nani mo miete naikeredo... WHY?
Kitto konomama
NO PAIN TRANCE CONTINUE
Now Makunouchi's moving!
A left barrage!
However, Saeki dodges! Dodges! Dodges and dodges!
He dodges! And as he dodges, he makes forward progress!
That can't be!
Thanks. That had its share of thrills.
That's... ridiculous!
There's the bell ending Round One!
Saeki completely shut out Makunouchi's barrage!
The Speed Star has shown what he's really made of!
That's a good start. Makunouchi can barely see your moves.
Can't see my moves?
No, the fact that he led me into a corner...
before I knew it is proof that he can see plenty of my moves.
Although...
I will completely disappear from sight in the next round.
So, how does it feel to take him straight on?
He's fast!
I can't believe I couldn't hit him after punching so much.
I can't even get a chance to stop him with a body blow...
before he comes attacking.
Yes, the rhythm of his speed is nothing like the video.
I thought I'd be able to catch him if I got him in a corner...
but if that's no good, I'm through.
Don't be dejected!
The plan to stay put and put on the pressure is not wrong!
The next time you back Saeki into a corner, gut him from below!
Your target is still the body!
Yes, sir!
If it were me, I'd swat him like a fly to kill his speed.
What would you do, old man?
Those guys circling around in front of us are such a drag!
You're the one who's a drag!
Round Two!
What amazing power of concentration! Every time I make a move...
he moves precisely the same amount to maintain the distance.
Several steps faster than me, too.
What? Are you gazing at each other again?!
Get pulverizing!
Ippo-kun.
He's putting on good pressure! Take it slow, real slow!
Now!
Makunouchi makes his move!
He's using his head.
He's hitting left to bring Saeki around to his right.
Which would make his target...
All right! The rope's behind him! He has nowhere to run!
The body is mine!
What the hell?!
He bent the rope to create more space!
Makunouchi swings into thin air!
In the meantime, Saeki escapes from the corner with room to spare!
Thank you for letting me have a healthy sample of the thrill...
of the most powerful fists in Featherweight.
From here on in, it's my turn!
Whoops! Now Saeki makes his move!
Is the hunted now the hunter?!
This is bad! I have to get out of the corner!
This punch!
That trajectory lashing out from below in a swiping move...
I'm surprised! Can he do flickers as well?!
Even I have trouble with those.
He moves so fast you can't see his limbs.
That's why he's called the Speed Star.
And ultimately, he will begin to disappear.
Saeki sets up a barrage of jabs as payback!
Makunouchi is in his power!
Ippo!
Makunouchi balls up and charges!
He finally escapes from the corner!
All right, Makunouchi! Give it back to him!
Counterattack!
Is it another case of the hunted becoming the hunter?! Oh?
S-Sempai's right eye!
It's already fully swollen.
Looks like the flicker whip was really effective.
My right eye is completely blocked!
No way! He disappeared?!
To your right, kid!
He's circled round to your right!
M-My right?!
Ippo!
Oops, and there's the bell! Round Two is over!
Makunouchi is saved by the bell!
However, Saeki is strong!
This is turning into a one-sided match!
His moves were first to disappear, then his fists...
and now you can't see him.
His speed and flicker jabs are incredible!
At this rate, there's nothing I can do!
Don't let me hear you talking like a quitter!
You're an A-Class boxer just like him, remember?!
But still, now that we've been driven back this far...
we need to brainstorm.
Brainstorm?
It's difficult to pull off an intricate plan...
in a situation like this.
We need to start by achieving specific goals one by one.
Kid, what did you want to accomplish with this match?
Huh? Well, I wanted to win.
You had a more specific goal, didn't you?
I wanted to show everyone who went out of their way for me...
that I'm all right now.
Don't use past tense!
There are still four rounds left in this match!
Uh, right!
Just one punch! Can you do that?!
You only have to score one punch in Round Four.
Give him a punch that those who helped you back into the ring will accept!
Even if it's only one punch!
One punch. A punch that everyone will accept.
Just one punch.
Seconds out!
Box!
Now, the bell has sounded for Round Three!
Whoa, Makunouchi charges in with the bell!
He can still lash out.
I have to get close to him! If I leave a distance between us...
he'll dive into my blind spot again!
He definitely has amazing punches.
However, that's only IF they hit.
Not again!
He disappeared!
Saeki throws a right!
Ippo!
Saeki barrages, barrages! Makunouchi is caught!
Saeki-sempai, go!
Go, go!
Finish him off!
Damn it!
He's fast! He raised his speed even more!
Another right from the blind spot!
That hurt! Will he fall?!
Don't you dare fall.
That wouldn't be good PR for the store.
Whoops, Makunouchi stops himself! Nice fight!
Fishing Boat Rental MAKUNOUCHI That was close. I nearly defaced our sign.
Umezawa-kun and Mom helped me back into the ring.
I promised them I would win. I can't let it end like this!
I have to score a punch that everyone will accept...
even if it's only one punch!
20 seconds remain. Can I finish it?
One punch...
Just one punch...
Ippo!
It's no good. I can't see Saeki-san.
I can't hit him.
Two seconds remain. I can still hit him!
Whoops, Makunouchi leans on Saeki to block his punch!
And with that, Round Three is over!
It was a miscalculation on my part.
However, there's no need to panic.
He was watching the clock and calculating...
even during the barrage.
Chief...
Y-Yeah, you okay? Good job staying on your feet.
It was effectively a stroke of luck that you fell on him.
Yes, sir. It was.
But I realized something even luckier.
What did you say?
It was an accident, but I realized something...
when I blindly leaned on Saeki-san.
In the next round...
I just might be able to catch him.
Sometimes even if you can't see something...
it means it can be seen.
Don't talk! Focus on recuperating!
I have no idea what you've come up with, but give it a shot!
If you can score one hit, you will find a breakthrough!
Right!
He sure is tough. I connected a bunch of good shots, too.
Sometimes you'll find pro boxers who thrive on adversity.
Adversity, huh?
Chief... is my rhythm off at all?
Huh? Does it bother you even though you've got such a lead on him?
Sometimes I don't realize it myself, you see.
It's fine. It amazes me...
how it's been so constant since Round One.
Seconds out!
Now it's Round Four at last!
Both contenders slowly walk towards the center of the ring.
Will it hold a KO for Speed Star Saeki?
Or will we witness a reversal from Makunouchi?
Box!
Looks like he's finally losing control of his legs.
He can't dash like that again.
I'm going to finish this in one swoop!
Makunouchi can't see it coming! A clean hit!
- Knock him down, Saeki! - Dodge him, Makunouchi!
It's no good! I can't see him. But...
Damn.
What was that?
Did he throw a fist into his blind spot?
I don't want any lucky punches from you!
A left from Saeki! Makunouchi is wobbling!
Damn it!
He's not like this. Ippo is much better than this.
That's amazing. You have impressive strength of spirit.
But it's all for nothing. As long as you have a blind spot...
you won't be able to lay a finger on me.
He's started going into step.
He's heading into my blind spot again.
It was a nice, long acquaintance, but now it's over.
He disappeared!
But it's not as though he's left the ring!
Last round I was fortunate enough...
to lean on him when he was invisible.
He was there.
I'm positive that's where he'll be!
Even if I can't see him...
he will be there!
Right here!
He scored!
Makunouchi's right connects!
I see you!
A right body blow! This one also scores full on!
And a payback left!
Oh, my! He's down!
Saeki's knees hit the canvas!
After much perseverance...
Makunouchi's right finally explodes!
There it is!
Hey, this can't be for real.
This is what Makunouchi does.
Chief!
I know!
- One! Two! - Now, the countdown! Will Saeki stand?!
Three!
C-Calm down. He merely managed to connect a blind punch.
I'm fully conscious.
My left, my right, and my legs are all functioning.
I have no damage!
Whoops, Saeki gets back on his feet as if nothing happened!
It appears the damage was lighter than was feared.
Box!
Damn. You seriously scared me there.
However, I'm positive you can't see out of your right eye.
Your blind spot is still in effect. It won't happen twice!
He's going for my blind spot again! But I know where he is!
He's here!
He shoved him out of his blind spot!
What's going on?!
It's not a fluke.
I don't know whether he can see me or not...
but it looks like he can tell where I'm positioned.
It doesn't matter. If that's the case...
I'll get a good taste of that particular thrill as well.
I have my footwork.
He stopped moving? He's inviting me.
Still, I've been presented with a chance...
and I have to take it!
Here it comes. That awesomely thrilling split-second.
Left!
No, it's a feint! His real target is...
Right!
As I thought! I can align a counter to this!
To this...
What just happened?
His response was slow somehow.
Has he taken damage? It was his chance to counter.
This is ridiculous! How is he hitting me?!
Speed! Do I need more speed?! All right, I'll take it a gear higher!
Can you keep up with THIS, Makunouchi?!
I get it. Looks like he took on damage all right.
Yeah, I bet Saeki didn't even realize it.
His flesh remembers what it felt like to take a punch from Makunouchi.
He didn't slow down due to physical damage.
He was paralyzed by fear!
Down!
To your neutral corner!
Makunouchi, to your corner!
Come and get me.
Come and get me, Makunouchi.
My feet are still moving...
got it?
The referee has stopped the match!
Saeki is unable to continue!
The match is over!
Good job hanging in there, kid.
Kid?!
That's enough! You can relax now!
They saw you! It was an attack...
everyone who helped you back into the ring would accept!
They both fought a pretty good match.
I get the willies thinking these two are after my head.
Chief?
Saeki-san.
Sorry to barge in when you're tired...
but there's something I just don't understand.
How come you knew where I was in your blind spot?
If you can't see me, that means I'm in your blind spot.
If you lash out in your blind spot, you'll hit me.
I understand the logic.
But I was careful to keep my rhythm...
so I wouldn't get taken by that kind of lucky punch.
So how did it happen?! Please tell me.
It's your rhythm.
Your rhythm was just so perfect, I became confident...
that you would enter my blind spot at the same exact moment.
Well, I lose!
That's a load off my mind. Is your eye okay?
Huh? Uh, yes.
A-Are you all right, Saeki-san?
Why would I not be?
You know, your injuries.
My feet are still working.
Later!
Is it okay for you to sit upright?
Huh? Yeah!
Still, I'm amazed you didn't fall.
Yeah. But the reason I did my best...
was because of everyone who cheered for me.
You pressured me not to fall...
saying it wouldn't be good PR for the store, remember?
I might have fallen if it hadn't been for that.
This match felt very real to me.
It made me realize that I'm really boxing supported by lots of people.
So... thank you, Umezawa-kun.
What do you mean?
Did you let a silly thing like that get to you?
H-How can I put it?
I have no idea what to say at a time like this.
But, you know, I guess I should say congratulations.
Yeah. Thanks!
Oh, yeah!
We have to show the boss you in all your glory.
It's okay to be all beat up since you won.
Yeah!
Okay, strike a pose!
Like this?
Good, hold it.
Here goes!
Say cheese!
KO Time 4 Rounds, 2 Minutes, 12 Seconds Ippo Makunouchi Clears Match One of the A-Class Prize Tournament
Nani wo yattemo onaji yoni
Nando to naku machigai wo kurikaesu
Nani ga honto ni hitsuyo na mono?
Ashimoto kinishite
Shitabakari miteshimau
Sonna toki wa, hora
Ue wo muite miru
Tooku wo mite miru
Itsumo towa chigau kakudo mitsukete
Semai torimichi kao wo agetanara
360do hirogaru sekai
Amateur boxing.
Point totals are based on the number of accurate punches.
It's another form of boxing centered around technicalities.
Add distinguished technique to the one crowned No. 1 in the world...
and you get a boxer who has acquired overwhelming power.
I can't see any gaps in his defenses...
but if I don't win, I can't get into the ring with the champion...
which is where I want to be!
The next episode is, "The White Fangs of the Wolf."