: In the manga, Coach Kamogawa and Yagi are seen watching the famous Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns match, whereas the anime focuses more on the immediate tension in the gym. Manga Guide | Wiki Ippo | Fandom
In , titled " Fruits of Labor " (Japanese: Doryoku no Kesshō ), Ippo takes his first real steps into the world of boxing through his debut sparring match. Episode Overview Original Air Date : October 10, 2000 Hajime no Ippo Episode 2
: This episode establishes Ippo's signature fighting style: enduring heavy punishment to deliver one fight-changing blow. : In the manga, Coach Kamogawa and Yagi
: While Miyata dominates the match with superior speed and technique, Ippo surprises everyone with his incredible durability and a single, devastatingly powerful punch that manages to knock Miyata down. Episode Overview Original Air Date : October 10,
After completing the initial "leaf-catching" test set by Takamura, Ippo is finally brought to the . Coach Kamogawa is initially skeptical of the timid boy, so he arranges a sparring match between Ippo and Ichiro Miyata, a skilled 15-year-old prodigy with years of experience, to test Ippo's potential.
: Ippo begins to show the explosive power in his torso, a result of years spent hauling heavy fishing boat equipment.
: Introduces Coach Genji Kamogawa , the gym's manager Haruhiko Yagi , and Ippo's lifelong rival Ichiro Miyata . Plot Summary