Hajime no Ippo: Rising

Hajime no Ippo: Rising (2013–2014)

The Next Step Toward Boxing Greatness

After defending his Japanese Featherweight Championship in New Challenger, Ippo Makunouchi returns to the ring in Hajime no Ippo: Rising, the third television season of the beloved boxing anime. Airing from 2013 to 2014, this season pushes every major character toward new challenges, deeper rivalries, and greater ambitions than ever before.

Unlike previous installments that primarily focused on Ippo's personal journey, Rising broadens its scope by giving significant attention to several fan-favorite boxers, including Mamoru Takamura, Ichirō Miyata, Masaru Aoki, Tatsuya Kimura, and Ryō Mashiba. Each fighter faces defining moments that test their determination, skills, and dreams, making this season one of the franchise's most character-driven entries.

As Japan's Featherweight Champion, Ippo can no longer rely solely on natural power or the Dempsey Roll. His opponents have become stronger, more experienced, and capable of exploiting every weakness in his fighting style. To continue growing, he must evolve as a complete boxer while confronting increasingly dangerous challengers inside the ring.

Produced by Madhouse and MAPPA, Hajime no Ippo: Rising combines spectacular boxing action, emotional storytelling, realistic sports drama, and inspiring character development. Every fight carries lasting consequences, and every victory demands greater sacrifice than before.

Rather than focusing only on becoming stronger, Rising explores how true champions continue moving forward despite fear, setbacks, and impossible expectations.

Season Overview

Title: Hajime no Ippo: Rising
Japanese Title: はじめの一歩 Rising
Episodes: 25
Air Date: October 6, 2013 – March 30, 2014
Studio: Madhouse, MAPPA
Original Manga: George Morikawa
Genres: Sports, Drama, Comedy
Streaming Platforms: Crunchyroll (selected regions), Netflix (availability varies), Amazon Prime Video, Blu-ray, DVD
Opening Theme: "Yakan Hikō (Night Flight)" by Wasureranneyo
Closing Theme: "Buchikome!!" by Last Alliance

Story Summary

Following the events of New Challenger, Ippo Makunouchi continues his reign as the Japanese Featherweight Champion. Although he has successfully defended his title multiple times, Ippo understands that every victory only paints a larger target on his back. Challengers from across Japan are eager to defeat the champion, while experienced veterans seek to expose the weaknesses hidden behind his famous Dempsey Roll.

Coach Genji Kamogawa recognizes that the competition has entered a new era. Opponents are no longer surprised by Ippo's explosive power or relentless pressure. Instead, they carefully analyze his habits, movements, and techniques before stepping into the ring. To remain champion, Ippo must continue refining every aspect of his boxing rather than relying on the strengths that brought him previous success.

Throughout the season, Ippo faces increasingly skilled opponents whose diverse fighting styles force him to think more strategically than ever before. Every match becomes a battle of intelligence, endurance, and adaptability, demonstrating that boxing is as much a mental sport as it is a physical one.

One of the season's most memorable storylines revolves around Ippo's title defense against Alfredo Gonzales, a world-class contender who represents the level of competition waiting beyond Japan. While Ippo continues strengthening his fundamentals, he gradually realizes that reaching the world stage requires far more than simply defending a national championship.

Beyond Ippo's own journey, Rising devotes considerable attention to the ambitions of the other members of Kamogawa Boxing Gym.

Mamoru Takamura continues pursuing multiple world championship titles, proving once again why he is regarded as one of the strongest fighters in the series. His overwhelming confidence is backed by incredible talent, relentless discipline, and an unwavering desire to become a boxing legend. Takamura's championship battles remain some of the most exciting and emotionally satisfying moments of the season.

Ichirō Miyata also continues his professional career while chasing opportunities on the international stage. Although circumstances repeatedly delay the long-awaited rematch with Ippo, Miyata's dedication to his father's boxing philosophy remains stronger than ever.

The season also highlights the struggles of Masaru Aoki and Tatsuya Kimura, whose careers continue to reflect the realities of professional boxing. Their determination, friendship, and perseverance remind viewers that success is measured differently for every athlete.

Another major highlight is the return of Ryō Mashiba, whose intimidating presence and relentless determination continue shaping his own championship journey. His development adds greater depth to one of the franchise's most complex rivals.

Perhaps the most emotionally powerful storyline belongs to Takamura. As he pursues another world title, the enormous expectations placed upon him become increasingly apparent. His battles are no longer simply about personal ambition—they represent Coach Kamogawa's lifelong dream and the reputation of Kamogawa Boxing Gym itself.

The emotional connection between coach and student reaches new heights throughout the season, reinforcing one of Hajime no Ippo's strongest themes: the unbreakable bond formed through trust, discipline, and shared dreams.

Training remains one of the defining elements of the series. Rather than presenting miraculous power-ups, every improvement is earned through exhausting physical preparation, technical refinement, and countless hours of repetition. This grounded approach continues to separate Hajime no Ippo from many other sports anime.

Outside the ring, the familiar humor returns with Takamura's outrageous antics, Aoki and Kimura's friendly banter, and the warm atmosphere of Kamogawa Gym. These lighter moments provide welcome balance to the increasingly serious tone of the boxing matches.

By the season's conclusion, every major character has taken another important step toward achieving—or redefining—their dreams. Some move closer to world-level competition, while others discover that true strength comes from perseverance rather than championship belts alone.

Rising ultimately demonstrates that growth never truly ends. Every victory creates a new challenge, every defeat offers another lesson, and every boxer must continue moving forward regardless of the obstacles ahead.

Major Story Arcs

• Champion's Continued Growth Arc — Ippo works to improve his boxing fundamentals while defending the Japanese Featherweight Championship against stronger challengers.

• Takamura World Title Arc — Mamoru Takamura pursues another world championship, carrying both his own ambitions and Coach Kamogawa's lifelong dream.

• Miyata International Journey Arc — Ichirō Miyata continues climbing the professional ranks while remaining determined to fulfill his promise of facing Ippo.

• Mashiba Championship Arc — Ryō Mashiba continues his own championship journey, further establishing himself as one of Japan's most dangerous fighters.

• Kamogawa Gym Dreams Arc — Every member of Kamogawa Gym faces new challenges as they pursue individual goals while supporting one another.

Main Characters

• Ippo Makunouchi — The Japanese Featherweight Champion who strives to become a more complete boxer while preparing for greater challenges beyond the national level.

• Mamoru Takamura — Kamogawa Gym's greatest boxer, whose pursuit of multiple world championships showcases his extraordinary talent and determination.

• Genji Kamogawa — The legendary trainer whose guidance, discipline, and unwavering belief continue shaping every boxer under his care.

• Ichirō Miyata — Ippo's longtime rival, steadily advancing toward international competition while remaining committed to his unique boxing style.

• Ryō Mashiba — The feared champion known for his devastating Flicker Jab and intimidating presence inside the ring.

• Masaru Aoki — A hardworking boxer whose optimism and loyalty continue making him an important part of Kamogawa Gym.

• Tatsuya Kimura — A disciplined and dependable fighter who continues chasing his own ambitions while supporting his teammates.

Themes & Tone

• Growth Beyond Victory — Success creates new responsibilities and even greater challenges.

• Dreams Worth Fighting For — Every boxer pursues a unique goal that defines their journey.

• Discipline & Perseverance — Consistent effort remains the key to long-term improvement.

• Mentorship & Trust — The relationship between coach and boxer becomes stronger through shared hardships.

• The Road Never Ends — True champions never stop learning, improving, or chasing new dreams.

Animation & Direction

Co-produced by Madhouse and MAPPA, Hajime no Ippo: Rising delivers some of the best animation in the franchise. The boxing matches feature smoother choreography, dynamic camera movement, detailed character expressions, and impactful sound effects that make every punch feel powerful and realistic.

The season successfully balances fast-paced action with emotional storytelling, giving equal importance to intense championship bouts and quieter character moments. The improved visual quality enhances both training sequences and dramatic fights, while the soundtrack continues to capture the excitement and emotional weight of every major confrontation.

Where to Watch

You can watch Hajime no Ippo: Rising on:

• Crunchyroll (selected regions)

• Netflix (availability varies)

• Amazon Prime Video

• Blu-ray

• DVD

Streaming availability may vary depending on your region.

Popularity & Reception

Hajime no Ippo: Rising was praised for successfully continuing one of anime's most respected sports franchises after another lengthy hiatus. Fans appreciated the season's stronger production values, expanded focus on supporting characters, and emotionally satisfying championship matches.

Takamura's world title storyline, Ippo's continued development as champion, and the growth of other Kamogawa Gym members received widespread acclaim. The season also earned praise for preserving the realism, humor, and heartfelt storytelling that have always defined Hajime no Ippo.

Although many fans hoped for additional anime adaptations after Rising, the season remains a fitting continuation of George Morikawa's long-running manga and one of the strongest entries in the series.

Final Thoughts

Hajime no Ippo: Rising demonstrates that the journey of a champion never truly ends. Instead of simply repeating earlier success, the season explores the constant pursuit of improvement, the burden of expectations, and the determination required to keep moving forward despite increasingly difficult challenges.

By expanding its focus beyond Ippo and giving meaningful development to Takamura, Miyata, Mashiba, Aoki, and Kimura, the series creates one of its richest and most emotionally rewarding seasons. Every fight serves a purpose, every rivalry carries emotional weight, and every character continues growing both inside and outside the ring.

For longtime fans, Rising is a satisfying continuation that celebrates everything that has made Hajime no Ippo a legendary sports anime. Whether you're inspired by Ippo's humility, Takamura's unstoppable ambition, or Kamogawa's unwavering guidance, this season reminds us that true greatness is achieved not through a single victory, but through the courage to keep rising after every challenge.