I was apprehensive as to how to begin my inaugural post here at Pixelated Geek. After thinking about it, I can only say: My name is James McCaulley and I am a geek. I’ll try not to mess this up.
This article will be the beginning of a new segment on the site where I will introduce our readers to the wonders of some anime that may not be well-known in the States. I always attempt to find the odd, gross, and uncomfortable to watch along with the funny, clever, and dramatic series that anime geeks crave. This week’s Anime Ima focuses on Fighting Spirit. This anime is about, of all things, the sweet science of boxing. Read my thoughts after the jump.
What it’s about:
At the beginning of the series, Ippo Makunouchi is a quiet, shy and weak high school student. During a run in with some local bullies who clean his clock, he is knocked unconscious, only to be awakened by a boxer in a local gym. From here, the story becomes one that mirrors many of the themes of classics such as Rocky or The Karate Kid; Ippo, the shy, often overlooked, yet kind student desires to get stronger, better, and faster. The scenes where Ippo trains under the local gym owner Genji Kamogawa, a Japanese version of Mick from the Rocky series, are truly entertaining in much the same way the training montages of Daniel-san were in the 80s classic. The first season arc encompasses Ippo’s participation in the National Rookie Tournament, the climb to the featherweight belt and his rivalry with Miyata, a highly technical boxer who seems to be outmatched in nearly every fight, but wins with his impressive boxing IQ, while the later season shows Ippo climbing the ladder to attempt to attain the WBC title.
Why you should watch it:
Where the anime and the great boxing/fighting movies of the past differ is what makes Fighting Spirit truly great. The supporting cast of characters, while many of them are silly at times, truly have many layers to their psyche. Takamura, the world champion boxer and a member of Ippo’s gym provides much comic relief to the series, but knows when to be serious and often steals a dramatic scene from the humor that the series expresses. That being said, the humor is what entices the viewer to continue watching. Many sight gags, slapstick humor galore, and even a few dick jokes along with the traditional goofy anime humor makes this a show that will resonate with those who have a broad (or somewhat immature) sense of humor.
Anime is often known for exploring inner monologues of characters. It is a device that is used often to express what a character is feeling and anticipating in any given situation. In Fighting Spirit, the most intense moments of the series lie within these introspections. During multiple bouts we hear not only Ippo’s inner monologue anticipating what move he should make, punch he should through, or when the bell will ring, but also his opponent’s own thoughts. This makes for a great mental cat and mouse game, one that seems to illustrate how boxers actually think inside the ring. A highlight of the series. at least for me, lies pretty early on when Ippo, who’s signature punch was a devastating uppercut, was being matched against an African-American USAF member stationed in Japan who was known for his incredible hooks. Every scene in the two or three episode arc was so intense, with both boxers landing blow after blow while constantly wondering when the other was going to fall or when they themselves would hit the canvas. This fight literally put me on the edge of my seat, and you can’t help but cheer when Ippo finally lands that knockout punch.
Even if you’re not a boxing fan, I would urge you to check it out. The characters, dialogue, humor and intensity all make for a great show, and a great exploration of the human character. The only difference is that this character can send you to the mat with an uppercut.