Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger

Aired: 2009

A TV anime produced by Madhouse, based on the manga by George Morikawa serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine, with cumulative sales exceeding 100 million copies (as of 2023). This is the second TV anime season following the first series. Having become the Japanese Featherweight Champion, Ippo Makunouchi continues to grow both as a boxer and as a person through his title defense matches. After surviving a fierce defense against Kazuki Sanada, Ippo's next challenger turns out to be his former junior pupil Naomichi Yamada. Beyond Ippo's title defenses, the series depicts Takamura Mamoru's world title bout and the intense matches and personal stories of their fellow boxers. Directed by Jun Shishido with series composition by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu. The anime aired from January 7 to July 1, 2009 on Nippon Television Network for a total of 26 episodes. ©George Morikawa/Kodansha, VAP, Madhouse, NTV, D.N. Dream Partners