10 best anime to watch if you like Hajime no Ippo

Hajime no Ippo is a popular Japanese anime series about boxing and the struggles of the main character, Ippo, on his road to becoming a professional boxer. The series depicts vivid fight scenes while also exploring meaningful themes like purpose, motivation, hard work, and friendship.

If you’re a fan of Hajime no Ippo and looking for a similar anime series, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you enjoy the gripping boxing plots, strong characters overcoming adversity, or themes of dedication and self-confidence, here are 10 other excellent anime series that capture what makes Hajime no Ippo so special.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and is not ranked in any order.

10 best anime for fans of Hajime no Ippo

1) Baby Steps

Baby Steps follows high school student Eiichiro as he initially takes up tennis to get some exercise after watching a classmate play. Despite never having played tennis, Eiichiro throws himself into intense studying and training, tracking his progress in notebooks along the way.

Much like Hajime no Ippo explores the world of boxing, Baby Steps gives an in-depth look at competitive tennis and what it means to devote yourself fully to a goal. Eiichiro shares many similarities with Ippo too as an average student who finds purpose through sport, facing numerous challenges on his inspiring journey to becoming a pro.

With realistic match battles and plenty of persevering determination, Baby Steps has plenty to offer Hajime no Ippo fans.

2) Slam Dunk

Slam Dunk follows former troublemaking delinquent Hanamichi Sakuragi, who initially joins his new high school's basketball team in hopes of winning a girl's heart. Despite being very tall, Hanamichi has no experience playing basketball, leading to comedy and drama due to his lack of skills and volatile anger issues.

Like Ippo's humorous struggles entering the boxing world, Slam Dunk's Sakuragi also faces many hurdles in learning the fundamentals and what it truly means to be part of a team.

With highly competitive matches against rival schools, passionate displays of hard work finally paying off, and an athlete with raw potential trying to prove himself, Slam Dunk is sure to resonate with Hajime no Ippo lovers.

3) Run with the Wind

Run with the Wind (Image via Production I.G)

Run with the Wind centers on college freshman Kakeru, who moves into an old dormitory and is coaxed by Haiji Kiyose into joining the resident's struggling long-distance running club. Kakeru and his eccentric teammates aim to participate in and complete the demanding Hakone Ekiden marathon relay race over two days, covering over 100 kilometers.

As the characters train intensely to build stamina across long distances, viewers see great development in each athlete's perseverance, self-confidence, and bond as a team.

Like Hajime no Ippo and his teammates constantly pushing themselves unimaginably hard to grow stronger, Run with the Wind beautifully captures the struggles and eventual triumphs competitors face to realize their potential.

4) Megalobox

Megalobox, a futuristic sci-fi take on boxing, takes place in a dystopian world where fighters called "Gear Boxers" compete with illegally enhanced cybernetic tech for fame and corporate greed rather than honor and passion for the sport itself.

The show focuses on Joe, an underground gear boxer initially known as Junk Dog, hoping to be recognized as the real Megalobox champion of the circuit.

With impactful animation fight sequences and a gripping underdog story of who has the strongest will rather than the strongest tech, Hajime no Ippo fans are bound to feel right at home rooting for Junk Dog, chasing glory in the ring.

5) Welcome to the Ballroom

Welcome to the Ballroom (Image via Production I.G)

Welcome to the Ballroom chronicles meek outcast Tatara struggling to find motivation and direction in life until being inspired to train professionally in competitive ballroom dancing after accidentally stumbling into a dance studio.

Tatara works intensely to polish his laughable dancing skills alongside an eccentric, highly skilled dance partner who recognizes his latent talent. Like Ippo mastering unexpected boxing techniques, Tatara's journey shows someone discovering passion and growth through dedicated practice in merging athletics and artistry.

With plenty of comedic moments, awe-inspiring dance sequences, and relatable themes of being knocked down yet still getting back up, Hajime no Ippo viewers will surely appreciate and delight in Tatara's journey to transform himself on the intensely competitive dance floor.

6) Ace of the Diamond

Ace of the Diamond (Image via Madhouse and Production I.G)

Ace of the Diamond captures high school baseball pitcher Eijun boldly leaving home to attend an elite school well-known for its formidable national champion baseball program.

Despite showing up under-trained with very raw skills compared to elite recruits, Eijun strives relentlessly through countless intense practice drills and competitive mock games to earn the trust of upperclassmen in recognition of the pitching mound being his destined place.

Like Ippo, who constantly fights through intimidating world-class opponents, Eijun also squares off against terrifying batting lineups, ultimately helping sharpen his mental focus in the clutch when it counts most. Ace of the Diamond offers intense baseball action and explores themes of confidence, teamwork, and performing under pressure. It's highly recommended for Hajime no Ippo fans.

7) Tomorrow's Joe

Tomorrow's Joe (Image via Mushi Production)

Tomorrow's Joe chronicles reckless street punk Joe Yabuki, whose talent for street fighting lands him in a local boxing gym. Under the guidance of a washed-up alcoholic boxing trainer, Joe embarks on an intensive training journey, constantly getting back up no matter how hard life knocks him down in or outside the ring.

With plenty of emotional drama and intense boxing matches, Joe matures throughout the series, realizing his potential and deeper purpose.

Like Ippo's own transformative growth through boxing, documenting the blood, sweat, and tears to somehow rise as a champion, Tomorrow's Joe shares similar themes for Hajime no Ippo fans of an underdog defiantly chasing glory one punch at a time when all odds stand against him.

8) Hinomaruzumou

Hinomaruzumou charts the journey of protagonist Ushio as he joins his high school sumo club, intending to become the strongest sumo wrestler. Ushio faces numerous challenges and defeats that test his determination. He reluctantly discovers sumo's deeper meaning through hardships with his unique teammates.

As Ushio evolves beyond using others for selfish gain, instead discovering the importance of dignity, honor, trust in teammates, and embracing sumo as more than just a sport but a “way of life," he inches closer to redemption and grasping what true strength means.

Like Ippo slowly progressing on his boxing journey, Ushio’s advancement in sumo also captivates by showcasing how greater meaning and purpose can transform oneself in awe-inspiring ways never thought possible.

9) Baki the Grappler

Baki the Grappler chronicles young underground fighter Baki Hanma’s quest to hone his skills and surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma, as the strongest fighter in the world. Through intense physical and mental training against brutally formidable opponents, Baki stops at nothing, chasing tirelessly toward his ultimate goal, driven by personal growth and strength.

With edge-of-your-seat underground fight scenes, as Baki confronts vicious enemies using various martial arts techniques, Hajime no Ippo fans will feel pumped up seeing Baki constantly push his strength and resolve to the limit.

Like Ippo’s boxing matches, Baki’s battles also explore meaningful themes of honor, revenge, corruption, and what it truly means to become undefeatable while protecting loved ones from continuously arising new threats.

10) Kengan Ashura

Kengan Ashura (Image via Larx Entertainment)

Kengan Ashura follows stoic martial artist and fighter Tokita Ohma as he contracts himself out in brutal corporate warfare battles staged between wealthy business owners gambling on fighter proxy champions. Initially motivated by money, Ohma slowly bonds with fellow fighters. He uncovers his mysterious past and regains forgotten fighting techniques as his amnesia fades.

With each gritty fight sequence more intense than the last, Hajime no Ippo fans will surely feel adrenaline-fueled excitement and deeper intrigue as Ohma pummels intimidating opponents throughout the series.

Like Ippo bettering himself through boxing, Ohma also elevates as a warrior unlocking the secrets of his full battle potential when protecting others rather than purely for personal gain or glory in Kengan Ashura’s hard-hitting martial arts action.

Conclusion

Hajime no Ippo moves viewers as Ippo discovers unbelievable talents and resolves his quest to become an esteemed boxing champion. The above anime mirrors these captivating themes of underdogs rising against incredible odds through hard work and dedication toward rigorous crafts.

With intense sports action, coming-of-age stories unveiling purpose and meaning, and showcasing the heights individuals can reach when armed with passion and perseverance, fans of Hajime no Ippo have plenty to become engrossed within the above anime recommendations. All are wonderful series well worth checking out.