Who is Hajime No Ippo's main character?

Ippo Makunouchi is the main protagonist of Hajime no Ippo.

Hajime no Ippo has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of both anime and manga, celebrated for its longevity and quality. It has even outlasted the legendary One Piece in terms of manga volume count, showcasing its enduring appeal. Despite its extensive run, Hajime no Ippo remains highly regarded for its consistent excellence

A standout feature of the series is its compelling protagonist, Ippo Makunouchi, whose journey from an amateur to a legendary boxer is both inspiring and immersive. The series captures the essence of the boxing world with remarkable realism, bolstered by a diverse and well-developed cast of characters that add depth and credibility to the story.

Who is Hajime No Ippo's main character?

The central figure of Hajime no Ippo is Ippo Makunouchi, a modest and diligent young man whose journey transforms him from a shy high schooler into the JBC Featherweight Champion. Working at his family's fishing charter, Ippo's life takes a turn when he is saved from bullies by Mamoru Takamura, a professional boxer. This encounter ignites Ippo's passion for boxing, inspiring him to pursue the sport and uncover his own strength.

Ippo's path from a beginner to a celebrated champion is paved with hard work, intense training, and a deep commitment to sportsmanship. Renowned for his powerful punches and unyielding determination, Ippo’s signature technique, the "Dempsey Roll," becomes a testament to his growth and tenacity. Despite his achievements, Ippo remains humble and respectful, consistently showing admiration for his opponents.

Ippo's character is shaped by his perseverance and the meaningful bonds he forms with his fellow boxers and mentors. Though he often grapples with self-doubt, he is guided by a sense of honesty and altruism, choosing integrity over easy victories. This balance of humility and determination allows him to embody the classic ideals of a shonen protagonist, navigating the complexities of the boxing world with a sense of purpose and a clear moral compass.

Ippo Makunouchi’s Boxing Abilities

Ippo begins his boxing career as an amateur, but he quickly stands out due to his innate ability to throw exceptionally powerful punches, especially his crushing right hook. His raw power is enhanced by his signature technique, the "Dempsey Roll," a fluid, continuous weaving motion that enables him to deliver a relentless series of punches from unpredictable angles.

Boxing style

Ippo Makunouchi is recognized as the top in-fighter in both Japan and the OPBF while he was active. He also possessed unmatched punching power in the region. His boxing technique involves a blend of an evasive bob-and-weave maneuver to dodge strikes and a rapid dash to close the distance, allowing him to slip past opponents' jabs and get up close, where he excels at delivering devastating liver punches.

This remarkable punching strength helped Ippo secure titles such as the All-Japan Rookie King and the Most Talented Rookie Award. He also emerged victorious in the Class A Tournament, quickly rising to the top of the national rankings and earning a chance to fight for the prestigious JBC featherweight title. While he fell short against veteran champion Eiji Date on his first try, Ippo eventually claimed the belt and successfully defended his title eight times.

Power

Ippo's boxing style is primarily defined by his incredible raw power, as seen in his perfect knockout rate—all of his victories come before the ninth round. Alongside Sendō, Ippo is known for having the most devastating punches in the featherweight division.

Speed

While his footwork isn't the strongest, Ippo's impressive dash speed is one of his most reliable tools, allowing him to close the gap with taller opponents and engage in close-range combat. To enhance this, he has consistently refined the speed and precision of his dash, further improving it through daily training with ankle weights.

Stamina

Through consistent, everyday training, Ippo has developed a significant reserve of stamina, which has become one of his greatest strengths in the ring, far surpassing most of his competitors in the division.

Physicality

Due to his continuous lower body conditioning, Ippo's balance and stability have greatly improved, leading opponents to sometimes compare him to an unmovable rock. His sheer physical strength, combined with his relentless fighting spirit, allows him to endure significant physical punishment and continue fighting. Even before becoming a boxer, his ability to take hits was already above average.

Technique

While Ippo often physically outmatches his opponents, he is at a disadvantage when it comes to traditional boxing techniques and strategies, especially compared to fighters like Miyata, Mashiba, and Volg. Despite this, Ippo has accumulated and refined a substantial amount of technical knowledge over his career.

Technique List

• Dempsey Roll

• New Dempsey Roll

• Diagonal Dempsey Roll

• Liver Blow

• Gazelle Punch

• Parry Counter

• Ten Centimetre Punch

• Peek-a-Boo Style

• Southpaw Style

• Tornado Jolt

• Heart Break Shot

Intelligence

From the start of the series, Ippo is portrayed as intellectually capable, with grades that are so impressive that his teacher suggests he could attend any college in the country. His academic skills were noticed by Takamura, who did not worry about Ippo's performance on the written part of the professional exam. That translated into boxing as Ippo had a knack for analysis, showcased by the fact that he developed counters for several opponents; both as a boxer and later on as a trainer.