If you’re looking for a good boxing anime series, you should watch Hajime no Ippo online.

Even though there hasn’t been a new episode since 2014, the series still tops many boxing anime lists.

In Hajime no Ippo, protagonist Ippo goes from bullying victim to a rising star in the world of professional boxing.

Because it is an older series, it can be hard to find streaming sites online. However, we can help you find where to watch Hajime no Ippo online — and legally.

We will also show you how to use a VPN to get around some sticky streaming issues.

Intro to Hajime no Ippo

Hajime no Ippo on Crunchyroll - George Morikawa/Kodansha/VAP/NTV

In 1989, Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine started publishing Joji (George) Morikawa’s shonen manga series. The manga is still ongoing as of 2022.

So far, there have been three anime seasons, an anime movie, and an OVA. They are:

  • Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! — 76 episodes, 2000-2002. Also known as Fighting Spirit.
  • Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road — movie, 2003.
  • Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura — OVA, 2003.
  • Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger — 26 episodes, 2009.
  • Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! Rising — 25 episodes, 2013-2014.

A Fourth Season?

According to online reports, there might be a fourth season of Hajime no Ippo in the near future. However, I was unable to find any official confirmation of either a Hajime no Ippo season 4, a reboot series, or a new movie.

Since the long-running manga hasn’t hung up its gloves yet, there is certainly room for another anime.

Where to Watch Hajime no Ippo Online

  1. Crunchyroll
  2. RetroCrush
  3. Hulu Japan
  4. Amazon Japan
  5. VRV

1. Crunchyroll

Hajime no Ippo on Crunchyroll - George Morikawa/Kodansha/VAP/NTV

Crunchyroll has the first and third seasons, plus the movie Champion Road, and the OVA Mashiba vs. Kimura. However, the subtitle and dubbing options are limited.

Season 3 of the series, Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! Rising, has its own webpage at Crunchyroll.  You can find it HERE.

Although Crunchyroll is international, some regions may have limited access. If this is the case where you live, you can use a VPN to unlock it.

How to Watch Hajime no Ippo on Crunchyroll if The App Isn’t Available in your Country

As of this article, Hajime no Ippo is available on Crunchyroll in the United States. However, if Hajime no Ippo is geo-locked in your area, you can use a VPN to fake a U.S. IP address.

The following method works on both desktop PCs and mobile phones or tablets:

  1. Purchase (or start a free trial) of a VPN. NordVPN works.
  2. In the settings, choose U.S. as your location.
  3. Fire up the VPN and wait.
  4. Once you’re connected, navigate to Crunchyroll (browser or app).
  5. Search “Hajime no Ippo” in Crunchyroll and you should see Hajime no Ippo pop up.

Enjoy! Please note that if Crunchyroll doesn’t update to reflect the country you selected in your VPN, you may have to clear the Crunchyroll cache and try again.

To do this on mobile, go to settings -> apps -> Crunchyroll -> clear cache. To do this on PC, you have to clear the cache in your browser.

 

Pros

  • A large library of recent and classic anime
  • Two seasons, a movie and an OVA

Cons

  • Geo-locked in some locations
  • Limited Language options

Language options: Season 1 – Japanese with English subtitles; English dubbed. Season 3 – Japanese with English, Latin American Spanish, European Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles.

Monthly price: Free, limited viewing is possible. $7.99 for “fan” level; $9.99 for “mega fan”; and $14.99 for “ultimate fan.”

Watch Hajime no Ippo at Crunchyroll.

2. RetroCrush

Hajime no Ippo on RetroCrush - George Morikawa/Kodansha/VAP/NTV

The streaming service RetroCrush specializes in classic anime ranging from Princess Knight to Project A-Ko, so Hajime no Ippo fits right in. RetroCrush has the first season, and the movie Champion Road.

You can watch some shows for free without a subscription. You will encounter ads unless you have a good ad blocker. Some programs are age-restricted, and require a free account to view. The service also offers a Premium subscription for ad-free viewing, and access to some shows.

RetroCrush is part of Digital Media Rights, which was acquired by Cinedigm in 2022.

Pros

  • An interesting selection of classic anime from the Showa and early Heisei eras
  • Some shows available for free

Cons

  • Ads
  • Limited to the U.S. or Canada (unless you have a VPN)

Language options: Japanese with English subtitles; English dubbed

Price: Limited, kid-friendly access available without an account. Free account option. Premium subscription: Two-week free trial; then $4.99/ month.

Watch Hajime no Ippo on RetroCrush.

3. Hulu Japan

Hajime no Ippo on Hulu Japan - George Morikawa/Kodansha/VAP/NTV

For Japanese viewers, Hulu Japan has all three seasons of Hajime no Ippo.  The seasons have their own separate web pages —  Fighting Spirit (season 1), New Challenger (season 2), and Rising (season 3).  The streaming service also has the stage play adaptation, Hajime no Ippo: The Glorious Stage!!

Hulu Japan is aimed at a Japanese-speaking audience, so there are no subtitles.

The service is no longer related to Hulu in the U.S. Although the service has a two-week free trial period, you’ll still need a Japanese form of payment, or a PayPal account to sign up.

Pros

  • A lot of anime and Japanese live-action drama shows
  • Watch the live-action stage show

Cons

  • No subtitles

Language options: Japanese

Monthly price:  Two weeks free; 1,026 yen/ month.

Watch Hajime no Ippo on Hulu Japan.

4. Amazon Prime Video (Japan)

Hajime no Ippo on Amazon Japan - George Morikawa/Kodansha/VAP/NTV

Amazon Japan has all three seasons of the Hajime no Ippo anime. The first episode of each season is available for free if you’re in Japan (or use a VPN). But you have to rent the rest.

To watch the free episodes, you need an Amazon Japan account, which doesn’t require a Japanese address. However, the rest of the episodes require a Japanese billing address.

Pros

  • All three seasons
  • First episode of each season is free

Cons

  • No subtitles
  • Billing address restriction

Language options: Japanese

Price: First episode is free. Rental is 110 yen per episode (seasons 1 and 2). Season 3 episodes, 330 yen.

Watch Hajime no Ippo on Amazon Prime Video (Japan).

5. VRV

Hajime no Ippo on VRV - George Morikawa/Kodansha/VAP/NTV

VRV has both Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!, and Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! – Rising in its library.

The streaming service is owned by Crunchyroll, but it’s not just a clone.  VRV Select subscribers can get content not found on Crunchyroll, such as Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, and Ultraman. VRV’s Mondo Channel adds oddball animation.

Pros

  • If you have a Crunchyroll Premium account, you can use it at VRV
  • Includes content you won’t find on Crunchyroll
  • Free 30 days trial period

Cons

  • VRV is limited to the U.S.

Language options: Season 1 – Japanese with English subtitles; English dubbed. Season 3 – Japanese with English, Latin American Spanish, European Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles.

Price: Free, no subscription, limited-access option available. Can share a subscription with Crunchyroll. Also: 30-day free trial; VRV Premium, $9.99/ month; Mondo only, $2.99/ month.

Watch Hajime no Ippo on VRV.

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