Makunouchi Ippo is an ordinary high school student in Japan.
Since he spends most of his time away from school helping
his mother run the family business, he doesn't get to enjoy
his younger years like most teenagers. Always a target for
bullying at school (the family fishing business grants him a
distinct odor), Ippo's life is one of hardship.
One of these after-school bullying sessions turns Ippo's
life around for the better, as he is saved by a boxer named
Takamura. He decides to follow in Takamura's footsteps and
train to become a boxer, giving his life direction and
purpose. Ippo's path to perfecting his pugilistic prowess is
just beginning ...
Now in Hajime no Ippo New Challenger, he is the new featherweight
champion and has successfully defended his championship once,
Ippo Makunouchi continues his boxing career and sets his goal on
knowing the meaning of being strong, and the desire on fighting
his idol Ichiro Miyata once again. Along him are pro boxers
Takamura who is training for the world champinship, Aoki and
Kimura that each one of them aspire to their own dreams.