Audience reviews
10 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
CarsonWentz14
While the idea to have this specific OVA focused on another character was full of potential, I feel like it was not done as well as it could've been. Getting to experience the story through Kimura's perspective was interesting but the changes made on the typical fight preparation on top of that made the episode fall a little bit flatter than it could've been, especially in exploring Kimura's side of the relationship with the rest of the gang (the relationship with Aoki being a bit of an exception), which made the first half of the episode feel a bit disjointed.
Furthermore, what really brings this OVA's rating down for me was the ending, that basically invalidated a good chunk of the emotional weight of the episode, that could've been used to add an interesting twist in the Kamogawa's Gym…
Read at the sourcemery58
Great, this episode deserves a 9 and I don't know why it only averages 8, I am surprised that Champion Road has a better MAL rating than this special that is way better. It is the episode that has moved me the most so far (I am in progress with the second season). I barely held back the tears by identifying with Kimura. I liked it a lot especially because it was finally given importance to this character primarily as a boxer, but also as a character in himself, this episode has shown his potential, and I wonder why in the series he is seen or treated as a poor boxer, when the numbers of the victories and Miyata himself, say that he is a high-level boxer. I hope that the character will be treated better and that he can become champion too, he deserves it. We also saw even more the bond betw…
Read at the sourceWazThatTL
Just as good as the other OVAs even though we take a dive into a character that we don't usually think much of other than being comic relief.
Solid story with good pacing and character exposition. The dialouge was good with likable atmosphere. The beginning was solid and the fight. The characters are good. This OVA mainly focsued on Kimura and Mishba and their personality/motives. Both which did justice especially for Kimura. The visuals were pretty good. The smooth animation, the crisp details, and the facial expressions. The coloring just seemed a bit off otherwise. And the music is pretty much the same from season 1.
A likable OVA and a recomended watch
Read at the sourceS7Fortino
Damn what a beautiful story, Kimura isn't the best fighter but damn he does have heart
Damn Kimura does have a sad story to tell. It lets Kimura shine like no one else and it shows the point of view from the real 'underdog'
I’d also like to reveal that this is OVA is treated to the same OST that you experienced in the original series, so if you’re a fan of that, nothing has changed. Expect the same hype tracks, but this time having Kimura dance to them with his out-boxing style. A completely different approach of boxing to what you’re mostly used to seeing up close with Ippo’s in-fighting style.
A solid 9/10
Read at the sourceTakume
A lot of people skip OVAs because they think its boring/not important to the story. Its usually correct but certainly not in this case.
Arguably the best fight in Hajime no Ippo touches our hearts like no other. If you think of Kimura you think about the guy that is there just as a comic relief, which is usually true. In most anime it would stay like that, but not in Hajime no Ippo. Morikawa-sensei made an amazing move and decided to develop even the 'weaker character'. Because Ippo and Takamura are always the strong and motivating characters Kimura and Aoki are never taken that seriously. This OVA doesnt only include the fight itself but also the journey to it - the friendship between Aoki and Kimura is stronger and more potent than ever.
It lets Kimura shine like no one else and it show…
Read at the sourceTerajima
After the worst fight of Hajime no Ippo in the movie 'Champion Road' here comes the best fight in the whole series in terms of emotions, there are others that have better boxing quality, but this one is pure gold for all that is at stake for both of them. Also the training, before the fight, their stories, all is awesome.
Ippo almost doesn't appear in this movie and he is not missed, Kimura is a great character, and even if Ippo is a better boxer his fights begin to be too similar, and his personality doesn't help to be interested in his shameful love story with Kumi.
Read at the sourcerewdalf
Animation:
1. It's been done well despite being a single OVA. Sometimes some scenes looks better than the first season anime.
2. The match animation is equivalent to a "big match" done in the first season of the anime. Gotta love the exaggerated wind effects and high speed punches. That Kimura vs. Miyata fight scene is really satisfying.
Story:
1. The OVA gave the side characters (Kimura and Aoki) focuses on development that otherwise couldn't been done in the main anime as it usually focuses on Ippo, his rivals, Takamura, etc.
2. Takamura and his bullying antics has been a good source of humor for the series.
3. A little background story for Kimura.
4. Besides that nothing really special.
So if you've enjoyed all the good things in the first season you should definitely give this OVA a…
Read at the sourceDanno
What can I say? I loved it. This is what Hajime no Ippo's all about. Boxing isn't just some uncivil sport; it's physically and mentally challenging, everyone has their own reasons for doing it, and it takes some serious dedication and guts. When I saw Mashiba's name in the title, I thought it would just be some hilarious spin-off with Kimura getting beaten up by that crazy SOB, but the story was quite intense and touching.
The animation was smooth and stuff. There were maybe a few recycled fighting sequences, but this series always does it in a tasteful way, unlike DBZ. I love that about Hajime no Ippo; you can actually see their attacks and the intensity behind them, it's not some cheap battle anime where half of the fight is explosions, smoke, and mountains crumbling whilst the other ha…
Read at the sourcejmoriarty84
Remember how I say that when you get to the end of the first anime series, it’s truly the beginning? This oav is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. It finally further gives the other characters deeper opportunities to develop and to be taken seriously. Especially in the case of Kimura who’s primary function has always been comic relief. It’s nice that the oav of course centers around on Kimura and you only view Ippo from a 3rd hand perspective which I thought was an interesting twist since he’s the main character. You really get to see how much boxing really means to Kimura and you really see him work hard for this opportunity to defy the odds. Aoki who is also primarily used for comic relief is also taken seriously and you truly start to care for th…
Read at the sourceSick_Bastard
Hajime no Ippo - Mashiba vs. Kimura
Approx. 60 minuets
Age Rating: 12+ (Violence, Blood, Mild Profanity)
Genres: Sports (Boxing)
Story - 7/10 - Good
The story is really nothing to write home about, it really just serves as a device to get to the fighting scenes. The movie is about 40% plot, and 60% action, so it will not fail to disappoint. The story has some good twists and turns and will keep you on edge the entire time, and is generally captivating for a sports anime.
Art - 9/10 - Great
Very detailed art, I was impressed. Each individual character is detailed very nicely, and the all the muscles and battle damage on the boxers is done very realistically and is convincing. The environments are lush and colorful, and serve their purpose well. Considering this is a pre-2005 anime, I woul…
Read at the source