A thorough analysis of the deadly battle between Mashiba and Kimura in "Hajime no Ippo"! Who will win?

Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura: Execution - The appeal of the OVA depicting the world of passionate boxing

"Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura: Execution" is an OVA based on the popular manga "Hajime no Ippo" by Morikawa George. It was released by VAP on September 5, 2003, and consists of one 61-minute episode. It is directed by Namba Hitoshi, animated by Madhouse, and produced by Nippon Television Network and VAP. Set in the world of boxing, the film depicts the fight between Kimura Tatsuya and Mashiba Ryo, making it a must-watch for fans.

story

The story is about Kimura Tatsuya, who decides to challenge for the Japanese J-Lightweight Championship, and finds himself facing the monster champion Mashiba Ryo. Kimura becomes an apprentice to Miyata Ichiro, who has blocked Mashiba's flicker jab, and gets hints for his special move from the tropical fish he keeps as a pet. The moment this special move, the Dragon Fish Blow, explodes is filled with tension and excitement that could be called an "execution." Will Kimura be able to seize the championship? The story is sure to leave viewers intrigued.

Commentary

"Hajime no Ippo" is a long-running manga that began serialization in 1989 and has garnered many fans as a boxing-themed sports manga. This OVA was produced in response to the popularity of the TV anime version, and focuses in particular on the fight between Kimura and Mashiba. It features high-quality visuals that are unique to OVAs and a story development that brings out the charm of the original work to the fullest.

cast

A stellar cast of voice actors has been assembled, including Keiji Fujiwara as Tatsuya Kimura, Masahiko Tanaka as Ryo Mashiba, Kohei Kiyasu as Ippo Makunouchi, Rikiya Koyama as Mamoru Takamura, Kenji Utsumi as Chairman Kamogawa, Wataru Takagi as Masaru Aoki, Satoshi Nakajima as Manager Yagi, Sanae Kobayashi as Kumi Mashiba, and Tomokazu Seki as Ichiro Miyata. The performances that make the most of the individuality of each character further enhance the appeal of the work.

Main Staff

The original story is by Morikawa George, the planners are Osawa Masahiko and Oshima Mitsuru, the director is Namba Hitoshi, the supervisor is Nishimura Satoshi, the composition is Urahata Tatsuhiko, the character design is Sugiura Koji, the script is Fudeyasu Kazuyuki, the storyboards are Namba Hitoshi and Hiiro Yukina, the director is Hiiro Yukina, the animation directors are Takaoka Junichi, Yasuda Yoshitaka, Hori Takeshi, Kado Tomoaki, Yazaki Yuko, Uno Ichiro, Fukuda Noriyuki, the chief animation director is Fukuda Noriyuki, the color design is Koshikawa Yoshimi, the art director is Kaneko Hidetoshi, the director of photography is Fukushi Toru, the editor is Terauchi Satoshi, the sound director is Mima Masafumi, the music is Imahori Tsuneo, the producers are Yamashita Hiroshi, Tamura Manabu, Maruyama Masao, the animation producer is Yoshimoto Satoshi, the animation production is Madhouse, and the copyright is handled by Nippon Television and VAP. The combined efforts of this team of staff resulted in a work that faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work.

Main Characters

Tatsuya Kimura is a senior at Kamogawa Gym, and is always calm and encourages Ippo behind the scenes. He is both a close friend and rival of Aoki. Ryo Mashiba is Ippo's opponent in the East Japan Rookie King Tournament. He lost his parents at the age of 17 and has lived a difficult life with his sister, so he is a character who is obsessed with winning. Ippo Makunouchi was a clumsy boy who was bullied, but he is now a kind and hardworking high school student who helps out at his family's fishing boat business every day. He grew up in a single-mother household, discovered boxing, and steadily and single-mindedly worked hard to grow into a strong man. Mamoru Takamura is a middleweight professional boxer affiliated with Kamogawa Boxing Gym, and has been undefeated since his debut with his natural power and unrivaled toughness. He has a personality like a child who has grown up, and sometimes plays pranks without thinking about the trouble it causes others.

Related Titles

The "Hajime no Ippo" series includes the TV anime version of "Hajime no Ippo," the TV special "Champion Road," and the sequels "New Challenger" and "Rising." By enjoying these works together, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world of "Hajime no Ippo."

Theme songs and music

The ending theme "360°" and the insert song "Yuzora no Kamihikouki" were written, composed, and sung by Mori Naoya. These songs play an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the work.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura: Execution" is highly acclaimed as an OVA work that brings out the charm of the original work to the fullest. In particular, the depiction of the fight between Kimura and Mashiba is a big attraction for fans. Kimura's growth and the explosion of his special move, the Dragon Fish Blow, leave a strong impression on viewers. Also, don't miss the high-quality visuals that bring together the efforts of a luxurious cast of voice actors and staff.

This work is recommended not only for boxing fans, but also for those who like sports manga and anime. In particular, it is a must-see for those who have enjoyed the original "Hajime no Ippo" and other anime works. Not only the fight between Kimura and Mashiba, but also the growth of characters such as Makunouchi Ippo and Takamura Mamoru are depicted, allowing you to reaffirm the appeal of the entire series.

Furthermore, although this OVA can be enjoyed on its own, you can gain a deeper understanding and be moved by knowing the whole series. Even those who have never been exposed to the world of "Hajime no Ippo" will be inspired by this OVA and become interested in the whole series.

Finally, "Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura: Execution" is a moving work that depicts the passion of boxing and the growth of the characters. Please feel the charm of "Hajime no Ippo" through this work.