Traces of Intense Battles is Round 31 of the Hajime no Ippo anime, which is the adaptation of Jōji Morikawa's Hajime no Ippo series.
Details[]
- Locations Introduced: Monthly Boxing Fan
Summary[]
At the Monthly Boxing Fan, the editor-in-chief rejects Fujii's article called the "Strengths and Weaknesses of the Japanese Boxing World" for being dry, telling him to rewrite it as it is due that day. Fujii looks at the Monthly Boxing Fan magazines and thinks of ho the All Japan Rookie King Tournament is in two days and that the featherweight class is getting the most attention, with the predictions being in Sendō's favour. He believes that if Ippo's fist recovers from his fight against Mashiba, he predicts it will be an interesting match. He is in disbelief that Ippo made it all the way to the All Japan.
Fujii remembers that after Ippo's professional debut, he won two matches by knockout and began partaking in the East Japan Rookie King Tournament. He notes that Ippo's first opponent was Ozuma, whose speciality was hooks that came from either side. Since Ippo's strong point is in-fighting, Ozuma was a difficult opponent. He remembers that match turned into a exciting knock down battle, where either side could have won. The match between Ippo and Ozuma ended by Ippo dodging a hook and launching a barrage of punches, making him win the first round of the East Japan Rookie King Tournament.
Fujii recalls Ippo's opponent in the second round as Kobashi, who had no spectacular technique, but he studied and pinpointed Ippo's weak points. After being overpowered by points and almost losing by decision, Ippo won against Kobashi seconds from the end of the fourth round with a knockout reversal. Fujii remembers Ippo's inexperience showing during the match, but was able to show his fearsome punching power in the end.
Fujii recalls that the next match was the East Japan Rookie King Tournament semi-final against MVP candidate Hayami, who had the dangerous Shotgun, quick moves, and perfected techniques. He remembers that Ippo's odds against him were nearly zero in everyone's eyes. During Ippo's match against Hayami's, he planned his counterattack and fought until the bitter end. The match proceeded under Hayami's overwhelming advantage, but ultimately, it evolved into exchanging punches until Hayami hit the canvas in an unpredictable outcome, advancing Ippo into the East Japan Rookie King Tournament finals.
Fujii recalls the match to determine who will fight Ippo in the finals being between Miyata, who had a promise to keep with Ippo and Mashiba, who executed his opponents with Flicker Jabs and merciless fighting. Fujii notes that their match was a high-level fight where Miyata had a slight advantage. When Miyata was just about to finish the match, Mashiba committed a foul by stepping on Miyata's foot, and then unleashed a rush of attacks that downed Miyata. Miyata got up and fought desperately while getting beaten. Miyata's fighting spirit was so powerful that it made Mashiba recoil in fear. However, Miyata's fighting spirit gave out and lost the match, causing Mashiba to win and face Ippo, who fought to the finals with Miyata as his goal in the East Japan Rookie King Tournament finals.
Fujii notes that Mashiba isn't merely a boxer who resorts to dirty tricks, he is a boxer with true ability, with the hard to dodge Flicker Jab, and a Sunday punch consisting of a sharp Chopping Right. Mashiba's only blood relative is his younger sister, Kumi, and his hunger for success is the source of his power. Ippo and Mashiba's match with even odds and a guaranteed knockout begins. Fujii remembers when Ippo kept trying to get close to Mashiba and attack, his body blows struck Mashiba's elbow block. However, Ippo found the means to attack at the same time by repeatedly hitting Mashiba's elbow, bringing the fight to his speciality: in-fighting. Fujii claims that both boxers wouldn't budge, making it a match worthy of a final. He remembers that the element that finally settled the match was Ippo's explosive barrage, fearless of possible injury to his fist. After Ippo defeated Mashiba, he conquered the East Japan Rookie King Tournament, making the clumsy boxer blossom into a seasoned fighter.
Fujii notes that Ippo's battle is far from over, as the defeated Mashiba, and Miyata, who didn't get to fight are working towards their next goal. He also adds that there is the West Japan Rookie King Tournament featherweight champion, Sendō, who will be impossible to beat, as he won his way through with overwhelming punching power without the proper amount of care. Fujii also adds that there is the fact that Ippo's fist is damaged from his fighting against Mashiba, wondering if he will be able to get his fist healed and be able to fight in time. Fujii believes that the fight between Ippo and Sendō will be a fight not to miss as a reporter and boxing fan.
Credits[]
Characters are named as they appear in the credits.
Episode Credits[]
| Role | English Name | Japanese | Rōmaji |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screenplay | Tatsuhiko Urahata | 浦畑 達彦 | Urahata Tatsuhiko |
| Storyboard | Ken'ichi Kawamura | 川村 賢一 | Kawamura Ken'ichi |
| Director | Ken'ichi Kawamura | 川村 賢一 | Kawamura Ken'ichi |
| Animation Director | Noriyuki Fukuda | ふくだ のりゆき | Fukuda Noriyuki |