“Hajime no Ippo” will be receiving a stage adaptation

“Hajime no Ippo” (The First Step) is one of the well-known boxing manga series featured on “Weekly Shonen Magazine”.

Created by Morikawa George back in 1989, a total of 125 tankobon have been published and over 96 million copies sold.

As well, as a 76-episode anime series “Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!” (2000-2002), an animated TV film, an OVA and a second season (2009) titled “Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger”.

And now, “Hajime no Ippo” will receive a stage adaptation titled “Real Fighting ‘Hajime no Ippo’ The Glorious Stage!!”.

“Hajime no Ippo” revolves around a shy teenager named Makunouchi Ippo.  He has no friends because he is always busy helping his mother run the family fishing charter business but one day, a group of bullies picked on him and made it a habit of bullying him and even beating him up quite badly.

A middleweight professional boxer who was passing by stopped them and took the injured Ippo to the Kamogawa Gym owned by retired boxer Kamogawa Genji.  When Ippo awoke, he saw boxers training and seeing how a boxer saved him, he was inspired and decided to train and become a professional boxer.  And the series showcases Ippo training and is able to gain the fighting spirit.  How far can Ippo go in his career as a boxer?

Morikawa said about the stage announcement, “I had no idea of boxing could be portrayed on stage, but I feel a tremendous feeling of enthusiasm while visiting the audition.  If they are acting and are focused on the action, they can make it happen!  The screenplay and production is by Kiyasu Kohei, who played a role in the animated version”.

Morikawa added, “Blessed with staff and performers, as the original author, I am happy.  I think with your support, it will make it even more exciting.  Please come to the venue”.

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