[Locke]

Started watching Hajime No Ippo again. Just watched the first two episodes. It may have been like seven years since I watched it, but I'm still digging it. This is how I think sports anime/manga should be done, grounded enough in the techniques and rules of the real world sport, but stylised enough that it actually warrants watching this...and not just real boxing.

The animation is great as well, this show may be old as hell, but I guess they actually had money for anime those days, unlike now, where pretty much everything looks like total shit. It isn't just well animated either, it's well directed, and it makes a big difference.

I really like Ippo as a protagonist too. He's competent without being 'LOOK HOW BADASS I AM' or just a massive Gary Stu like so many other protagonists wearing similar shoes.

Really my only complaints is this is SLOOOOOW. His first sparring match doesn't start until the end of this episode and across the next, I know it doesn't matter for me, but if you were watching this weekly back in the day it must have been frustrating waiting so long for boxing in your boxing anime.