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Ippo Makunouchi is a loser. He has no friends, he spends his free time helping his mom with work, and he's constantly being beaten up by bullies. But that all changes when one day he's saved from another beating by Takamura, an up-and-coming boxer. Soon, Ippo turns his life around with a passion for the newly discovered sport, but his new lifestyle is far from easy! Before he can even dream of becoming champion, he'll have to overcome a slew of fierce rivals and learn what 'dedication' really means.
In the revolutionary Meiji period, Japan is undergoing enormous political change. It is a time when vagabonds and terrorists will use any method to prevent the modernization of their country, even if it means trampling on the innocent in the process. In such a time, Himura Kenshin, a wandering samurai, has dedicated his life to protecting the weak and desperate peasants from those who would oppress them. However, Kenshin has a dark past which threatens to destroy the values he is fighting for. When he meets his new friends Kaoru, Sanosuke, and Yahiko, and tries to build a peaceful life with them, events conspire against him. Can Kenshin overcome the demons within and without, and finally ensure the peaceful future that Japan deserves?
Both Hajime no Ippo and Kenshin use more realistic powers which is somewhat rare in shounen anime. The main characters also share some resemblances as they have a funny side and a serious asswhooping counterpart. (Though Kenshin uses actual double personalities.)
Looking for unparallel shounen fighting to make you weep manly tears? You can turn to either Rurouni Kenshin or Hajime no Ippo. Both provide duels of incredible excitement between super-awesome characters that'll move you for all their tragedy. The one thing to look out for is the incessant filler in Rurouni Kenshin, which doesn't exist in Hajime no Ippo. But if you like one, you'll find the same kinds of thrills in the other.
What if roller skates had high power engines that enabled the skaters to do stunning new tricks that defy gravity? What if you saw a beautiful girl effortlessly glide through the air with them? To Ikki, this is reason enough to secretly borrow a pair of Air Treck skates, and step into an underground world filled with gang fights and strange customs. Enamored with high-flying stunts and the flirtatious Simca, Ikki forms an Air Treck gang of his own and starts a life of fighting rival gangs and flying over the rooftops, chasing the girl always one kick ahead of him.
Both are about the development of, in Hajime no Ippo's case, a weak kid who is bullied and then matures, while Air Gear is about a kid named, Ikki and his gang who challenges other gangs to become the top, and eventually king. There is more fan service in Air Gear, although both have equal amounts of comedic scences to balance out the serious "fight/battle" scences.
Aikawa Maki, a high school student (with a reputation of being an exceptional street fighter), is known on the streets as Air Master. Standing at seven feet tall, she has the ability to seemingly fly through the air. Trying to attain the highest level of excitement and tension, she searches for stronger opponents. Will she find them or will they find her first, as they fight it out in the aerial arena?
Air Master and HnI are must-see anime. The main characters are on a nonstop chase to be the best, and they love to fight. From start to finish both anime go back and forth from training and fighting to becoming closer to being number one in their sport. One takes place in the street and the other takes place in the ring, but both involve a main character who is working hard to be the best.
Joe is a wandering orphan and street fighter who is looking for his purpose in life. One day, Joe meets his future coach Dampei who notices his tremendous fighting talent and wants to train him no matter what; however, rather than using this opportunity for good, Joe instead uses it to get easy money from Dampei and concoct a scam using local children. As one would suspect Joe is soon sent to jail, but Dampei doesn’t give up his hopes for the boy and vows to continue his training via letters. Will Joe give up his shady ways and become a world class boxer?
Both Ashita no Joe and Hajime no Ippo are great boxing animes. Joe is the classic Ippo is the more recent series check out both if you liked one.
Mitsui Ayane is a spunky girl who dreams of becoming a wrestling champion. Unfortunately, her All-Japan wrestling auditions flop, leaving her on the fast track to nowhere! Luckily, the owner of Tangay Gym gives her an offer she can't refuse: train with him and become the best. What Ayane doesn't know, however, is his dubious plans to train her to fight in the arena of kickboxing instead! With newfound pressure and the possibility of being expelled, can Ayane rise to the test and prove her strength, or simply become a failure?
Though not the same type of sports anime, Hajime no Ippo and Ayane's High Kick are somewhat similar. Both main characters are people pursue their sports when given the opportunity to advance. In both animes, you see Ayane and Ippo get built from scratch into tomorrow's champions. Some of the locations are similar, too; for instance, both Ippo and Ayane fight in Kourakuen Hall, a real life venue where actual boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts bouts are held.
