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"The bell. The beginning and ending of a round. And it's the bell that signals the beginning and ending of a match. I am sure the bell will keep ringing..."
-Makunouchi Ippo

I believe I have just completed the best shounen anime I have and will ever see. Hajime no Ippo is truly the second to none in terms of character and enjoyment. I have never been a ecstatic about sports anime, but Hajime no Ippo is no modern day shounen which repeat, recycle and reuse the same story and scenes continuously. From episode one, the viewer is coaxed into the world of boxing along with ... Ippo, a world that is anything but predictable. The reader continues to follow Ippo make his way to the top, transforming from a pitiful wimp into a featherweight demon. Every match in this anime is top notch from the choreography of the punches to the background music. Everything falls into place and fits the mood. The music, especially the hard rock and heavy metal perfectly suits the atmosphere for all the matches. Many of you may feel that 76 episodes is really pushing it, but I assure you that you all will feel that it isnt nearly enough. I finished this anime in one week averaging about 10 episodes a day and just couldn't get enough of it. You don't have to be a fan of boxing to love this one. Overall, I highly recommend this anime to anyone who feels that shounen can no longer entertain. It made an impression on me to the point where I have written my very first review.