Much metaphorical ink has been spilled by the two of us regarding the Hajime No Ippo introductory series, "The Fighting!" When given a platform to focus on the sequel series, it becomes clear that we both have some complicated thoughts on these 26 episodes. But after a rewatch, we're both finding ourselves defending and even championing what the series does well- particularly the final fight between two hawks. Join us for a wide-ranging and joyful discussion about our favorite boxing series that focuses most of its energy on someone who's not the supposed "main" character. 
 
00:00 - Does Jack Black like Hajime No Ippo: New Challenger?
01:48 - “Wine About It” New Co-Host, Goodbye Maya
03:28 - Maya can ball, tho!
05:44 - Michael met Chris Sabat once in the 2000s. I’m serious…
06:55 - Michael also spoke to Bruce Faulconer once on the phone. I mean this…
15:28 - Someone’s moving…!!!!
17:19 - Jallah: Are you a virgin?
21:02 - “New Challenger” Series
23:40 - “New Challenger” Animation and Artwork
30:55 - “New Challenger” Soundtrack
33:30 - If “The Fighting” is a Bible, “New Challenger” is a pamphlet
39:00 - Why “New Challenger” feels more like a “Traditional Anime/Man”
42:01 - Jallah: Ippo is the low point of “New Challenger”
44:57 - Arnie “Crocodile” Gregory vs. Ichiro Miyata
48:02 - The difficulties of translating an anime for subtitles
52:13 - Bryan Hawk: An Ambiguous Design
55:05 - Michael’s pitch: Takamura vs. Bryan Hawk could have (and should have) been a Movie!
56:54 - end of spoiler for Rising
01:00:14 - Ippo vs. Hammer Nao? Sure!
01:05:01 - Amazing hawk tuah reference
01:05:47 - Bryan Hawk vs. Mamoru Takamura: a Shonen Superpowered Classic
01:22:58 - Ippo vs. Some Random Guy before the Takamura/Hawk showdown
01:27:21 - Takamura’s pre-hawk behavior: Does this harm the incredible arc?
01:32:46 - The Fight Begins!
01:37:33 - Brief Interruption: Michael (Dummy) had to move his car. Amusement Park discussion
01:39:48 - Back to the Hawks…
01:46:50 - Ippo’s Over-attachment to the Dempsey Roll technique
01:49:23 - Red-Eyed Bryan Hawk: A True Monster
01:51:23 - New Forms Unlocked… the final moments of Hawk vs. Takamura
 
"Who put Michael Jackson in the freezer?" meme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNKjVssqLiY
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @dermot.mn
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg
 
 

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