10 Best Boxing Anime Series to Get You Seriously Pumped

You may be inspired to sign up for boxing lessons yourself after watching these shows. Shutterstock AI / Shutterstock

Those who are unfamiliar with anime might not realize the scope of its various subgenres, which include fantasy, sci-fi, horror, sports and others. In fact, even the subgenres have sub-subgenres: Boxing anime, for example, is a vital and beloved variety of sports anime.

Drawing on the high drama of violent, one-on-one competition, it also features the dynamic action scenes that anime fans have come to expect from the form.

Whether you're new to the genre or a seasoned fan who wants something new to watch, you'll want to explore this list of some of the best boxing anime.

1. 'Hajime no Ippo'

Where to stream: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Pluto TV, RetroCrush

Considered by many to be the greatest boxing anime, "Hajime no Ippo" (also found under the name "Fighting Spirit") is also one of best anime series in any subgenre.

It tells a classic tale of hardscrabble origins and spectacular success: Ippo Makunouchi is a painfully shy teenage boy who discovers boxing when a middleweight boxer and veteran fighter Takamura saves him after a beating by local bullies.

To everyone's surprise, Ippo turns out to have a knack for the sport, and after he commits himself fully to the discipline, he begins a journey of great challenges and even greater accomplishment. "Hajime no Ippo," like many anime series, is based on a manga; the original is one of the most successful manga series ever.

2. 'Ashita no Joe'

Where to stream: Crunchyroll

Also known as "Tomorrow's Joe," "Ashita no Joe" is a certified classic in sports anime. The original boxing manga began its run in 1968, and the first anime adaptation premiered in 1970. The series tells the story of Joe Yabuki, a drifter who happens to meet a dissolute former boxing trainer.

Joe's boxing career is derailed when he's arrested and jailed for fraud, but he finds new opportunities to hone his craft behind bars. "Ashita no Joe" has long been hailed as one of the best sports anime ever, drawing praise for its story and action both inside and outside the boxing ring.

3. 'Baki the Grappler'

Where to stream: Currently not available for streaming. Check your local library!

"Baki the Grappler" is another anime based on a best-selling manga. While the fighting in the series is more mixed martial arts, boxing is still a part of the fighters' repertoire. The story revolves around Baki, whose powerful anger at his oppressive father motivates him to become a world-class fighter.

This is a classic tale of athletic aspiration, but it also veers into the fantastic, with various of Baki's opponents being enhanced with supernatural abilities.

4. 'Megalobox'

Where to stream: Apple TV, Hulu, Crunchyroll, Peacock

"Megalobox" is heavily inspired by "Ashita no Joe"; in fact, it was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original series. A futuristic, science fiction update of the original, it follows the exploits of Junk Dog, a professional boxer in a world where fighters use mechanical exoskeletons to enhance their power.

Junk Dog makes his living by throwing fights for money, but after an encounter with an experienced pro boxer named Yuri, he decides to train to become a better fighter. If you like your anime dystopian and gritty, you'll find a lot to enjoy in "Megalobox."

5. 'Levius'

Where to stream: Netflix

Set in a steampunk world, Levius is about a rising star in the futuristic sport of "metalboxing" — which, somewhat similar to "Megalobox," involves boxing with robotic elements added.

Levius, the series protagonist, must rise through the ranks of professional boxing to reach Grade I, the highest possible level in this dystopian society.

Praised for its character development, it adds a bleak, existential atmosphere to the anime boxing world that many fans have come to appreciate.

6. 'One Pound Gospel'

Where to stream: Currently not available for streaming. Check your local library!

Illustrating how widely the tone of boxing anime can vary, "One Pound Gospel" combines action, romantic comedy and even slapstick humor for a unique and winsome spin on the genre. Based on a popular and long-running manga, the OVA (original video animation) was a single 55-minute movie released in 1988.

It tells the story of Kosaku, a gifted boxing prodigy with a weakness: His insatiable appetite means that he keeps jumping up in weight classes, facing bigger and stronger opponents than his frame and experience can handle.

Befriended by Sister Angela, a nun who wants to help him control his eating, the story takes a romantic turn, still remaining propulsive and lighthearted.

7. 'Rokudenashi Blues'

Where to stream: Currently not available for streaming. Check your local library!

While the anime hasn't been as successful as the wildly popular manga upon which it was based, "Rokudenashi Blues" remains an influential entry in the boxing anime universe. It tells the story of Taison, a juvenile delinquent who dreams of becoming the world boxing champion.

As Taison progresses through high school and develops as a boxer, he comes into contact with other elite fighters who challenge him and shape his character. Adapted as two movies, "Rokudenashi Blues" is favored for its exploration of themes related to athletic competition and urban life in Japan.

8. 'Ring ni Kakero'

Where to stream: Currently not available for streaming. Check your local library!

Also found under its translated title, "Put it All in the Ring," this series is considered a touchstone in the boxing anime genre, influencing many subsequent series. The story follows Ryuuji Takane, an aspiring boxer, and his sister Kiku, who coaches and trains him.

Their father was an expert boxer, and they strive to continue his legacy. With unrelenting determination, Ryuuji and his sister face a string of formidable adversaries on their quest for greatness.

9. 'Bewitching Nozomi'

Where to stream: Currently not available for streaming. Check your local library!

Also found under the title "Nozomi Witches," this lighthearted and comedic anime tells the story of Ryoutaro Shiba, a high schooler who is enrolled in the school's boxing club by his mysterious and beautiful neighbor Nozomi.

While he goes along with it due to his attraction to Nozomi, he doesn't start with any interest in boxing whatsoever. The story tracks their budding romance as well as Ryoutaro's progression as a boxer. "Bewitching Nozomi" is a whimsical and romantic take on the boxing anime genre.

10. 'Kengan Ashura'

Where to stream: Netflix

"Kengan Ashura" is set in a parallel world where business deals are hashed out in a gladiator-style arena. In this cutthroat world, corporate employees are scouted for their fighting talent, which they exhibit in brutal boxing style tournaments.

The protagonist is the mysterious Ashura, and it follows his story as his fighting career is managed by an ordinary corporate drone on behalf of the firm's ruthless CEO. Admired for its intricate storytelling, "Kengan Ashura" is dark, engrossing and action-packed.

Boxing Anime: A Genre Within a Genre

Boxing anime is a great example of the cultural exchange that makes anime such a special category of entertainment. Boxing was originally brought to Japan by Americans in the 1854, when U.S. Admiral Matthew Perry anchored his fleet to open Japan's culture and economy to foreign trade and influence.

The sport took off, with practitioners and fans alike appreciating both the similarities and differences with traditional Japanese martial arts. Finding its way into popular media — such as the illustrated novels known as manga — it was inevitable that, with the rise of anime, boxing anime would follow.

While ranked this list from No. 1 to No. 10, you could jump in anywhere, depending on which titles sound the most appealing to you.