Hajime no Ippo's Fight Endcards

So there's this here boxing manga whats I like. After each of the protagonist's fights there's a panel that contains a card updating his current record. I really like these panels, and their little reflections on how far Ippo has come and how far he has yet to go. After I caught up with the comic's current issue I thought it would be fun to look at each of these panels in sequence. To see what story they tell when taken all on their own.

This turned out to be an immense pain in the ass. So I dug through the entire comic (1426 issues at the moment) to find Endcards for each of Ippo's 25 matches and took screenshots. Then I figured that this oddball collection of screenshots is just the sorta thing my website homepage exists to share. And now you're here looking at it.

Way, way, way too late did it occur to me that I really should have made note of which issues these pages were taken from. I'm not going to go through that entire search a second time just to gather that info, but not having it makes me feel like a dunce.

Debut Match: vs. Yūsuke Oda

Miyata ponders Ippo's immense strength, but also his obvious inexperience. Ippo has won his debut fight.

2nd Match: vs. Yoshio Fujiwara

Ippo's school bullies discuss their surprise at learning just how strong Ippo has become. His record is 2 fights, 2 wins.

3rd Match: vs. Jason Ozuma

Ippo clutches his fists in barely restrained jubilation, then bows with embarassing enthusiasm to the clapping crowd. His record is 3 fights, 3 wins.

4th Match: vs. Kenta Kobashi

Kobashi's coach helps him leave the ring. Ippo bows to the clapping crowd. His record is 4 fights, 4 wins.

5th Match: vs. Ryūichi Hayami

Sports reporters grumble about how they didn't expect the result of this fight. All except one, who is excited to watch Ippo's career unfold. Ippo's record is 5 fights, 5 wins.

6th Match: vs. Ryō Mashiba

Ippo walks away from the ring, trophy in hand, the champions of other weight classes in line behind him. He is East Japan's most talented rookie. His record is 6 fights, 6 wins.

7th Match: vs. Takeshi Sendō

Ippo takes a deep breath, and clutches his fists exhuberantly. He is the all-japan most talented rookie! His record is 7 fights, 7 wins.

8th Match: vs. Keigo Okita

Takamura leads Ippo out of the hall. Ippo gives a stern look behind him at a fighter the crowd is cheering excitedly for. His record is 8 fights, 8 wins.

9th Match: vs. Takuma Saeki

Ippo attempts to strike a fighting pose for his friend to take a photo of, but the film pops out of the camera when he tries to shoot. Ippo's record is 9 fights, 9 wins.

10th Match: vs. Alexander Volg Zangief

Eiji Date clutches his fist and delcares he won't lose his belt. Cut to an ambulance taking Ippo to the hospital. His record is 10 fights, 10 wins.

11th Match: vs. Eiji Date

Ippo reflects that it must have been a good match since the growd was cheering. His record is 11 matches, 10 wins, 1 loss.

12th Match: vs. Ponchai Chuwatana

The crowd cheers enthusiastically for Ippo has he departs the ring. He stops to bow graciously to them. His record is 12 fights, 11 wins, 1 loss.

13th Match: vs. Takeshi Sendō

Ippo stands in a fighting pose beside a large dog. The championship belt is around his waist. His record is 13 fights, 12 wins, 1 loss.

14th Match: vs. Kazuki Sanada

Ippo lies sleeping on a mat, clutching his championship belt to his chest. His record is 14 fights, 13 wins, 1 loss.

15th Match: vs. Naomichi Yamada

Ippo showers in a somber mood. He touches one of his bruises and flinches. His record is 15 fights, 14 wins, 1 loss.

16th Match: vs. Yi Yonsu

The crowd cheers their praise for Ippo, and he bows humbly to them as he leaves the ring. His record is 16 fights, 15 wins, 1 loss.

17th Match: vs. Iwao Shimabukuro

Ippo shouts towards the frame, down a hallway: Thank you very much! His record is 17 fights, 16 wins, 1 loss.

18th Match: vs. Ryūhei Sawamura

Ippo reflects on everyone who has helped him to come this far. He tells Kumi that he cannot do any of this by himself, and thinks on how much he loves boxing. His record is 18 fights, 17 wins, 1 loss.

19th Match: vs. Takuzō Karasawa

A low angle shot of Ippo walking proudly away from the ring, championship belt around his waist. Ippo's record is 19 fights, 18 wins, 1 loss.

20th Match: vs. Keīchi Take

Ippo sits next to his dog Hachi and mentally thanks the opponent he has just defeated for passing on his experience. Ippos' record is 20 fights, 19 wins, 1 loss.

21st Match: vs. Jimmy Sisphar

Ippo walks through the snow, declaring that he wants to become strong, and will follow his own path. Ippo's record is 21 fights, 20 wins, 1 loss.

22nd Match: vs. Malcolm Gedo

Sports reporters arrive in Ippo's dressing room after he has already left. The final panel shows Takamura running with Ippo under one arm, and Coach Kamogawa right behind. Text reads The Makunouchi Hurricane is closing in on the world! Ippo's record is 22 fights, 21 wins, 1 loss.

23rd Match: vs. Wally

A boxing ring illustrated from the corner. Text reads: That was fun. Ippo's record is 23 fights, 22 wins, 1 loss.

24th Match: vs. Hisato Kojima

Ippo picks up the shreded remnants of a piece of paper, and wonders whose name is on it. His record is 24 fights, 23 wins, 1 loss.

24th Match: vs. Alfredo González

A full page image of an empty boxing ring and bleachers. A now-ironic banner reads GO TO THE WORLD! Ippo's record is 25 fights, 23 wins, 2 loses

25th Match: vs. Antonio Guevara

Ippo's final match (as of my assembly of this collection and construction of this page) does not have an ending placard. Here are a few pages where I think it would have been a nice fit.