Hajime no Ippo

Initial D First Stage addpermalink

Similar art style, both about sports, although one is boxing the other is street racing.  Follows the story of shy underachiever, with a unexpected talent for their sport.  Both have romantic side plots and sprinkles of comedy. 

report Recommended by Ian-sama

Initial D and Hajime no Ippo explore a competitive atmosphere filled with rivalries, intensity, and respect. Both series explore characters in a concrete way. The main character is an underdog that gets himself involved with powerful adversaries that bring out his natural abilities to test. The two series may appeal to different sports, but they retain the competitive style related to their activities.

Plot-wise, both series are easy to follow and involve some strategy. At the same time, within these plots, there are character developments, dynamics, and relationships that are explored in a realistic format. 

report Recommended by Stark700

Similar in concepts. Both are about sporting and rising to the top against all odds. Hajime No Ippo focuses on Boxing and Initial D on racing. Both involved highly intense action sequences which will get your blood pumping and have you riding on the edge of your seats.
Both Ippo and Takumi are similar in personalities and their rise to the top both involved training and spirit. Initial D is not something to be missed.  

report Recommended by romansiii

Although one is about street racing and the other about boxing, these two pretty much have the same "aura" around them. Both protagonists develop a talent for a certain sport through their daily job. Without any intention of being a pro, they end up climbing up the ladder, battling different opponents and ending up loving the sport. Besides that, there's also small details: both Ippo and Takumi only have one parent, both end up falling in love and have flash backs of violence. Also, the great use of music and the intensity is about the same. If you couldn't stop watching Hajime No Ippo, you'll possibly be just as glued to Initial D. read more 

report Recommended by Mikailov

Both shows share a really similar artstyle, which isn't a surprise, since Hajime no Ippo's author is Initial D's author's student. Both shows revolve around incredibly and I mean INCREDIBLY dangerous sports, due to the severe danger the intensity whenever there's action is immense. Chills each time. In both shows the main character has their own romance-life with a decent amount of screentime, having their girlfriend relentlessly worry due to their dangerous sport. 

report Recommended by blank

While the themes are very different, both shows have the exact same atmosphere.
Both have an enemy of the week formula and with their over-the-top style it's super entertaining.
The protagonists are also similar in a sense. Both are underdogs at the start and become legends after numerous battles. 

report Recommended by Xenotoki

Grappler Baki (TV) addpermalink

both are high pace fighting anime, good stories and show the main character enduring hardships to become the best. 

report Recommended by MasterVolk9001

A lot Like Baki, Ippo is Based Around Someone who's Maybe Not So Strong Showing their Stuff And Making Some Progress. Its more the Journey For the Main Characters In Each Anime That interested Me, Similar Art Style Along With So Many Cool Fight Scenes Its Unbelievable. 

Unlike Baki, Ippo Has Quite A Bit Of Humor I Found, But concentrating Around A Serious element. My Personal Opinion Was That Ippo Was the Better Anime Although Baki Is Worth The Watch If You Have the Time And are Into Martial Arts Anime Or Generally Cool Fight Scenes. 

report Recommended by Charsly

A series about a guy fighting his way to the top. Hajime no Ippo and Baki the Grappler are a good example to convey that concept. The main male protagonist gets involved with fighting/boxing and meets powerful adversaries during his quest. Throughout their perspective stories, we learn more about them both in and outside the ring. There are back stories relating to the other characters too for an insight on their development. I recommend both series for anyone interested in a a steady paced action packed anime with decent development. 

report Recommended by Stark700

If you like action fights and hard work, then you should check out Baki. 

report Recommended by Jamesonton

Baki the Grappler also deals with a young man competing to become a young champion. Both titles feature bone crushing hand to hand action. 

report Recommended by Luquillo

Hajime no Ippo is a series about boxing, while Baki is a show about martial arts in general. Now the only big difference is that Hajime no Ippo's boxing is based more in reality compared to the crazy metaphors used in Baki. Now they both have some great qualities like: Great pacing, Great understanding of it's martial arts and both shows have a long ongoing manga if you can't get enough.

 

report Recommended by Rush67

Haikyuu!! addpermalink

Both are "real sport" anime (no powers etc), both have really funny characters and good openings, both make you want to play sports, in both you'll see the main character enjoy their respective sport and grow up with it. The main difference is that in Ippo you'll see professional sport, while Haikyuu!! shows amateur sport. 

report Recommended by Learco

Read recommendations by 4 more users

Sports? No, majority of people didn't start these for "sports", just BECAUSE it's supposed to be 'good', and guess what? It was unexpectedly GOOD. Volleyball & boxing, the difference is so humongous that it's simply silly, yet when watching either of these you get the same vibes, feelings... These two interpret 'training' so well that it's enjoyable, the training buildup is so great, that long training, and finally the opponent that gets a piece of that TRAINING! What a bad phrasing... But, you get me! Hopefully? Both surprise you, both are beyond your expectations... 

report Recommended by blank

Hajime no Ippo and Haikyuu!! explores the theoretical part of their respective sports very well, being able to make you like them. The comedy is quite present in both, and this is due a lot to its extremely charismatic characters. 

report Recommended by Orlando_Artur

These are two of the best sports anime 

report Recommended by newmillennium

If you are a new anime fan and only watched Haikyuu as your sports anime then I think you will also like Hajime no Ippo as both are very good sports anime. 

report Recommended by Casual_Elite

Both are some of the best sports anime i have seen, and both have very likeable hard   working mc's, im sure that if you like one then you'll like the other  

report Recommended by tbirke

Capeta addpermalink

Even though Capeta starts off younger than Ippo does, the stories have a very similar feel to them.  They both have a blue-collar/Rocky-esque vibe to them where the main characters have to overcome financial and mental obstacles to succeed in their chosen sports (go karting and boxing).  So if you liked Capeta, I think you'd like Hajime no Ippo too! 

report Recommended by lowell

capeta and hajime no ippo is both about a beginner who fell in love with a sport.   both the main characters start from the bottom and move their way up 

report Recommended by lightningdean

Capeta and Hajime no Ippo are both excellent sports series. They revolve around a quiet protagonist that discovers a passion in sports and become powerhouses. Both are initially complete amateurs, and they are underdogs that make epic and "miraculous" comebacks that make them recognized and famous. These two series are about passion, determination, hardship, luck, and the power to overcome obstacles again and again. Don't be deceived by Capeta's summary; kart racing (and later formula-racing) is serious business! Both series also have splendid animation to accommodate those exciting moments! 

report Recommended by Mirorin

Both shows are basically identical lol. Similar art-style, similar characters, they even have the same voice actors. Both shows are centered around a talented, unique and incredibly hard working main characters who are chasing after their rivals (who are both just out of reach). The main difference is in Ippo the main source of drama is with his skirt chasing (more in line with the Rocky theme) and family troubles , Capeta's side-focus goes mostly towards his financial troubles and inability to upgrade equipment.  

report Recommended by Jordanious77

I don't want to make this long but they are both really similar... One of the main characters (Nobu) literally has the same VA as Ippo and their personalities are basically the same. The anime starts off in Capeta's childhood and his family is basically dirt poor and his mother passed away at a young age. After discovering karting, he proves to everyone that he can go above and beyond expectations at race tournaments. Give this a shot please you won't regret it. 

report Recommended by Chromha

Hikaru no Go addpermalink

Each series follows a story where the main character is struggling to be the best. Ippo and Hikaru both go through rough times in their conquest to get better. With great character development and comedy thrown in at just the right spots, you don't want to miss this! 

report Recommended by Xinil

Read recommendations by 4 more users

Anime: Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor addpermalink

Tense as hell, adrenaline-pumping,  and manly tears-inducing.
People pitted against each other. Same studio.

Everything else is pretty much different - Kaiji is psychological and Ippo is raw power - but you should give the other a try if you're looking for something addicting. 

report Recommended by drf

Anime: Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin

Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin addpermalink

Both contain boxing, determination and manly dreams. 

report Recommended by Shinkaron

Ao Ashi addpermalink

Great sports anime that are realistic with great character development. 

report Recommended by LambBlaze

It's been a long time since I loved a sports anime mainly the mc from the very beginning. Ao Ashi reminds me so much of Hajime no Ippo. The main characters having a great potential and found a place where they can improve and met people that makes them a greater athletes. 

Mc's has a loving mother/family to support them, proud and supportive in their own ways. Came from a poor family, inspiring viewers with the way they handled the challenges they met along their way. The hardships, the way they used their passion for sports to get out of their shells and help their family, the way they are aiming to be a pro, aiming to be on a world stage.

Hajime no Ippo and Ao Ashi series has an amazing storyline/plot that will make you wanna play the sports they represent/plays. Excellent main characters and excellent character development. Even the side characters are improving so much in these series. I love it. Dialogues are superb, sports details are on point.  read more 

report Recommended by JJnie

Although represents differ sports, and mc's basically have different personalities, i can't helped but think about Hajime no Ippo when Im watching Ao Ashi. Here's why.

Mc's although have different personalities, they are both willing to go hardships and challenges to make it to the world championships/world stage. They experienced bullying, poor status in life but still, they became great athletes to the point where the opponents are willing to be crushed by them and still proud of it. The opponents wanted to play with them again and totally inspired and fired up by these mc's.

The plot/storyline is well-developed. Character developments are great, tactics and match are fire. Emotional attachment is the same, very inspiring, very deep. Very funny too that will give you a good laugh. Exciting, cool, fire OSTs, 

 read more

report Recommended by AjiX101

Ao Ashi and Hajime no Ippo have very good story and characters. Mc's aiming on world stage, doing their best to become professionals. very inspiring and heart wrenching at times. Ippo Makunochi and Ashito Aoi's personalities are so different from each other, yet they're similar in a way that they have great passion for their sports (boxing and football). They have annoying yet amazing senpais that guides them to improve. Coaches that sometimes harsh to them making them realize their mistakes so they can change what they need to change and improve, but also helps them and so proud of what they achieves. Supportive mother/family, supportive friends, has interactions/got to play with different characters international athletes with different races and ethnicities. Like Hajime no Ippo, Ao ashi series tackles reality of life. Slapping you the reality that just because you're kind doesn't mean others will be kind to you too. Both tackles bullying and racism and handles it very well. Very good series. Highly recommended. read more 

report Recommended by RXZen

Baki addpermalink

fighting spirit I guess
a lot of fights but in this case *legal* fights ... no killing though
I still consider it as a similar anime  

report Recommended by Alkhairat

Slam Dunk addpermalink

Well you probably wondering how come this two anime's are similar ?
The answer is quite simple, in both the main characters are new in the field of the sport they "playing", and were they are trying to become one of the best!
Also a lot of delinquents action so the figthing is mutual in both anime's :)
And must not forget the comedy that is present, it's probably better than in some animes that are focused on only that ! :)
 

report Recommended by ElemenT

Boku no Hero Academia addpermalink

Both main characters are incredibly similar, almost to a T. They have low self-esteem, are often bullied, when one day a famous figure steps into their life to help them become the person they want to be. Both (a boxer and a hero) will require a great amount of training and combat trials.
Ichiro and Todoroki are also relatively similar in personality and how their relationship with the main character unfolds. 

report Recommended by ChartTopper60

Major S1 addpermalink

Enjoy watching people play a sport and get better and better at it? Hajime no Ippo and Major (all seasons) both give you exactly this.

While Goro (Major) is more on the "genius" side, and Ippo is more on the "hard working" side, they both strive toward their goals with  extreme passion. If you enjoyed one, you'll definitely enjoy the other. 

report Recommended by Xinil

Bakuman. addpermalink

In both we can see the heartwarming story of the protagonist seeking to realize their dreams. 

report Recommended by YudiSaca

Tennis no Oujisama addpermalink

While the skills of the main characters are on opposite ends (one being pro quality and the other a beginner), both series follow the road to the top. Both series give great history on the designated sport so if you're unfamiliar with it, things will be explained throughout each episodes. Comedy is also thrown in every once in a while. Don't like sports? Don't worry, you don't have to!  

report Recommended by Xinil

Gintama addpermalink

I know what you are thinking:
What does boxing anime have in common with a sci-fi samurai comedy? Well to be perfectly honest, almost nothing. If you enjoy each for their story, then this recommendation isn't for you.

Now with that out of the way, the reason I recommend these titles together is because they have the same foundation; and that foundation is toilet humor. If you enjoy the perverted jokes that are very present in Ippo, then you will love Gintama, because each episode is about 18~ minutes of that. 

report Recommended by TurtleHermit

One Piece addpermalink

They both have the same brand of humor.  Additionally, both can draw you into the emotional moments of the story.   Luffy is on a quest to become King of the Pirates, Ippo is on a quest to become stronger (aka, win the world feather weight championship).  The composition, the mix of humor and seriousness, is the same.  It doesn't really have similar setting and world , but that feeling you get from both anime are the same.  Both are as great of a shonen series as the other. 

report Recommended by Kaizoku_Mugiwara

Hunter x Hunter (2011) addpermalink

Hunter x Hunter (2011) and Hajime no Ippo are both about a boy who want to follow in their fathers footsteps. Gon Freecss of Hunter x Hunter (2011) wants to become a professional hunter. He wishes to do so because his father left him when he was young to continue being a hunter. Gon wishes to discover why. Makunouchi Ippo of Hajime no Ippo wants to know the meaning of "strong". He sees his father to be strong, and wants to be like him. He becomes a boxer to pursue this goal.  Both anime show the struggles that their respective main character goes through. They must train to become stronger, and that is what they do. The two characters are very persistent, and do not give up easily. The animes are both long, but they are very worth watching. They both have great fights, and solid plot development. read more 

report Recommended by Sonic0

Ashita no Joe 2 addpermalink

Before Hajime no Ippo there was Ashita no Joe, same theme about boxing and only boxing.
If you like Hajime no Ippo you will most likely love Ashita no Joe season 1 and 2. 

report Recommended by Be4st

Giant Killing addpermalink

Took a bit of getting into but good for sports anime fans. Very good characters and slightly more realistic than Ippo but an enjoyable watch all the same. 

report Recommended by roflman79

Beck addpermalink

Both anime have preety simmilar "From zero to hero" feel, and bullied, hard-working type main character.
Furthermore they were both made by Madhouse Studios, however Hajime no Ippo is way better animated, but yet Beck has better soundtrack.
Well, check by yourself and hope you like them. 

report Recommended by Wacek

Ganbarist! Shun addpermalink

Both shows have very similar main characters. Ippo knows nothing about boxing , Shun knows nothing about gymnastics. However they have some unknown inner strength and a lot of determination to win.  

report Recommended by Zail

Cross Game addpermalink

Both have those hard training scenes that lead to improvemnts in there chosen sport. 
Both involve tough bad asses! Both are very  funny at times and have a nice amount of drama. Both have a sub romance theme and both are great easy watches (smooth rolling with nice art, excellnt story line, and matching music to really allow u to feel the anime. 

if u like one then yes u should definetly watch the other 

report Recommended by franco90

One Outs addpermalink

Both have sports themes, with a character that has an extra special talent. Both involve strategy and a character that struggles to win competition. I just watched one outs and now am enjoying ippo immensely.  

report Recommended by klausfish

Ping Pong the Animation addpermalink

Both Ping Pong and Hajime no Ippo are anime based on sports, with Ping Pong being about table tennis and Hajime no Ippo being about boxing. What makes these two anime similar is the character development: both Ping Pong and Hajime no Ippo focus on several character, all with unique personalities and skills. Both focus on exploring the motivations these characters have for practicing these sports. Ping Pong and Hajime no Ippo also deal with similar themes, like for example: talent vs effort etc. 

report Recommended by BohemianRhapsody

Diamond no Ace addpermalink

It’s really easy to get into other kinds of sports anime if you love at least one, but I often thought while watching this show: “Diamond no Ace is the Hajime no Ippo of baseball”. The sense of humor and approach to the characters felt so similar, there’s no doubt that Ippo was an influence on Daiya imho.  

report Recommended by Orange_Afro

Over Drive addpermalink

Defo very similar in character development as Ippo. The weak but limitless lead character that is being bullied and the serious/ace senpai etc

Ippo is one of the best animes ever, and my favourite. Defo recommend to a fan of Over Drive. 

report Recommended by roflman79

Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho addpermalink

Ippo Malunouchi and Yusuke Urameshi are the same courage and they are also brilliant..
This two anime series have the same adventure but The Hajime No Ippo it involves for sports.. 

report Recommended by Dee_Dee

Katekyou Hitman Reborn! addpermalink

You my think how are these two similar one has to due with boxing and extreme workout while the other also has to due with training but this one has powers. Well Hajime no Ippo and Katekyo Hitman Reborn are alike. Both main characters start as wimps like they are no good. The main characters work there way up from being weak to being strong and they never give up. They both go through extreme training and they may complain but in the end when they are in a tough spot they out of the blue find a way to win. Both are long running series but as of now Katekyo Hitman reborn has more episodes but I would recommend to watch them both. read more 

report Recommended by KingDragon8