Boxing is an incredible sport that brings out the beast in men and women that is hidden in all humans. Although many see it as a fun sport, there is much more to it than meets the eye.

It showcases the struggles of the participants and how hard they worked to get to where they are, and the anime is probably one of the clearest representations we can get today. While sports are not the most popular genre in anime, they do give it a certain prominence, as seen in several anime shows like Slam Dunk, Hajime no Ippo and Blue Block.

That being said, there are very few boxing anime that most of us are familiar with. So, here are some of the best boxing anime recommendations to binge-watch.

10. Rokudenashi Blues

Rokudenashi Blues It is a peculiar anime because it only has one episode lasting 30 minutes which was released in 1992. However, a sequel film was released in 1993 which makes it a very short anime but still worth checking out.

While the plot is relatively simple, it has a strong message and features some decent hand-to-hand combat sequences.

When Maeda transfers to Teiken High School, he instantly stands out from the crowd by punching a teacher during the entrance ceremony.

While many clubs are keen to recruit him, his nervousness and awkward clothing make him a loner. Regardless, he has one dream: to become a boxing champion.

9. Cestvs: The Roman Fighter

“Slaves have only one option: to use their fists and fight for freedom.” From this sentence, you can expect what kind of anime Cestvs: The Roman Wrestler is and combine that with the title, and you know it's a historical anime with fighting, which is equivalent to boxing in ancient times.

The story follows a fifteen-year-old boy named Cestvs, who wants only one thing – to escape his life as a slave.

However, to do so, he must win 100 battles against other slaves, and after witnessing the death of his friend, the possibility of freedom seems like a distant dream. Will he be able to achieve it?

8. One Pound Gospel

Gospel of a Pound It seems like an average anime because it's a single-episode OVA, but for what it's worth, it's a beautiful romance story about a boxer and a nun.

While it's nothing spectacular, you should give it a try for its fantastic art style and the message it conveys through the story.

The story revolves around Hatanaka Kosaku, a boxer who masters the knockout, but unfortunately he is not disciplined enough to become a champion. So, every time he gets punched in the stomach, he loses easily due to his unhealthy diet.

When he meets Sister Angela at a local convent, she helps him deal with his boxing problems while secretly falling in love with him.

7. Ring ni Kakero

Ring ni Kakero is a normal anime with a typical boxing plot, but it's worth noting how it keeps the pace almost until the end without leaving you bored.

Regardless, it's not the only good thing about the anime, as it also shines in other aspects such as music, characterization, and creative action.

The Takane brothers, Kiku and Ryuji, had only one goal after their father's death: to become champions in boxing competition.

With sheer determination and willpower, Kiku becomes the trainer while Ryuji takes on the role of boxer, but to take that big step into the world of professional boxing, he must defeat his archrival, Kenzaki Jun.

6. Nozomi Witches

Not all boxing anime shows need to be long, generating over a hundred episodes (although they are exceptional masterpieces), because even with just a few OVA episodes, some are bound to entertain the audience quite well.

Nozomi Witches is the perfect example of this, as it only has three episodes, each lasting 50 minutes, but it feels like a well-executed plot for utilizing the time allocated to it to the fullest.

When Ryoutaro moves to a new neighborhood with his family, he becomes friends with a beautiful girl named Nozomi, which eventually develops into a deep bond.

However, when Nozomi enrolls him in the school's boxing club and spreads the word that he is a boxing genius, he finds himself in a challenging situation. However, Ryoutaro has an incredible gift as a boxer, but what are Nozomi's true intentions?

5. Levius

Levius is one of the best short anime series on Netflix that you can watch and walk away with no regrets.

Although boxing is its main theme, it places a significant emphasis on camaraderie as it pushes both main and supporting characters to become better versions of themselves.

The anime is set in the 19th century, when war plunged society into the depths of destruction and ushered in a new era of rebirth.

In this new world, only the fittest survive, and cybernetically enhanced fighters put their lives on the line to achieve fame and fortune.

Levius is one of those young fighters who is determined to reach the top by winning arena battles.

4. Ganabare Genki

Ganabare Genki is a classic anime that was released in 1980 and had 35 incredible episodes.

It portrays the father-son bond in the most touching way, much like Marvel's Daredevil series, if you can relate to that.

Although it is not as popular, we believe it is criminally underrated due to the genuine quality of the show.

Genki lost his mother when he was born and was raised by his father, who is a professional boxer. However, when he was five years old, his father passed away and he decided to follow in his father's footsteps.

However, his grandparents, who take care of him now, oppose Genki choosing boxing, so he had to train secretly, hoping to become a professional boxer like his father.

3. Ashita no Joe

Ashita no Joe is one of the first sports anime and certainly the first anime to explore the world of boxing. Despite having aired 50 years ago, the anime still holds up to modern anime series, whether in terms of production values or story.

It is a must watch anime if you are very passionate about boxing or sports.

Joe is a troubled boy who lives in the slums solely depending on his fighting skills, although his ways get him into frequent conflicts.

When one day, he single-handedly defeats a local gang, he catches the eye of Danpei Tange, a drunkard who used to be a boxing trainer.

Although Joe initially rejects him as a mentor, he eventually decides to become a disciple due to circumstances.

However, the world of boxing is paved with fights that will test him to the limits, and if he wants to survive, he must trust his mentor and learn everything he can.

2. Megalo Box

A quick question: what makes a good boxing story? Is it the boxer's fights that turn him into a beast and develop his character tremendously in the end? Or is it the story that relates to the real world?

Whichever perspective you may have, Megalo Box brings a new perspective to the genre with its creative blend of boxing and technology.

In a world where boxers utilize mechanical limbs to increase the strength and speed of their punches, Junk Dog, a boxer with overflowing potential, lost miserably to another boxer named Yuuri.

However, the latter offers him that if he can fight his way up to the Megalonia world tournament, he will fight him once more. With only a few months left until the quality, Junk Dog must defeat ruthless opponents to face his rival.

1. Hajime no Ippo

It's no wonder that Hajime no Ippo takes the top spot, as he is often seen as the GOAT in the sports anime genre, just as Cristiano Ronaldo along with Messi is one in Football.

What makes this anime so special is its characters and how likable and original they are. However, the story plays a huge role in keeping us engaged with the tension and emotions.

After his father's absence, Ippo has been helping his mother run her fishing boat rental business.

However, despite being a responsible son, he is seen as a weak person and is often the target of bullies.

One day, when he is beaten and injured, a boxer saves him and takes him to the Kamogawa Boxing Gymnasium for treatment.

However, when the other boxers witness how strong his punches are when he throws a few casual punches, Ippo's journey to becoming a boxer begins to take shape.

With his hard body sculpted by overwork and limitless fighting spirit, Ippo sets out to conquer the world of boxing.