Top 14 Best Boxing Anime of all Time (Updated 2025)

Boxing anime has become very popular recently. The intense action, high-stakes drama, and inspiring stories of underdog fighters winning against the odds make these shows exciting to watch.

If you want to start watching boxing anime, you're in the right place. In this article, we will talk about the 14 best boxing anime that any fan should watch. From classic shows that defined the genre to exciting new hits, there is something for everyone on this list.

First on our list is Hajime no Ippo, the most famous boxing anime. This series follows Ippo Makunouchi, a shy high school student who starts boxing to become more confident. With the help of his experienced trainer, Mamoru Takamura, Ippo improves his skills and moves up the featherweight division.

The fights have sharp animation, and there are many interesting rival boxers. Hajime no Ippo shows the excitement of the sport perfectly. Ippo’s journey from being a nobody to a champion is very inspiring. With over 100 million manga copies sold, it's clear that Hajime no Ippo deserves to be number one on our list.

Next is the classic anime, Tomorrow’s Joe, which started in the late 60s. It tells the story of Joe Yabuki, a troubled young man who is good at street fighting. This talent helps him become a professional boxer. What makes Ashita no Joe special is its realistic and intense story. It shows the tough side of boxing and Joe's strong will to become a champion.

Even though it is over 50 years old, Ashita no Joe is still very emotional with its exciting fights, flawed but likable characters, and dramatic storyline. The story includes jail time, gang violence, and more. This important work set the stage for many other boxing stories and is known as one of the greatest sports anime ever.

Megalobox takes boxing into a sci-fi world. It is a sleek and stylish tribute to old classics. Junk Dog fights in underground Megalonia matches where fighters use mechanical exoskeletons to improve their skills. When the Megalonia tournament invites the best fighters to challenge the champion, Junk Dog jumps at the chance. He changes his name to "Gearless" Joe and enters the tournament.

Megalobox mixes CG technology with hand-drawn style to look like 70s and 80s shows like Ashita no Joe. It captures the spirit of underdog boxers fighting against the odds. The show balances high-tech combat with traditional boxing drama, giving it a unique identity.

If you want extreme action, Baki the Grappler is perfect. This anime shows brutal martial arts fights. Baki Hanma trains hard to become the best fighter and beat his father Yujiro, who is the strongest fighter in the world. Baki fights many powerful opponents, like karate masters, death row convicts, and monster-like men.

Baki the Grappler is very creative in designing dangerous fighting styles and enemies for Baki. The anime has detailed art and fast fights that end in gruesome knockouts. Baki's unique approach to combat sports makes it exciting for hardcore fight fans.

This exciting boxing anime is about siblings Ryuuji and Jun Takane. They dream of following their father, who was a world champion. After Ryuuji loses to flashy fighter Kenzaki Jun in an underground match, Jun helps his brother to fight boxers around the world and become a global contender.

Ring ni Kakero, a classic like Ashita no Joe, helped make boxing popular in manga and anime. With beautiful animation by Toei studios, exciting fights against different boxers, and a story that goes from Japan to Mexico to France, this series brought diversity to boxing anime.

Get ready for an intense experience with Kengan Ashura. In this tournament boxing anime, rich business owners sponsor fighters in brutal matches. Ohma Tokita, a wrongly convicted dock worker, joins the Kengan matches to win prize money and buy his freedom. Ohma has a special power called "Advance," which makes him stronger but harms his health. He needs all his strength to fight the powerful opponents in the Kengan tournament.

The tournament has MMA fighters, ninjas, Capoeira masters, and more. The animation is beautiful and exciting to watch. If you want maximum excitement from a tournament anime, you must watch Kengan Ashura.

In the steampunk world of Levius, boxing meets sci-fi cyborg technology. Fighters use mechanical arms and other cyber parts to gain an edge in the ring. The main character, Levius, has a fully prosthetic arm and faces discrimination. He enters the Levius championship to prove he belongs.

Levius trains under Bill Weinberg, a former heavyweight champion. He improves his boxing skills and discovers secrets behind the cyborg technology in the sport. For sci-fi fans and those who like fight strategies, Levius combines a unique setting with boxing themes. The stunning animation and worldbuilding by Polygon Pictures make Levius exciting inside and outside the ring.

Taison Maeda is known as Japan's toughest high school troublemaker, feared for his fighting skills. When he loses to a professional boxer, Taison decides to learn proper techniques at a local boxing gym. Although he often argues with his gymmates, his strong punching ability catches the eye of coaches and trainers. This sets him on the path to becoming a featherweight contender.

Rokudenashi Blues is a fun, feel-good anime. It combines comedy with a traditional coming-of-age boxing story. Taison’s temper and stubbornness get him into funny situations. The art style is whimsical and shows his chaotic classmates. These elements, along with exciting boxing action, make for an enjoyable and laughter-filled ride.

Ayane Mitsui dreams of becoming a female professional wrestler. She is inspired by memories of watching matches with her late father. But, unexpected events lead Ayane into kickboxing, a brutal sport where she must use high kicks to become a champion.

Ayane’s High Kick has a lot of drama. It shows physical and emotional pain inside and outside the ring. Even though it is only 2 episodes long, it has a powerful soundtrack and an artistic style in its fight scenes. The story is about passion and dealing with the loss of loved ones. Ayane’s High Kick is a strong short boxing anime.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a long series with many strange and fun stories. Some parts of it have boxing action. In Part 1: Phantom Blood, Jonathan Joestar fights his evil adoptive brother, Dio Brando, using Hamon martial arts and boxing techniques.

In Part 3: Stardust Crusaders, Jotaro Kujo uses his strength and street boxing style to fight different Stand users. In Part 7: Steel Ball Run, the Joestar story is a horse race across America. This part has even more boxing in its unique setting. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure always has exciting action and creative fight strategies with Hamon, Stands, and spin techniques.

Nozomi Witches is about Nozomi, who uses her witch powers to secretly change the outcome of boxing matches. After moving to a new school, she meets Ryotaro Shiba, who wants to be a good amateur boxer. Nozomi uses her magic to help Ryotaro win his boxing tournaments.

This three-episode OVA combines magical girls with sports drama. It uses funny animated slapstick comedy to make its boxing story more fun. Nozomi Witches is worth watching for its mix of magic and boxing. If you want something silly, you should give this hidden gem a try.

Minatsu Nakazato is beautiful and popular in high school. Many male classmates and teachers try to win her affection. To escape the annoying attention, Minatsu uses fake identities to avoid them. She disguises herself to join a mixed-gender boxing gym and discovers a love for the sport. However, more admirers try to see through her disguises.

Slow Step is a shoujo sports rom-com that uses Minatsu’s funny schemes to create humor. It also shows real boxing training and teenage social situations. With an athletic female lead and interesting romantic stories, Slow Step is a fun anime that will make you cheer for Minatsu both in and out of the ring.

Rainbow’s story starts in 1955 in a juvenile detention center. The teenagers Mario, Joe, and the others in Cell 6 fight against the cruel guard, Ishihara. The series follows their struggle over many years as they try to leave their criminal past behind and become successful boxers to stay together.

With a gritty historical setting and emotional character writing, Rainbow stands out. It explores masculinity in a deep way. Veteran boxers and sports fans praise Rainbow for showing fighters who overcome poverty and discrimination. Led by the powerful performance of voice actor Toru Furuya as Mario Minakami, Rainbow is a mature and realistic boxing story.

To end our list, we have Ganbare Genki, a classic childhood sports drama. Young Genki Horiguchi dreams of becoming a professional boxer after watching his father compete. With his mother dead and his father hurt from boxing injuries, Genki has to take on adult responsibilities and part-time jobs early to support his family. He still holds on to hope and continues his boxing training whenever he can.

Ganbare Genki is one of Japan's most loved sports manga from the late 70s. It shows themes of grief, resilience, and smiling through hardships. Genki fights to support his family and chase his dreams. For a touching slice-of-life boxing story full of nostalgia, this series is perfect.

And there you have it - 14 must-see boxing anime with nonstop action and heartfelt drama. Which one will you watch first?

These anime show the depth of boxing as a genre. They include classic underdog stories, sci-fi adventures, funny rom-coms, and hard-hitting historical fiction. There is something for everyone.

Now you know more about boxing anime. It's time to lace up your gloves, watch a training montage, and enjoy an exciting fight! These series capture the blood, sweat, and tears of this passionate sport. You will cheer louder with every powerful punch.