Episode 1 (Season 3)

The Greatest Challenger is the first episode in the new Hajime no Ippo: Rising series, and was released on October 6th 2013.

This episode is the start of Ippo's 4th Title Defence against Ryukyu Warrior, Shimabukuro Iwao. This episode includes the tragic accident of Ippo's Father, Makunouchi Kazuo.

Synopsis

That night on the ocean the boat was sinking and Kazuo determined to save everyone sacrifices his life for his comrades. The scene then depicts Kazuo's funeral followed by Ippo not acceptng his fathers death, until he finds his father hat floating him in the harbor. This is when Ippo's mother gets her Boat Opperators license and start the business.The episode starts off where Ippo relives some memories of his father, childhood and a promise he and his father made.

Ippo's and Coach start to train intensly for the upcoming title defends. Iwao is shown being underwater for 13 minutes, thereafter speaking with his coach about Ippo and how he will drag him to the depth of the sea and destroy the Dempsey Roll.

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Shortly it shows the Champion Carnival where Iwao and Ippo are about to face off for the Title. This is the first time Ippo has had to fight someone shorter than himself and probably stronger in strength. The match start of slow with both fighters being very cautios, Ippo being the first boxer to land a hit. Soon Iwao backs Ippo back into a corner and start a brawl in the corner. Ippo is soon surprised when Iwoa uses a Gazelle Punch on Ippo. Ippo is soon overpowered and moves in calling for a full-on Infight. Both boxers slug it out in the middle of the ring, both equal in power, Ending the first round.The second round starts and Iwao is confident of dragging Ippo to the ocean floor. It skips until the 5th round when both boxers are still equal and Ippo hits Iwao with a clean uppercut and barrage being countered by Iwao. Ippo's face turns blue mid-fight because of cyanosis.