5 Reasons Why Hajime No Ippo Season 4 Still Has No Official Release Date (And The Epic Fights It Must Cover)
The wait for Hajime no Ippo Season 4 has become one of the most frustrating sagas in modern anime history, stretching over a decade since the last season, Hajime no Ippo: Rising, concluded. As of late 2025, there is still no official announcement, release date, or concrete production news from any major studio like Madhouse or MAPPA, despite the manga's continued popularity and massive international fanbase. The truth behind the absence of a new season is complex, involving the mangaka's vision, the sheer scale of the source material, and a pivotal moment in Ippo Makunouchi's career that the anime has yet to touch.
The gap between the anime’s last broadcast and the present has only fueled speculation, with every major anniversary or interview with creator George Morikawa sparking rumors of a new project. Fans remain desperate to see the next chapter in the life of the featherweight champion, but the journey from manga to screen is currently stalled at a crucial turning point, leaving the ultimate fate of the anime adaptation hanging in the balance.
The Legacy and Stalled Production of Ippo Makunouchi
To understand the monumental anticipation for a fourth season, one must appreciate the scope of the original work and the main character’s journey.
- Title: Hajime no Ippo (はじめの一歩, lit. The First Step)
- Genre: Sports, Boxing, Shōnen
- Mangaka (Author/Artist): George Morikawa (Jōji Morikawa)
- Manga Serialization: Weekly Shōnen Magazine (Kodansha) since 1989
- Manga Status: Ongoing (Over 1,400 chapters and 140 volumes)
- Anime Seasons:
- Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! (2000–2002, 76 episodes)
- Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger (2009, 26 episodes)
- Hajime no Ippo: Rising (2013–2014, 25 episodes)
- Studio History: Madhouse (Seasons 1 & 2), MAPPA and Madhouse (Season 3)
- Protagonist: Ippo Makunouchi (Japanese Featherweight Champion)
The last season, Hajime no Ippo: Rising, concluded with the epic battle of Mamoru Takamura against Richard Hawk and a flashback arc detailing the youth of Coach Kamogawa and Nekota. The anime adaptation ended around manga chapter 557, leaving well over 850 chapters of unadapted, high-stakes boxing content available for a new season.
5 Critical Reasons Why Hajime no Ippo Season 4 is Delayed
The decade-long silence is not due to a lack of source material or fan interest. Instead, the delay is rooted in a combination of logistical challenges and the mangaka’s personal vision for the series.
1. The Mangaka's Reluctance and Vision for the Ending
Perhaps the biggest hurdle is the reported stance of the creator, George Morikawa. Reports indicate that Morikawa has been approached by multiple anime studios but has declined offers for a new adaptation. While the exact reason is not always clear, a prevailing theory is that he does not want the anime to catch up to the manga, especially since he believes he is only "halfway through" the story, despite the manga running for over 30 years.
Morikawa is a highly dedicated and hands-on creator, and his desire to see the story through to its conclusion in the manga before a full anime adaptation can be a major factor. The mangaka’s ultimate vision for Ippo’s journey, which is still unfolding, is a powerful deterrent for any studio wanting to adapt the current, massive arcs.
2. The Lack of a "Logical Stopping Point" for the Anime
Anime seasons typically conclude at a major narrative climax to maintain viewer interest and provide a sense of completion. The manga chapters immediately following Rising plunge Ippo into a series of incredibly challenging matches that lead to a crucial, long-running narrative shift: the "Retirement Arc."
If a Season 4 were to be produced, it would likely cover the fights against Jimmy Sisphar, the intense match against Alfredo Gonzales, and the subsequent fallout. Ending a season with the protagonist’s potential retirement, rather than a triumphant victory, is a massive risk for an anime production, making it difficult to find a natural, commercially viable conclusion for a 24-26 episode run.
3. The Need for a Major Studio Commitment (Madhouse/MAPPA)
Producing a high-quality boxing anime requires a significant budget and a dedicated, talented team to animate the fast-paced, complex fight choreography. The previous seasons were handled by Madhouse, with MAPPA joining for Season 3. Both studios are now heavily committed to other major projects (e.g., Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man for MAPPA; Frieren for Madhouse). The production of a new Hajime no Ippo season would require a massive, multi-year commitment that a major studio may be hesitant to take on without a guarantee of Morikawa’s full cooperation and a clear direction for the story.
4. The Current Focus on Ippo's "Second Life" as a Trainer
The most significant narrative event in the manga since the anime ended is Ippo Makunouchi stepping away from the ring after a string of losses and lingering concerns about punch-drunk syndrome. This pivotal "retirement" arc sees Ippo transition into a trainer, assisting his friends at the Kamogawa Boxing Gym and becoming a second for Mamoru Takamura and others. The current manga is focused on Ippo's deep self-reflection, his intense study of boxing, and his growth as a corner man.
While this arc is beloved by dedicated manga readers for its character development and deep dive into boxing strategy, it is a significant departure from the action-heavy focus of the previous anime seasons. A studio may be waiting for the inevitable, triumphant Ippo Makunouchi comeback before launching a new season to maximize hype and appeal to a broader action-oriented audience.
5. The Financial and Popularity Calculus
Despite its legendary status, some industry reports suggest that Hajime no Ippo is not a massive sales driver in the way modern shōnen hits like Demon Slayer or My Hero Academia are. An anime adaptation is a massive financial investment, and without guaranteed high sales of Blu-rays, merchandise, or a major streaming deal, a studio may prioritize projects with a higher return on investment. The long gap since the last season further complicates the calculus of recapturing the market.
What Hajime no Ippo Season 4 Would Cover: The Epic Arcs
Should a new season finally be greenlit, it would be a monumental adaptation, covering some of the most anticipated fights in the entire series. The new season would likely start around manga chapter 558 and cover the following key events and arcs:
The Road to the World: The Title Defense Arc
The season would open with Ippo’s title defenses, continuing his journey as the Japanese Featherweight Champion. Key fights here include the explosive match against the aggressive Filipino boxer, Jimmy Sisphar, and the emotional, high-stakes bout against Wally, the unpredictable genius boxer from the jungle.
The World Stage: Alfredo Gonzales and the Retirement Arc
This is the most critical part of the potential Season 4. Ippo would finally face his second world-ranked opponent, the formidable Alfredo Gonzales. This fight is a brutal, career-defining moment for Ippo, leading directly to the events that cause him to question his future and ultimately step away from the ring to begin his "Second Life" as a corner man and boxing scholar. This arc is essential for the character’s development and the eventual Ippo comeback.
The Monster’s Ascent: Takamura’s World Unification
While Ippo is on hiatus, the action does not stop at the Kamogawa Boxing Gym. The anime would feature the continuing world conquest of Mamoru Takamura. Fans would finally see the adaptation of Takamura’s journey to unify the world titles, including his highly anticipated and challenging matches for the WBA and WBC belts, showcasing the true strength of the "Monster" of the Kamogawa Gym.
The Ultimate Goal: Ricardo Martinez
Every arc in the series points to one man: the undefeated world champion, Ricardo Martinez. While the fourth season would likely not feature Ippo fighting Martinez, it would build the foundation for that ultimate showdown. Martinez’s dominance and the sheer gap in power between him and the rest of the featherweight division would be emphasized, keeping the flame of Ippo’s ultimate goal alive. The anime would also likely feature the return of the legendary boxer Date Eiji in a new capacity.
Until George Morikawa gives the green light, or a major streaming service like Netflix commits to a massive multi-season adaptation, the wait for Hajime no Ippo Season 4 continues. For now, the only way to experience the next chapter of Ippo Makunouchi’s career, his retirement, and his eventual comeback is to start reading the manga from chapter 558.
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