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FIGHTING SPIRIT TV SPECIAL CHAMPIONSHIP ROAD |
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Monday, 12 March 2007 |
 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | GENEON ENTERTAINMENT | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 4:3 FULL FRAME | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH AND JAPANESE DD 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 92 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | 13UP | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 01/09/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 03/13/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Fresh from his winning the title, Ippo must now face his first title defense, a man who may be more than Ippo’s match! Sanada isn’t an ordinary boxer. He has not only brawn but an even more formidable brain to use his methods to their greatest advantage and most devastating effects against his opponents. To up the stakes, he is backed by a coach that once faced Ippo’s coach Kamogawa in the ring and lost and Dankichi has not forgiven Kamogawa in all these years. Bitter personal grudges, well planned ambitions and a chance to take Ippo and his beloved coach down all come to a head in this exciting TV special.
This special plays like a feature film and picks up right where the TV series left off, just after Ippo has won the title of the boxing featherweight champion of Japan. Unlike Ippo’s use of brawn and guts, Sanada is cool, calculating and viciously effective in the ring. And unlike Sanada, Ippo, new to the belt, lacks the confidence of a champion. The build up to the fight is well done, starting off by showing viewers the definitive match that won Ippo the title and then following him and his friends as they recollect the road that led them here. This gives viewers new to the series a chance to understand Ippo and his character as well as a good feel for the tempo of the story without ever having seen the TV series.
A suspenseful sports drama, this special does have some comedic moments during a humorous bout of arm wrestling amongst the guys of the crew and later when Ippo attempts to confess his true feelings to the lovely girl Kumiko who has cheered him on throughout the series. The best part of the anime has to be the big fight. The bout between Ippo and Sanada is gruelling, suspenseful and loaded with vital animation and dramatic turning points. It’s not a clear-cut fight nor is Sanada a “bad guy”. Ippo’s opponent is someone who is formidable and calculating out of drive to succeed. He doesn’t use dirty tactics, merely well thought out moves. The lack of villainy doesn’t make his style any less devastating. What it does accomplish is it gives a heightened sense of fair play, honour amongst men, and suspense to the fight itself.
The animation is a phenomenal show of visceral power between two men in one ring where only one can come out the victor. It stays true to the designs of the original manga Hajimeno Ippo by Jyoji Morikawa, while adding to the quality of the TV series. Produced by MADHOUSE, it displays visually exhilarating action during the boxing match. Every punch explodes off the screen.
EXTRAS:
Bonus features include a fold-out insert showcasing Ippo and Geneon previews.
IN SUMMARY:
Fighting Spirit Championship Road is an anime TV special that explodes off the screen. It holds an exciting boxing match and admirable warriors of the ring as Ippo faces his first title defense match. Fans of the sports genre, boxing and Rocky Balboa style movies will enjoy this anime for its high spirit, suspenseful boxing match and vibrant animation. |
