"Hajime no Ippo," a long-running manga and anime series by George Morikawa, began in 1989 and follows high school student Ippo Makunouchi's journey to becoming a professional boxer. Known for its realistic depiction of boxing techniques, the series has been adapted into several anime seasons and OVAs, winning awards like the Kodansha Manga Award in 1991. The manga has sold over 96 million copies worldwide and inspired many fans and real-life athletes. Morikawa, who runs a boxing gym, infuses his firsthand knowledge into the series, contributing to its authenticity and lasting popularity.