Search - Fighting Spirit - Champion Road TV Special on DVD

DR. FIST

Sesho | Pasadena, TX USA | 01/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When the Fighting Spirit tv series ended with Volume 15, Ippo was left holding the Japanese Championship belt in his hands after a brutal contest with Sendo. He's healing quite nicely and becoming a bit complacent when an old rival of Chief's from his fighting days shows up asking for a bout between Ippo and his own fighter. The guy denies any ulterior motives to revenge himself upon the Chief for ending his boxing career decades ago. But it's left unsaid that if his fighter can defeat Ippo, it would be the next best thing to fighting and beating the Chief himself. His fighter, Sanada, is a medical student when he's not in the ring, and has studied not only many ways to heal the human body, but also to destroy it! He uses his medical knowledge to pinpoint his opponent's weaknesses and vital areas to greatest effect. Will even Ippo be over to overcome this emotionless fighting machine that exploits the weakness of the flesh?

This dvd is a welcome continuation of a series that seemed abruptly cut off just as Ippo had begun to achieve his dreams and ambitions. Even after all his fights, he still has yet to understand what true strength is, so he's a bit of a work in progress even now. That's one thing I like about this show and Ippo. He never gets time for his success to go to his head. Ippo is constantly wanting to improve himself and become stronger and comes to the slow realization that everyone will now be gunning for him, the Champion. This quest to become an even better fighter unfortunately doesn't lead to much progress in his relationship with his girl "friend", Kumi, which is a little frustrating to me. The unnecessary delay in revealing his true feelings to her is right out of Rumiko Takahashi. It's ironic too, in the sense that Ippo has such a strong heart and indomitable will but can't even tell a girl he loves her. If you haven't watched the previous fifteen volumes, there's little sense in watching this dvd. If you are a fan of the show, it will be like the tv show never ended."

The DEFENDING TITLE MATCH YET

CLARA A. PULIDOCASTILLO | USA | 01/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MY HUSBAND AND I LOVE THESE SERIES AND AS SOON AS WE GOT THIS WE SAT AND WATCHED IT. THIS MOVIE WAS GREAT WE CANT WAIT TO SEE WHEN THE NEXT ONE COMES OUT WE ARE EXITED ABOUT THESE SERIES WE HAVE THEM ALL. IF YOU LIKE BOXING YOU WILL LOVE THIS. BUT START AT THE BOTTOM GET THEM ALL THEY ARE WONDERFUL."