AoD Review: Fighting Spirit - Champion Road

[Chris Beveridge]

[float:left] [image]http://www.animeondvd.com/images/boxart/fightingspiritchampionroad.jpg[/image] [/float] Review

Released By: Geneon Entertainment (USA), Inc.
MSRP: $29.98
Running time: 96 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Resolution: 480i/p (mixed/unknown)
Encoded With: MPEG-2
Release Date: 01/09/2007
Review Date: 01/17/2007
Date Announced: 09/29/2006
Region: 1 - North America
Reviewed By: Chris Beveridge

In Summary:
Getting more Fighting Spirit is a good thing as this show is close to an addiction. Though the pacing of the show feels different than the seventy-five episodes we'd grown accustomed to, it provides the right kind of framing for how Ippo now has to face his life after the title match and all it entails. Combine in pieces of his personal life which have always been there but kept to the side and you get a great special that really just reminds you of how great the whole thing has been. Avoiding too much in the way of recap but still making sure it's fairly accessible, it's a solid piece but not one that will convert someone easily. This is more of a gift to the fans than anything else but it's a wonderful gift.

[ricecooker]

I thought it was a very good special despite the fact that the fight dragged on a little. The animation was very fluid and amazing. It was also nice to see Ippo and Kumi's relationship evolve (even a little). I hope Geneon intends to release the Kimura VS Mashiba fight and episode 76.

[battle001]

let's hope we get both of those and someone to get the manga.

I loved the special,maybe there will be more someday. I'd love to see ippo's more recnt changes to the dempsy roll animated.

[tuffy]

It's not quite the same without cliffhangers. The series did a nice job of ratcheting up tension one episode at a time, whereas the special loses a lot of that when it's all presented in a big chunk. It didn't help that Sanada's hard to cheer for. As a new character with a pretty weak motivation for boxing, unlike Sendo or Date, I found it hard to believe he'd come out on top in the end.

It's still a fun ride and all, but I felt like the evolving Ippo/Kumi relationship was the real meat of the special.

[akcoll99]

Originally Posted by tuffy

It's still a fun ride and all, but I felt like the evolving Ippo/Kumi relationship was the real meat of the special.

I felt the same way. It was nice to see some time dedicated to their relationship. I was rooting for Ippo in the park scene every bit as much as I did when he was in the ring. :D

Spoiler question from the manga: [hide] Do Ippo and Kumi ever get together in the manga?[/hide]

I can't believe we've pretty much reached the end of the anime, after 3 long years. I'm already going through withdrawal...

[roastedpekingduck]

Replying to your question [hide]even after several years...they still have not even held hands! They still have not even admitted that they like each other! [/hide]

[akcoll99]

Originally Posted by roastedpekingduck

Replying to your question [hide]even after several years...they still have not even held hands! They still have not even admitted that they like each other! [/hide]

Disappointing but not surprising given it's never really been a big focal point of the show... :sigh:

Thanks for the reply!