17 Best Boxing Anime to Watch (Ippo, Joe, Megalobox)

Whenever someone tells me they want “boxing anime” but what they really mean is “give me violent competition and insane willpower,” I bring up Baki. It’s not a pure boxing story, but the fight IQ, the brutality, and the ego clashes scratch the same itch.

Baki Hanma is the kind of lead who looks like he was born in a training montage. And the father-son tension? That’s the kind of storyline pressure that makes every hit feel personal.

Megalobox is one of those shows that feels cool the second it starts. The world is gritty, the vibe is retro-modern, and the boxing is built around “Gear”—mechanical enhancements fighters use to hit harder and move faster.

I love it because it doesn’t just ask “can he win?” It asks “what happens to a person when winning is the only way out?”

If you want the genre-defining classic, it’s Ashita no Joe. This is the one I point to when someone asks me why boxing stories hit different than most sports anime.

Joe Yabuki starts out rough around the edges, and that’s the point. He’s angry, lost, and basically built for trouble… until he finds a reason to channel it. Watching that transformation is a gut punch in the best way.

Rainbow isn’t “boxing every episode,” but boxing matters here. One of the main characters, Rokurouta Sakuragi, uses boxing as a lifeline—something he can hold onto when everything else is stacked against him.

The fights feel raw because they’re tied to survival, identity, and hope. For me, that emotional weight makes every punch land harder.

Ganbare Genki is one of my favorite answers when people ask for underrated boxing anime. It has that classic sports-anime backbone—dreams, heartbreak, and steady growth—but it also carries a heavy emotional core.

Genki wants to become a boxer like his father, and the story doesn’t shy away from the cost of the sport. If you like boxing stories that feel heartfelt instead of flashy, this one’s a strong pick.

This one always makes me smile because it’s such a weirdly perfect combo: boxing and romantic comedy. Kosaku can punch like a monster… but his appetite keeps dragging him into trouble, especially with weight classes.

Then Sister Angela enters the picture, and suddenly it’s training, temptation, and surprisingly sweet character chemistry.

Slow Step is the “what if boxing had a love triangle?” pick. I know that sounds chaotic… and it kind of is, but in a fun way.

If you like sports stories with romantic tension (and the occasional “wait… who is she choosing?” stress), you’ll probably enjoy this. It pairs well with my list of anime making out if you’re building a romance-heavy watchlist.

Nozomi Witches is a fun “hidden talent” boxing story. Ryoutaro Shiba doesn’t even realize what he’s capable of until Nozomi basically shoves him toward the sport.

I like it because it captures that early-stage boxing journey: the confusion, the accidental discovery of skill, and the slow shift from “I’m not that guy” to “wait… maybe I am.”

This one leans more into school chaos and brawling energy than strict boxing rules, but it still belongs on a “punch-first, ask-later” watchlist.

If you love delinquent drama, athletic rivalries, and a story that keeps escalating like it’s trying to start a fight with your calendar, this is a wild ride.

I have a soft spot for delinquent stories that still have a code of honor, and Rokudenashi Blues nails that vibe. Taison Maeda is trouble. The kind of trouble that makes you say, “Please don’t punch a teacher,” while also rooting for him anyway.

It’s not just about winning fights—it’s about identity, reputation, and growing up the hard way.

If you specifically want high school boxing anime vibes—training, rivalry, youth pressure, and that “my whole future depends on this” intensity—Ring ni Kakero 1 is a solid pick.

Ryuji’s growth is the hook for me. It’s a coming-of-age story disguised as a fight story, and I’m always a sucker for that combination.

Kenichi isn’t purely boxing, but it’s one of my go-to “I need motivation” shows. Kenichi starts off ridiculously weak, and the training is so brutal (and funny) that it makes progress feel earned.

If you love martial arts variety, this one’s a great bridge into other fight-heavy series. I also link it with my broader list of martial arts fights when I’m building a watchlist.

Levius takes boxing into a mechanical, almost steampunk-cyberpunk direction. It’s brutal, stylish, and emotionally heavy in a quiet way.

Also: when people ask me for boxing anime on Netflix, this is one of the first titles I tell them to search for—streaming availability changes all the time, but Levius tends to be easier to find than most niche boxing shows.

Burning Blood is one of those “life changes in a single loss” stories. Ryo Takagi is chasing music, but once he tastes defeat in a real fight, he pivots hard into boxing—with one goal: run it back.

I like the concept because it’s honest. Sometimes you don’t find your path through inspiration… you find it through humiliation and fire.

Kengan Ashura is corporate gladiator combat. Not “boxing rules,” but definitely “fighters who live for the ring.” The one-on-one brutality is the main attraction, and the matchups feel like somebody threw a fight bracket into a blender.

If you enjoy intense combat anime in general, this one fits neatly beside my broader list of main characters who win through sheer stubbornness.

This is the one I recommend the most, and I’m not even trying to be subtle about it. Hajime no Ippo is peak sports storytelling: training arcs that actually teach you something, rivals you respect, and fights that feel like chess matches with bruises.

If you’re Googling best boxing anime like Hajime no Ippo, my honest answer is: start here… and then work outward into the classics (Ashita no Joe) and the modern twists (Megalobox, Levius).

If you want something different, Cestvs: The Roman Fighter is basically “boxing, but make it Ancient Rome.” It’s harsh, tense, and built around survival more than glory.

I’m adding it here because it’s the kind of niche pick that helps round out a watchlist—and it’s exactly the sort of title I’d call an underrated boxing anime if you’re tired of the usual recommendations.

Best Boxing Anime

If I’m keeping it real, “best” depends on what you’re chasing: