10 Manga With Amazing Artwork
3. Hajime No Ippo
From 1989 all the way up to today, George Morikawa’s boxing saga has been capturing the hearts and minds of readers everywhere. Among the best selling manga in the world, Hajime no Ippo boasts various anime adaptations and award to its name.
Hajime no Ippo follows the rise to championship status of shy high schooler Makunouchi Ippo. The story charts years of his life as he rises through the professional ranks, defeating all manner of opponents along the way. An uplifting, coming of age sports saga, Ippo’s journey is further bolstered by a colourful supporting cast and their various subplots.
The stunning realism of Morikawa’s artwork cannot be overstated. As a sports manga, Morikawa avoids the heightened realism of many stories in the medium, opting for a wider variety of more regular looking characters.
In capturing all manner of body types and facial features, Morikawa’s cast of fighters feel all too plausible. His fight scenes capture the blood, sweat and tears of pugilism without growing cluttered. In amongst the exhaustion and fighting spirit of getting in the ring is clean and clear artwork that keeps the spectacle easy to follow and aesthetically appealing.