The Judo Anime ‘Mou Ippon!’ will premiere in early January.
Female protagonists in sports anime are unusual enough as it is; for the sport to be as physically demanding as judo? We can safely say that this is a first for many of us. Yu Muraoka, aware of this, released the manga ‘Mou Ippon!’ in 2018.
People who enjoy sports and are open to trying something new found this manga to be a welcome addition to their reading lists. The manga’s success prompted the creation of an anime, and now we eagerly anticipate its premiere.
The January 8th, 2023 airdate for the first episode of the ‘Mou Ippon!’ anime has recently been confirmed by a leak. There will soon be additional details about the streaming services available.
The protagonist, Michi, is a judoka who wants to give up the sport after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Hiura Towa in middle school. Michi tried to avoid the sport, but her friends Sanae and Towa convinced her otherwise.
In high school, Michi finds a community in the judo club she joins, thanks to the encouragement of her friends Towa and Sanae. In addition to these two, there is also a character named Anna Nagumo who is disappointed that Michi does not join the kendo club.
The fact that Michi and Towa can compete against each other and still be friends and respect each other is one of the show’s best qualities. Michi doesn’t have anything bad to say about Towa and actually looks up to her as a friend and confidant.
Furthermore, it is not a weak sports anime simply because it is led by women. There is enough action in the fights to keep you from blinking for fear of missing something important.
READ: Gripping Judo Anime ‘Mou Ippon!’ Receives New Teaser Prior Debut
I can say without hesitation that the manga is one of the best works of art in the field of sports I have ever read.
The plot incorporates a comforting coming-of-age theme, which elevates the whole thing to a new level. If the manga is anything to go by, I really want this anime to do the manga justice and make it a classic.
Mou Ippon!
Yu Muraoka’s manga series Mou Ippon! made its first appearance in the October 2018 issue of Weekly Shonen Champion. In January of 2023, an animated adaptation of the story will premiere.
In the pilot episode, we see how Michi, Towa, and Sanae, three middle school girls, bonded over their shared interest in judo and quickly became best of friends. Michi wanted to quit the sports, but she kept getting flashbacks to the exhilaration of an ippon from watching the other two. These students work together as the school’s judo club.
