Judo Anime ‘Mou Ippon!’ to Begin Broadcast in Early January

It’s already rare to see female characters lead a sports anime, but for the sport to be rough like judo? Now that’s something many of us haven’t seen before. Knowing this, Yu Muraoka launched the ‘Mou Ippon!’ manga in 2018.

This manga was an instant hit among sports lovers and those looking for something new and refreshing. Its popularity rose to such a high that the manga has inspired an anime, and all we wait for now is for it to debut.

A leak has recently confirmed that the ‘Mou Ippon!’ anime is scheduled to begin broadcast on January 8, 2023. More information regarding the streaming services will be revealed soon.

The story follows a judoka named Michi, who plans on quitting the sport after losing a match to Hiura Towa in middle school. However, her friends Sanae, and Towa, made Michi realize how much she loves the sport and can’t stay away from it.

Michi eventually joins a judo club in high school, with Towa and Sanae supporting her through it all. Besides these two, another character named Anna Nagumo wants Michi to join the kendo club but fails to do so.

One of the best things about this show is how Michi and Towa remain friends and respect each other despite being opponents. Michi doesn’t hold any hostile feelings toward Towa and considers her a close friend and support.

Moreover, being a female-led sports anime doesn’t make it a soft one. The fights are thrilling enough to have you on the edge of your seat and not let you blink in fear of missing out.

If you haven’t read the manga, I strongly urge you to do so, as it’s one of the finest in the sports genre I have ever seen.

The plot also combines a soothing coming-of-age theme, taking the whole experience up a notch. I hope the anime captures the manga’s essence and makes this one unforgettable.

About Mou Ippon!

Mou Ippon! is a manga series by Yu Muraoka that debuted in the Weekly Shonen Champion magazine in October 2018. It received an anime adaptation in January 2023.

The series begins by showing how Michi, Towa, and Sanae, three middle-school girls became friends due to their love of judo. While Michi wanted to leave the sports, the other two reminded her of the feeling of ippon. Together, they constitute the judo club in their school.

Source: Twitter