Hajime no Ippo - The First Step - Vol. 123 Ch. 1240 - A Private Practice

[MangaDex]

 

[bozz2]

please come back!
i sense some flag

and thanks for the chapter

 

[Sceleris]

The author just keeps going back and forth. Will he keep Ippo retired? Or was Ippo's clear decision only misdirection while planning a comeback for him? Or is the author himself still undecided, feeling out the fans reactions to decide which way to go? Both characters and fans have been wondering “is this really the end?” for more than a year now; what's the point of keeping us uncertain? I just don't get what he's going for, from a storytelling standpoint.

 

[Boomburst]

Well, if Ippo DOESN'T come back to the ring... then the title is kinda pointless then.
Still, it seems he will be able to make a comeback, and this time, simply blowing past everyone he meets... until the last challenge. It will either be Miyata, beating him to the title first, so it will be pretty much the same kind of relationship they have had for some time... even if Ippo wins that, Ippo was always the challenger, and generally never the defender.
OR, it could be an expected(well, to me, at least) twist of irony, in which Ippo was able to get the world title first, making Miyata the challenger this time. Whether that match will be shown, or simply ending it where they are about to punch each other in the ring, I have no idea.

 

[Bearcounter]

I mean, even Date retired and began again way later. It's not out of the realm of possibility. Also about keeping us uncertain, Ippo is a pretty well developed character by now. People make decisions, and make mistakes. People also change their minds. Either way, I've been reading this series for 15 years now I think. I'm in it till the end.

 

[monchi]

please realize that kid is full of shit and drop his ass so you can get back in the ring already

 

[Lithe]

And the teasing continues.

 

[Myorave]

He will come back, it's just a matter of time.
(but that teasing though....)

 

[tanteiii-kun]

make ippo come back soon, i sick of waiting...

 

[fanged_loathe]

@Boomburst Morikawa already gave a clearer hint of how Miyata and Ippo are going to meet. Ippo is going to beat Martinez for the WBA title. Miyata, revitalized by Ippo's return, rides his OPBF title and the accompanying #10 rank in the WBC to a title match with the WBC champion. The pair will meet in a unification bout.

Takamura vs. Hawk spent an eternity reminding us it was a bout between two world champions. The only rational explanation is it's meant to stress that Ippo and Miyata will meet the same way. Let's also remember Ippo has long been aimed at Martinez, so obvious he has to get there first. Which is probably why he's WBA and why Miyata is stagnating - only defending the OPBF title is only helping Miyata's WBC rank, keeping him away from Martinez.

 

[Beastkun]

this was such a good yet sad ch especially the end, ippo is still improving but no one can really just tell him to come back as he has to choose that himself

but i feel like its getting closer for ippo to come back just need a little bit more time and i'm sure he'll fight again

but god i hope its really soon cause it was really amazing to see ippo in action again

im looking forward to the next ch!

 

[Lynkaster]

damn, this author just don't want to stop his onion ninja army...

 

[progfreak]

Man, I can't deal with this BS anymore. Just whatta hell the author is doing...

 

[Doomroar]

Ok even i have to admit that this was a mean chapter on the teasing department, this was just cruel.

 

[Lng101010]

Those last few panels made me tear up a little.

 

[knightcky]

Dangit, I feel so teased.
I'm just like the other guys who wants Ippo to come back TT_TT
The author sure knows how to hit you in the guts.

 

[Ironclad]

How will he make his comeback? Indeed he's learned once again to "PUNCH HARDER!"

 

[boag]

If Ippo ever steps into the ring again, its going to end like Ashita no Joe.

 

[maisonaustyn]

Oh dear God I hope it doesn't even like that. His emotional state matches that though and it makes sense so it scares me a bit to think about

 

[MMPro2474]

IM GETTING EDGED