Hajime no Ippo - Vol. 31 Ch. 274 - The Future Weapon

[MangaDex]

 

[Ca_Calico]

This chapter really seemed to set up a "lose flag" with Mashiba saying the people around him would leave if he lost and saying he would never lose, only for him to then lose and realize the people around him are genuine and care about him, and thus resulting in some genuine character growth. That's good and all, but I feel that the way they are approaching this is undermining both Mashiba's character and the idea of skill and the amount of time it takes to practice and get to this high level. If Kimura wins by infighting, something he has never done and never practiced before a month and a half before the fight, that would just make it seem like all the fighters Mashiba had faced previously was weak or never did infighting, and that Mashiba is just really weak to infighting or that kimura is suddenly some prodigy infighter. I honestly hope they don't go that route with Kimura and stick to kimura improving his own boxing. I do trust the writers if this series tho and am excited to see how they approach this.

 

[mousemind]

This chapter really seemed to set up a "lose flag" with Mashiba saying the people around him would leave if he lost and saying he would never lose, only for him to then lose and realize the people around him are genuine and care about him, and thus resulting in some genuine character growth. That's good and all, but I feel that the way they are approaching this is undermining both Mashiba's character and the idea of skill and the amount of time it takes to practice and get to this high level. If Kimura wins by infighting, something he has never done and never practiced before a month and a half before the fight, that would just make it seem like all the fighters Mashiba had faced previously was weak or never did infighting, and that Mashiba is just really weak to infighting or that kimura is suddenly some prodigy infighter. I honestly hope they don't go that route with Kimura and stick to kimura improving his own boxing. I do trust the writers if this series tho and am excited to see how they approach this.

What you're expeculating is totally valid but I honestly could never imagine mashiba losing to kimura, honestly they've been written as such goofy characters that although they are Ippo's senpai and above his weight, I couldn't imagine them being stronger than ippo since the first sendo/volg fight, and mashiba also went a weight above and only got stronger, that means he's the stronger lightweight champion they've had recently, it's a bit sad but honestly it would really be out of place aoki or kimura having a sudden character growth enough to reach japanese champion, they've indicated mashiba looking at the world scene after this defence, maybe then kimura and aoki might have the opportunity of having more than 4-5 panels of attention in a fight and reaching japanese champions in 2-3 more years if they don't decide to retire before that.