Every sports enthusiast and even those who are not must give sports anime a chance. One may think a sports anime cannot compare to the actual live match we watch on television but they may be pleasantly surprised if only they try it out. Just like a real sports match, the anime version of that sport will excite us and make us cheer.
Anime has the knack of making even the most boring of sports into something thrilling by adding all these new flavors and facets. Not to mention the addition of some colorful dynamics between the characters and also letting us see the players‘ journey and development.
The sports matches in the anime are played exactly like their real counterpart, down to the very last detail. We also advise you to brace yourselves for more action, drama, and emotional triggers when watching a sports anime as compared to an ordinary match.
Mou Ippon! is a Japanese sports anime that focuses on Judo which is popular in Japan and is even an Olympic sport. The story and illustrations of the manga are done by Yu Muraoka. The anime adaptation is by Bakken Record and it premiered on television only this year in January 2023.
Mou Ippon! gives us an insight into the popular sport and is a feel-good story about a group of girls who start a Judo club and all their escapades involving the sport. You are in for a treat if you decide to follow the adventures of Michi Sonoda and her friends.
As of now, four episodes have been released and the current season of the series will have a total of 13 episodes. This anime is for everyone, whether they are a Judo fan or just looking for a good time. There is something in it for everybody.
The plot of Mou Ippon!
The story of Mou Ippon! is about a girl named Michi who is very passionate about Judo. She takes part in a tournament, winning all the way until she reaches the final round. Then the unfortunate happens. During the final clash, Michi was subjected to a rather humiliating defeat by another girl named Towa.
Disappointed and losing trust in her abilities as a Judo artist, Michi decides to give up playing the game entirely. In addition to that, she had several other things going on in her life like high school activities and her entrance exams that take up all of her time.
Like so many other youngsters her age, Michi put aside the hobby she loves for her school and her duties. But Michi’s passion for Judo never diminished…it was simply waiting at the back seat to come out in full force when the time calls for it. And the time came when Michi’s opponent at the final match, Towa, joined her class.
All the interest and passion for her sport that she put aside came rushing back when Towa came up with the idea to form a Judo club in their high school. She needed new members to support her initiative and Michi was the first to join. Gradually, the club grows in members and popularity as more students join.
Michi makes incredible friends and has a ton of fun as her abilities in Judo grow with the help of her friends and the club. Joining the club was just the beginning as many more adventures and challenges await her in the realm of Judo.
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Mou Ippon! Release Date
Mou Ippon! is an ongoing anime with four episodes already being released. But we will get you the release date of the latest episode so that you know when to watch it. The first episode of Mou Ippon! released on Monday, January 9th, 2023, and the latest episode, that is, episode 5 is all set to release on Monday, February 6th, 2023.
All the new episodes are released regularly every Monday without fail. The release timings of the latest episode for different timezones are as follows:
- Eastern Standard Time: 11:30 AM (Monday, February 6, 2023)
- Indian Standard Time: 10:00 PM (Monday, February 6, 2023)
- Pacific Standard Time: 8:30 AM (Monday, February 6, 2023)
- Central European Time: 5:30 PM (Monday, February 6, 2023)
- Greenwich Mean Time: 4:30 PM (Monday, January 6, 2023)
- Japanese Standard Time: 1:30 AM ( Tuesday, January 7, 2023)
- Australian Eastern Daylight Time: 3:30 AM (Tuesday, January 7, 2023)
- Philippine Standard Time: 12:30 AM ( Tuesday, February 7, 2023)
How To Watch Mou Ippon! Episodes?
In Japan, the show airs on TV Tokyo and you can watch it from there.
In the USA, you can watch it for free online using a good VPN service:
- Choose a VPN service for streaming the show.
- Next step is to download the VPN.
- Conyourt the VPN to a Japanese server.
- Then you have to go to your streaming platform.
- Choose Mou Ippon! and watch to you heart’s content from anywhere.
You can even watch Mou Ippon! on HIDIVE if you are from any of the following regions: United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, Latin America, Scandinavia, The Netherlands, Germany, and France.
For viewers from France, the anime can be watched on Anime Digital Network which is a legal site where you can stream the episodes.
You can even watch Mou Ippon! episodes on the Youtube channel of Muse Asia if you are from Southeast Asia.
Mou Ippon! Episode Schedule
For all those who are interested to watch Mou Ippon!, the following is the episode schedule of the anime:
- Episode 5 release date: Monday, February 6, 2023
- Episode 6 release date: Monday, February 13, 2023
- Episode 7 release date: Monday, February 20, 2023
- Episode 8 release date: Monday. February 27, 2023
- Episode 9 release date: Monday, March 6, 2023
- Episode 10 release date: Monday, March 13, 2023
- Episode 11 release date: Monday, March 20, 2023
- Episode 12 release date: Monday, March 27, 2023
- Episode 13 release date: Monday, April 3, 2023
Main Characters In Mou Ippon!
- Michi Sonoda– Michi is the main protagonist of Mou Ippon! She is 15 years old and has a childlike personality full of innocence. She is bold when it comes to conversing with others and can gel well with almost anyone. Some people find her annoying because she is loud and talkative but she is liked by her friends and the people who know her as she is someone who recognizes the talent and efforts of others and is quick to praise them. Michi is physically strong with admirable reflexes though her weakness is pinning techniques.
- Sanae Takigawa– Sanae is another main protagonist. She is Michi’s childhood best friend and someone who has loads of talent when it comes to studying as she has excellent grades. She often tutors Michi whose grades aren’t as good as hers and even gives her friend valuable advice. Though Sanae is good at academics, her Judo skills are average but she is good at pinning moves against her opponents.
- Towa Hiura – Towa is excellent at Judo and joins Michi’s class after she rejects an offer to a private high school. She is the one who came up with the idea of starting a Judo club in the school. Towa, though thin, is strong and skilled at the sport. She is a quiet personality who doesn’t like to reveal her emotions. However, she becomes a whole new person when she puts on her Judo uniform.
- Anna Nagumo – Anna and Michi have been friends for a long time. She was a member of the Kendo club but later transferred to the Judo club with Michi as she had a strong desire to do so. Anna has the habit of calling herself a prodigy every chance she gets as she excels in her studies as well as sports.
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