Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger
English title: Fighting Spirit: New Challenger
Japanese title: はじめの一歩 新シリーズ
Alternative titles: Hajime no Ippo New Series, Hajime no Ippo Season II, Hajime no Ippo 2
Type: TV
Source: Manga
Episodes: 26
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jan 7, 2009 to Jul 1, 2009
Broadcast: Wednesdays at 01:29 (JST)
Duration: 23 min per ep
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Studios: Madhouse
Producers: VAP, Kodansha, Nippon Television Network
Genres: Sports
Themes: Combat Sports
Demographics: Shounen

Japanese Featherweight Champion Ippo Makunouchi has successfully defended and retained his title. Meanwhile, his rival, Ichirou Miyata, has resurfaced in Japan, aiming for his own Featherweight belt in the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation. When the rest of the world comes knocking, however, will Japan's best fighters rise to the challenge and achieve glory at the top? Or will the small island nation be crushed under the weight of greater entities? This time, champions will become challengers issuing a call to the rest of the world and ready to show off their fighting spirit!

[Written by MAL Rewrite]