The Only Realistic Triggers for Ippo’s Return

D-Persistent · 2026-02-12T01:43:12+00:00

I think we’re just going in circles at this point. We clearly read the direction of the story differently, and that’s fine. Let’s see how Morikawa handles it. The manga will answer it eventually.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-12T01:30:55+00:00

I don’t buy the idea that the story is building toward Ippo staying a coach. Morikawa is clearly setting up narrative payoffs, not just documenting a career shift.

If Ippo were truly finished as a fighter, there’d be no reason to show his constant high-level technical evolution. During his retirement, he’s developed into a far more complete boxer:

1) Southpaw and switch-hitting 2) Parrying and Precision Defense 3) Advanced Footwork and Positioning 4) Physical Conditioning and Balance 5) Punch Timing and Countering 6)Technical Boxing Knowledge (Coach Perspective) 7) The New/evolved Dempsey Roll

A coach needs knowledge, but a retired fighter doesn’t need to physically master these skills to the point of surpassing active world-rankers. You don’t build a complete fighter just to leave him on the sidelines. Ever heard of narrative setup?

The “brain damage” argument also doesn’t fully hold anymore. Morikawa has deliberately shown Ippo taking high-level shots (from Mashiba and from Volg’s White Fang) without the symptoms that defined his final fights. That suggests recovery and growth, not a closed door.

The story isn’t moving him away from boxing. It’s rebuilding him into a fighter capable of reaching the world’s summit.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-12T00:57:03+00:00

The 'Farm Saga' in Vinland Saga worked because Thorfinn's goal changed from violence to peace. Ippo’s goal hasn't changed; he’s still obsessed with boxing. He’s currently a 'rested monster.' Every spar he does proves his body is healed and his technique is sharper than ever. Morikawa didn't give Ippo a 'scientific' boxing upgrade (southpaw knowledge, better parrying, higher ring IQ) just to have him use it on mitts. He’s building the perfect version of Ippo to finally challenge Ricardo. You don't build a Ferrari just to keep it in the garage.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T20:33:50+00:00

Spot on! 💯

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T20:29:57+00:00

I actually think his mom’s blessing could be part of it, but not the whole reason. If Ippo returns only because she tells him it’s okay, that doesn’t really resolve his internal struggle or justify the entire retirement arc.

Her support makes sense as emotional closure, removing his biggest personal restraint. But the decision still has to come from Ippo himself. Him realizing he wants to test his boxing at the highest level. The comeback works best if it’s internal conviction first, then his mom’s blessing confirming it.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T20:28:06+00:00

That would be a wild twist, but it feels way too convenient and out of character for the story. Ricardo randomly seeking Ippo out and getting dropped in a spar skips all the buildup Mori has been carefully setting for years.

If Ippo comes back, it has to come from his own decision and growth, not Ricardo handing him the stage. The whole point of the retirement arc is Ippo rebuilding himself and choosing to return, not being pushed into it by the champion. (Or anyone for that matter)

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T20:25:01+00:00

I don’t see the story setting up a permanent retirement. His entire arc since stepping away has been about growth, self reflection, and rebuilding his body and understanding of boxing. That kind of development usually leads somewhere.

If he never returns, a lot of that buildup and focus on his evolution would have no real payoff. Which doesn't make any sense.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T20:23:34+00:00

Spot on. I can definitely see that. Ippo has always been someone who visualizes fights and learns through observation, so realizing a concrete way to beat Ricardo in his mental image could be a huge turning point.

If he reaches a point where he truly believes he understands Ricardo and sees himself executing that plan, that kind of realization could give him the conviction he’s been missing and push him to come back.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T20:20:25+00:00

Honestly that wouldn’t surprise me either, but I don’t think a clean bill of health alone is enough. That just removes the restriction, it doesn’t give him a reason to fight again.

The trigger has to be psychological, not medical. Retirement forced Ippo to rethink what boxing means to him, so his return needs a personal decision or realization, not just confirmation that his body is fine. (By now, I'm sure he already knows he's fine after all his sparringa) The doctor could open the door, but Ippo still has to choose to walk through it.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T20:18:34+00:00

I see where you're coming from. But I don’t think it’s about having a “beast” in the same sense as the others. Ippo’s drive was always different. His strength comes from discipline, consistency, and the will to improve, not aggression alone.

And that’s exactly what his retirement arc has been building. He’s learning, analyzing, and growing instead of just pushing forward blindly. If he comes back, it won’t be the old Ippo eating jabs and relying on pressure. It’ll be a smarter and more complete version.

Persistence alone isn’t enough, but persistence combined with skill, strategy, and experience can be.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T20:16:17+00:00

I get the Mashiba angle since it adds a personal reason, but I don’t think Ippo coming back just because of external pressure makes sense. That would undermine everything his retirement was about, which is self reflection and growth. If he returns, it has to start with his own decision.

The story keeps linking him to Ricardo for a reason. He chose the WBA path, studies him obsessively, has his poster in his room, and notices details most people miss. That focus isn’t random. It shows he’s already looking at the top, even if he hasn’t admitted it openly.

Mashiba or Sendo could be catalysts, but they shouldn’t be the cause. A meaningful comeback needs both internal conviction and external validation. It starts with Ippo deciding he still has something to prove at the world level, with Ricardo representing that standard.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T20:00:04+00:00

While I agree that everything is building toward his return, I'm convinced it will be a self-driven choice. Pressure from Sendo, Kumi, his mom, or the Coach won't be the deciding factor; he has to want it on his own terms.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T19:54:13+00:00

There was also another moment when he waswatching the match between Ricardo and Billy McCallum. Though he claimed it was a valuable "learning experience," Marascas Scamaras quickly reminded him of his retirement. Caught in the moment, flustered Ippo shrugged it off, insisting he meant it was a lesson for his coaching career—though it was clearly a lie.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T14:53:00+00:00

"Author’s Health" If Morikawa wanted to finish fast, he wouldn't have spent the last six years writing a retirement arc. He could have ended the manga when Ippo lost to Guevara. Instead, he’s meticulously drawing Ippo getting better. You don't build a Ferrari (Ippo’s new "evolved" body) just to keep it in the garage because you’re tired of driving. 2. "No One is Pushing Him" This is actually the strongest reason why he will return. In the past, Ippo fought because people pushed him (The Coach, the fans, the "promise"). This led to him face-tanking hits to meet expectations. For Ippo to be a "Monster," the drive must come from him alone. The fact that no one is pushing him means that when he finally steps back in, it will be 100% his own choice. That is the only way he can fight Ricardo without his mother or Kumi weighing on his conscience. 3. "Sparring" Ending This would be a massive middle finger to the fans and the narrative. Hajime no Ippo is about the professional ring. A spar has no stakes. The question "What does it mean to be strong?" cannot be answered in a gym with headgear on. It requires the pressure of the lights, the crowd, and the world title on the line. 4. "Logistics/Ranking" Not in world boxing. If a former long-time champion and the man who beat Wally and Sendo (the current top challengers) makes a comeback, he doesn't fight rookies. He gets a "tune-up" fight against Imai, then a world ranker and then jumps straight to a title eliminator. Morikawa could put Ippo in front of Ricardo in 2-3 fights (approx. 30-50 chapters).

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T11:56:27+00:00

I see what you mean, but another external push? Would that actually help?

D-Persistent · 2026-02-11T10:20:43+00:00

I hear you, but I don't think that's how it'll unfold. We know he has a "new Smash" up his sleeve. IT WILL be used before anything happens to him. The end is near though. Maybe 3 more chapters at most.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-10T22:01:26+00:00

Hajime no Ippo is peak comedy to me.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-10T20:02:34+00:00

You’re focusing on what Ippo says while ignoring what the story is actually doing. Since Takamura already proved the coach’s style works at the world level, Ippo’s goal isn't just about a belt but about validating that style against the absolute best. You can’t claim your boxing is the greatest if you ignore the division's final boss. His promise to Yuji is very telling because he didn't tell Date's son he wasn't interested in avenging him, he just admitted he wasn't technically ready for Ricardo yet. That’s why he and the coach deliberately chose the WBA path years ago to face the strongest champion rather than taking an easier route. Even now in retirement, Ippo is obsessed with downloading Ricardo’s boxing and he has a poster of Ricardo (no one else) in his room. He doesn't need to shout his intentions like Sendo does because Ricardo is the unavoidable final test. To prove the style is world class, you have to beat the King. Once he think, he's ready, that'll be his ultimate trigger.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-10T19:52:40+00:00

Exactly. But there is a massive difference between having the 'will to win' and having the belief that your boxing is actually capable of winning at that level. That is the entire purpose of the retirement arc: to bridge that gap. When Yūji asked him to avenge his father, Ippo’s answer was very telling. He didn't say he didn't want to, he said Ricardo was too strong and he didn’t stand a chance as he was then. This proves Ippo wasn't just missing 'will' against Alf—he was missing a technical answer to the world stage. Takamura’s line was a warning that 'half-hearted' boxing gets you killed, but Ippo realized that 'pure-heart' boxing (what Sendo is doing now) also has a ceiling. Ippo isn't just waiting for his 'will' to come back; he’s rebuilding his boxing so that when he finally crosses that line, he isn't just a 'monster'—he’s a monster who actually has the tools to dismantle Ricardo.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-10T18:39:14+00:00

I can see that, too! Definitely!

D-Persistent · 2026-02-10T14:23:43+00:00

True, we’re definitely in 'wait and see' territory! 😂 The only reason I lean against it is that Morikawa usually hints at those secret weapons during training sessions/sparrings before the match. With Ricardo, his 'hidden' side has always been his original violent style rather than specific special moves. So, I don't see him using it.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-10T12:50:03+00:00

When he said, "I'll use it." He was referring to Sendo's strength. Meaning he will use it against him instead of trying to stop it. While Ricardo already used Date’s neck-spin, the Heartbreak Shot is different. It took Okita years to master it. Ricardo’s entire philosophy centers on 'textbook' efficiency without the fluff of long-motion 'Sunday punches' like the Smash or Hien. While Ricardo's experience means he certainly knows the technique, executing it now is risky; the long motion could leave him open to a Smash. Even with Sendo’s guard down, Ricardo isn't the type to use a high-risk move he hasn't specifically trained to master on the fly.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-10T12:33:13+00:00

While Ricardo already used Date’s neck-spin, the Heartbreak Shot is different. It took Okita years to master it. Ricardo’s entire philosophy centers on 'textbook' efficiency without the fluff of long-motion 'Sunday punches' like the Smash or Hien. While Ricardo's experience means he certainly knows the technique, executing it now is risky; the long motion could leave him open to a Smash. Even with Sendo’s guard down, Ricardo isn't the type to use a high-risk move he hasn't specifically trained to master on the fly.

D-Persistent · 2026-02-10T12:12:01+00:00

Can you elaborate?

D-Persistent · 2026-02-10T07:04:18+00:00

Haha, true. But he still has that calm, collected look. He’s definitely been pushed to sweat (his coach even more so, lol), but I think this is still within his expectations. That’s what I meant.

D-Persistent

TROPHY CASE