Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger 8 I just about wanted to throttle Date’s wife in this episode when she approached the ring and told him to keep going, despite the fact that any of his injuries (broken ribs, jaw and right hand) should have stopped the fight much earlier. People die by letting their “pride” or “will” keep them on their feet in one-sided fights like this. Willing suspension of disbelief though, since this is anime. Date holds out to throw one more heartbreak with his broken hand, but it lacks the power to really damage Martinez who KOs him shortly afterward. He has to be taken unconscious from the ring on a stretcher, while Martinez barely has a scratch on his face. Miraculously, we are to believe Date has no brain damage (willing suspension) and he wakes up a few days later in hospital, with his wife and son welcoming him home after regaining his true self. A disheartened Ippo visits the hospital at Takamura’s urging and finds that Date is ready to “pass the torch” to him. Date’s bratty son even rubs it in by begging Ippo-oniisan to avenge his father. Looks like poor Ippo’s now carrying the dreams of all Japan on his shoulders, and has some newfound motivation…
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