Hajime no Ippo Creator George Morikawa Hospitalized: Legendary Series Takes a One-Month Break
News has arrived from the giant of the manga world, George Morikawa, that has both worried and reassured his fans. The creator of the legendary boxing series Hajime no Ippo, which has been running for over 35 years, has been hospitalized following a sudden illness. Following this development, it was officially announced that the manga, published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine, is taking a temporary break that will last approximately one month.
The 60-year-old master artist eased his fans' concerns by stating in a message from the hospital that his condition is not very serious. Morikawa expressed his plan to return to his desk within a month after his recovery process. This break for the artist, who is known for his discipline and rarely takes time off, is seen as a critical rest period for the future of this massive work, which has surpassed 1500 chapters. The artist signaled that his spirits are high, noting that he is "a bit bored" during his time in the hospital.
Starting its publication life in 1989, Hajime no Ippo has become one of the longest-running works in manga history, reaching 145 volumes as of January 2026. Selling over 100 million copies worldwide, the series is not just fiction; it is a passion project fueled by the real boxing world, as Morikawa operates the JB Sports Gym in Tokyo. While the current story of the series covers Ippo Makunouchi's "retirement" period as a trainer, fans are eagerly awaiting the main character's return to the ring.
Although this short break makes readers impatient, especially at a time when the story is evolving toward an exciting point like the world championship match between Sendo and Ricardo, the community's priority is Morikawa's health. While thousands of support messages for "Mori-sensei" are being shared on social media, the manga is expected to continue where it left off at the beginning of May. The legendary boxer's story is not over yet, and Morikawa's recovery is the top priority for all fans who want to witness the finale of this epic journey.
