One-Pound Gospel

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One-Pound Gospel

1ポンドの福音 (Ichi-Pound no Fukuin)
Genre	Sports, comedy, romance
Manga
Authored by	Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher	Shogakukan Viz Media
Serialized in	Young Sunday
Original run	–
No. of volumes	3-(ongoing)
OVA
Directed by	Makura Saki
Studio	Studio Gallop
No. of episodes	1
Released	1988
Runtime	55 minutes

One-Pound Gospel (Japanese: 1ポンドの福音 Ichi-Pound no Fukuin) is a manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi, author of InuYasha and other works. Released in North America by Viz Media, it is a fusion of the sports (specifically, boxing) and romantic comedy genres. The series will return to Young Sunday in November 2006 with five chapters to finish off the story. It was also made into an anime OVA in 1988.

[edit] Brief Overview

Kosaku Hatanaka is the pride of Mukaida Gym, for the most part. He went pro in only two bouts after leaving high school, and his strong punches are universally recognized by his opponents. While he is a natural at boxing, he can't control his voracious appetite. Not surprisingly, Kosaku eats anything and everything. As a result, he has been forced to change his weight class since high school. Going from flyweight, all the way up to feather weight, something his trainer tells him he doesn't have the frame for. On top of this he accepts challenges from higher weight classes, giving his coach (and himself) constant trouble.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Into this picture steps Sister Angela, a novice nun who takes Kosaku on as a personal project, determined to set him on the right path and break his habit of gluttony. She constantly encourages him, making sure that he stays in shape while staying away from food. Unfortunately, closeness can sometimes breed feelings of affection, which Kosaku begins to develop. Even worse, Sister Angela realizes she's beginning to have the same problems as well.