| One-Pound Gospel | |
| 1ポンドの福音 (Ichi-Pondo no Fukuin) |
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|---|---|
| Genre | Sports, Romantic comedy |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Rumiko Takahashi |
| Published by | Shogakukan |
| English publisher | Viz Media |
| Demographic | Seinen |
| Magazine | Weekly Young Sunday |
| Original run | 1987 (issue 9) – 2007 (issue 3/4) |
| Volumes | 4 |
| Original video animation | |
| Directed by | Makura Saki |
| Studio | Studio Gallop |
| Released | December 2, 1988 |
| Runtime | 55 minutes |
One-Pound Gospel (1ポンドの福音 Ichi-Pondo no Fukuin) is a manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi, author of Maison Ikkoku, Ranma ½, and InuYasha. The series was serialized periodically in Weekly Young Sunday from issue 9 in 1987 to issue 3/4 in 2007. Released in North America by Viz Media, it is a fusion of the sports (specifically, boxing) and romantic comedy genres. The pop music group KAT-TUN's Kazuya Kamenashi starred in a live-action television drama series adaptation, and Meisa Kuroki co-starred. Takahashi finished the manga after twenty years and four volumes in March 2007. Viz published the manga in English, an anime OVA in 1988. Nippon Television ran the drama for one quarter of a year, and it aired on Saturdays at 9:00 PM. [1][2]
The protagonist of the series is Kōsaku Hatanaka (畑中 耕作 Hatanaka Kōsaku), the pride of Mukōda Gym (向田ジム Mukōda Jimu) 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, Kōsaku 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.
Into this picture steps Sister Angela (シスターアンジェラ Shisutā Anjera), a novice nun who takes Kōsaku 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 Kōsaku begins to develop. Even worse, Sister Angela realizes she's beginning to have the same problems as well.
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