Ring ni Kakero 1: Shadow-hen

Ring ni Kakero 1: Shadow-hen, or the Shadow Chapter, was released by Toei Animation in 2010 as the third television anime adaptation based on Masami Kurumada's classic 1977 boxing manga. Serving as a direct continuation of the 2004 and 2006 series, it follows protagonist Ryuji Takane as he leads the Japanese junior boxing team against international adversaries. The production sought to maintain Kurumada's signature intense, stylized aesthetic, prioritizing dramatic flair and hyperbolic physical feats over realistic portrayals of the sport.

The series was directed by Toshiaki Komura, who worked to modernize the visual language of the source material while honoring its status as a foundational pillar of the sports shonen genre. Upon its release, it was received primarily by a dedicated fanbase of the original manga, serving as a concluding bridge to the final arcs of the story. Its design remains tethered to the dramatic character archetypes and high-stakes tournament tropes that defined Kurumada's early career work.