Before I give my thoughts, I'll add more to Hoshi's summary
Milly tells her that she doesn't really know exactly where she went, but even if she did, she wouldn't tell him.
Basically the head Mother is telling Angela that she needs to make that "big step" to make herself and her life better, but when Kousaku comes in, she tells that she's scared to make that step.
Well, one of the boxers became the rookie champion, and the boxer that got dumped by his girlfriend is now set to fight the bantamweight champion of Japan.
The opponent Kousaku fights for his first title defense is obviously based on real life OPBF Lightheavy weight champion, Crazy Kim. Trust me, this guys kind of sucks in real life too.
And in the end, it is revealed that Kousaku is going to fight for the world title. Interesting I don't know any real life world flyweight title holders that are black. I know two are Japanese (the WBA title holder is Takefumi Sakaata, the WBC is Naito Daisuke) and one is Filipino America (the IBF being Nonito Donaire) and I don't know the WBO one...probably Mexican. I'm surprised they didn't bring in the Kameda bros in this drama. I guess they don't want to look bad by losing to a Johnny's in a TV show.
Some other notes: Ueda does come back but retires from boxing and decides to stay on as a trainer. They talk about he's really 30 years old and he really can't do much anymore. Plus, why trust him as a trainer? The guy doesn't follow his own gameplan in a real bout =P.
I think this drama ended 2 episodes too soon. I think they could have done more like talk about Ooshiro. Like what relation he had to the gym and to Chief Mukoda. And I think they could have used the time to develop Sister Milly more. Throughout the entire drama she was against what Angela was doing and it was suggested she had a grudge against men and then the next minute at the wedding, she's 100% supportive of their marriage.
And anyone remember the cross that Angela gave Kousaku that had a picture of her mother? They never really explained that either or how or why Angela became an orphan. We get an idea of who could have been Angela's family, but they left that unresolved. But man, Angela did look really fine without her habit on. I remember in the manga she looked a whole lot like Akane from Ranma.
9 episodes in comparison to your average drama (10-12) was uncharacteristically too short.
Everyone at the gym (except Kosaku who has gone to see Angela) is having a big celebration lunch when Katsumi wonders where Ueda is, and they all have to tell him. Kosaku arrives at the convent to see Angela and tell her he won, and is told that she's gone. When Kosaku asks where she went, Milly tells him something about she went to follow her heart and find her family(?)
Milly tells her that she doesn't really know exactly where she went, but even if she did, she wouldn't tell him.
The boxers are trying to pursuade Angela to come out, when Milly, Incho, and the other nun (Grace?) show up and Incho decides to let them try to talk her out. Nothing seems to work though. Incho says something about how nice it is Angela has so many friends. Kosaku is pouting on a bench in a park when he sees the boys he gave his belt to. Two of them are ganging up on the one wearing it. Kosaku asks for it back and puts it on, showing them his 'champion punch.' Mukouda's words finally seem to sink in a little as he shows off for the kids, who cheer him on and give him his confidence back. One of the boxers shows up, to take him to Angela.
Milly tries her turn talking Angela out of the chapel, but Incho stops her (I guess Milly was going the guilt trip route) and seems to say some encouraging words to her. Just then, Kosaku shows up and tells her through the door how he won the championship (I guess for her?) and it's enough for her to move the shelves away from the door so Kosaku can come in. They trade some polite chit chat; she congratulates him on winning, he thanks her. Then I think he asks her why she wished him luck, but then didn't come see his fight. She tells him she likes him and had to sort out her feelings. Kosaku is glad to hear she likes him too, but says he can't be with her because he's a champion boxer now and can't let everyone down. (Or something like that? I'm probably totally off. lol)
Basically the head Mother is telling Angela that she needs to make that "big step" to make herself and her life better, but when Kousaku comes in, she tells that she's scared to make that step.
Another boxer from the gym becomes a champion. Ueda continues to train Katsumi. Another one of the boxers trains new recruits like a drill sergeant. And the serious boxer trains under Mitaka for an upcoming match with a scary looking guy.
Well, one of the boxers became the rookie champion, and the boxer that got dumped by his girlfriend is now set to fight the bantamweight champion of Japan.
The opponent Kousaku fights for his first title defense is obviously based on real life OPBF Lightheavy weight champion, Crazy Kim. Trust me, this guys kind of sucks in real life too.
And in the end, it is revealed that Kousaku is going to fight for the world title. Interesting I don't know any real life world flyweight title holders that are black. I know two are Japanese (the WBA title holder is Takefumi Sakaata, the WBC is Naito Daisuke) and one is Filipino America (the IBF being Nonito Donaire) and I don't know the WBO one...probably Mexican. I'm surprised they didn't bring in the Kameda bros in this drama. I guess they don't want to look bad by losing to a Johnny's in a TV show.
Some other notes: Ueda does come back but retires from boxing and decides to stay on as a trainer. They talk about he's really 30 years old and he really can't do much anymore. Plus, why trust him as a trainer? The guy doesn't follow his own gameplan in a real bout =P.
I think this drama ended 2 episodes too soon. I think they could have done more like talk about Ooshiro. Like what relation he had to the gym and to Chief Mukoda. And I think they could have used the time to develop Sister Milly more. Throughout the entire drama she was against what Angela was doing and it was suggested she had a grudge against men and then the next minute at the wedding, she's 100% supportive of their marriage.
And anyone remember the cross that Angela gave Kousaku that had a picture of her mother? They never really explained that either or how or why Angela became an orphan. We get an idea of who could have been Angela's family, but they left that unresolved. But man, Angela did look really fine without her habit on. I remember in the manga she looked a whole lot like Akane from Ranma.
9 episodes in comparison to your average drama (10-12) was uncharacteristically too short.
lol)
