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Punch! Fighting Love Champ #3
Punch!, Vol. 3
Her mother was a wrestling champion, her father a lightweight world boxing champion, her grandfather the first Japanese to become the world champion of Muay Thai kick boxing—but high school girl Elle doesn't want to fight! She just wants a normal life, but is it possible with such a violent family history?
It's time for Elle's boyfriend Kazuki to make his pro debut! If he wins this fight, he gets to take a shot at his rival Ruo. On the flip side, if he loses he gets kicked out of the gym. Though she's against the fight at first, Elle eventually gives in to Kazuki's pure determination. With Elle in Kazuki's corner, winning seems like it's a sure thing—that is, until the rigorous training begins to take its toll on his body. Will Elle's love be enough to get him back on his feet and on the road to victory?
It's time for Elle's boyfriend Kazuki to make his pro debut! If he wins this fight, he gets to take a shot at his rival Ruo. On the flip side, if he loses he gets kicked out of the gym. Though she's against the fight at first, Elle eventually gives in to Kazuki's pure determination. With Elle in Kazuki's corner, winning seems like it's a sure thing—that is, until the rigorous training begins to take its toll on his body. Will Elle's love be enough to get him back on his feet and on the road to victory?
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2006
5 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Rie Takada
100 books128 followersRie Takada ( 高田りえ) is a Japanese manga artist. She debuted in 1990 in the 17th issue of the manga anthology magazine Sho-Comi with the series SP girl. She still writes primarily for Sho-Comi, with her serialized works also published in collected volumes by Shogakukan, the company that publishes Sho-Comi.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 29, 2021
(Same review for all 3 volumes cos I read them in one sitting)
A lot of dumb fun really. It was stupid but if was still entertaining!! I may read it again in the future, it wasn’t half bad
This vol gets a lower rating than the others for the absolutely left field “final chapter” not really being a final chapter. It’s a shame when manga get cancelled so early
A lot of dumb fun really. It was stupid but if was still entertaining!! I may read it again in the future, it wasn’t half bad
This vol gets a lower rating than the others for the absolutely left field “final chapter” not really being a final chapter. It’s a shame when manga get cancelled so early
December 11, 2018
I'm assuming this series ended up getting cancelled because 1 chapter is the final chapter (that doesn't feel like a final) and the other two "chapters" in this are unrelated short stories about musical bands...
December 11, 2024
4 stars. This is at least half of unrelated one-shots. The main story ended well, though I would have liked it stretched out just a bit right before the ending. The ending was great for me, though. The other stories were hit or eh/okay. I do enjoy this artist/writer.
February 4, 2025
How is every volume worse than the last?!
July 2, 2018
Today's post is on Punch! volume 3 by Rie Takada. It is the third volume in her Punch! series. It is 208 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the second male lead Ruo on it. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga and funny characters. The story is told from third person close of the main character, Elle. There is no foul language, mild sexual content, and mild violence in this manga. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the book- It's time for Elle's boyfriend Kazuki to make his pro debut! If he wins this fight, he gets to take a shot at his Ruo. One the flip side, if he loses he gets kicked out of the gym. Thought she's against he fight at first, Elle eventually gives in to Kazuki's pure determination. With Elle in Kazuki's corner, winning seems like it's a sure thing- that is, until the rigorous training begins to take its toll on his body. Will Ell's love be enough to get him back on his feet and on the road to victory?
Review- Only the first quarter is on Punch! the rest of the volume is a series of one-shots by the author. But we get a good conclusion to Elle and Kazuki's story. Kazuki proves that he wants the life of a boxer and Elle is won over to his dream. I wanted to see more of their life as boxer and trainer, I wanted to see something about Ruo finally giving up on Elle romantically, I wanted more from the last volume of Punch!, but I did not get any of those things and that lowered my rating for this volume. It is still a good series and I did enjoy the one-shots that were most of this volume but I was still disappointed in this volume as a whole. I like Takada as a manga-ka and I hope that Shojo Beat will get more of her series. A nice, short series that was cute and fun.
I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.
From the back of the book- It's time for Elle's boyfriend Kazuki to make his pro debut! If he wins this fight, he gets to take a shot at his Ruo. One the flip side, if he loses he gets kicked out of the gym. Thought she's against he fight at first, Elle eventually gives in to Kazuki's pure determination. With Elle in Kazuki's corner, winning seems like it's a sure thing- that is, until the rigorous training begins to take its toll on his body. Will Ell's love be enough to get him back on his feet and on the road to victory?
Review- Only the first quarter is on Punch! the rest of the volume is a series of one-shots by the author. But we get a good conclusion to Elle and Kazuki's story. Kazuki proves that he wants the life of a boxer and Elle is won over to his dream. I wanted to see more of their life as boxer and trainer, I wanted to see something about Ruo finally giving up on Elle romantically, I wanted more from the last volume of Punch!, but I did not get any of those things and that lowered my rating for this volume. It is still a good series and I did enjoy the one-shots that were most of this volume but I was still disappointed in this volume as a whole. I like Takada as a manga-ka and I hope that Shojo Beat will get more of her series. A nice, short series that was cute and fun.
I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.
June 15, 2020
1.5 - Ummmmmmmm. I have major problems with this one!!!
So he’s losing weight and she’s taunting him by eating a ton of food while he’s having like one grain of rice. HOW IS HE STILL OKAY. SOMEONE FEED HIM SOMETHING.
I’m diggin his haircut tho. I was deeply saddened when he grew it out.
Can I say how much I hate the word nibble?
•A lot, thanks.
This volume is mainly comprised out of bonus stories that were annoying and I didn’t want. Their premises were decent but I didn’t like the way they played out.
———
When I went to write this review I realized that this was only a 3 volume series. It does make sense, considering how fast the story was trying to be. I’m actually glad that it doesn’t have any more because I feel like the story is too weak to continue. It would have a great hook, since this left off on a cliffhanger, but I wouldn’t want to read it. Unless they actually showed the boxing this time.
So he’s losing weight and she’s taunting him by eating a ton of food while he’s having like one grain of rice. HOW IS HE STILL OKAY. SOMEONE FEED HIM SOMETHING.
I’m diggin his haircut tho. I was deeply saddened when he grew it out.
Can I say how much I hate the word nibble?
•A lot, thanks.
This volume is mainly comprised out of bonus stories that were annoying and I didn’t want. Their premises were decent but I didn’t like the way they played out.
———
When I went to write this review I realized that this was only a 3 volume series. It does make sense, considering how fast the story was trying to be. I’m actually glad that it doesn’t have any more because I feel like the story is too weak to continue. It would have a great hook, since this left off on a cliffhanger, but I wouldn’t want to read it. Unless they actually showed the boxing this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2021
Only the first quarter of the volume is dedicated to Punch!. The rest is... short stories, which are way best than the main story.
I hated the final chapters of this manga. Elle forced Kazuki to drop a lot of weigh but... she's eating like a pig and she lets him watch while she's eating... That was a big no for me! I mean, why are you taunting someone so much? She's even supposed to be in love with him.
Cute short stories at the end. The first one is about a girl who pretends to be different to win over a guy, only to discover that that doesn't make her happy. And the second one is about telepathy and basketball.
I hated the final chapters of this manga. Elle forced Kazuki to drop a lot of weigh but... she's eating like a pig and she lets him watch while she's eating... That was a big no for me! I mean, why are you taunting someone so much? She's even supposed to be in love with him.
Cute short stories at the end. The first one is about a girl who pretends to be different to win over a guy, only to discover that that doesn't make her happy. And the second one is about telepathy and basketball.
August 16, 2019
I've read this series so many times over the years.
This last time was no different. I still love it so much!
My one complaint is that as far as a conclusion goes, personally, it felt a little rushed because there isn't that much. It's more or less a single chapter to tie up the last two volumes and end the series which you know, BOO!
But it was a good series and they included a few unrelated short stories to give it a couple more pages so, yeah, it's a fun read.
This last time was no different. I still love it so much!
My one complaint is that as far as a conclusion goes, personally, it felt a little rushed because there isn't that much. It's more or less a single chapter to tie up the last two volumes and end the series which you know, BOO!
But it was a good series and they included a few unrelated short stories to give it a couple more pages so, yeah, it's a fun read.
July 6, 2017
Pending.
March 3, 2018
I was really was enjoying the first 2 volumes then this one felt rushed to finish. The one shot “Anything Goes" I really enjoyed at the end. Fun series! Overall I recommend this 3 set manga.
February 3, 2019
Only about 1/4 of this book actually contains the conclusion. The rest is all short stories.
September 23, 2023
This was a wacky but fun series. The one shots at the back of this volume were definitely questionable though... 😅
March 28, 2024
why did that end halfway through and start a new random story?
July 10, 2024
Love the art and humour but would have liked more from the ending and overall story. The one shots were entertaining but it feels like the romantic dynamic is the same as her others which is a shame.
June 23, 2025
Genuinely what the hell even happened with this one
July 14, 2016
I saw book 2 of this series in a bookstore and it looked kinda cute so I read the whole thing. Reviews of this series mentioned that the ending was pretty abrupt but I did not heed these warnings and thought "I'm okay with an ending that doesn't neatly tie everything up so whatever." OH BOY this is seriously the most abrupt ending I've ever seen of anything ever. It was pretty cute for a minute there so I'm about to go on a Takada-sensei binge. I hear good things about Happy Hustle High so that's probably next.
September 17, 2019
This was a great series and I also really enjoyed the 2 bonus stories in this volume. Rie Takada is a great author and always seems to create interesting and unique characters.
August 13, 2015
This was okay. Has its moments and the characters I kind of like. Story was why I wanted to read this series to be honest. Anyway, not a bad read. Got weird at times but you still want to read it in a way. Good volume.
March 1, 2009
Enjoyed this series alot. Surprised it was so short.
May 22, 2009
even the side stories were good. it was a good, quick series.
November 19, 2009
Really good read
November 19, 2009
OuO YAY!! beautiful!! aww it was so cute and it even had two more stories in the end!! T.T tears!
lovelovelovelovelovelove this book!
lovelovelovelovelovelove this book!
November 30, 2010
Very good series and this is the final volume. Honestly could have benefited from being longer.
April 24, 2012
There's certainly something to be said of a series that wraps it all up in three volumes. Fun from start to finish.
Read
August 17, 2013Got much enjoyment out of this. Much.
March 20, 2015
liked it alot but wish the ending was better
Read
January 24, 2016Well that ended quickly...
September 8, 2023
I liked this series, but I wanted to mention that Kazuki drops weight in super unhealthy ways that can be upsetting to those recovering from disordered eating.
April 19, 2017
This is a really good fun cool funny silly anime. There is not much boxing going on in the manga at all. The characters are not bad but there is nothing truly there for deep/background for them at all. She wanted a normal life/boyfriend yet she got a boxing/fighting boyfriend/life in the end and she seem happy about it big time so I don't understand what the problem is at all. The art work is amazing big time. Yet is a very very short manga so hard to put any background or deep into the manga at all. They never show who win from the fight at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews