Punch!, Vol. 1

Punch! Fighting Love Champ #1

by Rie Takada, Joe Yamazaki (Translator), Janet Gilbert (English Adaptation)

Her mother was a wrestling champion, her father a lightweight world boxing champion, and her grandfather the first Japanese to become the world champion of Muay Thai kickboxing—but high school girl Elle doesn't want to fight! She just wants a normal life. Is it possible with such a violent family history?

Though Elle wants nothing to do with fighting, her grandfather has different ideas and betrothes her to an up-and-coming boxer from his own gym. She hates the idea and doesn't want to marry him. One day she meets a handsome street brawler who intrigues her, but her jealous fiancé finds out and goes after the guy! What will happen when a trained boxer goes a couple rounds with a scrappy street fighter?

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Romance, Shojo, Young Adult, Comics Manga, Comics

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2005

About the author

Rie 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.

Reviews

[Victoria ✮⋆˙ · Rating 3 out of 5]

(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

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping the 5 star rating because that's what I gave it when I was a teen, but yeeeaahhhh it is cute, but kinda meh. I'm sure some young teens would still enjoy it and it is funny at times -- great to read with the brain off-- I'm just not really into it. Maybe more like 3 stars??? But I own the trilogy so I'm going to continue this reread.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to love this manga a lot. It's a really short story, spanning just 2 volumes and an extra chapter in volume 3 (volume 3 also comes with 2 short stories). Rie Takada's drawing style for guys is gorgeous, her girls have spunk, and the story is fun. This used to be more than enough for me. Upon re-reading it now, however, I felt the characters lacked depth and development.. not really a surprise, as the story is so short, but it still covers quite a few themes, so I was a little let-down in this department. The story probably would have worked as a longer story as well, it had plenty of (fun) elements that would have carried a few more volumes. In the end, I guess, the story was alright for what it is. It definitely still makes me chuckle.

This time around I actually much prefered the side stories in volume 3. The girl who learns to be herself, and not to change yourself completely for a guy.. and the always bickering (kickass) 'friends', who for some unknown reason wait until the last day of school together to confess. A story where the popular guy chooses a girl who's far from popular at all.

It's what I like about Rie Takada. The stories are not as stereotypical as they could easily be, they're light, they're fun. The girls are worth something, and important. They make their own choices, and are not some guy's playmates. They fight for what they want.. in their own way.. and that's okay. Though I'm not as in love with the stories as I used to be, I can still really appreciate them, and would definitely recommend them to Shojo lovers out there.

Oh, and the first short story comes with a cameo from Hanabi (Happy Hustle High), which I personally really liked. Yay for cross-referencing among your own works!

[Reader17 Der · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series. She is so cute not wanting to be in the field of boxing. I like the characters in this they make me laugh.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rie Takada's mangas and this series looks really fun with an interesting plot and great characters. I am really looking forward to the next volume.

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. 90s style manga, but I was digging it (if you can get beyond a lot of the he-man, tossing women over the shoulders, no means yes, etcetera). I enjoyed this. I got the nostalgia of a lot of older things, but this was still pretty unique, standing a bit on its own with a girl who is the granddaughter of a gym owner. She has been betrothed to the grandson of her grandpa's best friend/greatest rival (the most dated part to me was the mention that they wanted their children to marry but they were both boys, which doesn't seem to stop the bl genre, and could easily be altered with a "both straight boys", which I don't think it would such a barrier to own half a gym by marrying a guy...not in this economy). Anyway, I liked the heroine and the "friend" who was really not a friend but was honest about it. There was a lot to like for me.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rie Takada’s manga always feel similar to each other, at least to me, and it’s difficult to get attached to characters who feel like shojo tropes and archetypes. But there is charm there nonetheless. I just feel like her stories seem rehashed in some ways...

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to really love is manga when I first read it, but it’s a little molest-y to be perfectly honest.

[haven ⋄ f (hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Surprisingly good, even through the unneeded elements.

Okay, so I typically don’t like the late 90s- early 00s art era in manga. But I really liked this one???? I’m confused. The angles were super well drawn in some instances. There are bits where it’s unclear or the lips look weird but it was pretty ignorable for me.

Elements that I didn’t like (spoilers);
• stalking (only once)
• kidnapping
• the fan service near the end
• guy being pushy and not taking no for an answer

I liked it but others might not. This is a boxing/martial arts manga, so there is violence and sometimes blood.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been seeing this on some lists for manga suggestions. Some of them. Anyway, this was okay, weird at times but the art style is good and story kind of interesting? Good to okay volume.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

That bathroom scene XD

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's post is on Punch! volume 1 by Rie Takada. It is the first volume in her Punch! series. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the main male character Kazuki on it looking cool. 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 Her mother was a wrestling champion, her father a lightweight world boxing champions, and her grandfather the first Japanese to become the world champion of Muay Thai kickboxing- but high school girl Elle doesn't want to fight! She just wants a normal life. Is it possible with such a violent family history?

Though Elle wants nothing to do with fighting, her grandfather has different ideas and betroths her to an up-and-coming boxer from his own gym. She hates the idea and doesn't want to marry him. One day she meets a handsome street brawler who intrigues her, but her jealous fiancé finds out and goes after the guy. What will happen when a trained boxer goes a couple of rounds with a scrappy street fighter?

Review- A very cute start to a new to me series. Elle is a good heroine with her own mind but she is fighting with people who do not care about her feelings. Ruo is her 'fiancé' and he does love her but not enough to listen to her when she tells him that she doesn't want to marry him. He is pushy in a very uncomfortable way about getting Elle to be with him. In an effort to get him to stop she lies about liking another guy, Kazuki. She tells Kazuki the truth about what is going on with her and Ruo and Kazuki promises to help her get free of him. I liked a lot about this manga from the art style, the characters, and the over-the-top plot. I am very curious about where it is going to go.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

[Ope · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty short series so I decided to pick it up. It felt like a lot of old school shoujo and I was rolling my eyes a couple of pages in, but I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I will. Probably because it’s so short, it jumps right in and doesn’t drag the story line for too long and the characters were entertaining especially Elle 😂

I was also thinking if Elle’s granddad loved Ruo’s grandfather so much, then maybe he should’ve gotten with him instead of dragging their grandkids into it lol. As hot as Ruo is, he’s the kind of character I hate the most. Like no means no, I understand he might’ve struggled with it because he actually wanted the marriage with Elle, but his underhanded methods were not okay at all and they just kind of got brushed off… I guess to keep the series lighthearted but still, not a fan of that part.

[Alejandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for all three volumes.

Nothing ground breaking, pretty much your stereotypical shoujo with an average girl with multiple guys fawning over her. I did like Ellie's spunk and how she asserted herself (because honestly her grandpa and Ruo sucked), but none of the other characters stood out for me, including the male lead. Very light read, which is what I needed, but nothing memorable.

[Soobie is expired · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...

Elle, the protagonist, is... meh... The only thing she's interested in are boys. She wants a boyfriend, and that's all we know about her. Ah, of course, she doesn't like fighting sports. Enters her fiancé (their grandparents promised their grandchildren would marry) who treats her like a dog. She even puts her on a leash. And then there's another bad boy who's supposed to help Elle to get rid of her fiancé...

I've read better manga... At least, there are only three volumes.

[Paloma Lemin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is literally the meme “this songs hot garbage, but I can’t stop listening 🔥”. ITS SO BAD AND WEIRD THE ONLY SAVING POINT IS KAZUKI. I wanted to read an older manga but I forgot how weird they can be. She was literally assaulted like 4 times AND NO ONE THOUGHT THAT WAS WEIRD??? And the guys literally helping her get kidnapped and almost raped?????? I’m calling the cops bro wtf. But the little chibi art is super cute and I like kazuki so I kept reading 💀. God this book sucks

[ria · Rating 3 out of 5]

very cute and silly and the art style is adorable. a bit cliché though and some parts just seem... wrong. like when ruo forced himself onto her and it wasn't called out or anything? it could be due to the fact that this manga is like 17 years old and things like this weren't seen as wrong back then, but it still kinda bothers me. other than that, it's a cute story, a typical shojo manga! you'll love it if you like a clumsy protagonist and a handsome protective love interest.

[Em Mirra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pending.

[TT · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sierra Bookworm☺️♪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong and addicting start to this short manga series! I read this within a few hours and it was a lot of fun!
P.S. The art style for the men is flawless omg they’re gorgeous

[Benitez Bryn2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was very original

[Amanda Setasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is hilarious and full of cute guys.
I really shouldn't be laughing this hard, but this is great.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the right mixture of comedy, romance, and drama. Whole thing is built of a love triangle though...

[Emily Michie ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

a reading slump where it takes me 4 days to finish a manga.

[Brianna Jo♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The arranged marriage is a bit much but otherwise, I don't mind the story. I'm interested to actually see how this love triangle pans out !

[Teragon Bearyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excited to see where this one goes ~

[Nicole Martinez]

16 years later and I still love this manga makes me laugh everytime great rom com

[Tired · Rating 1 out of 5]

My main issues with this book center around the treatment of Ellie, and the frankly weird exclusions done to make this story "work."

Full disclosure, this is a review of the entire 3 book series.
Spoiler-ish but very vague.

All of the men in this story are legitimately abusive and terrible.
Ellie's grandfather pushes her into an arranged marriage despite her complete unwillingness. Her arranged fiancee assaults her... multiple times. Her boyfriend keeps things from her and refuses to communicate for no reason than to jerk her around.

Ellie, leave all of these dudes and move far away!!

It's also strange how none of these people have families? Ellie lives with her grandfather and her fiancee. Ellie's parents are never mentioned or present, her fiancee Ruo's parents and grandparents are dead, her boyfriend's parents are dead or out of the picture. And apparently there is no one else even in the extended family for any of them to talk to?? What happened to everybody?? Is this secretly a post-apocalyptic story?

This emptiness continues to the overall narrative, too. Nobody seems to have any living friends. There are no tertiary characters. Nobody even really interacts with society much. The only exception is Ellie's boyfriend, who has a sister that is used in a very gross way as a plot device and then largely discarded.

The dialogue is... well, i'll give the benefit of the doubt that maybe some of it is mis-translated. Because most of it does not flow, and some one-liners hit you like a truck with how uncannily jarring it is. Weird sexual or degrading remarks about Ellie are thrown about pretty carelessly, and it's.... uncomfortable... how many of them come from her own grandfather.

Can we talk about grandpa for a bit? This is a guy who arranged for his son's child to marry someone. He sends his gym rats to beat the shit out of anyone who dares to date his granddaughter. He gets... uh, blushy and excited... at the thought of his granddaughter being with Ruo. He only concedes to allowing her boyfriend because he's a "worthy opponent" to Ruo (and them fighting makes him fangirl.) ... yo, he's a creep.

Even trying to read this from the perspective of the typical audience, this whole series is a vaguely uncomfortable feel-good in the moment, and then it really sinks in how fucked up the whole story is. I could talk about this story for hours, there is just so much wrong with how the characters treat each other.

The thing is, I don't think the author intentionally wrote the uncomfortable parts in on purpose. Like, the story beats are all there, I think this is just supposed to be something where you don't think too hard and just crush on the boyfriend. I think it's supposed to be relatable, even. ...But the random assaults, kidnapping, comparing Ellie to a dog, her boyfriend actually being a manipulative ass, etc, very much gets in the way of mindless enjoyment.

...I would read something else. I'm sure there are other choices of fluffy romances that aren't obsessed with nonstop negging and degrading the female lead.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally I'd been browsing my local used book store and saw it. The ONLY reason I'd even gotten it was solely based on the cover art. I thought, based on the cover, that it would be from that hot guy's POV. I didn't look inside to even see what it was about; it was an impulse buy.

Am I glad I was impulsive, because this book has instantly become one of my favorites. It isn't from that hot guy's POV(Kazuki I found is his name). It's from Elle's, granddaughter of pro-Thai-something-or-another-martial-arts-champ. Betrothed to Ruo, she's obviously going to have a love triangle.

I adore how light hearted this series is. It's only 3 volumes, so even the author knew it wasn't going to be that deep of a plot. Elle is a lovable female character and her humor is great. Ruo is the typical jealous supposed-to-be-boyfriend-but-she-doesn't-like-him-like-that... Okay, maybe not so typical. Kazuki is an interesting love-interest and I love how Takada has depicted how he and Elle grow to love each other.

The artwork is superb, and I will be on the lookout for other mangas of Takada's. A fresh look on manga art that I can't get enough of. The style is rough enough to make Ruo's and Kazuki's being fighters believable, but still soft enough to keep the shojo feel.

Not much of a plot to be taken seriously, but I like books like that. Perfect if you don't have the time to read some SUPER long shojo manga, yet still want to read one.

[Lady Lioness · Rating 3 out of 5]

After mainlining a crap-ton of Kristen Ashley's backlist, I decided to re-read this series as it's somewhat similar in tone. I have a weakness for bad boy Alpha males and I love Takada's art style, but the storyline reflects Takada's serial roots. It was choppy with minimal character development. We find out why certain characters do certain things, but we don't discover how they feel about them. Ruo, the antagonist, starts off as the most emotionally transparent character, but he too becomes an enigma by volume two.

I own the series and I'm glad I do because it's frothy and good for a quick boost. However, if you're looking for more substantial storytelling, this is not the series for you.