"Moi Ippon!" is a manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Champion that depicts high school girls practicing judo. It is a hot topic that an anime version will be broadcast in January 2023. The main characters are high school girls, but the strong sports element makes it a work that is as interesting as a boys' manga. In this article, I would like to explain the protagonist of this notable work. If you have never read the original, or if you have read it, please check it out as a refresher!
Introduction: What kind of story is it?
Michi Sonoda, a third-year junior high school student, is a member of the judo club and has a strong desire to win by ippon. Naturally, she was planning to win the final tournament with a ippon and finish on a high note. However, her opponent was a stronger opponent than she had ever faced, and she lost by ippon with a finishing move. After graduating from junior high school and entering high school, Michi had planned not to do judo in high school, but to focus all her energy on love and fun. However, when she reunites with the person who defeated her in her last junior high school match, her passion for judo is rekindled.
Main character: Michi Sonoda
The main character of this work. She is a member of the Aoba Nishi High School Judo Club, and has short hair that is a little longer than normal, and when competing she uses a rubber band to hold the top of her hair in place. Her weight class is 48kg. She has a very cheerful personality, and has excellent communication skills, such as talking to anyone and everyone, and can become friends with anyone. She is sometimes seen as annoying because she speaks her mind immediately, but she is well-liked by those around her because she can honestly praise the good points of others. Although she is small, she is very flexible, has strong physical senses, and has excellent reflexes. On the other hand, she is not good at ground techniques.
Is it true that you weren't supposed to do judo in high school?
Although the theme of the work is judo, Michi Sonoda actually had no intention of doing judo in high school at first. She fought well but lost in the last tournament of her junior high school, and that was supposed to be her last tournament. Instead of doing judo in high school, she planned to do what she liked, like love and fun. If she wins her last match of junior high school, she may want to continue in high school. But if she loses, it's natural to think that it's no longer for you or to want to try something new. She may also feel that it was a good opportunity to give up. However, she happens to meet the opponent who defeated her in her last match, and ends up fighting him as things progress. Michi wins by ippon and is awakened to the fun of judo again.
Is the main character "normal"? ?
When it comes to the main characters of sports manga, they often have some special ability. For example, in famous judo manga such as "YAWARA!", the main characters have received elite education or have genius talent. However, the main character of this work, Sonoda Michi, does not have such characteristics. She is far from being a genius and has ordinary abilities. The main characters are realistic and life-sized, like those in the same judo manga "Judo Club Story" and the naginata-themed "Asahinaga". Perhaps it is because she is a character who is not special but is close to a real person that readers can feel a sense of closeness and empathy. The highlight of this work is Michi's achievements as a "normal" character in a good sense.
Summary of explanations about the main character, Sonoda Michi
Sonoda Michi does not have any special abilities, but she is a character who has a stronger feeling and commitment to judo than most people. Her determination to win by ippon shows her passion for judo. Also, when reading the scene where Michi is inspired to continue judo in high school, I strongly feel that the people and environment around her also have a big influence. It is a story that can actually happen in real life, where fate can change dramatically just by the people you meet and the environment you are in. The charm of this work is that it depicts such a realistic yet dreamy story. I'm looking forward to seeing Michi's achievements in the anime version! That's all for now. Thank you for reading.
