Fighting Spirit is currently streaming in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix and Philo, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. The 3-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. 1,212 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Kohei Kiyasu is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

There is a reason Fighting Spirit keeps coming up in conversation. The jokes in Fighting Spirit land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Makunouchi Ippo is an ordinary high school student in Japan. Since he spends most of his time away from school helping his mother run the family business, he doesn't get to enjoy his younger years like most teenagers. Always a target for bullying at school (the family fishing business grants him a distinct odor), Ippo's life is one of hardship. The chemistry Kohei Kiyasu and Rikiya Koyama bring to it does a lot of the heavy lifting. The series ran for 3 seasons (2000–2014), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly. What keeps Fighting Spirit from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. This is the rare one where the reputation undersells the reality.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Fighting Spirit is a strong candidate. Fans of MEGALOBOX will recognise the sensibility here immediately. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Kohei Kiyasu sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.

Fighting Spirit wrapped up in 2014 — and 3 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.