Kobashi stands as one of the lower key boxers, having entered boxing in the same class and year as Ippo. While both are openly shy and mellow in temperament, Kobashi does not share Ippo&#039;s skill as a boxer and resorts to duller tactics to attain victory in the ring. He trains at the Ohtaki Gym. In matches, he is known to throw together simple jabs, footwork, and clinching in a defensive style designed to win on points. Lacking destructive power in his punches, Kobashi has focused on less aggressive boxing and even utilizes a strong cross-arm block to hold superior attackers at bay.  ~!He almost defeated Ippo by taking points in the Rookie King Tournament, but was KO&acute;d in the last minute. He is a former JBC Jr. Featherweight Champion, (having defeated Ryuichi Hayami and ending his career), but has since retired without defending once to become a trainer. !~  His trainer mentions that his boxing style is similar to &quot;Slapsie&quot; Maxie Rosenbloom who had 209 victories, but only won 19 of them by KO. He like his trainer, would spy on his opponent to study and find weaknesses that he can use to formulate a strategy that can easily win by points. Incidentally, this is the name of real-life professional wrestler Kenta Kobashi; however the kanji for his real name is the same while the kanji for his ring name can be seen in the article on the wrestler (as well as the two being shown on the Japanese version thereof). Voiced by: Taiki Matsuno

Makunouchi Ippo has been bullied his entire life. Constantly running errands and being beaten up by his classmates, Ippo has always dreamed of changing himself, but never has the passion to act upon it. One day, in the midst of yet another bullying, Ippo is saved by Takamura Mamoru, who happens to be a boxer. Ippo faints from his injuries and is brought to the Kamogawa boxing gym to recover. As he regains consciousness, he is awed and amazed at his new surroundings in the gym, though lacks confidence to attempt anything. Takamura places a photo of Ippo's classmate on a punching bag and forces him to punch it. It is only then that Ippo feels something stir inside him and eventually asks Takamura to train him in boxing. Thinking that Ippo does not have what it takes, Takamura gives him a task deemed impossible and gives him a one week time limit. With a sudden desire to get stronger, for himself and his hard working mother, Ippo trains relentlessly to accomplish the task within the time limit. Thus Ippo's journey to the top of the boxing world begins.<br><br>

__Hometown:__ Los Angeles, California (Born and Resides)    

__Non-anime roles:__
~!Azazer in Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (Video game)  
Benoit Manderubrot in Silent Bomber (Video game)  
Cross Ward in Radiata Stories (Video game)  
Dauragon C. Mikado in The Bouncer (Video game)  
Hasdal in Lupin the 3rd: Treasure of the Sorcerer King (Video game)  
Issac in Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (Video game)  
Jiraiya in Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (Video game)  
Kaun in Bushido Blade 2 (Video game)  
Pang Tong in Dynasty Warriors 4, 4: Empires, 4: Xtreme Legends, 5, 5: Empires & 5: Xtreme Legends
Sikst in Lupin the 3rd: Treasure of the Sorcerer King
The Minstrel in Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song (Video game) (uncredited) 
Wilhelm in "Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht" (Video game)  
Yoshimoto Imagawa in "Samurai Warriors" (Video game)  
Yoshimoto Imagawa in "Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legends" (Video game)  
Onmyoji (film) - Fujiwara no Morosuke  
Alfred Ashford In "Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles" (Video game)!~

**Height:** 160 cm 
**Hobbies:** Dance    

[Blog](http://blog.livedoor.jp/taikeymania/)

Taiki Matsuno was a Japanese actor and voice actor from Shinagawa, Tokyo. He was attached to Aoni Production. His real name, as well as his former stage name, was Tatsuya Matsuno. Matsuno is most known for the role of Hajime Kindaichi in Kindaichi Case Files, Kōga in Inuyasha, Japanese voice of SpongeBob in SpongeBob SquarePants (starting from 4th season until now), Tart in Fresh Pretty Cure!, Ling Tong and Liu Shan from Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi series, Agumon in Digimon Savers and Shurikenger in Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger.

He died on June 26, 2024 after suffering a right cerebral hemorrhage.

[Twitter](https://twitter.com/ppvilchismx) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ppvilchismx/) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ppvilchismx)

José Gilberto Vilchis is a Mexican voice actor, son of voice actress Banny Barrero and nephew of the late voice actor Jesús Barrero. He is known for being the Latin American Spanish voice of Loki in the *Marvel Cinematic Universe*, and Merry in *The Lord of the Rings*.

He is the recurring dub voice of Mark Wahlberg, Bradley Cooper and Tom Hiddleston.

Makunouchi Ippo has been bullied his entire life. Constantly running errands and being beaten up by his classmates, Ippo has always dreamed of changing himself, but never has the passion to act upon it. One day, in the midst of yet another bullying, Ippo is saved by Takamura Mamoru, who happens to be a boxer. Ippo faints from his injuries and is brought to Takamura boxing gym to recover. As he regains consciousness, he is awed and amazed at his new surroundings in the gym, though lacks confidence to attempt anything. Takamura places a photo of Ippo&rsquo;s classmate on a punching bag and forces him to punch it. It is only then that Ippo feels something stir inside him and eventually asks Takamura to train him in boxing. Thinking that Ippo does not have what it takes, Takamura gives him a task deemed impossible and gives him a one week time limit. With a sudden desire to get stronger, for himself and his hard working mother, Ippo trains relentlessly to accomplish the task within the time limit. Thus Ippo&rsquo;s journey to the top of the boxing world begins.<br><br>
(Source: MAL Rewrite)