Aikawa (愛川, Aikawa) is a former student of the Shiritsu Zōshirushi High School and was one of Ippo Makunouchi's former classmates.
Quick Answers
What was Aikawa's relationship with Ippo Makunouchi during high school?
Why did Aikawa invite Ippo to the movies?
What was Aikawa's reaction when Ippo refused her invitation?
What did Aikawa do after graduating from Shiritsu Zōshirushi High School?
History[]
Part I[]
Early Days Arc[]
Aikawa talking to Ippo.
At school, Aikawa invited Ippo to the movies after class, a proposal he refused due to work, which caused an annoyed Aikawa to quickly leave after being called by another classmate. She was soon heard complaining outside of the classroom about how he refused an offer the last time and speculating about him being bullied.
Two Rookie Kings Arc[]
After graduating from high school, Aikawa partook in the graduation ceremony and took pictures with her classmates, including Ippo.
Part III[]
Importance of the Support Role Arc[]
Aikawa walking home with Ippo.
Aikawa attended the class reunion at Kemuri Izakaya. She wanted to see Ippo since it been seven years since they last met. Masahiko Umezawa brought Ippo to her after he arrived. After having a beer, Aikawa told Ippo that she went to three of his matches. When Ippo asked which matches, she showed him the commemorative pamphlets from them, when he fought Eiji Date, Alfredo González, and Antonio Guevara. Umezawa pointed out those were the only matches he lost, which Aikawa thought she was unlucky.
After the reunion was over, Ippo decided walk with Aikawa on her way home. Along the way, she mentioned to Ippo that she was glad he remembered her, but Ippo told her that she was the only girl who spoke to him in school. Aikawa thought Ippo must be popular now that he was champion, but Ippo disagreed. She remembered how it took her a lot of courage to invite Ippo to the movies many times in the past. Aikawa asked Ippo if he had a girlfriend, but Ippo didn't answer. She told him that she was okay if he told her a lie about it at least for tonight. She apologised for talking too much whenever she drinks and told Ippo that next time, she would like to see Ippo win a match, but Ippo replied he was retired. She asked if he would fight again if he found a reason to continue, however, Ippo didn't answer. Aikawa commented that she thought Ippo always had an answer. Ippo apologised for it, but she added that she didn't mean to imply he was indecisive, but he hadn't changed at all. She felt that everyone else grew up and changed, but Ippo was still the same as before, which she thought was nice. Before she left, she gave Ippo a note and mentioned that she would be happy if they could meet again.
Appearance[]
Aikawa is a young woman with short brown hair with bangs that go over her forehead and black coloured eyes. Years later, she grew her hair slightly longer, almost to her shoulders. She was described as "cute" by Mamoru Takamura when he saw a photo of her.[2]
During school she wore a female navy blue school outfit over a white shirt and red tie. In the picture that Ippo has of her while she was at school in his photo album, she was wearing a white shirt and a light coloured headband. Years later, when Aikawa went to a class reunion at the Kemuri Izakaya, she had a purse, wore lipstick, a necklace, a dark coloured blouse, a light coloured skirt, and light coloured high heels.
Personality[]
Aikawa is a social and kind individual who had many friends while at school and liked going to see movies with friends. Years later, she retains her social personality, going to a class reunion and drinking alcohol, which she claims that latter causes her to talk a lot.
Relationships[]
Ippo Makunouchi[]
Aikawa was the only female to talk to Ippo while at school[3] and has always liked him. She wanted to watch movies with him, something that she had to gather courage to ask him at school. Even though they didn't talk after they were done with school, Aikawa still thought of Ippo, going to his matches whenever her job allowed her to. She would want to congratulate him after his match, however, she couldn't bring herself to say anything since she went to the Date, Alfredo, and Antonio matches where he lost, however, she is happy that the meek and shy boy she knew, is now a fearless boxer. Years later, she was glad that Ippo remembered her during a class reunion and was worried that since he was popular that he would have a girlfriend. Despite knowing that Ippo was retired, she still wanted to watch him win a match.
Creation and Concept[]
Around the beginning of the series, author Jōji Morikawa didn't expect Kumi Mashiba to be so involved with Ippo. It was Aikawa who he first thought of as the girl who would be involved with Ippo instead.[4]
Etymology[]
- The surname Aikawa means "indigo" (愛) (ai) and "river, stream" (川) (kawa).
Trivia[]
Aikawa's image in Ippo's photo album.
- A photo of Aikawa can be seen in Ippo's photo album.
- Takamura ripped her photo when he wanted to take it back with him.[5]
- Mari Īmura and Nanako Itagaki saw her photo when they looked through Ippo's photo album while he was asleep after the Iwao Shimabukuro match.[6]
- The note that Aikawa gave Ippo contained her e-mail address and phone number. Later, Ippo accidentally dropped the note when he was catching leaves under the tree.