Hiroko Makunouchi (幕之内寛子, Makunouchi Hiroko) is a recurring character in Hajime no Ippo.
She is the mother of Makunouchi Ippo and the owner and operator of Makunouchi Fishing Boat.
Background
Hiroko younger
Hiroko started running the fishing business after her husband, Makunouchi Kazuo, died. Since Kazuo's death, Hiroko tried to get into dating again, however, nobody sparked her interest. The men thought she would be alone, but she believed she was never alone since she has her son, Makunouchi Ippo.
History
Part I
Early Days Arc
Hiroko worried about Ippo's injuries.
When Makunouchi Ippo came home from school, Hiroko noticed he got beat up by students again. When Ippo got accepted to the gym and about to leave the gym for a spar, Hiroko suggested to think of his opponent as a fish, like his father used to. Before Ippo's debut match, Hiroko made a big meal for him and told him that she can't come because of work. Sometime before Ippo's debut match, Ippo asked her to put his name on his new trunks, but gave her an incorrect spelling ("IPO"), which he ended up wearing anyways, since it was too late when he noticed.
Rookie King Tournament: First Rounder Arc
At home, Ippo asked Hiroko if she could come see him fight, Hiroko responded that she doesn't want to see her son get hit. Ippo became worried that Hiroko is doing too much work, when Ippo was asked to go to outdoor camp, Hiroko lets him go.
Rookie King Tournament: Finals Arc
Hiroko meeting Aoki, Kimura, and Takamura.
When Hiroko wanted to watch a TV show, Ippo asked her for more time so he can research his next opponent. She asked Ippo if his opponent is strong. Takamura Mamoru, Aoki Masaru, and Kimura Tatsuya visited the house to see Ippo. Hiroko told them that he was sleeping due to a fever as the trio went to his room.
All Japan Rookie King Tournament: Rocky of Naniwa Arc
When Ippo got back from the Yamaguchi Chiropractic, Hiroko asked Ippo how it went. Hiroko questioned if he should use medicine instead of a bucket of ice, however, Ippo reassured her that it is the best method. After Ippo won the All Japan Rookie King Tournament, Hiroko got a phone call from him. Hiroko asked Ippo how is his injuries. Hiroko then congratulated him on his victory.
Speed Star Arc
Hiroko hospitalised.
When Ippo came home, Hiroko heard about his entry in the Class A Tournament. When Ippo asked Hiroko if he can go to the training camp, Hiroko let him go. The next day however, Hiroko collapsed due to anaemia from overworking and was sent to the hospital. When Hiroko woke up and saw Ippo, she apologised to Ippo that he could not go to the training camp and wants to close the fishing business. However, Ippo reassured her that he can do it. Two weeks before she was supposed to be released, Hiroko began packing up and go back home. Ippo stopped her, as he wants to continue helping and have boxing as a hobby. When it was time to pick Hiroko up, Ippo and Umezawa Masahiko drove to the hospital and congratulated Hiroko on her release. Hiroko then gave Ippo a new pair of boxing trunks. Hiroko then arrived back home.
White Fang Arc
The night before the Class A Tournament finals, Hiroko gave Ippo dinner and noted how he only eats a little before a match. Hiroko was then asked how she was feeling, which she informed Ippo that, thanks to him, she fine.
Challenge for the Throne Arc
After Ippo's match against Alexander Volg Zangief, Hiroko began to get worried as Ippo has been passed out for three days at the Kawai Hospital. While at the hospital with Ippo, she met Volg, who apologised to her for hurting her son. She peeled Volg an apple, and before Volg left, told him how seeing her son work hard is a wonderful thing for any mother. When Ippo woke up, she informed him that he was sleeping for three days and that Volg came by.
Road Back Arc
Hiroko talking with Ippo about how his face has become like a man's.
When Ippo came back from a date with Mashiba Kumi, Hiroko asked how the date went and mentioned that since he was 19 years old it was no surprise to hear such things. Later when Ippo returned to the house, Hiroko noticed how Ippo's face looked more of a man's since he lost, as he looked disappointed and embarrassed. She told him that he must really like boxing and to have fun until he gets tired of it.
Mountain Training Arc
When Ippo came back from his trip to the mountains, Hiroko asked how the trip went.
Lallapallooza Arc
While Ippo was spaced out in his room, Hiroko answered the phone when Kumi called and gave the phone to Ippo. Hiroko and Umezawa eavesdropped on the conversation. When Ippo came back and went to bed, Hiroko noticed Ippo could not sleep as it got closer to his match with Sendō Takeshi, but she believed it is not due to being scared, as he was like this during training camp due to excitement.
First Step Arc
Proof of Power Arc
Battle of Hawk Arc
Part II
Submarine Wars Arc
Shimabukuro asking if she was a Woman of the Sea.
When Hiroko heard they had a guest, she rushed to Ippo to met him. Ippo told her that he left, except Shimabukuro Iwao returned after smelling her. She greeted him, and asked if he would like to eat supper with them since he was one of Ippo's friends. Shimabukuro grabbed her hands, and mentioned she had a good smell. Hiroko was worried he had a strange hobby, when Shimabukuro told her that she was a woman of the sea, which confused her. Shimabukuro told Ippo that he must of missed judge him, since he had Hiroko's blood in him making him a man of the sea. He was surprised Tokyo had people of the sea, with it polluted waters. Hiroko was worried that Ippo's been hanging out with a bad crowd, but Ippo told her that it was the first time they met.
Ippo dropping cooler because of intense training.
Shimabukuro told them his motivation and strength was returning to him, where he was looking forward to their seaman's duel as he was leaving. He asked Ippo if he was a good swimmer, and wondered how long he could last underwater without breathing, but Ippo's told him never tried because of the water there. Shimabukuro agreed, but told him in their match he will take him to the bottom of the sea as he walked away. Hiroko thought he didn't seem bad, just weird. She thought he looked her age, where he was a bachelor, but Ippo told her that he was 22. Later, due to Ippo's intense training, Ippo wasn't able to carry out his duties for the boat. She told him not to push himself too hard since he was told to rest. Ippo mentioned he was okay to work, but she told him it was hard for him to carry the customer's equipment right now.
After Ippo defeated Shimabukuro, Umezawa told her that it was an awesome fight that the newspaper could show, where he thought she should go to one of Ippo's match. Hiroko disagreed, since she didn't want to see her son being beaten to a pulp, where she thought she would have a heart attack from shock. Itagaki Nanako arrived, where she was worried about Ippo since he took a lot of hits in order to see how he was doing. Hiroko told her that he been sleeping the past two days, but he was able to get up to drink and bathroom. She thought since Nanako was a friend, she could go to his room to take a peek, but she warned her that Ippo's face still injured. As Nanako went inside, Hiroko thought it was rare for girls to visit, but Umezawa believed that since Ippo was the champion where he was popular with the ladies. Hiroko thought it was unbelievable that Ippo was popular, but Umezawa told her that he was the hero of Kōrakuen Hall. Mashiba Kumi arrived next, and later Iimura Mari.
Hiroko serving tea to everyone
When Hiroko arrived to Ippo's bedroom later with tea after she heard them yelling at each other. She told that yelling must make them thirsty. Mari, Kumi, and Nanako thanked her, when Hiroko thought she should be thankful since she had always been proud of Ippo. She added that he gets everyone's attention from boxing, but his strength wasn't why she was proud of him since he's a kind boy, and that was all he needed to be for her. Even the thought of Ippo practicing was enough to worry her, and when he came home with bruised faces too. But when Ippo was so happy every day, there was no way she could ask him to stop boxing. She believed when Ippo is heavily injured, she tries to let Ippo sleep as peacefully as she can. When Kumi, Mari, and Nanako heard that, they were ashamed and decided to leave, while Hiroko told them to return sometime.
Comic Show Arc
After Ippo healed from his injures, he told Hiroko and Umezama that he planned to head to the gym. Hiroko was worried that Ippo was already practicing again, but Ippo told here that he was just going to stop by and check with everyone. Hiroko told Wanpo to go with him in order to make sure Ippo walked. Ippo told her that she didn't need to worry since he knows how important it was to recover from his damage. He promised that he will only walk.
Dragon Slayer Arc
Ippo brought Volg to their place, where they were watching Ippo's past matches, and discussing the Dempsey Roll when Hiroko brought them dinner that she fixed. She brought out Nattō since she thought Volg would like it, but he had trouble eating it. Volg mentioned he planned to go to America, but didn't know anyone there, where he hoped Ippo could introduce him to someone. Ippo thought Kamogawa Genji or Fujii Minoru could help, while Hiroko told him that he could stay with them for a few days, and not to worry about a thing. While Volg stayed there, he helped with the fishing boat. Hiroko told him that he didn' need to help, but Umezawa thought that people staying with them need to work. A few days later, Hiroko told Volg to relax while Ippo and Umezawa took the boat out. She wondered if Volg had a request for food to eat, but Volg mentioned he was willing to try anything. Volg thought Hiroko was very kind, he thought Ippo lived in a great environment, where he knew why he was so strong. Hiroko believed Ippo was always so clumsy, but Volg disagreed. He asked Hiroko if he could watch video of Ippo's next opponent since he couldn't read the words. When Ippo returned, she told Ippo that Volg was watching video's, but when they went to check on him, he went out training.
A while later, Hiroko ran into Volg and Wanpo why he was training. She told him that she fixed dinner, and mentioned that Ippo told her that Volg was training more than him. Volg thought Ippo's training was impossible for any boxer to follow. He believed even with all of his training, he didn't think he could win against him. She was surprised when he mentioned that, but she told him that it would be sad when he leaves. She wondered if he will be okay in America by himself, or if he spoke English. Volg thought he would be find, and he was thankful for Ippo and coach Kamogawa. Along the way home, they met Ippo who told them that Umezawa was starving, where Ippo and Volg decided to compete in dashing back, while Hiroko watched. After Volg sparred with Ippo, and over come the Dempsey Roll, Hiroko met with him before he left. She gave Volg a few charms, and some money for helping out with the store. Volg had one request before he left, he asked her to speak some Russian to him. She did, and Volg responded in Russian. She thanked him as Umezawa took him to the airport.
Cap of Memories Arc
A Passing Point Arc
Part III
Second Step Arc
Hiroko appears in this arc.
Taihei Arc
Hiroko appears in this arc.
Post-Towards a Resolution Arc
When Ippo was invited to a class reunion by Umezawa, Hiroko was surprised he was invited, telling her son to have fun as he left.
Appearance
Hiroko has a slender build and long untamed dark brown hair that is down to her shoulders. She also has dark brown coloured eyes and visible cheekbones at the sides of her mouth.
Personality
She is a very kind and strong-willed woman who cares for her son a great deal. Though she refuses to attend any of Ippo's matches because she doesn't want to watch him get hurt, she supports his boxing wholeheartedly because she knows how much joy it has brought to his life and how it has helped him with his self-esteem. She also would always know when Ippo would hide his tears when he came home from school when something happened to him.
Quotes
- "You want me to come and watch you get punched? ...I'll definitely come when you won't get punched at all." - Round 14, when Ippo asked her to come to one of his matches (to which Ippo thought, "That's impossible.")
Gallery
Main Article: Makunouchi Hiroko/Gallery