Matsuda (松田, Matsuda) is a former student at the Shiritsu Zōshirushi High School. He was part of Masahiko Umezawa's gang in their high school days.
History[]
Part I[]
Early Days Arc[]
Umezawa's gang beating Ippo.
After a day of school, Matsuda, Takemura, and Masahiko Umezawa catch up to fellow student, Ippo Makunouchi, and began insulting and beating him underneath a bridge. Trying to provoke a reaction from the submissive high-schooler, they were stopped by a jogging Mamoru Takamura, who scared them away by dodging their punches and stealing the buttons off their school uniforms with his impressive footwork.
Some time later, Matsuda, Takemura, and Umezawa tried to bully Ippo once again but noticed his pro license. Doubtful about it, they decide to tease him, but were left in shock when he displayed his incredible speed and grabs his belongings before they can react and chase after him.
Informed that he won his debut match, Matsuda, Takemura, and Umezawa approached Ippo, intending to apologise but their pride stopped them from doing so. They instead decided to attend his second match to "laugh at him" but ended up cheering for him as he defeated his opponent. They later declared Ippo their friend and with pride, introduced him to their acquaintances.
First Rounder Arc[]
Matsuda watched Ippo's match against Jason Ozuma.
Rocky of Naniwa Arc[]
Matsuda watching Ippo and Sendō's match.
After Ippo's match against Ryō Mashiba, Matsuda, Takemura, and Umezawa congratulated him. They then became disappointed when they hear that he was withdrawing from the All Japan Rookie King Tournament because his right hand was broken.
Eventually, Ippo got his right hand drugged in order to fight Takeshi Sendō. Matsuda, Takemura, and Umezawa attended Ippo's match against Sendō in Osaka, where they were greatly outnumbered by the home crowd's cheers.
Two Rookie Kings Arc[]
Takemura posing with Ippo in the graduation picture.
On graduation day, Umezawa forced Ippo to take pictures with the gang and several other students to keep memories of their friendship. Matsuda was able to be in the photo with Ippo, Umezawa, and Takemura. When Ippo and Keigo Okita had a match scheduled, Matsuda arrived to the Kōrakuen Hall to watch the match.
Challenge for the Throne Arc[]
Matsuda attended Ippo's title match against the JBC featherweight champion Eiji Date.
Part III[]
Importance of the Support Role Arc[]
Matsuda apologising to Ippo for bullying him in the past
When it was time for the Shiritsu Zōshirushi High School's school reunion party, Matsuda went to the Kemuri Izakaya where the party was being held, and saw his classmates from seven years ago. After most of the party left, a drunk Matsuda, Umezawa, and Takemura apologised to Ippo for bullying him in the past, before going for round two of drinking.
Appearance[]
Matsuda has tanned skin and dark brown coloured hair. He also has short eyebrows and black coloured eyes. During high school, his hair was in a short curly afro style. Many years later, he changed his hair into a more straight and shorter style.
While at high school, Matsuda wore a black gakuran with yellow buttons over a white shirt and black shoes.[1] During Ippo's match against Sendō, Matsuda wore a dark purple jacket with an orange vertical stripe.
Personality[]
Matsuda was boastful and a bully during his delinquent school days. Matsuda would team up with Umezawa and Takemura to bully and beat up the timid Ippo. Matsuda changed his ways when he saw and cheered as Ippo won in a boxing match against Fujiwara, considering him strong and a friend, cheering him on in later matches until his loss against Date. After meeting Ippo again during a reunion party for their high school, Matsuda apologised to Ippo for bullying him.
Etymology[]
- The surname Matsuda means "pine tree, fir tree" (松) (matsu) and "field, rice paddy" (田) (ta/da).