The Otowa coach (音羽会長, Otowa Kaichō) is the owner and head coach of the Otowa gym. He tends to recruit highly regarded boxers with a lot of potential to be champion-like in Hayami Ryūichi, Alexander Volg Zangief, and Imai Kyōsuke.
History[]
Part I[]
Rookie King Tournament: Finals Arc[]
Otowa coach with Hayami during his match against Ippo.
He was Hayami Ryūichi's chief second during his match against Makunouchi Ippo in the East Japan Rookie King Tournament semifinal match. Prior to the match, he warned Hayami about Ippo's power being number one in the tournament. He respected that Ippo had a strong punch, but if he can't hit him, then it would not be number one or two. Later in the match, the coach was surprised when Ippo landed a counter on Hayami when he threw the uppercut. He realised that Ippo must have been aiming for it. When he saw that Hayami was in trouble, he wanted Hayami to get away from the ropes, since Ippo's hits were strong in order to keep some distance. The coach wanted Hayami to use his rapid punches to keep Ippo away instead trading hits, but Hayami wasn't able to as Ippo landed an uppercut, ending the match with a one round knockout.
The coach was shocked that Hayami lost, despite the skill level being in his favour. He hoped Hayami used this loss as turning point and keep going. Hayami told him not to sweat it since Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard lost on their road to greatness. Otowa thought those weren't the lines from someone who just lost.
First Step Arc[]
The coach talking about Hayami's jaw being weak.
When Hayami fought against Kobashi Kenta for the JBC junior featherweight title, he was one of Hayami's seconds. At the end of the seventh round, he told Hayami that he had the upper hand in terms of speed, but not to underestimate Kobashi since he never stopped his attack. He wanted Hayami to keep pushing forward. After hearing Hayami not wanting to underestimate his opponent, the coach realised that Hayami had grown. After Hayami went down after a hit to the jaw, the coach threw in the towel, recalling how Hayami gained a glass jaw after his fight with Ippo, but Hayami decided to continue boxing despite the injury.
Battle of Hawk Arc[]
The Otowa coach with Imai.
He went to the Kamogawa Boxing Gym with Imai Kyōsuke in order for Imai to spar with Ippo. He was against the spar with Ippo since his gym previously sent Hayami and Volg against Ippo and lost, but Imai wouldn't listen and wanted to fight him. Ippo and Imai then sparred, which lasted the whole three rounds with Imai not going down once. The coach was happy with the results, praising Imai.
Part II[]
A Passing Point Arc[]
The Otowa coach with Imai at the Kamogawa gym to spar with Ippo.
The coach and Imai went to the Kamogawa gym for a second spar with Ippo to help Imai prepare for the East Japan Rookie King tournament. After the spar, where Ippo had a hard time and Imai almost caused Ippo to fall, the coach was impressed with the result, and thought Ippo would have fallen if they used 8 ounce gloves, but Imai wasn't certain.
Spirit of a Weed Arc[]
The Otowa coach with Imai for his match against Makoto.
He was Imai's chief second in his match against Terai Makoto in the East Japan Rookie King tournament semi-finals match, where Imai won by knockout in the first round.
Phantom Card Arc[]
While Imai was training at the Otowa gym a week before his match against Itagaki in the East Japan Rookie King Tournament finals, he informed Imai that Maezono Makoto has won the West Japan Rookie King Tournament, warning him that he is a Southpaw. While Imai mentioned that the East Japan Rookie King Tournament isn't done yet, he insisted Imai that he has nothing to worry about given the fact that he defeated Itagaki three times in high school. He told another staff member how Imai is the one who seems to rate Itagaki the highest. He was reminded that carelessness is the worst enemy after Hayami's match against Ippo, however, he does not believe that anyone can beat Imai, deeming him flawless. When Imai's weigh-in for his match against Itagaki arrived, he went with him to the Kōrakuen Hall for the weigh-in.
The Otowa coach with Imai in his match against Itagaki at the East Rookie King Tournament.
The next day, he went to the Kōrakuen Hall to to be Imai's chief second in his match against Itagaki in the East Japan Rookie King Tournament finals. When he and Imai got to the ring, he complained to the Kōrakuen Hall staff since Itagaki was late, wondering if he is too scared to come out. After Itagaki arrived to the ring and the match began, he noticed that Itagaki's footwork and lefts are dangerous, however, he believed that Imai can shut them both down. He was shocked after Itagaki decided to enter an in-fight with Imai. After the first round, he informed Imai of Itagaki's point lead, predicting that Itagaki will be desperate to keep his point lead by using his footwork. However, he was surprised to hear from Imai that Itagaki plans to not run away, but keep at him. During the fourth round while Imai was focused on blocking Itagaki's punches, he told his fellow staff member that it is fine, since while he admits that Itagaki has the better technique and Imai won't win by points, there is something more crucial than points: if the one who has the most points isn't the last one standing, points don't matter. After the fourth round, he told Imai that Itagaki's number won't matter against his power, encouraging Imai to build up power and throw his punch, as he only needs one hit. During the final sixth round, his staff members yelled that all Imai needs is one punch, however, he believed that Imai is barely hanging on since he has been getting hit since round one. With both boxers standing at the end of the sixth and final round, the match went into a decision, which resulted in Imai's loss.
Red Lightning Arc[]
The coach cheering for Itagaki to take down Randy.
When OPBF featherweight interim champion Randy Boy Junior and his manager, Mr. Sakaguchi came to the Otowa gym to do a public spar, the coach was the second for his three ranked boxers that Randy defeated. He was annoyed of Mr. Sakaguchi's remarks about how the Japanese are scared, and wanted Fujii Minoru and Īmura Mari to find someone to fight Randy. He was pleased to see Itagaki and Ippo's arrival to the gym as Itagaki came to spar with Randy. He watched the spar between Itagaki and Randy, which ended in Randy's victory in the second round. After Ippo and Randy agreed to spar for the one remaining round the Itagaki had left, the coach was looking forward to watching it, however, Mr. Sakaguchi stopped it from beginning due to Ippo declining his offer to fight Randy before.
Go to the World Arc[]
The coach with Imai as he wears his new JBC featherweight champion belt.
At the Otowa gym, he watched in shock as the featherweight and Ippo's upcoming opponent, Alfredo Gonzales sparred and defeated a highly ranked lightweight in a public spar. He commented towards Imai how gentleman-like Alfredo is to his opponents, however, Imai thought otherwise, pointing out how Alfredo held back too much and only used his left. When Imai wanted to fight him, the coach held him back, wanting him to focus on his rematch against Itagaki for the vacant JBC featherweight title. Later, he went to the Kōrakuen Hall for Imai's match against Itagaki for the vacant JBC featherweight title. He went to the ring to be Imai's chief second as the match began, instructing him to keep his guard up and get used to Itagaki's speed. The match ended in Imai's victory by knockout in the first round, making him the new JBC featherweight champion. He went into the ring as Imai wore the new champion belt and praised his efforts while wiping his seat and blood off his face.
Part III[]
Second Step Arc[]
When Imai's second JBC featherweight title defence match arrived, he went to the Kōrakuen Hall. He was Imai's chief second for the match, which ended in Imai's victory by knockout in the first round.
Grim Reaper to the World Arc[]
When Imai's fourth JBC featherweight title match against the JBC first ranker Hiroyuki Hoshi arrived, the coach went to the Kōrakuen Hall to be Imai's chief second. The match ended with Imai winning in the first round by knockout.
Appearance[]
He has black hair, and he tends to always wear sunglasses.
Personality[]
Gallery[]
