Teru Okazaki

Teru Okazaki
Debut
Manga Debut:	Round 1226
Personal
Japanese Name:	岡崎 照
Gender:	Male
Birth Date:	1984
Homeland:	Tokyo, Japan
Occupation:	Masahiko Umezawa's Assistant

Teru Okazaki (岡崎 照, Okazaki Teru) is a semi-recurring character in Hajime no Ippo. He is a high school student who used to be bullied, but now is looked after by Umezawa Masahiko as his first personal assistant in his manga works aside Makunouchi Ippo.

Background

Teru suffered from being bullied to and from school. After the bullying got worse after he tried to tell the teacher and his classmates began to ignore him, Teru had thoughts of suicide. Teru thought of suicide to make the bullies regret for what they did and suffer for the rest of their lives, however, he knew that they wouldn't regret it as they would just find another person to bully. Teru waited and wished for something good to come and encourage him one day.

History

Part III

Second Step Arc

Teru throwing a right straight.

Teru was approached by Aoki Taihei and his group, who began beating him. However, he was saved by Makunouchi Ippo, who was looking to scout boxers. After Ippo got rid of the gang, he asked Teru if he wanted to try boxing. After Teru declined, he ran away while Ippo chased him. When Ippo caught up to Teru, Teru had a conversation with him on how he was bullied to and from school, always alone, and wondered what it would be like if he disappeared. Teru explained that out of the group of thugs, Taihei is the one that most people are scared of. Teru followed Ippo to the Kamogawa gym as Teru was told that he could relieve some stress there. There, Teru was instructed by Ippo to draw a picture of Taihei to place on the sandbag for him to punch. Teru amazed Ippo and the gym members as Teru drew a detailed portrait of Taihei. After being taught how to throw a straight, Teru threw a straight at the picture on the sandbag, however, it barely moves. After everyone's reaction, Teru ran out the gym as Ippo followed him.

Teru pleading to be Umezawa's assistant.

Following Ippo to see Umezawa Masahiko, Teru became overjoyed after seeing Umezawa's manga drafts and asked to study as he wants to become a pro mangaka. After surprising Ippo and Umezawa with his genius level drawings and told Umezawa how ippo saved him, Umezawa decided to let Teru be his disciple. Ippo told Teru that he is strong, and because he is strong, something good came along as he met Umezawa. As it was getting late, Ippo left Umezawa's place as Teru gave his thanks to him.

Teru visiting Ippo to tell him about Taihei's apology.

Out of nowhere, Teru was visited by Taihei at his house and apologised to him for bullying him. Shocked, Teru went with Umezawa to tell Ippo at the Makunouchi Fishing Boat about it and inform him of Taihei's message to Ippo that he would be waiting at the riverbank for him. Being offered tea by Makunouchi Hiroko, Teru agreed with Hiroko on her opinion that Taihei is warranted praise for reforming his ways after finding a goal, though Umezawa believed that they are too soft. When Ippo came back after meeting with Taihei, who wanted Ippo to teach him to box, Teru learned that Ippo gave him an impossible task in order to prevent Taihei from boxing. When Taihei completed the task, Teru received a call from Ippo, asking if it is okay to teach Taihei to box, which Teru answered that he doesn't mind.

Teru meeting Taihei outside school.

Later, after discovering that Taihei was beating up students and Umezawa got hurt while trying to stop him, Teru urgently informed Ippo about it as they run to the scene. Ippo had Teru wait for him from afar as Ippo went for Umezawa and Taihei. When Ippo and Umezawa came back to Teru, Teru wondered why Taihei wasn't with them. Teru learned that Ippo smacked Taihei, and when Teru, Ippo, and Umezawa went to the Chūka Soba, Ippo revealed that he would turn himself in. When Ippo left and Itagaki Manabu, Kimura Tatsuya, and Takamura Mamoru arrived, Teru felt apologetic as he believed it was his fault that Ippo smacked Taihei and is turning himself in, however, Kimura claimed it wasn't his fault as if it wasn't him, someone else would have been in his place. Teru revealed how there was a rumour that Taihei had an older brother he respected, and that after Taihei saw his older brother off during elementary school, he saw a laughing stock, which broke his spirit and made him get into fights. Teru became worried what would happen if Ippo's incident with Taihei hit the newspaper, but Kimura claimed that Ippo's fist is full of justice and that no matter what happens to him, the bond he shares with him and the gym members will never change. Later, Teru met Taihei outside of school and found out that he got kicked out and told his fellow delinquents to not bully him anymore. Teru mentioned that just because Taihei is gone doesn't mean anything will change as he may get bullied by someone else before telling Taihei that he isn't his way to kill time. Teru revealed to Taihei that Ippo wants him to file a police report on him, however, Taihei did not know what happened to him and wishes to know. Teru claimed he didn't know as he walks away laughing.

Etymology

• The name Teru means "illuminate, shine, compare, bashful" (照).
• Teru's surname Okazaki means "ridge, hill" (岡) (oka) and "cape, peninsula" (崎) (saki/zaki).

Gallery

Ippo meeting Teru

Teru drawing

Teru talking to Ippo while working as a Manga Assistant