Summary
Danpei serves as the stern and responsible mentor who introduces Joe to the world of boxing. While he maintains a strict demeanor in his daily life, he possesses a fondness for sake that transforms him into an overly cheerful individual when intoxicated, a behavior that frequently irritates Joe. He also displays excessive politeness toward those of higher social standing, a trait that Joe finds unnecessary. Before taking on Joe, Danpei was a boxer himself but was forced to retire after losing an eye. He attempted to become a coach, but his training methods were so violent, strict, and desperate that his students abandoned him for better gyms. This resulted in him becoming jobless and eventually descending into homelessness and alcoholism. Upon recognizing Joe’s immense potential, Danpei vows to train him to become not just Japan’s best, but the world’s finest boxer, hoping this success will secure a better future for them both. True to his promise, he largely abandons his drinking habit due to Joe’s aversion to alcoholism, restricting his consumption to special occasions only.
