Teppei

Teppei is normally calm, observant, and reserved, but occasionally launches into unexpectedly long conversations that can exhaust the people listening to him. He rarely loses composure in dangerous situations and tends to study an opponent or organism carefully before acting.

His ethics as a Saiseiya distinguish him from ordinary Gourmet Hunters. Teppei avoids killing rare, endangered, or unique creatures whenever possible, even when they are dangerous. He instead relies on Knocking, restraint, environmental manipulation, and restoration techniques to neutralize threats without permanently damaging them.

Teppei is deeply knowledgeable about medicine, anatomy, plants, ingredients, and ecological systems. That expertise often matters as much as his fighting ability; he can recognize subtle biological abnormalities that other experienced hunters miss and improvise methods for keeping severely injured organisms alive.

Teppei is an accomplished combatant whose physical abilities place him comfortably among the powerful fighters encountered by the Four Heavenly Kings. His reflexes, speed, precision, tracking ability, and sensory awareness are exceptional, and he can deal with dangerous Gourmet World-class organisms without immediately resorting to lethal force.

Knocking is his signature discipline. By striking precise points on an organism, Teppei can paralyze muscles, halt movement, restrict biological functions, or preserve a critically injured target. His skill is great enough that he eventually inherits his grandfather Jiro's association with the title "Knocking Master."

As a Saiseiya, Teppei carries seeds, chemical solutions, and restoration equipment. Protection Tree seeds can rapidly grow around damaged structures and prevent collapse, while other tools allow him to stabilize ingredients and environments. His elongated fingernails can also function as precise cutting and piercing implements.

Later in the manga, Teppei's mastery of Knocking becomes important on a planetary scale when, working from knowledge inherited from Jiro, he helps prevent the Earth itself from exploding.

Teppei becomes prominent during the Century Soup expedition to Ice Hell. Operating in disguise, he is assigned to inspect the Gourmet Show Window and discovers that its supply of Century Soup is nearly exhausted.

He repeatedly assists Toriko, Komatsu, Takimaru, and their allies while trying to prevent unnecessary destruction in Ice Hell. After the battle between Toriko and Tommyrod, Teppei subdues the badly injured Tommyrod rather than simply allowing him to die.

Teppei later becomes involved in major crises affecting the Human World and Gourmet World, frequently operating as a specialist capable of restoring organisms that ordinary medicine cannot save.

After being confronted by Joie, Teppei appears to have been subjected to Taste Change and begins operating alongside NEO. His apparent transformation into an enemy is eventually revealed to be a deception: he is not truly controlled and works covertly from within the organization.

His most shocking apparent act—destroying Komatsu's heart—is actually part of a plan to preserve it using revival techniques and a Back Channel until it can be restored.

Jiro is Teppei's grandfather and the legendary Knocking Master whose techniques strongly influence Teppei's development.

Yosaku is Teppei's teacher and fellow Saiseiya, training him in restoration, medicine, and the practical responsibilities of preserving ingredients.

Toriko encounters Teppei repeatedly during major expeditions and comes to recognize both his strength and unusual Saiseiya ethics.

Komatsu receives Teppei's help on several occasions. Teppei later takes extreme measures to preserve Komatsu's life while infiltrating NEO.

Takimaru receives treatment from Teppei after his severe injuries in Ice Hell.

Tommyrod becomes one of Teppei's notable enemies, but Teppei ultimately handles him through Knocking rather than straightforward execution.

Joie attempts to control Teppei through Taste Change, creating the appearance that Teppei has betrayed his allies.

Nakaume later becomes one of the people Teppei attempts to protect while working covertly inside NEO.