Teruhiko Saigou

Teruhiko is kind, sensitive and protective of his father. He is bullied because Saigou Tokumori works as the "mama" of the Kamakko Club, but his embarrassment is complicated: he is less ashamed of Saigou than afraid of exposing him to ridicule.

He initially tries to conceal his problems by claiming that his bruises came from ordinary play. This tendency to protect his father's feelings leaves him dealing with the bullying alone.

Teruhiko ultimately understands that wishing for an easier, more conventional family does not mean rejecting the parent who raised him. His willingness to speak openly about Saigou becomes an important step in accepting his family without allowing other children's prejudice to define it.

Teruhiko has no supernatural abilities and is not a trained combatant. He is an ordinary child whose storylines focus on family, bullying and his position as Saigou's son.

He nevertheless demonstrates courage when people around him are in danger. During the incident involving Prince Hata's giant pet, Teruhiko tries to help despite having none of his father's extraordinary fighting strength.

Teruhiko is introduced when Gintoki and Kotarou Katsura become involved with the Kamakko Club and discover that Saigou is raising a son. They later learn that Teruhiko is being bullied at school because of his father's occupation and presentation.

Teruhiko conceals a school event from Saigou and becomes involved in a test of courage that brings him into the grounds where Prince Hata's enormous pet is kept. Gintoki and Katsura attempt to protect him before Saigou arrives and overwhelms the animal.

Teruhiko eventually brings Saigou to school and reads an essay about his family, openly acknowledging his parent. Much later, Kada's faction uses Teruhiko as a hostage during the Four Devas conflict to prevent Saigou from freely opposing the conspiracy engulfing Kabuki District.

Saigou Tokumori is Teruhiko's father and sole surviving parent. After Teruhiko's mother dies, Saigou assumes both parental roles and builds his life around raising his son. Teruhiko loves him deeply even while struggling with the social pressure created by other children's prejudice.

Sakata Gintoki helps Teruhiko during the crisis involving his classmates and Prince Hata's pet.

Kotarou Katsura speaks with Teruhiko about his problems and helps uncover why he has been hiding the school event from Saigou Tokumori.

The members of the Kamakko Club form an extended family around Teruhiko and his father, giving him a larger household beyond his biological relatives.