@Fury283:
I was sitting here wondering this as well… I don't think many characters in the series has much development that isnt a main character.
I mean the way that the pacing is in this story, there isn't any time for much development outside of the 4 Kings and Komatsu.
The death of Teppei I found was most shocking because of not because he was a developed character(The guy was around for half of a major arc, and was in 2 minor arcs, then appeared briefly in the Four Beast arc before being painfully dismembered)
but because of the way it happened in a series that you DID NOT EXPECT SUCH A THING TO HAPPEN IN. This series is usually full of butterflies and lollipops when it comes to death. It just doesn't happen and when it did happen it happens to characters with no names.
Teppei actually had a name and a LITTLE bit of backstory. In my eyes thats actually sufficient backstory in this manga, considering that the only backstory we've gotten on the 4 kings is they grew up together and fought together. We're only fairly relaxed around the because we see them a lot.
To me, this manga is a "Here and Now" not a "Remember the Past." story like most Mangas.
More focus on the 'story' going on now, and all the action... with a fast pace to keep it from getting boring.
I've also learned to not argue with The Daz just by reading what he posts most of the time.. the guy is incredibly skilled at pointing out the flaws in any manga, and will easily beat anyone defending it. Not that I'm saying I don't agree with what he says most of the time, its just that he's VERY VERY good at that, even if I disagree with him at some points. You can't win a argument against him, he has all the facts and they are USUALLY 100% true.
lol so true everything you said,and I've also given up arguing with some people who I know I can never beat in a debate, Daz, Urouge, Aohgie, Robby, Silence etc. not that I differ in opinion that much and if I do there arguments usually end up persuading me
and I can see there point this time, but I think it's because Toriko is a manga with such little development of character, that even though he was minor we still had a great deal more invested in Teppi then 95% of the other characters
and I like your analysis of here and now not remember the past
EDIT: actually now that I think about at least Teppei had a flashback that showed his reasoning for why he wished to become whatever it is he is again, I don't think even the four kings have a reason besides appetite