
Teruko Ōkura
Teruko Ōkura |
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Kanji | 大倉 燁子 |
Rōmaji | Ōkura Teruko |
Statistics | |
Ability | Gasp of the Soul |
Reference | Gasp of the Soul (Mystery story by Teruko Ōkura) |
Occupation | Hunting Dogs Vice-Captain |
Affiliation | Hunting Dogs |
Appearances | |
Manga Debut | Chapter 60 |
Anime Debut | Episode 44 |
Portrayal | |
Japanese Voice | Makoto Koichi |
English Voice | Cherami Leigh |
Teruko Ōkura (大倉 燁子, Ōkura Teruko) is the vice-captain of the Hunting Dogs special unit, an elite task force in charge of handling dangerous ability users. She wields a unique ability called Gasp of the Soul, which plays a critical role in her effectiveness as a leader and combatant.
Personality

Appearance in Manga
Teruko Ōkura is an intense and boastful individual who takes pride in her power and her prominent role within the Hunting Dogs. She possesses a fiery temper and a short fuse, often intimidating others once the initial shock of her youthful appearance wears off. When angered or provoked, Teruko becomes aggressively confrontational, frequently resorting to violent threats, such as evisceration or gutting, to assert her authority. Her fearsome reputation has earned her the moniker “Blood-Briar Queen” among lower-ranked authorities, a title reflecting her bloodthirst and the fear she inspires, even among her allies. Her primary weapon, a steel whip, further emphasizes her combative and ruthless nature. Additionally, she exhibits an unusual obsession with Ōchi Fukuchi, which adds another layer to her intense personality.
As the vice-captain of the Hunting Dogs, Teruko takes her responsibilities seriously, embodying her role as a “Protector of Justice.” Despite her enjoyment of battle, often laughing in exhilaration while defeating opponents, she remains steadfast in her dedication to her duties. She views her role as essential to maintaining order and peace in the nation and the world. Teruko proudly describes the Hunting Dogs as “slaves” to society and “ultimate violence,” emphasizing that their sacrifices—including undergoing regular maintenance surgeries and fighting to the death—are necessary to uphold societal stability. Even when gravely injured, she continues to fight without hesitation, believing that self-sacrifice is the hallmark of a true hero.
Appearance
Teruko Ōkura has the appearance of a short, young girl with light, long hair styled in a wavy ponytail tied with a large ribbon. She wears the standard Hunting Dogs uniform, with a specially designed hat that accommodates her hairstyle. Befitting her status as a member of the Mad Dogs, she carries a sword by her side, adding to her commanding and battle-ready presence.
During the pursuit of the Armed Detective Agency at the Sky Casino, Teruko uses her ability, Gasp of the Soul, to manipulate her age. She demonstrates this by transforming into an adult woman and later into an elderly lady, showcasing the versatility of her power.
Role in Bungo Stray Dogs
As the vice-captain, Teruko serves as a tactical leader and strategist for the Hunting Dogs. Her ability, Gasp of the Soul, allows her to exert control over others, making her an invaluable asset in missions requiring precise coordination and psychological manipulation.
Teruko’s unwavering dedication to justice drives her actions, often bringing her into conflict with the series’ protagonists, such as the Armed Detective Agency. Her strict adherence to the Hunting Dogs’ mission emphasizes her belief in order and discipline, even when faced with morally ambiguous situations.
Teruko’s interactions with her comrades, such as Ōchi Fukuchi and other Hunting Dogs members, highlight her strong sense of duty and camaraderie. While she maintains a professional demeanor, her loyalty and support for her team reveal a more compassionate side to her character.
Ability
Teruko Ōkura’s ability, Gasp of the Soul (魂の喘ぎ, Tamashī no Aegi), allows her to manipulate the age of anyone she touches. She primarily utilizes this power for interrogation and torture, rapidly aging her victims to old age, causing them to develop various illnesses and maladies associated with advanced age. She then reverses the process, pulling them back to a much younger age. This rapid alternation between ages places severe psychological strain on her victims, overwhelming their senses and causing significant mental distress due to the abrupt changes in their bodies. Despite not physically harming her victims, the trauma inflicted makes her ability particularly effective for extracting information.
In addition to using her ability on others, Teruko has demonstrated the ability to alter her own physical age. She uses this aspect of her power for disguising herself or maturing her body to a physically stronger age, adding a versatile and strategic element to her skillset.
Skills
Teruko Ōkura is highly skilled in interrogation, as demonstrated by her ability to extract a confession from ex-lieutenant Jack Gillette of the Seventeen World Villains, despite his strong will and resistance. Teruko herself has stated that she is often tasked with uncovering lies and extracting confessions, frequently employing her ability and torture methods to achieve results. Her expertise in psychological manipulation and her strategic use of Gasp of the Soul make her an exceptionally effective interrogator.
Etymology
The name Teruko (燁子) combines the kanji 燁 (teru), meaning “bright,” “glorious,” “splendid,” or “flame,” and 子 (ko), meaning “child.” Her surname, Ōkura (大倉), is derived from the kanji 大 (ō), meaning “big” or “great,” and 倉 (kura), which can mean “warehouse,” “storehouse,” “barn,” “treasury,” or other storage-related terms.
Trivia
Teruko’s name references Ōkura Teruko, a Japanese poet whose works emphasize emotion and introspection, themes that align with her ability to manipulate the inner essence of others.
Despite her small stature, Teruko’s commanding presence and sharp intellect make her one of the most formidable leaders in the Hunting Dogs.
Her ability, Gasp of the Soul, is both versatile and intimidating, reflecting her dual role as a strategist and combatant.
Teruko’s unwavering loyalty to the Hunting Dogs and their mission highlights her deep sense of duty and justice.