Gratin
Also known as グラタン (Guratan)
Status: Minor Star (★)
Gratin is one of Tezuka’s Star crooks who seems more to have simply fallen in with a rough crowd due to his odd appearance. He was likely looking for acceptance amongst his peer group – specifically Kao Sekken and Afill who often appear alongside him. He acts tough to hide his own insecurities and is often cast in the role of a thug, a henchman, or some other sort of servant.
Notable Roles
As with both Kao Sekken and Afill, Gratin made original debut in the amateur work Lost World [Manuscript] (1946) and was then recast in the role as a member of the Mamango Secret Society in Lost World (1948). Although many English readers may remember his appearances in the Astro Boy (1952-68) chapters “The Coral Reef Adventure” and “The Eyes of Christ”, his most notable role is as “Igor” the manservant to Dracula in Don Dracula (1979) – a role he was tailor-made for. He also pulled off an incredible performance in which he simultaneously played two very different characters: the gentlemanly rogue Mr. Aotama and his eccentric brother, Gohei in The Three-Eyed One (1974-78).
Hello, My Name (in English) is…
Strangely enough, Gratin got the short end of the stick compared to his co-conspirators Kao Sekken and Afill. His name has no known meaning.
Distinguishing Features
Gratarn is easy to spot from his distorted bald head, one eye patch, and extremely large and protruding buck teeth.
Manga Appearances
If you spot an appearance not already listed, please let us know in the comments section below!
1948
Lost World as “a member of the Mamango Secret Society”
1954
Astro Boy (“The Coral Reef Adventure”) as “the captain”
1959
Astro Boy (“The Eyes of Christ”) as “the man with the bell”
1962
Brave Dan as “one of Dr. Zogel’s henchmen”
1968
Noman as “the man on the airplane”
1975
The Three-Eyed One (“Wearied Plant Bolbocc”)
1979
Don Dracula (“Dracula’s Arrival”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula, Again”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula, After All”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula Tanker”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Well, I’m Dracula”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula Meets the Fish-Men”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula, Once Again”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Blonda, My Love”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“It Reminds Me of Dracula”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula, By All Means”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula Lives by Night”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Almost Dracula”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula’s Transformation”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Another Dracula”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula in the Rain”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula, Barely”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Now It’s Dracula, for Some Reason”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Dracula in Desperation”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“The Wrong Dracula”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Plagued Dracula”) as “Igor”
Don Dracula (“Failed Dracula”) as “Igor”
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