Star System

Azuma, Hideo

Azuma is a manga artist who made his professional debut in 1969 in the Akita Shoten manga magazine Manga King and made an appearance in Tezuka's Rainbow Parakeet (1981-83).

Astro's Father was created, along with his much more famous wife, Mitchy, by Dr. Ochanomizu to act as Astro Boy's robot family. Although he is a father figure, as a robot he is actually younger than Astro, and thus attends the same school in a lower grade - something which often leads to some comedic results.

Asagumo, Akira [aka Big X]

Another of Tezuka's "Boy Heroes", Akira is the heroic young son of a brilliant scientist. When he is gifted with the power to instantly grow his body to any size at will while gaining the relative muscle power that comes with it, he dedicates himself to defeating the Neo Nazi organization that is after the "Big X" formula.

Whisky

Another of Tezuka's academics/scientists, Whisky often takes on the role of the antagonist in Tezuka's stories. Rather than being truly evil, Whisky is simply overly proud, often self-serving, and generally unwilling to heed advice or warnings. While he does on occasion aid others, it usually comes at a price.

Mikazuki, Dr.

One of Tezuka's earliest scientists, he was originally one half of a slightly comedic duo with his partner, Dr. Mangetsu - first played by Chiruchiru and then, later by Mokusan.

Akita, Mr.

Mr. Akita is one cool customer. As a teacher at Yakeno's Junior High School, and the only one to believe Maria's supernatural origins, he acts as a guiding figure of authority. The founder of the B.G. Club, his intelligence and tolerance match his physical strength.

Akatsuka, Fujio

A real-life pioneer Japanese artist of comical manga known as the "Gag Manga King", Fujio Akatsuka was born in Rehe, Manchuria, as the son of a Japanese military police officer. After World War II, he grew up in Niigata Prefecture and Nara Prefecture. When he was 19, he moved to Tokyo.

Aggo

The consummate lawman, Aggo is upstanding and righteous, but he is also hot tempered and quick to anger. Despite a slight weakness for alcohol, the merest drop of which will put him to sleep, Aggo is almost always cast as an authority figure. He is most often seen as a Sherrif in the Old West, but on occasion he will take on roles such as a school principle or a doctor.

Motoo, Abiko

The real-life mangaka, born in 1934 in Himi, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. Better known as "Fujiko Fujio A", the pen name he shares with his partner Hiroshi Fujimoto, Motoo is the co-creator of the popular character Doraemon.

Mittsun

Squarely in the "don't blink or you'll miss her" category of Tezuka's supporting characters, Mittsun and Yottsun are a husband-and-wife duo who specialize in fading into the background.