Afill

Also known as アフィル (Afiru)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

Afill’s name is derived from the Japanese word for “duck” (ahiru).

Distinguishing Features

With a name like that, it should come as no surprise that Afill is easily recognizable by his pug nose, monkey-like ears and wide, exaggerated (almost duckbill-like) lips.

Status: Minor Star (★)

Afill may be a career bit player, but he is a specialist at using his somewhat odd appearance to really inject a bit of energy into whatever scene he’s in. Although he has had a few roles as a key antagonist – primarily as part of a threesome with his co-conspirators Kao Sekken and Gratin – he is generally known for throw-away roles, cast as a servant, a henchman, a passenger, a customer, or simply a man-in-the-crowd.

Notable Roles

One of Tezuka’s oldest Stars, Afill got his big break in the amateur work Lost World [Manuscript] (1946), however his official debut is as the leader of the Mamango Secret Society crooks in Lost World (1948). Although he has no series to really call his own, he has made several appearances in Lion Books (1956-57) and Black Jack (1973-83). He was also memorable in the Astro Boy (1952-68) chapter “Secret of the Egyptian Conspirators” (1959).

Manga Appearances

If you spot an appearance not already listed, please let us know in the comments section below!

1946

Lost World [Manuscript] as “Afill”

1948

Lost World as “the leader of the Mamango Secret Society”

1954

Goto Matabei as “Afill, the Southern Barbarian”

1956

Lion Books (“The Black Space Ray”) as “a customer at the dance hall”

1957

Lion Books (“The Multi-Eyed Devil”) as “a passenger on the train”

1959

Astro Boy (“Secret of the Egyptian Conspirators”) as “the man on the train who warns Higeoyaji”
Hikari as “one of the gangsters”

1969

The Runaway Tanker as “a passenger on the ship”

1971

Lion Books (“Serenade of Pig’s Navel”) as “one of the Soviet agents”

1973

Black Jack (“Miyuki and Ben“) as “a police officer”
Microid S (“Tokyo in Ruins”) as “a taxi driver”

1974

Black Jack (“Mistress Shiraha”) as “Hakuyo’s secretary”
Tigerland as “Masaru’s Secretary”

1975

Black Jack (“Country Clinic”) as “a passenger on the bus”

1976

Black Jack (“Teratoid Cystoma – Part 2”) as “a doctor”

1977

Black Jack (“Younger Brother”) as “Eichi’s older friend”
Black Jack (“The Nekogami Clan”) as “the Nekogami clan’s servant”