Frankenstein

Also known as フランケン・シュタイン (Furanken.shutain)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

Frankenstein has the same bone-chilling meaning in Japanese as it does in English. He’s the monster from Mary Shelley’s famous novel.

Distinguishing Features

Almost as imposing as his famous namesake, Frankenstein is a large hulk of a man. He only has one eye, and an extremely long, somewhat monstrous-looking face.

Status: Minor Star (★)

Despite his stark appearance, however, Frankenstein is no lumbering simpleton. Instead, he is another of Tezuka’s cadre of mad scientists who is a master of his trade. Often cast in leadership roles, as a scientist, a general, a clergyman, or a respected professor – he usually has a harsh lesson to teach.

Notable Roles

Frankenstein followed up his first appearance as “Dr. Smith” in Men with Tails (1949), with a more memorable role as his namesake, the research scientist Dr. Frankenstein in Next World (1951). He’s had a long illustrious career – right up to the role of Abbot Stockel in Ludwig B (1987). However, probably his best-known performance is as the virtuoso violinist Morozov in Black Jack (1973-83). He also starred as a biology professor with an axe to grind in Rainbow Parakeet (1981-82), among several others.

Manga Appearances

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

1949

Men with Tails as “Dr. Smith”

1951

Next World as “Dr. Frankenstein”

1953

Astro Boy (“Sea Serpent Island”) as “the manager of the underground stronghold”

1955

The Age of Great Floods as “the commanding officer”
Chief Detective Kenichi (“The Transparent Man Incident”) as “Dr. Schnitzel”

1956

Lion Books (“The Next Human Beings”) as “the American”

1958

The Three Who Glimpse the Future as “a research scientist”
The Film is Alive as “Dan Matsuma”

1961

Astro Boy (“The Hot Dog Corps”) as “the Air Self-Defence Force commanding officer”

1967

Burunga I as “Yutaira of Kawahone”

1970

Ode to Kirihito as “the professor from Mannheim University”
The Masterless Samurai

1974

Black Jack (“Two Shujis“) as “the doctor who examines Kumi”

1975

Black Jack (“Stradivarius”) as “Morozov”
Black Jack (“Granny”) as “Professor Jindai”

1976

Black Jack (“Hurricane”) as “Crossword”
Black Jack (“Two at the Baths”) as “Hyojisai”

1979

Don Dracula (“The Wrong Dracula”) as “the priest”

1981

The Rainbow Parakeet (“The Inspector-General“) as “Old Man Bosco”
The Rainbow Parakeet (“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?“) as “Professor Young Frankenstein”

1987

Ludwig B as “Abbot Stockel”