Kao Sekken
Also known as カオー・セッケン (Kaō Sekken)
Status: Minor Star (★)
One of Tezuka’s oldest Stars, Kao Sekken is more of a crook than a true villain. He usually appears alongside his co-conspirators Afill and Gratin, and might show up as a member of a secret society, religious fanatic, a kidnapper, or some other kind of thug.
Notable Roles
Kao Sekken, like his regular partners, Afill and Gratin, 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). He is also memorable as the Hong Kong martial arts master in Big X (1963-66).
Hello, My Name (in English) is…
In Japan, Kao was (and still is) a famous name brand of sekken (セッケン) – which means “soap” in English. Osamu Tezuka was inspired by the company’s “crescent moon face” logo, so he decided to name his character after the brand. An English equivalent might be “Ivory Soap”.
Distinguishing Features
Much like the crescent moon logo after which he is designed, Kao Sekken’s bald head and long jaw for a sort of crescent shape of their own. He is also distinguishable by the two pointy outcrops of hair on the side of his head.
Manga Appearances
If you spot an appearance not already listed, please let us know in the comments section below!
1946
Lost World [Manuscript] as “Kao Sekken”
1948
Lost World as “a member of the Mamango Secret Society”
1952
Astro Boy (“Gas People”) as “the man obsesses with gas”
Astro Boy (“Frankenstein”) as “one of the crooks”
1954
Goto Matabei
1957
Whirlwind Z as “a believer in the Puipui religion”
The Kokeshi Detective Agency as “the crook on the beach”
1961
Astro Boy (“The Blast Furnace Mystery”) as “the murderer”
1962
Brave Dan as “one of Dr. Zogel’s’s henchmen”
1972
Lion Books (“OBA Mansion – Spring in Full Bloom”) as “an employee of Dammar Land company”
1973
Black Jack (“Is there a Doctor?”) as “a motorcyle cop”
Black Jack (“Miyuki and Ben“) as “a doctor”
1974
Black Jack (“Son of Hariti”) as “one of the kidnappers”
Black Jack (“Fits”) as “Katen-ya”
Black Jack (“Pinoko Lives”) as “a doctor”
1976
Black Jack (“U-18 Knew”) as “a member of the hospital staff”
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