Mason

Also known as メイスン (Meisun)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

Mason’s name, in both Japanese and English, is derived from the English actor James Mason, the star of the British film The Prisoner of Zenda (1952).

Distinguishing Features

Given his remarkable likeness to his real-life namesake, Mason can be picked out of the crowd by his distinctively chiseled pointed chin, sloping nose and dark eyebrows.

Status: Secondary Star (★★)

Despite his dashing good looks, Mason never really established himself as a leading man. Instead, he developed into a solid supporting Star, often taking on leadership roles as a captain, commander or some other kind of military officer. While his roles are usually handsome and quick-witted, they often have questionable intentions.

In some ways, Mason can be seen to provide a counter-point to the sauve and debonair Monsieur Ampere. Although their roles are often similar, they approach them quite differently – with Ampere providing the “continental” European flair, and with Mason delivering the dashing and valiant “stiff upper lip”.

Notable Roles

Mason first made his debut as “Major Zenda” in Queen Eggplant (1954-55). However, he is perhaps best known for his role of “Odysseus” in the Phoenix [Shojo Club] (1956-57), chapter “Greece”. Like many of Tezuka’s other Stars, he also had supporting roles in Rainbow Parakeet (1981-82) and Black Jack (1973-83), among several others.

Manga Appearances

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

1954

Queen Eggplant as “Major Zenda”

1955

Meteor Prince as “Dragnet”
The Age of Great Floods as “Sameotoko”

1956

Astro Boy (“Robot Bombs”) as “the pirate”
Phoenix [Shojo Club] (“Greece”) as “Ulysses”

1957

The Devil Invites Himself to the Ball as “the Captain”

1958

The Curtain is Still Blue Tonight as “the stage director” and “the assassin”
The Three Who Glimpse the Future as “a teacher at Rock’s school”

1961

White Pilot as “”

1963

Astro Boy (“The Robot Spaceship”) as “Captain Bascom”
You’re the Last One! as “the Migurusha Commander”

1965

Wonder 3 as “Captain of the Country ‘A’ patrol boat”

1967

Astro Boy (“Zolomon’s Jewels”)

1968

Swallowing the Earth as “the father of the McCroy family”

1971

Lion Books (“Serenade of a Pig’s Navel”) as “the American aiming to Waresuke”

1973

Black Jack (“Anaphylaxis”) as “Colonel Mason”

1974

Black Jack (“Two Loves”) as “the police officer”
Black Jack (“Confluence”) as “a doctor”

1975

Black Jack (“Wolf Girl”) as “the border surveillance officer”
Black Jack (“Quite a Tongue”) as “the Abacus competition referee”
The Lower Angel as “a laborer”

1976

Black Jack (“Operation of the Spirit”) as “a police officer”
The Three-Eyed One (“Towering Miracle”) as “a guest at the bar”
The Three-Eyed One (“Jar of Chaos”)

1981

The Rainbow Parakeet (“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?“) as “the police detective”

1983

Black Jack (“Prone to Laughter”) as “the medical director”