Notaarin

Also known as ノタアリン (Notaarin)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

“Notaarin” is a twist on the slang term nōtarin which means “not enough brains”. Moving the elongated vowel to the second syllable makes the name rhyme with the Japanese pronunciation of “Stalin”. The name was probably meant to poke fun at that dictator, who was still in power when the character debuted in 1951.

Distinguishing Features

With his round, usually bald head, his most distinguishing feature is his round dark moustache.

Status: Secondary Star (★★)

Notaarin is one of Tezuka’s oldest and most prolific Stars. Unlike some of the other scientists, like Dr. Ochanomizu and Dr. Hanamaru, who are concerned with the betterment of mankind, or Dr. Tenma and Dr. Fooler, who are concerned with the betterment of their own lot in life, Notaarin is mainly interested in hearing the sound of his own voice. More of an academic professor than a true research scientist, Notaarin is usually convinced of his own superiority – often punctuated by his spontaneous delivery of lectures. This makes him perfect to take on roles with some academic or bureaucratic authority.

Notable Roles

Notaarin made his debut in Metropolis (1949), as the Chief of the Metropolitan Police force. However, likely his signature appearance is as Professor Nandemo Kandemo – which literally translates as the Professor of “Anything and Everything” – in Manga University (1950). He has appeared in many of Tezuka’s works, including Next World (1951), Lion Books (1956-57), Black Jack (1973-83), Wonder 3 (1965-66), Astro Boy (1952-68), and Rainbow Parakeet (1981-82).

Manga Appearances

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

1949

Metropolis as “the Chief of the Metropolitan Police”

1950

Mad Jungle as “a member of the Atomic Energy committee”
Manga University as “Professor Nandemo Kandemo”

1951

Next World as the “chairman of the Atomic Energy Committee”

1952

The Adventure of Rock as “one of the delegates at the Bird Men conference”
Manga Classroom as “Professor Nandemo Kandemo”

1954

Boy Wonder as “Wonder’s homeroom teacher”
The Devil of the Earth as “Mr. Fukui”

1955

Meteor Prince as “a member of the film crew”

1956

Astro Boy (“The Midoro Swamp”) as “a police officer”

1957

Rags & Jewels as “as the employee of the movie company”
Whirlwind Z as “the Kurotani Stationmaster”

1958

The Three Who Glimpse the Future as “one of the people listening to Hegeoyagi‘s prediction”
The Film is Alive as “Sandayu”

1959

Dr. Thrill as “the Police Chief”

1960

Astro Boy (“Uran”) as “a member of the audience at the robotting competition”
The Manga Arabian Nights
Dream of the Universe
Captain Ken as “Sheriff Notaarin”

1961

The Strange Boy as “Subutan’s father, Kazuo Onishi”

1965

Wonder 3 as “Hard Boiled, the private eye”
Ambassador Magma as “a member of the human resistance”

1968

Swallowing the Earth as “police inspector Mulligan”
Burunga I as “the teacher”

1969

Rubbish Poetry as “a member of the audience”

1971

The Transparent Brain as “Yuichi’s father”

1972

Lion Books (“Mother River”) as “the staff of TTTV”
Lion Books (“The Muddy March”) as “the journalist”
Lion Books (“Sweet Smell of Success”) as “Professor Anything-and-Everything”

1973

Black Jack (“A Girl who became a Bird”) as “the chairman of the man-powered flight competition”

1974

Black Jack (“The Gray Mansion”) as “a hotel employee”
Black Jack (“Twice Dead”) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“Captain Park”) as “an onlooker”
Black Jack (“The Sinking Woman”) as “the man at the bakery”
Black Jack (“Two Loves”) as “an onlooker”
Black Jack (“From Afar”) as “a doctor”
Lunatic Japan as “a policeman”
Lunatic Japan as “the factory instructor”
Paper Fortress as “an officer at the munitions factory”

1975

Black Jack (“The Cat and Shozo”) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“The Painting is Dead!”) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“Con Man, Aspiring”) as “a doctor”
Astro Boy (“Astro Boy II”) as “a researcher at the Ministry of Science”

1976

Black Jack (“Urashima”) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“Timeout”) as “the man from Yarisugi construction”
Black Jack (“Gift to the Future”) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“Third Time’s The Charm”) as “a member of the audience”
Black Jack (“The Old Man and the Tree”) as “a customer at the bar”

1977

Black Jack (“One Hour to Death”) as “a doctor”

1978

Black Jack (“Bad Stunt”) as “Parkinson”

1979

The Two Shoguns as “the Principal”

1981

The Rainbow Parakeet (“Cyrano de Bergerac“) as “the Oden stall owner”
The Rainbow Parakeet (“Tartuffe“) as “the airport guest”

1985

Destination: 1985 as “Vice-President Tetsu”

1987

Atom Cat (“The Cat Mummy”) as “department store crowd member”