Pippy

Also known as ピピちゃん (Pipi-chan)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

Pippy.

Distinguishing Features

As a half-fish, half-human being in the classic “mermaid” motif, Pippy is usually pretty easy to spot.

Status: Primary Star (★★★)

Originally a human boy, Pippy’s father – driven by a prophetic vision that mankind would one day return to the oceans, experimented on his son and turned him into a merman. Raised in the sea by a loving sea turtle, Pippy is one of Tezuka’s go-to Stars for any underwater action. Given Pippy’s half-fish nature, it’s also quite natural for him/her to easily slip into both male and female roles.

Notable Roles

Pippy originally made his appearance in a supporting role in Fossil Island (1951). However, Tezuka recognized his Star power quickly and cast him in the title role as a “Mer-boy” in both Pippy (1951-53) and the follow up Adventures of Pippy (1952). Pippy also took on the female mermaid role, cast as Triton’s eventual wife in Triton of the Sea (1969-71). Pippy has also made a few supporting appearances on land, notably in Black Jack (1973-83) as a young man who is terrified when his body is infected by a plant substance and is ceasing to be human, as well as a few others.