Rommel
Also known as ロンメル (Rommel)
Hello, My Name (in English) is…
Rommel. Technically it’s German.
Distinguishing Features
Rommel is usually quite easy to spot with his bullet-shaped bald head, sour expression, and signature monacle. He was modelled after Erich von Stroheim, an Austrian-American director, screenwriter, actor, and producer. Tezuka was likely inspired by his portrayal of the Desert Fox in the 1943 film, Five Graves to Cairo.
Status: Secondary Star (★★)
Rommel is one of the most imposing supporting actors in Osamu Tezuka’s Star System. That should come as no surprise since the blood of Marshall Erwin Rommel – the Desert Fox himself, one of the most renowned tacticians of World War II – courses through his veins. Although he never got a starring role, with his strong will, large frame, and booming voice, he steals many of the scenes he’s in.
Notable Roles
Rommel made his debut in Jungle Emperor (1950-54) as General Rommel, the leader of the “B” Nation’s expedition team. And even though he died a heroic death on the slopes of Mt. Moon, he defied the odds and had a long career. One of his most memorable roles is as Kamo Serizawa – including leading an inspiring dance scene ripped straight out of West Side Story – in The Shinsengumi (1963). The end of his long career coincided with Osamu Tezuka’s death, as he appeared in his final role as Jugnel, Commander of Prussia’s 9th Infantry in the unfinished Ludwig B (1987-89).
Manga Appearances
If you spot an appearance not already listed, please let us know in the comments section below!
1950
Jungle Emperor as “General Rommel”
1951
The Cactus Kid as “the injured soldier”
1952
The Adventure of Rock as “one of the delegates at the Bird Men conference”
1953
Astro Boy (“Flying Skyscraper”) as “Professor Rommel”
X-Point in the South Pacific as “the Caucasian”
1955
Chief Detective Kenichi (“The Case of the Gorilla”) as “a member of the theatrical troupe”
Chief Detective Kenichi (“The Transparent Man Incident”) as “Prosecutor Baeringen”
1957
Lion Books (“Skeleton Skipper”) as “an official”
The Earth War as “Colonel Gorubo”
1958
The Three Who Glimpse the Future as “a police officer”
1959
Zero Men as “Geronimo”
1960
I Am Sarutobi! as “Yata Katsura”
1963
Princess Knight [Nakayoshi] as “Warden Gammer”
The Shinsengumi as “Kamo Serizawa”
1965
Wonder 3 as “an Ambassador”
1966
Astro Boy (“The Face in the Rock”) as “the human face in the rock”
1971
Lion Books (“Adachi Hara”) as “President Damocles”
1972
Lion Books (“Mother River”) as “Ichimura Yoko”
1973
Black Jack (“A Girl who became a Bird”) as “a hunter with a rifle”
1974
Black Jack (“Pinoko Loves You”) as “the patient’s father”
Black Jack (“Two Loves”) as “a police officer”
Black Jack (“From Afar”) as “a doctor”
1975
Black Jack (“Emergency Shelter”) as “one of the trapped men”
Astro Boy (“Astro Boy II”) as “a government official”
1976
Black Jack (“99% Water”) as “a patient”
1977
Black Jack (“Lynching”) as “the boss, Gel Beano”
1979
Black Jack (“The Substitute”) as “a doctor”
1987
Ludwig B as “Jungel”
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