Tenma, Dr.
Also known as 天馬博士 (Tenma Kachō)
Hello, My Name (in English) is…
Dr. Tenma’s name in English is a combination of the Japanese characters ten (天), meaning “heaven” and uma (馬), meaning “horse”. Combined they give the connotation of “pegasus” or “flying horse.”
Distinguishing Features
Dr. Tenma is usually pretty easy to spot but his “rooster-like” front-combed coif of hair and large, bushy beard on his chin.
Status: Secondary Star (★★)
Dr. Tenma is clearly one of Osamu Tezuka’s most brilliant scientists, however, unlike his peer-group members, such as Dr. Ochanomizu and Dr. Hanamaru, he fits the term “mad scientist” to a tee. It’s understandable, given that his only son, Tobio, was killed in an accident that is arguably a result of his neglect and indifference. Slightly unhinged to begin with, the incident drives him insane, and he attempts to replace his flesh-and-blood son with a robot replacement. As such, Dr. Tenma is usually cast in roles where he can bring his stern genius to bear.
Notable Roles
Obviously, as the creator of the mighty robot, Astro Boy, Dr. Tenma is considered a core-member of the Astro Boy (1952-68) cast – even if he only appears as a somewhat shadowy and sinister figure in the background. He has made several appearances in Black Jack (1973-83). He also makes a memorable appearance as Yoshiko’s father – another exploitative parent – in the Rainbow Parakeet (1981-82) chapter based on the play “The Telephone” where he appears as a stern father figure whose callous treatment of his daughter’s desire to learn the art of acting drives her to attempt suicide.
Manga Appearance List
If you spot an appearance not already listed, please let us know in the comments section below!
1951
Ambassador Atom as “Dr. Tenma”
1956
Astro Boy (“Robot Bombs“) as “Dr. Tenma”
1959
Astro Boy (“Secret of the Egyptian Conspirators“) as “Dr. Tenma”
1964
Astro Boy (“The Greatest Robot on Earth“) as “Dr. Tenma”
Astro Boy (“Time Machine“) as “Dr. Tenma”
1966
Astro Boy (“Astro Boy Reborn“) as “Dr. Tenma”
Astro Boy (“The Melanin Tribe“) as “Dr. Tenma”
Astro Boy (“Meeva“) as “Dr. Tenma”
1967
Astro Boy (“Beginning of the Contradiction“) as “Dr. Tenma”
1973
Black Jack (“Miyuki and Ben“) as “a doctor”
Microid S as “the Minister”
1974
Black Jack (“Eyewitness“) as “a doctor”
1975
Black Jack (“Needle“) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“Revenge“) as “the father”
Astro Boy (“The Birth of Astro Boy“) as “Dr. Tenma”
1976
Black Jack (“Your Mistake!“) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“Money! Money! Money!“) as “a doctor”
1977
Black Jack (“Younger Brother“) as “Eiichi”
1979
Black Jack (“The Substitute“) as “the Vice-President”
1981
The Rainbow Parakeet (“The Telephone“) as “Yoshiko’s father”
1986
Atom Cat (“The Birth of Atom Cat”) as “Dr. Tenma”
Atom Cat (“Atom’s First Love”) as “Dr. Tenma”
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