Tonanshipei

Also known as 東南西北 (Tonanshipei)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

Tonanshipei’s name in Japanese is a combination of the words ton (東) “East”, nan (南) “South”, shi (西) “West” and pei (北) “North”. So his name literally covers all four points of the compass.

Distinguishing Features

Tonanshipei is the consummate shyster, noticeable by his slicked back hair and upturned pencil moustache. Although he’s got certain family resemblance to Hamgegg, you can always tell the difference between Hamgegg‘s wild-hair and wide-eyed toothy grin, and Tonnanshipei’s coiffed mane and narrow-eyed smirk.

Status: Secondary Star (★★)

One look at Tonanshipei and you just know he’s an oily and sneaky villain. Though he might be dubious and suspicious, he falls more in the category of villains, who are crooked capitalists and are mostly just in it for their own benefit rather than some dastardly evil plot. As such, he’s usually relegated to the “middle management” ranks of Tezuka villains. He might be the corporate or gangster style boss with some henchmen, but he almost always reports to a higher, more sinister, power.

Notable Roles

Tonnanshipei made his debut as an oily industrialist, looking to use the Epumu as a new source of food (and revenue) in The Adventure of Rock (1952-54). He also had a large supporting role as “Kakuteruno Tetsu”, playing alongside Lamp, in Zero Men (1959-60). Since then, he’s popped up in Lion Books, Astro Boy (1952-68), The Rainbow Parakeet (1981-82), and, of course Black Jack (1973-83) – where he played many minor roles, including doctors, officials, journalists, staff members, and others.

Manga Appearances

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

1952

The Adventure of Rock as “Tonnanshipei”

1956

Lion Books (“Space Airport”) as “one of Lamp‘s minions”

1957

Astro Boy (“Black Lux”) as “the hotel manager”
Lion Books (“The Multiple-Eyed Devil”) as “Tonanshipei”

1959

Hikari
Zero Men as “Kakuteruno Tetsu”

1960

Secret Order No.3

1962

The Iron Road as “a gang member”

1970

Phoenix (“Resurrection”) as “as one of the smugglers”

1974

Black Jack (“Thieving Dog”) as “Ambassador of Kainan Republic”
Black Jack (“The Sinking Woman”) as “a member of the relief committee”
Black Jack (“The Two Jans”) as “a member of the German Academy of Sciences”

1975

Black Jack (“The Cursed Operation”) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“Captain Satan”) as “one of the captain’s minions”

1976

Black Jack (“Timeout”) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“Stop Drawing!”) as “a reporter”
Black Jack (“Pinoko’s Challenge”) as “a member of the high school staff”
Black Jack (“Hospital”) as “a doctor”

1977

Black Jack (“Lost Youth”) as “President of Abraham Petroleum”
Black Jack (“A Surgeon Lives for Music”) as “the secret police officer”
Black Jack (“Guinea Pig”) as “a doctor”
Black Jack (“Signal”) as “the company executive”
Black Jack (“An Arrangement of Life”) as “the moderator”
The Three-Eyed One (“Moa, the Mysterious Bird”) as “the quarantine officer”

1979

Phoenix (“Civil War”) as “Munemori”

1980

Black Jack (“Yet False the Days”) as “Momota’s manager”

1981

The Rainbow Parakeet (“The Bluebird“) as “Kuwakata Ryusuke’s secretary”

1982

The Rainbow Parakeet (“Chushingura“) as “Kuwakata Ryusuke’s secretary”
The Rainbow Parakeet (“The Final Act“) as “Kuwakata Ryusuke’s secretary”