Nonki Megane

Also known as ノンキメガネ (Nonki Megane)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

Nonki Megane’s name is a compound of the Japanese words nonki meaning “relaxed” or “not in a hurry” and megane which means “glasses” or “spectacles”. So, in English, his name would roughly translate to “Easygoing Glasses”.

Distinguishing Features

Although his large round glasses and spotted nose are visually very similar to Osamu Tezuka‘s own in-manga appearance, Nonki Megane is actually relatively easy to recognize by his bald head, and especially by his broom-stick moustache.

Status: Minor Star (★)

Nonki Megane is a career minor role player, usually cast as “one of the sailors/soldiers/staff members” or someone else’s assistant. Assumed to be based on Yutaka Aso, one of manga’s pioneers and creator of a popular strip known as Nonki na Tousan (1923) [‘Easygoing Daddy’], his own easy-going demeanour as a well-intentioned bumbler seem a good match.

Notable Roles

Although his debut in a commercial work came when he appeared as one of the members of the military unit in Mr. Cactus (1951-54), he is actually quite a bit older. Evidence from Tezuka’s boyhood manga works seem to suggest that he was an early partner to scrappy detective Higeoyaji – something which was later echoed in Astro Boy (1952-68) when he took on what is probably his most well-known role as the Principal at Astro Boy‘s school where Shunsaku Ban also happens to work as a teacher… one of several roles he had in the series.

Manga Appearances

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

1951

The Cactus Kid as “one of the soldiers”

1952

People with Pistols on their Heads as “one of the sailors”

1954

The Story of the Silk Hat as “the stage director”
The Cactus Kid as “one of the household staff”

1955

Astro Boy (“Electro”) as “Shibugaki’s Father’s secretary”
Red Snow as “a man at the inn”
Ms. Gentle Breeze as “the doctor”
Chief Detective Kenichi (“The Case of the Gorilla”) as “a guy at the circus”

1956

Lion Books (“Black Cosmic Rays”) as “a member of the editorial staff”
Chief Detective Kenichi
Ms. Sunflower as “the doctor”

1957

Lion Books (“Skeleton Skipper”) as “a sailor”
The Kokeshi Detective Agency as “the Uncle”

1958

Astro Boy (“Crucifix Island”) as “a guard”
Chief Detective Kenichi
Sangoro from the Hills as “the husband at the inn”

1959

Astro Boy (“The Eyes of Christ”) as “the school principal”
Dr. Thrill

1960

Astro Boy (“Uran”) as “the school principal”
Captain Ken as “as member of the audience at Double’s trial”

1961

Astro Boy (“The White-Hot Being”) as “one of the villagers”
The Ant and the Giant as “the boarding house landlord”
The Strange Boy

1963

The Eye of the Building

1964

Astro Boy (“The Brain Swap”) as “the school principal”

1973

Microid S as “Fu Teng”
Black Jack (“On a Snowy Night”) as “a member of the rescue party”

1974

Black Jack (“Mistress Shiraha”) as “the man at the inn”
Black Jack (“The Sinking Woman”) as “a city staff member”
Paper Fortress as “a man in the crowd”

1977

Black Jack (“Playing Doctor”) as “the green grocer”
Black Jack (“Test of Courage”) as “Ryokan”
The Three-Eyed One (“Bibagon Appears”) as “the village headman”

1982

Rainbow Parakeet (“A Cure for Love Sickness”) as “the ticket taker at the theatre”