Chiruchiru
Also known as チルチル (Chiruchiru)
Hello, My Name (in English) is…
No special meaning is known.
Distinguishing Features
Recognizable by his squat frame, plump face, large round spectacles and droopy jowels, Chiruchiru’s comedic appearance hides his inner qualities.
Status: Minor Star (★)
A kindly and gentle father-figure, Chiruchiru is slow to anger. However that doesn’t mean he’s a pushover. Despite his droopy, rolly-polly exterior, he has the stalwart heart of a lion – especially when he’s protecting his cubs. He approaches his tasks with a solid determination to get the job done, and as such he is usually cast in roles of quiet authority.
Notable Roles
Although he is most associated with his namesake role in The Wonderful Journey (1950), he actually first appeared in the early version of The Moony Men [Fuji Shobo] (1948) as “Dr. Mangetsu” – a wholly appropriate casting considering the name means “Dr. Fullmoon” in English. However, when Tezuka rewrote the story as The Mooney Men [Manga Shonen] (1951), he lost the role to his round-faced rival Mokusan. However, it was his role in The Wonderful Journey as “Chiruchiru” that his stage name is derived. He has also had a memorable “good guy” role as the Martian homesteader, Mr. Hoshino in Captain Ken (1960-61), among many others.
One thing to note for English readers who are familiar with the Dark Horses edition of Astro Boy (1952-68) – you won’t spot Chiruchiru in his role as “Dr. Ochanomizu‘s lab assistant” in “Ambassador Atom” as it was left on the cutting room floor when Tezuka redrew the intro to the story for the Akita Shoten collection upon which it’s based.
Manga Appearances
If you spot an appearance not already listed, please let us know in the comments section below!
1948
The Moony Men [Fuji Shobo] as “Dr. Mangetsu”
1950
The Wonderful Journey as “Chiruchiru”
Ashiato Hot Spring as “Kuroda, a businessman”
1951
Next World as “a member of the Atomic Energy Commission”
Ambassador Atom as “Dr. Ochanomizu‘s lab assistant”
The Cactus Kid as “the elementary school principal”
1954
Astro Boy (“Fuhrer ZZZ”) as “Prime Minister Hakone”
White Rose Railway
1955
The Story of Tonkara Valley as “Sanae’s father”
1958
Chief Detective Kenichi
1960
Captain Ken as “Mr. Hoshino”
Angel’s Hill as “Akemi’s neighbour”
1963
The Shinsen-gumi as “Shohei Yamatoya”
1974
Black Jack (“Vibration”) as “a man on the train”
1976
Black Jack (“The Sinking Woman”) as “the hospital director”
1977
Black Jack (“Timid Cyrano”) as “a doctor”
1978
Black Jack (“The Boy in the Sealed Room”) as “the man who suffers a heart attack”
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