Shibugaki
Also known as 四部垣 (Shibugaki)
Hello, My Name (in English) is…
Although not spelled the same, In Japanese, shibugaki (渋柿) is the name of a type of sour persimmon.
Distinguishing Features
You can usually pick Shibugaki out of a crowd of his classmates – he’s twice the size of anyone else, with a large round, head, round nose, giant lips, and eyes that look too close together.
Status: Secondary Star (★★)
Shibugaki is your typical bully. A rich kid with parents who spoil him, he craves the attention that his classmates bestow upon his most famous classmate – Astro Boy. As with most bullies, his actions are in direct relation to his insecurities. Not truly evil, his false bravado will often cause him to make poor decisions and lead himself and others into danger. Despite his fragile ego and selfish behaviour, in his heart he is a true friend to Astro Boy and the rest of his classmates, such as Tamao and Kenichi.
Notable Roles
Shibugaki, like most of his classmates, made his first appearance in Ambassador Atom (1951), but it was not much more than a cameo. His first chance to share the spotlight came in the Astro Boy (1952-68) chapter, “Frankenstein” where he was able to flesh out his personality and well-to-do background. Although he is staunchly grounded as part of the Astro Boy (1952-68) cast, he also made an appearance in Manga Biology (1956). Also, in the Black Jack (1973-83) chapter “You Did It!” he, Tamao, and Kenichi are all reunited and appear to lend support to their classmate, Astro Boy, who is on trial.
Manga Appearances
If you spot an appearance not already listed, please let us know in the comments section below!
1951
Ambassador Atom as “Shibugaki”
1952
Astro Boy (“Frankenstein“) as “Shibugaki”
1953
Astro Boy (“Red Cat”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Sea Serpent Island”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Flying Skyscraper”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Mission to Mars”) as “Shibugaki”
1955
Astro Boy (“Electro”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Gernica”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Youth Gas”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Yellow Horse”) as “Shibugaki”
1955
Chief Detective Kenichi (“The Case of the Gorilla”) as “one of the people being chased by the lion”
1956
Astro Boy (“Shootout In The Alps”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Atlas”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“The Midoro Swamp”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Robot Bombs”) as “Shibugaki”
1957
Astro Boy (“The Mysterious Ball”) as “Shibugaki”
1958
Astro Boy (“Fortress of the Centaurs”) as “Shibugaki”
1959
Astro Boy (“Secret of the Egyptian Conspirators”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Subterranen Tank”) as “Shibugaki”
1960
Astro Boy (“Space Snow Leopard”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“The Invisible Giant”) as “Shibugaki”
1961
Astro Boy (“The White-Hot Being”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Plant People”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“The Hot Dog Corps”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“The Third Magician”) as “Shibugaki”
1962
Astro Boy (“Robot Land”) as “Shibugaki”
1964
Astro Boy (“The Brain Swap”) as “Shibugaki”
1965
Astro Boy (“Blue Knight”) as “Shibugaki”
1966
Astro Boy (“Ti-tan”) as “Shibugaki”
1967
Astro Boy (“Zoloman’s Jewels”) as “Shibugaki”
Astro Boy (“Beginning of the Contradiction”) as “Shibugaki”
1974
Black Jack (“Son of Hariti”) as “the bully”
Black Jack (“Teacher and Pupil”) as “a classmate”
1975
Black Jack (“You Did It!”) as “a classmate”
1978
Black Jack (“Move, Solomon!”) as “a classmate”
1981
Astro Boy (“Space Doll”) as “Shibugaki”
1982
Dari the Robot Nurse
1986
Atom Cat (“Atom the Orphan”) as “Shibugaki”
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