Noracula

Also known as ノラキュラ (Norakyura)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

His name is obviously a play on words on “Dracula”, but there’s no clear reason for the “No” portion.

Distinguishing Features

With his high-peaked, almost horn-like, hairdo, and small, pointy moustache, Noracula definitely seems to have a family resemblance to Don Dracula.

Status: Minor Star (★)

Given his appearance, it’s no surprise that Noracula is a bit of a devil. Although not really an evil villain per se, he’s the poster child for the kind of vulgar, “survival of the fittest” teacher who preys on the weaker students in his class – a popular trope in the 1970s and 80s.

Notable Roles

Noracula first appeared on the scene in Microid S (1973) as Manabu’s quirky homeroom teacher, Mr. Noracula. Even though he got off to a bit of a slow start, his later success as a Star System player was quite remarkable. However, despite being a product of his times, given Osamu Tezuka’s war-time experiences as a student, it’s no wonder that he retroactively cast Noracula as the Japanese imperial military school instructor in the semi-autobiographical Paper Fortress (1974). He’s also made memorable appearances in Black Jack (1973-83), The Rainbow Parakeet (1981-82) and as a demon-piano salesman in Say Hello to Bookila! (1985).

Manga Appearances

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

1973

Microid S as “Manabu’s homeroom teacher, Mr. Noracula”

1974

Black Jack (“Aftereffects”) as “the man who introduces BJ to the patient”
Black Jack (“Save the Baby!”) as “the Editor of Weekly Secret”
The Three-Eyed One (“The Jumyoin Residence’s Underground Dungeon”) as “the caretaker Fukumoto”
Lunatic Japan as “the announcer”
Paper Fortress as “the military teacher”

1975

Black Jack (“Quite a Tongue”) as “the contest presenter”

1976

Black Jack (“Unexploded Bomb”) as “Itachihara”
Metamorphosis (“Benkei and Ushiwaka”) as “the teacher”

1977

Black Jack (“There Were Two Films”) as “the TV show moderator”
Black Jack (“The Second One”) as “a recollection”
The Three-Eyed One (“Don’t Stick out your Tongue!”) as
The Three-Eyed One (“The Underground City”) as

1978

The Three-Eyed One (“Scandal”) as

1979

Lunn Flies into the Wind as “Akira’s homeroom teacher”
Pornographic Pictures

1981

The Rainbow Parakeet (“The Story of Hikoichi”) as “the party chairman”

1985

Say Hello to Bookila! (“The House of the Pianoid”) as “The Demon Piano Salesman”