Monster

Also known as モンスター (Monsutā)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

Well, he’s a montster.

Distinguishing Features

With his dashing good looks, virile features and lean muscular body, Monster stands out in a crowd. He’s the kind of guy that can pull off the swinging-from-a-vine-in-a-loincloth look.

Status: Primary Star (★★★)

Despite his name, Monster is the epitome of the handsome leading man.  Early on in his career he was cast as a bit of a “bad boy” – good looking but a bit uncouth and rough around the edges – in protagonist roles such as heroes of the jungle or the wild west.  However, in his later appearances he took on the much more traditional roles of a sophisticated leading man, such as an urban movie star, a handsome love interest or a dashing secret agent.

Notable Roles

Although his debut role was as “Tarzan” in Secret Base on the Shari River (1948), it was his role as the handsome young Indian (Native American) brave, “Monster” in Angel Gunfighter (1949) that stuck as his stage name – perhaps due to the controversial kissing scene (said to be the first such scene to appear in children’s manga) that resulted in Tezuka being hit with sharp criticism and even threats.  Of course Monster has also had memorable roles as the movie star in Rags & Jewels (1957), as Princess Luna‘s love interest in Angel’s Hill (1960-61) and as Kouichi Hoshi in Wonder 3 (1965-66).