Odawara, Chochin
Also known as 小田原丁珍 (Odawara Jōchin)
Status: Minor Star (★)
Although a minor Star, Odawara Chochin is a specialist at playing the somewhat innocuous “buddy” role. With his ability to lend an ear and/or doll out some sound advice, he has had a long successful career of being cast in roles such as teachers, doctors, researchers, and classmates. However he’s also had success in roles on both sides of the law – able to play both a villain’s henchman and a cop’s partner with the same even keel.
Notable Roles
He made his debut as the samurai “Jushiro Odawara” in Goto Matabei (1954), and went on to play a number of roles in well-known Tezuka works such as Astro Boy (1952-68), Dororo (1967-69) and Black Jack (1973-83). However, he is probably best known for his role as “Chochin Odawara”, a semi-regular cast member of Rainbow Parakeet (1981-82).
Hello, My Name (in English) is…
Although he is named after an Odawara chochin, a type of collapsible paper lantern that originated in the Odawara region of Japan, the connection is a tenuous one. In fact, his moniker is really a case of “name by association”. Early in his career, he appeared in the Astro Boy (1952-68) chapter “S.O.S. From A Satellite” (1959) as one of the henchmen reporting to “Boss Chochin” (who was later renamed “Boss Odawara” when the story was collected in book form) – a gangster who wore a suit with many folds, resembling a chochin. Yet despite the clever visual gag, the boss didn’t really have what it took to be a Star and faded into obscurity. However, in a surprising and rare twist, his henchman went on to have a long career… usurping the name “Odawara Chochin” in the process.
Distinguishing Features
Odawara is easy to pick out of a crowd with his uniquely gourd-shaped head, small round nose, and the generous amount of pockmarks on his cheeks.
Manga Appearances
If you spot an appearance not already listed, please let us know in the comments section below!
1954
Goto Matabei as “Jushiro Odawara”
1956
Oh! We Three as “Yoshioka Kenpo”
1957
Battle at Hitokui Cape as “henchman of troops”
1958
The Film Lives On as “Yokogawa professional staff”
Super Taiheiki as “a samurai”
1959
Astro Boy (“S.O.S. From A Satellite”) as “one of the villains”
1960
Fire Valley as “Bukkira Bow”
I am Sarutobi! as “a samurai killed by the ninjas”
1961
The Ant and the Giant as “Odawara”
1967
Dororo (“The Misery Chronicles”) as “Itachi’s henchman”
Dororo (“The Cruel Cape”) as “Makuwa Chubei”
1968
Swallowing the Earth as “a doctor”
1969
The Crater (“The Man who Melted”) as “Sato’s friend””
1973
Microid S as “Manabu’s classmate”
1974
Black Jack (“Teacher and Pupil”) as “a teachers”
Black Jack (“Confluence”) as “a doctor”
Paper Fortress as “an officer at the munitions factory”
1975
The Three-Eyed One (“The Monster of Ohaguro Swamp”) as “the bus driver”
1976
Black Jack (“Hospital”) as “a doctor”
The Three-Eyed One (“Bumbuku Escapes”) as “the taxi driver”
1977
Black Jack (“Ransom”) as “a police officer”
Black Jack (“Younger Brother”) as “Eizo’s driver”
The Three-Eyed One (“The Ancient Prince, Godal”) as “hotels of control room personnel”
Tenteke March as “Sanpei’s brother”
1978
Black Jack (“The Boy in the Sealed Room”) as “the driver”
1981
The Rainbow Parakeet (“Hamlet“) as “Inspecter Chochin Odawara”
The Rainbow Parakeet (“The Glass Menagerie“) as “Inspecter Chochin Odawara”
The Rainbow Parakeet (“Peter Pan“) as “Inspecter Chochin Odawara”
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