Jochin Odawara

Although a minor Star, Odawara Jochin 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.

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 “Odawara Jochin”, a semi-regular cast member of Rainbow Parakeet (1981-82).

Although he is named after an Odawara jochin, 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 Jochin” (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 Jochin” in the process.

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.

(Source: Tezuka in English)