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Background Info[]
Higeoyaji is a recurring character in the Astro Boy series. He appears in every single iteration of Astro Boy. His real name is Shunsaku Ban, he's a bald, portly, middle-aged man with a big mustache, who calls himself a "fuddy-duddy" which he says means he enjoys the simpler things in life. "Still living in a hut in the 21st century" he "prefers traditional ways. Old wall clock. Spiritual protection and mice in the ceiling." Higeoyaji is often comical and grumpy yet good-natured. 42 years old, as mentioned in one of the manga. His facial hair earns him the nickname Higeoyaji ("Mustache old man"). In the 60's TV English translations, his name was private detective Victor Pompous, then Percival Pompous. Perhaps because his character was appearing in another series based on Tezuka's manga, in the 1980s English animated version his name was changed to Albert Duncan, aka Daddy Walrus. His typical role is that of a detective in other Tezuka materials, with sometimes a nephew/assistant named Ken'ichi (Kenor Kennedy in English versions of the Astro Boy TV series). The 80's color remake (as well as the original manga) had him appear as Astro Boy's teacher, then as a detective. In the 2003 Astro Boy reboot, he is called Wally Kisaragi, and in the English-language manga, his "Higeoyaji" nickname is translated as "Mustachio". He is featured as either a regular character or a guest star in any of a number of Tezuka manga/anime.
Higeoyaji looking for clues with Mars.
Shunsaku Ban routinely is cast as some sort of adventurer, for example, an amateur or professional private investigator. His usual characteristic is to confront danger with a comical wild-eyed panic, then after a moment recapture his composure and vigorously attack the threat, exhibiting stamina and a surprising battle awareness.
In Jetter Mars[]
Higeoyaji appears in Jetter Mars as both a detective and a teacher, he teaches in the school Mars is in. He first appears in Episode 11: "Freshman Mars" and is a recurring character going all the way up to episode 27: "The Flight Beyond Tomorrow!". In his first appearance, it appears that he is doing detective work, Mars sees this and is interested. Jetter Mars asks Higeoyaji if he could help find clues for him. Higeoyaji says that he could join if he just followed him and didn't say anything. While looking for clues they were suddenly mugged by a robot. Higeoyaji restrains the robot and demands to know where his master is. However, just before telling him the robot is destroyed by an unknown source. Higeoyaji ignores this for the time being and continues following the clues to a school. This whole thing turned out to be a trick to get Jetter Mars to attend school. Jetter Mars reluctantly agrees and after a while, Mars seems to start enjoying school.
Higeoyaji is the only teacher we see in the entire school and seems to also have a role as the principle.