| Dr. Nazō | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Unknown |
|
First Appearance |
Black Bat (1930) (as Kuro Bat) Golden Bat (1931) (as Nazo) |
|
Created by |
Takeo Nagamatsu |
Origin[]
Originally known as Kuro Bat aka Phantom Thief Bat, a phantom thief wearing a black cloak and white skull mask commited multiple crimes until Golden Bat showed up and defeated him. Once he turned out not to be dead, he became the enigmatic mad scientist Dr. Nazō and had the dream to conquest of all of Earth. Because the monster is so strong, most people are unable to take down the wicked genius on their own. Fortunately, they have the Ōgon Bat at their side who is prepared to defend mankind against the malevolent mastermind thanks to his signature Baton of Justice.
Nazo is an unknown extraterrestrial humanoid with a seemingly robust physique. He possesses two eyes, one blue and one red, and has tan skin, three fingers, and pointed nails. He is dressed in a black outfit that covers every part of his body save his hands and eyes. His lower half is assembled to a throne in place of his missing legs (which he is said to have lost in a battle with Snake King). Two bat-like ears jut from the top of his cowl.
Notes[]
- Only the original depiction of the character is public domain in Japan. Any television appearances or films are still protected by their respective copyright owners.
- Dr. Nazo might possibly be Japan's first supervillain.
- Originally debuted in kamishibai (paper theater). Nazo, originally as Kuro Bat, used to be the protagonist of the series which used to be centered on him, but after Ogon Bat was proven to be more popular with viewers, Ogon Bat became the titular character and Kuro Bat was reworked into Dr. Nazo as the main antagonist in later kamishibai.
- Nazo is said to have been inspired by the french novel character Zigomar. The film adaptation of the latter gained huge popularity in Japan from the end of the Meiji period to the Taisho period.
- He is depicted as a Nazi remnant in post-war kamishibai stories. This background would be carried over to his incarnation in the 1967 animated series.
- In the Anime, he is sometimes known as "Dr. Zero" outside of Japan.
- Later media to this day would give him 2 additional green and yellow eyes, his left hand being replaced with a mechanical claw, and his waist of a throne replaced with a flying saucer.