TV-Series
Description
Principal Ench, whose real name is Bunta Takakura, is the principal of Futaba Kindergarten, the school the main character attends in the anime Shin Chan. In the original Japanese he is normally addressed as Enchō, a title that simply means kindergarten principal, and some English versions use the names Principal Ench or Principal Enzo. He is a 48-year-old man originally from the Shikoku region, and he runs the kindergarten together with his wife, Shima Takakura, who serves as the vice-principal. In the original manga the school is named Action Kindergarten.
His most distinctive trait is his appearance. He has a large, stern-looking face, a shaved head, thick glasses, and a prominent mole on his chin, and he often dresses in loud checked suits. Because he resembles a yakuza boss, he is constantly mistaken for a gangster, a misunderstanding made worse by Shin-chan, who affectionately calls him Kumichō, meaning gang boss, instead of Enchō. In reality he is a serious, gentle, and dedicated educator who cares deeply about the children in his care. Although he can seem intimidating, he is soft-hearted and modest, and at home he tends to defer to his strong-willed wife.
His main motivation is the welfare of his students and the smooth running of his kindergarten. He takes his educational responsibilities seriously, organizes school events and trips, and is always willing to help children in trouble. His frightening face, usually a source of comedy, occasionally becomes an asset, since he can scare off bullies or dangerous people simply by showing it to them. He also drives the kindergarten's pink tiger-patterned bus.
Within the story he is a recurring supporting character and the most visible authority figure at the kindergarten. His interactions with Shin-chan form a running gag, as Shin-chan treats him like a yakuza boss and keeps drawing him into chaotic situations, yet the two clearly share a warm bond. He also has close working relationships with the teachers Yoshinaga, Matsuzaka, and Ageo, and with the children of the Kasukabe Defense Force, who sometimes visit him at home or help him when he is ill.
His background and personal life are explored in a number of episodes. He was born in Shikoku, and his original dream was to become a police officer. He has known his wife since childhood; when they were eighteen, he protected her from delinquents who were bothering her, and the two eventually married. He has a hidden sentimental side, and he is also a secret fan of a magical girl anime that some of the children enjoy.
Over the course of the series he has gained a reputation as a capable and surprisingly skilled person. He has practiced calligraphy for thirty years, and his other hobbies and talents include photography, magic tricks, ventriloquism, bowling, and dressing people in kimonos. When the situation calls for it, he even takes on a superhero persona called Enchoman, or Principal Man, although Shin-chan usually sees through his disguise immediately. Despite the constant jokes about his appearance, he remains a respected and kind-hearted figure whose dedication to the kindergarten and its pupils defines his place in the story.
His most distinctive trait is his appearance. He has a large, stern-looking face, a shaved head, thick glasses, and a prominent mole on his chin, and he often dresses in loud checked suits. Because he resembles a yakuza boss, he is constantly mistaken for a gangster, a misunderstanding made worse by Shin-chan, who affectionately calls him Kumichō, meaning gang boss, instead of Enchō. In reality he is a serious, gentle, and dedicated educator who cares deeply about the children in his care. Although he can seem intimidating, he is soft-hearted and modest, and at home he tends to defer to his strong-willed wife.
His main motivation is the welfare of his students and the smooth running of his kindergarten. He takes his educational responsibilities seriously, organizes school events and trips, and is always willing to help children in trouble. His frightening face, usually a source of comedy, occasionally becomes an asset, since he can scare off bullies or dangerous people simply by showing it to them. He also drives the kindergarten's pink tiger-patterned bus.
Within the story he is a recurring supporting character and the most visible authority figure at the kindergarten. His interactions with Shin-chan form a running gag, as Shin-chan treats him like a yakuza boss and keeps drawing him into chaotic situations, yet the two clearly share a warm bond. He also has close working relationships with the teachers Yoshinaga, Matsuzaka, and Ageo, and with the children of the Kasukabe Defense Force, who sometimes visit him at home or help him when he is ill.
His background and personal life are explored in a number of episodes. He was born in Shikoku, and his original dream was to become a police officer. He has known his wife since childhood; when they were eighteen, he protected her from delinquents who were bothering her, and the two eventually married. He has a hidden sentimental side, and he is also a secret fan of a magical girl anime that some of the children enjoy.
Over the course of the series he has gained a reputation as a capable and surprisingly skilled person. He has practiced calligraphy for thirty years, and his other hobbies and talents include photography, magic tricks, ventriloquism, bowling, and dressing people in kimonos. When the situation calls for it, he even takes on a superhero persona called Enchoman, or Principal Man, although Shin-chan usually sees through his disguise immediately. Despite the constant jokes about his appearance, he remains a respected and kind-hearted figure whose dedication to the kindergarten and its pupils defines his place in the story.