Prof. Hamaguchi, alternatively recognized as Dr. Richard Smith in specific adaptations, emerges as a pivotal scientific and tactical leader combating extraterrestrial dangers. In live-action iterations, his Philippine-born persona allies with Baron Hrothgar, a Boazanian refugee, to forge Camp Big Falcon—a bastion for training Voltes V pilots against interplanetary assaults. The original anime depicts him as Earth’s foremost scientist and collaborator of Prof. Kentaro Gō (Ned Armstrong), jointly engineering the super robot to safeguard humanity. Beyond his technical genius, he assumes a mentorship role, filling paternal voids for the Armstrong siblings and guiding recruits like Ippei Mine (Mark Gordon), transitioning from coercive recruitment to steadfast support.

His demise varies: anime canon sees him heroically steering an enemy vessel into a Boazanian Beast Knight during battle, while live-action versions depict his assassination by an android mimicking Ned Armstrong. Leadership of Camp Big Falcon later passes to the contrasting methodologies of Dr. Hook.

Notably, he nurtures the inventive prowess of Hiyoshi (Little Jon), fostering creations such as the robot Tako (Octo-One)—a live-action addition—and reluctantly accepts the youth’s piloting capabilities during an emergency. Adaptational shifts include a less combative, more nurturing live-action portrayal and a blended cultural identity through his full name, Richard Hamaguchi Smith, diverging from the anime’s Japanese exclusivity. These narrative variances underscore his unwavering commitment to Earth’s defense across all incarnations.