Dr. Shunsaku Ban, widely nicknamed "Higeoyaji" (Old Man Mustache), is a recurring figure in Osamu Tezuka's interconnected "Star System," appearing across numerous manga and anime. His distinctive portly build, bald head, and prominent white U-shaped mustache originated from a classmate's caricature during Tezuka's high school years, formally debuting in the 1945 manga *Ghost Men*. Across Tezuka's narratives, Ban consistently embodies a boisterous and justice-driven persona. He is characterized as loud-spoken, hardboiled, quick-tempered, and often impulsive or harsh. Despite these traits, he exhibits deep loyalty, courage, and an unwavering commitment to protecting civil rights and fighting injustice. He commonly appears in roles like detective, schoolteacher, or lawful civilian ally. Within *The New Adventures of Kimba the White Lion*, Shunsaku Ban specifically serves as the uncle of Kenichi, a human boy who befriends the lion Kimba. This familial position casts him as a guardian involved in Kenichi's jungle experiences. His core personality—short temper, outspoken nature, and underlying devotion to justice—remains consistent with his portrayals elsewhere. Ban's broader history includes appearances as Astro Boy’s homeroom teacher and advocate for robot rights (*Astro Boy*), a detective investigating cases (*Metropolis*, *The Three-Eyed One*), and a younger science enthusiast in *Atom: The Beginning*. He frequently partners with his nephew Kenichi or, in later series like the 2003 *Astro Boy* anime, his niece Yuko Kisaragi.