Movie
Description
Professor Shikishima served as Dr. Kaneda's assistant on the Imperial Japanese Army's Tetsujin Project during World War II. After Japan's surrender and Dr. Kaneda's death, Shikishima took charge of the unfinished Tetsujin 28 robot, becoming guardian and mentor to Kaneda's son, Shotaro. He operates Shikishima Heavy Industries, providing scientific guidance on Tetsujin 28's capabilities and its symbolic significance as wartime technology.
In the 2004 anime, Shikishima initially strives to complete Tetsujin 28, urging Shotaro to see it as a brother, not a weapon. Typically serious and deadpan, he nonetheless shows deep concern for family and colleagues. Early in the series, the antagonist Chloroform targets him, leaving him apparently dead near train tracks. He survives the assassination attempt, aided by the spy Kuro. Together, they adopt the alias "Nikoponski" to disrupt the PX Syndicate. Shikishima also impersonates Chloroform while Kuro poses as Shikishima, a ruse continuing until Kuro is shot, casting doubt on Shikishima's survival.
His family life differs across adaptations. The manga and 2004 series depict him married with a son named Tetsuo. The 1980 series introduces his wife Utako and a daughter, Makiko, Shotaro's classmate and occasional romantic interest who sometimes acts as Tetsujin's backup controller.
In the film *Morning Moon of Midday*, Shikishima contextualizes the discovery of post-war experimental bombs hidden in Tokyo. He provides insight into Dr. Kaneda's motivations for creating these bombs and Tetsujin 28, framing the robot within themes of Japan's wartime legacy and technological responsibility. His guidance shapes Shotaro's view of Tetsujin 28 as representing Japan's industrial and moral crossroads during reconstruction.
Shikishima appears in other media, including the *Super Robot Wars Z2* video game, collaborating with colleagues like Professor Yumi to explain Tetsujin 28's mechanics. In the sequel series *Tetsujin 28 FX*, he appears only in flashbacks alongside Chief Otsuka, reflecting his lasting impact on later generations.
His character consistently embodies the transfer of technological and ethical responsibility from Japan's wartime generation to its youth, acting as a conduit for exploring themes of redemption, militarization's consequences, and the neutral potential of advanced machinery guided by moral principles.
In the 2004 anime, Shikishima initially strives to complete Tetsujin 28, urging Shotaro to see it as a brother, not a weapon. Typically serious and deadpan, he nonetheless shows deep concern for family and colleagues. Early in the series, the antagonist Chloroform targets him, leaving him apparently dead near train tracks. He survives the assassination attempt, aided by the spy Kuro. Together, they adopt the alias "Nikoponski" to disrupt the PX Syndicate. Shikishima also impersonates Chloroform while Kuro poses as Shikishima, a ruse continuing until Kuro is shot, casting doubt on Shikishima's survival.
His family life differs across adaptations. The manga and 2004 series depict him married with a son named Tetsuo. The 1980 series introduces his wife Utako and a daughter, Makiko, Shotaro's classmate and occasional romantic interest who sometimes acts as Tetsujin's backup controller.
In the film *Morning Moon of Midday*, Shikishima contextualizes the discovery of post-war experimental bombs hidden in Tokyo. He provides insight into Dr. Kaneda's motivations for creating these bombs and Tetsujin 28, framing the robot within themes of Japan's wartime legacy and technological responsibility. His guidance shapes Shotaro's view of Tetsujin 28 as representing Japan's industrial and moral crossroads during reconstruction.
Shikishima appears in other media, including the *Super Robot Wars Z2* video game, collaborating with colleagues like Professor Yumi to explain Tetsujin 28's mechanics. In the sequel series *Tetsujin 28 FX*, he appears only in flashbacks alongside Chief Otsuka, reflecting his lasting impact on later generations.
His character consistently embodies the transfer of technological and ethical responsibility from Japan's wartime generation to its youth, acting as a conduit for exploring themes of redemption, militarization's consequences, and the neutral potential of advanced machinery guided by moral principles.