Tamao Shiketa

**Tamao Shiketa** (志毛田タマ男), created by Fujio Akatsuka, is a character from the series Otasuke-kun.

## Overview

As Otasuke's younger brother, Tamao is another frequent character in the series. However, he technically existed before in a prototypical form, being developed from a near-identical younger brother character in *Mister Kaguya*, followed by a slightly more refined design in *I am a...Salaryman*. Some of his traits can also be seen on a henchman archetype in *Woodpecker Kanta* and early *Osomatsu-kun*, with the latter boy even having a flower growing out of his bald head in place of the famous hat-flower.

For the character as we see him, he is often operating in tandem with his brother but the two may not always be seen together in outer Star System appearances.

## Physical Appearance

Tamao is a small boy with only a single hair on his bald head (though other times he is entirely bald), which he keeps covered with a checker-print hat with a flower sticking out of its side. He wears a large, round pair of glasses, and has buckteeth as well as occasionally being depicted with freckles.

He is somewhat shorter than his brother Otasuke, but they may sometimes appear at the same height. He generally can be seen wearing a variety of sweaters or short-sleeved shirts, along with pants or shorts. The color of his checkered hat and its flower are subject to vary through artwork, though it is common to see the flower as yellow or red.

### "Otasuke-kun after 10 Years" (or "20 Years" in reprints)

The older Tamao is seen to have a school uniform jacket on the frontispiece and look clean-shaven, but bear pimples. However, in the actual story he is scruffier and unshaven, and mostly wears a tattered lab coat. His checkered hat has also become ruined.

## Personality

Tamao is about as mischievous as his brother, preferring to tag along in whatever he does, and is generally an energetic, cheerful boy. However, he can get flustered much easier than Otasuke would, when dealing with certain situations (such as their attempts to tutor Ichiro in the first chapter) and be generally a bit more emotional, whether angry or in showing his fear.

## Relationships with Other Characters

### Otasuke

Although the two can get along well in sync, Tamao is left relying on his older brother for what they should do in times of uncertainty and will sometimes hide behind him when they are both scared.

### Ichiro

Tamao has a little more trouble dealing with Ichiro than his brother would have in certain chaotic situations, and can get more openly annoyed with him, but he still enjoys the friendship and will be eager to invite him over to play.

### Chikako

She is a good friend among their group, and gets along fine with both Tamao and Otasuke. But when she is jealous or angry, Tamao may be one to have to face her wrath.

### Mother and Father

Tamao is greatly supportive of his parents, as a young son would be, and is shown to be specifically quite tearful when the boys realize their families could be missing them when they're away at the Martian Kingdom.

### Company President

As with his brother, Tamao bears a casual, friendly relationship with their next-door neighbor as he happens to be their father's boss. They sometimes are invited on excursions with him and Ichiro, either in camping or skiing.

### Gorilla the Housekeeper

Like his brother and Ichiro, Tamao initially makes light of Gorilla's hideous appearance (which earns her the "Gorilla" name) but soon finds that she's a tough, disciplinary woman to not be messed with. Still, he and the others enjoy her more motherly and supportive aspects, and she is another valuable neighbor. Her strong nature can also come in handy when dealing with strangers who have wronged them.

## Appearances in other works

*See also: Akatsuka's Star System*

* *Akko-chan's Got a Secret!*
* *Osomatsu-kun*
* *2nd-Generation President Ichiro-kun*
* *Nyarome's World Expo Surprise Surprise Surprise Guide*

## Appearances in Animation

Tamao appeared alongside his older brother with other Akatsuka Stars in the "Nyarome's Fun Mathematics Classroom" TV special. Unfortunately, due to the lack of home video release, the only way that it can currently be seen is through the Yokohama Broadcasting Library.

## Trivia

* Tamao's name would appear to derive from how bald he is, making his head look like an egg or a ball, hence "tama" and his name literally meaning "Egg Boy"/"Ball Boy". Prior to his existence, Akatsuka had notably used the name on another bald young boy in ***Tamao and the Thief***, who may have also been a prototype to this one with some of his features.