| Mr. Black | Gallery |
| Mr. Black | |
|---|---|
| Japanese | Mr. ブラック |
| Identity | Subaru Sengoku (仙石 昴) |
| Nicknames | Man in Black |
| NEXT Power | Barrier |
| Sponsor Company | Jungle |
| Sponsors | S.H.Figuarts |
| Profile | |
| Age | 17 |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthday | January 17th[1] |
| Media Portrayal | |
| Seiyū | Shoya Chiba Robbie Daymond (English) |
Subaru Sengoku (仙石 昴), aka Mr. Black (Mr. ブラック), is a hero who debuted on HeroTV in the N.C. 1980 season. He was hired by Sternbild after achieving excellent results in the new hero recruitment examination; previously the youngest hero in his hometown Panjourney, under the alias Hello Goodbye.
Personality[]
Subaru is similar to Kotetsu in belief of heroism. However, he is much bolder and more volatile due to his youth. This also makes him more blunt and inconsiderate than the rest of the heroes; managing to upset the original heroes (including a campy loon like Ryan) by questioning why Barnaby is still a hero after getting revenge.
History[]
Storyline[]
Series Two[]
Months have passed since The Rising. Subaru, along with HIT, are hired to be a buddy duo on HeroTV.
The older heroes offer to give Black and Thomas any advice or help, but both Black and Thomas are not interested, thinking they are more than capable themselves. Black wonders why Barnaby Brooks Jr. still works as a hero as he got his revenge. Ryan states it doesn't matter why someone started being a hero, but that annoys Black, who tries to explain that he just wanted to point out that they are different as he became a hero to save people. As Black leaves, he recalls his time being Hello Goodbye in his hometown and how fellow superheroes supported him to aim higher as he is better than them.
Agnes calls the heroes for an emergency, but Black's bracelet didn't ring and he later tries to explain why he didn't show up, however, they tell him its still his fault, as he needs to monitor his PDA. The Jungle CEO tells him that he is the first superhero to not show up for work and as he will be remembered now, he can quit. As he has the lowest score, they decide to make him do more support work. Mr. Black gets angry and yells at the CEO, asking what's the point in being a superhero in Stern Bild, as they chase merchandise and rating profits, instead of defeating villains and saving people. As he leaves with Thomas, he asks him why he became a hero and Thomas states he just felt like it. That angers Mr. Black even more, having to support such person and also not liking his new name they gave him.
The heroes get tasked in capturing Veron Urbano, who distributes dangerous drug. Disguised, Origami Cyclone infiltrates the enemy, but Black makes a noise and they get found by Veron, but eventually still manage to bust him. After Veron's arrest, Black explains he wanted to stand out more than Thomas and he didn't make the noise on purpose.
The opening ceremony of Vinculum, was meant to be led by Sky High and Fire Emblem, but Tiger, Barnaby, Black and Thomas also join them. Black gets excited as there is finally a question for him, but a man interrupts them, cursing the heroes, which angers Black, who yells at the man. Sky High apologizes and tells Black that heroes don't act like that. Soon an accident occurs and causes some debris to start falling and Black uses his shield ability to protect the man.
When Bison and Origami had problems with Bison accidentally making fun of Origami's name, Black decides to help and states he just needs to make him a compliment. When Origami shows up, Black attempts to compliment his name, but as he is quite bad at it, Origami ends up thinking that Bison asked Black to make fun of it too.
Black corners a robber, but the robber surrenders, disappointing Black. Thomas appears and tells Black to hurry and arrest him, but as they argue, the robber opens fire, missing Black, but hitting a woman in the leg. Thomas gets angry and starts beating up the robber, while Black tries to calm him down. For that action, they end up suspending Thomas for a while. Black wants to learn about Thomas' sister or he can't trust him, but Thomas refuses to tell him, stating that he doesn't need trust as trust clouds judgment, just like Black trusted the robber. Thomas doesn't trust anyone and intends to continue doing so. Since Thomas end up missing the next day, worried, Black talks with Tiger and Barnaby and together they talk to Thomas' manager, who tells them about Thomas past and his sister.
Mr. Black had done some research on NEXT powers and tells Thomas that there are various conditions and limits to NEXT powers. He explains he wants them to start working better together as lately Thomas had acting even more on his own. However, Thomas doesn't really care and wish to continue doing things alone as Black will get in his way.
Few days later, Mugan and Fugan attack the heroes at the training facility. As the heroes can't do anything, Bison asks Blue Rose to distract them. Bison gathers Cat, Black and Thomas and leads them to a window, telling them that they need to escape. Initially the young heroes refuse, but he tells them that there is no shame in escaping and that at this rate, all of them will be defeated. As he breaks the window, Mugan hears it and goes to check on them. Bison the throws the young heroes out of the window, who manage to survive the fall and escape from Mugan and Fugan.
The remaining heroes form a plan to fight Mugan and Fugan, which ends with Cat using her water to knock out Mugan. They challenge them at the coliseum, but Mugan and Fugan decide to change the location. Tiger asks Black to run away, but he refuses, causing a scene and stating he intends to fight and defeat Fugan and Mugan himself. As he creates a barrier, they warp behind him, but the heroes were waiting for that. Barnaby rushes and tackles Fugan, while Thomas puts a bucket on Mugan's head. Tiger then grabs Fugan and takes him elsewhere with Black following them. However, Cat fails to knock out Mugan and he takes back Fugan and break Thomas' arm.
Mugan and Fugan continue beating the heroes, and manage to defeat Tiger and Barnaby, but at the cost of Fugan's left and right arm. Black states they can't defeat them like this and they need to use all of their power and the rest join him into provoking Mugan and Fugan. Annoyed, Fugan doesn't care about his body anymore and asks Mugan to attack him, stating he can heal later. Mugan starts shooting at Fugan and then they attack Thomas, but Black gets in the way and takes on the kick from Fugan, stating that Thomas has the strongest offense attack and he needs to protect him. Fugan ends up breaking his leg, but state they need to defeat Thomas and asks Mugan to charge him up again. After Mugan and Fugan are defeated, Thomas thanks Black for protecting him, but Black acts like he didn't hear it as he didn't do it for gratitude.
Carlotta is disappointed at Mr. Black and He Is Thomas as they showcased great teamwork while fighting Mugan and Fugan, but as soon as they returned to the show, they returned to their old self's.
When X start appearing, Black and Thomas are send out along the rest of the heroes to stop them. Later, Black goes to meet with a fan, Ruby Taurus, who is Thomas younger sister. While meeting her at the Fortress Tower, another group of X appears. When Thomas arrives at the Fortress Tower, Black explains that his sister is there and guides him to where she is in order for him to save her. After the situation is under control, Agnes brings Ruby to Thomas and Black. She explains that when he heard about He is Thomas abilities, she was sure it was her brother. She tries sending some fan letters, but she didn't got a reply and that's why she decided to contact Black, who decided to help her and take her meet Thomas. Black explains he did it as he wanted to repay him. He explains to Ruby that after their comeback, Thomas wanted to develop an offense ability and while they were chasing a criminal, he asks Thomas to trust him and let him use it. However, Black failed sustaining the ability and ended up knocking Thomas, while the criminal escaped. Ruby tells Thomas that she is fine and he doesn't need to suffer anymore. Black starts crying, saying he knows how much Thomas was in pain as he is his buddy.
Soon after reuniting with his sister, Thomas informs Black that he intends on stop being a hero in Stern Bild and become one in Pleiades. He explains that unlike in Stern Bild, the superhero job isn't suspended in Pleiades. Additionally, they are recruiting and there is no buddy system. His sister, Ruby, also lives there and he can also spend more time with her. Thomas is grateful that Black reunited him with his sister, but is also worried what their company Jungle, will do with Black when Thomas leaves, since they got hired as buddies. Black states he won't be fired and that he will become a big hero, and encourages Thomas to to. However, as Thomas leaves, Black is frustrated that this is happening as they just taking off.
Eventually Tiger and Barnaby reveal that a NEXT is turning people in X. Hearing that Fire Emblem recalls that Ryan had similar incident. Ryan shares that guy that caused his powers to go on a rampage was also one with crazy pompadour and his name is Gregory Sunshine. He adds that by hugging you, he causes the NEXT power to go crazy, however the effects wear off after few hours. Barnaby suggest that his power may have gotten stronger. They show a picture of Gregory to Mattia and he confirms its him who he saw in the laboratory, who stole the NEXT power amplifying drug. The group get excited they managed to identity the prep, but Ryan explains that Gregory is arrested and is in prison right now. Barnaby decides to trust Mattia. They report to the Major, wanting him to confirm if Gregory is still in prison, but he dismisses their claim, stating that there are no reports of prison breaks.
As they are unable to prove it, soon an order is given that all NEXT would be evacuated in designated areas. All heroes, including Black have their hero license temporary suspended. They still went after Gregory, but he manages to escape them.
Little before the evacuation, the heroes receive a call from Agnes. Soon prisoners from Abbas Prison become X and break out. Agnes gives the heroes their suits, but explains that if they act on their own, their hero license will be terminated. Without a second thoughts, the heroes dress up and head out to help the people and capture the X.
While helping people and stopping X, L. L. Audun shows up and easily defeats Fire Emblem and Sky High. Audun goes to defeat other heroes and eventually faces Tiger and Barnaby. Black creates a barrier telling Barnaby to go help Tiger. Audun breaks the barrier suggesting the two of them should face him. Thomas then arrives stating if its going to be 2-on-1, its better if he is part of that team of two. Thomas and Black fight him, but end up bumping into each other and Audun hits them again. Black apologizes, but Thomas tells him to stand down as he keeps getting in his way and stands up to handle Audun alone. Black still stands and creates a barrier for Thomas, but Audun breaks it and hits them. Black tells Thomas that he can't fight alone and if they don't team up, they don't stand a chance. Thomas tells him that their teamplay never worked, but Black is sure it will work and asks Thomas to trust him. Black uses his special move and stacks several barriers and turns them into a spinning arrow. Thomas keeps Audun busy and the blocks his vision. He then helps boost Black and throws him at Audun, where his arrow barrier hits Audun. The impact breaks Audun's helm and knocks him down. Cain and Agnes realizes that Thomas pretended to lose hope in Black, but both of them knew what they were doing. With Audun defeated, Black and Thomas celebrate their victory. However, Audun stands up. He adds that their attack was impressive, but they have not won and knocks them down.
Black and Thomas wake up, but as there are too many people needing help, they decide to keep helping people, leaving Audun to Tiger and Barnaby. After Audun, Gregory and Sigourney are stopped, Black feels tired and Thomas shares some of his snacks. Black thanks him and wish to repay him with some homemade cooking. Thomas isn't interested, but hearing Black planned to make lasagna, he changes his mind.
Relationships[]
Thomas Taurus[]
Subaru doesn't get along well with HIT and they tend to argue.
The Other Heroes[]
Subaru tries to be social with the others heroes until he loses his temper. Once his fit is over, Subaru goes back to being sociable.
Powers and Abilities[]
Subaru has the power to generate barriers and can even create multiple layers of them. Later in the second half, he was capable to alter it for offensive purpose, such as baton or arm drill.
Hero Suit[]
Hero Gear[]
HeroTV Communicator[]
Like all the Hero TV heroes, Subaru wears a simple "communicator" wristband which Agnes can use to contact him, usually to inform him of a crime being committed. The other heroes can also use this communicator to call him. Subaru's communicator is white with black bands around the edges.
Etymology[]
- The name Subaru means "Pleiades" (昴).
- Subaru's surname Sengoku means "cent, hermit, wizard" (仙) (sen) and "stone, volume measure" (石) (goku).
Trivia[]
- Subaru's hero name in his old hometown was Hello Goodbye.
- Subaru's character is highly based on Super Sentai shows. In most show leader "the red" is hot blooded, cheerful protagonist that acts before thinking.
- His color change from red to black is also likely a reference to the American adaption Power Rangers, where Tommy Oliver went through four different colors (green, white, red and black), but his personality didn't change with his color.
- Subaru hates acknowledging the camera for Hero TV when on the job.
- Subaru is a Generation Xerox of Kotetsu in personality; heroism pure and simple, but with the motivation being apprehension of criminals over civilian saves.
- Subaru's sponsor was previously on Kotetsu's suit.
- Subaru shares the same English voice actor (Robbie Daymond) as Gregory Sunshine.