Shigeki Amano (天野 茂樹) is a minor character in Magical Project S. He is also mentioned briefly in the first Pretty Sammy OVA. As a world-famous pianist, Shigeki has been overseas and away from his family, and is greatly missed by his daughter Misao.
He is a foil and opposite to Ginji Kawai, Sasami’s father, in that they chose opposite career paths for their families. While Ginji was talented enough to do many high-profile jobs, such as being an astronaut, he forgoes them to be close to his family. Shigeki, in contrast, decided to leave his family behind in pursuit of his music career.
Description
When Misao was younger, Shigeki chose to leave his family to pursue his career in music, as this was his final chance, and it is implied he has stayed away from home since then. Along with Kotoe's long hours at work, his complete absence from Misao's life is a major source of her unhappiness and loneliness, thus in turn a factor in the creation of Pixy Misa as an aspect of Misao's being. Despite this, Misao takes after him and wants to become a famous pianist just like him. To that effect, Shigeki wrote her a piano song, "Misao" which was left unfinished, but Misao plays it as a reminder of him.
Misao is very happy when Shigeki is finally coming home from overseas. However, she is transformed into Pixy Misa in a last-ditch attempt by Ramia to stop Tsunami from becoming queen of Juraihelm, and she wreaks havoc on the city with the "Hyper Love-love Monster". Shigeki, in a taxi cab stuck in traffic into the city, runs to there on foot out of worry for his family. He eventually finds and embraces Kotoe in the middle of Pixy Misa's battle with Pretty Sammy, which causes Pixy Misa to become emotionally unstable and stop fighting.
Unfortunately, while Misao has run away in the aftermath of her battle with Pretty Sammy, Shigeki has to leave Japan again soon without seeing his daughter. When he picks up the composition sheet of the song he wrote for her, he finds the small note Misao wrote about wanting to see him, and replies to it in addition to finishing the song itself.
After Pretty Sammy saves Misao from Pixy Misa's evil magic, she elects to bring Shigeki back to Japan so he can watch her perform with their class at the school festival. She sends a letter to his performance in Venezuela, and he manages to get back to Japan just as Misao's performance begins. When he finds Kotoe in the audience, he confides to her that he's been a nuisance to both her and Misao and that he's a failure as a father.
After the school festival is over, Misao finds Shigeki and Kotoe waiting for her outside, and she excitedly hugs him and reaffirms her desire to become a pianist just like him.
Differences between versions.
While a minor character across all iterations, Shigeki Amano's absence significantly impacts Misao Amano's life. His departure necessitates Kotoe Amano assuming the role of the primary income provider, leaving Misao feeling isolated and envious of Sasami Kawai's seemingly happier family life. These frustrations manifest in Misao's alter ego, Pixy Misa.
A key distinction between the Magical Project S and Pretty Sammy versions lies in the circumstances of his separation from his wife, Kotoe. In Magical Project S, Shigeki and Kotoe parted amicably, with Kotoe displaying signs of missing him and their separation portrayed as temporary for both individuals. Conversely, the Pretty Sammy OVA and the Novel Universe depict their separation as acrimonious, characterized by marital disputes witnessed by Misao. The novel universe further suggests Kotoe harbors particular resentment, evidenced by her disapproval of Misao's piano practice, which serves as a reminder of Shigeki.[1]
The extent of Shigeki's fame and the nature of his disappearance also vary. In the initial Pretty Sammy OVA, Kiyone recognizes one of his compositions in the music store where she works, establishing him as a globally renowned composer and describes him as an “eccentric genius”[2]. Kiyone also mentions his "mysterious disappearance," rendering his current whereabouts unknown. In contrast, while Magical Project S establishes Shigeki's prominence through his undertaking of a world tour, there is no indication of widespread fame, as no characters recognize him as a celebrated figure. Furthermore, his location is not presented as a mystery, and his departure from Kotoe was on agreeable terms. And in fact both Kotoe and Misao are shown to miss him dearly.[3]
Trivia
- In the non-Tenchi continuity of Battle Programmer Shirase, although, he doesn’t make an appereance, he is mentioned as “working abroad” in a “trade related job”. [4]Given he didn’t took music as his main profession, he is not known as a “world renowed musician” either. Also unlike his Pretty Sammy counterparts, he didn’t left his family for a music Tour (Magical Project S), nor did he abandon his family (Pretty Sammy OVAs) . And, just like his Tenchi franchise counterparts, he is Kotoe Amano’s husband and Misao Amano’s father. Unlike both of his animated Pretty Sammy counterparts, he is the main bread winner of his home. Thus Kotoe Amano in this version is a stay at home mother that actively takes care of her daughter Misao Amano who , in turn, doesn’t suffer from parental neglect. And, as such both his wife and his daughter Misao are much happier than in other versions.
- A version of him is implied to exist in Sasami: Magical Girls Club, given Misao Shinohara aluded to having both parents. He is never named, nor did he ever made an appearance however. It’s likely he is simply busy working given Misao’s mother is shown to be a full time stay at home mother.
- As stated by his daughter Misao, then transfromed as Pixy Misa, his favorite flowers are roses. This was reinforced earlier on given Kotoe asked Misao to buy some to welcome him.[3]