

I have started watching the Lupin III TV series and I am partway through the
second series. One thing I am confused about is why Lupin refers to Zenigata
as To-chan? I thought "To" meant father and "chan" was a postfix for young
girls or women. What does this nickname mean, and why does Lupin use it?


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2018-05-10T00:10:50.530
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2019-09-18T12:23:24.213
2018-05-10T00:25:01.233
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lupin-the-third
Why does Lupin III refer to Inspector Zenigata as To-chan?


Coming into this super late, but thought I may as well give you an answer.

In fact, Lupin calls Zenigata とっつぁん (tottsan), which is indeed a very rustic
variation of お父さん (otou-san). This variation can very aptly be likened to
"pops" in English. Just like how one might refer to the grouchy old bartender
in the diner as "pops" in English, so too does Lupin (who's all-around uses
very "playful" japanese) refer to the grouchy old Zenigata as とっつぁん. If I'm
not mistaken, most subs will translate it to "pops" or "old man" (I'm rather
partial to the former).

Hope this helps!


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