Pazu
Pazu is the primary male protagonist of the Studio Ghibli animated film Castle in the Sky. Working as an apprentice mechanic in the mining town of Slug Ravine, he is an orphaned boy living on his own. His daily routine includes blowing a trumpet at sunrise and feeding the pigeons he raises on his roof. Pazu harbors a deep dream of constructing his own flying machine to reach Laputa, the legendary floating castle photographed by his late father, in order to clear his father's discredited reputation.
Overview
Pazu is the primary male protagonist of the Studio Ghibli animated film Castle in the Sky. Working as an apprentice mechanic in the mining town of Slug Ravine, he is an orphaned boy living on his own. His daily routine includes blowing a trumpet at sunrise and feeding the pigeons he raises on his roof. Pazu harbors a deep dream of constructing his own flying machine to reach Laputa, the legendary floating castle photographed by his late father, in order to clear his father's discredited reputation.
Appearance
Pazu features short black hair and wears a newsboy cap equipped with a pair of aviator goggles resting around the hat's crown. He wears a simple vest over his shirt, possessing a remarkably sturdy and well-conditioned physical frame built from his daily labor in the mines.
Personality
Pazu possesses a cheerful, energetic, and remarkably direct personality. Untouched by the bitterness of his orphaned upbringing, he maintains an optimistic outlook alongside a fierce sense of justice and quick decisiveness. He exhibits selfless bravery whenever someone he cares about is in danger, demonstrating unwavering dedication and resolve under extreme pressure.
Abilities
Hardened by physical work in the mines, Pazu demonstrates exceptional physical endurance, keen vision, and notable bodily resilience. He displays advanced climbing skills that allow him to scale steep vertical walls without safety equipment. In addition to his mechanical background, he quickly adapts to piloting unfamiliar gliders and flying craft, showing enough skill to handle severe atmospheric turbulence inside the Dragon's Nest and execute safe landings.
Background
Pazu grew up believing in the authenticity of a photograph of Laputa taken by his father, who had died disgraced as a liar. His life changes course when he catches Sheeta, a girl floating down from the sky. Caught between military forces led by Colonel Muska and the Dola sky pirates, Pazu is separated from Sheeta but forms a temporary truce with Dola's family to rescue her from a military fortress. Joining them aboard the Tiger Moth and enduring attacks by the battleship Goliath, Pazu reaches Laputa. Ultimately, he joins Sheeta in reciting the spell of destruction, shutting down Laputa's core and neutralizing Muska's threat.
Relationships
Pazu forms a tight bond of mutual trust with Sheeta after rescuing her, dedicating himself entirely to protecting her safety throughout their adventure. Although initially pursued by the Dola sky pirates, Pazu eventually earns the respect of Captain Dola and her sons, joining them as an aviator and lookout. In contrast, he stands in resolute opposition to Colonel Muska, who seeks to control Laputa for political conquest.
Trivia
In the original script, Pazu states that he will not become a pirate. Fans frequently reference this line with lighthearted irony because his Japanese voice actress, Mayumi Tanaka, later became widely famous for portraying Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist of ONE PIECE who vows to become the Pirate King.
