Ando Masahashi
| Ando Masahashi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Portrayed by | James Kyson Lee |
| First appearance | Genesis |
| In-story stats | |
| Known ability | none |
| Gender | |
| Occupation | Office worker |
Ando Masahashi is a co-worker and friend of Hiro Nakamura from Tokyo, Japan. Initially, he is skeptical of Hiro's powers. He also is a subscriber at Niki Sanders's website lasvegasniki.com under the userid "huggerz69", and jokingly dares Hiro to teleport into a women's restroom. Hiro later convinces him of his powers and to travel in the United States fulfilling their "destiny."
Character history
Genesis
Ando quickly types something on his computer as he hears Hiro running up to his cubicle shouting with joy. Hiro tells him about his newly discovered power which Ando doesn't believe. As Hiro is dragged away by his manager Ando continues to tease him playfully. Ando returns to his computer where he's watching the webcam video of Niki Sanders.
After work Hiro continues to try to convince Ando of his powers, but Ando remains skeptical and sarcastic. After listening to Hiro for a while he decides he needs a drink and they both head to a bar.
At the bar Ando suggests that if Hiro can indeed teleport that he should teleport into the women's bathroom. He leaves Hiro to get two more beers. As Ando is returning to the table, he sees two men dragging Hiro out of the women's bathroom and throwing him out into the alley. Joining Hiro in the alley, Ando still doesn't believe Hiro and questions why Hiro's so obsessed with being different than everyone else.
Don't Look Back
Five weeks later, Ando receives a telephone call from Hiro, who excitedly tells him he teleported to New York. Detective Furakowa takes the phone and Ando tells him that Hiro has been missing for five weeks.
One Giant Leap
Hiro arrives back in Japan and approaches Ando at Yamagoto Industries. Hiro explains that he traveled five weeks into the future and all the way to New York, where he witnessed a nuclear explosion. Initially skeptical, Ando begins to come around when Hiro shows him the copy of 9th Wonders! #14 which accurately portrays the conversation he's having with Hiro. He is not fully convinced until Hiro uses the comic to rescue a schoolgirl who is about to be hit by a truck, at which point he agrees to accompany him. They fly to Los Angeles, then rent a car and drive to Las Vegas.
Collision
In Las Vegas, Ando gambles away all of their money save one dollar, which he plays on 26 black on the roulette table and wins. When Hiro confesses that he stopped time and cheated, Ando seizes on this first chance to exploit Hiro's powers and talks him into repeating the trick over and over again. Eventually, one of the players whose cards Hiro swapped catches up with them. Ando threatens the man and his entourage with Hiro's "very big power", but one of the henchman takes Hiro out with a single punch.
Hiros
Hiro and Ando are dumped out of a moving van on the outskirts of Las Vegas, where they find the Fly By Night diner. Ando blames Hiro for what has happened and they argue. Ando decides that Hiro's the one ruining his trip and leaves. Later on, he arrives at Niki Sanders's house, which the police have staked out waiting for D.L. Ando tells Niki he found her address from the WHOIS database and that he thought she could help him because they talk so much online. She tells him that she isn't the person he sees on the webcam, but tells the police to let him go. He returns to the car park, reconciles with Hiro, and they prepare to continue on their journey. First, however, Ando helps Hiro to call and warn Isaac, but instead it's Peter who answers.
Nothing to Hide
On their way back, Ando and Hiro notice a car accident, and that another driver goes to help. After Hiro saves both the person who was locked inside the car and the helper, Ando talks to to the helper's kid, Micah. Micah recognizes Ando, and asks him if he visited his mom. Moments later, D.L. asks Ando if he can drive to the hospital. Ando says that it is fine, and he has already called the police, and D.L. flees with his son.
Notes
- Can Speak English
- Has no moral dilemma with using Hiro's powers for personal gain by gambling.
- Uses the screen name Huggerz69 on Niki's website.