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 Yamagato 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.

Better Halves

Ando translates Peter's message for Hiro. They discuss the mission, and Hiro assures Ando that he's a hero even if he doesn't have powers. As they prepare to leave, they encounter the high roller they cheated, who enlists their aid in cheating other players at a private game.

During the game, when another player, Ernie, insists something is going on, Ando reassures him that Japanese people are just lucky. Hiro slips and as Ando helps him up, he sees that Ernie has a gun under the table. Fearing that the other players plan to kill him, Ando drags Hiro off to the bathroom. While they are discussing the situation, an unknown woman arrives and Hiro and Ando listen as she quickly massacres the other players. They escape out the window.

Back at their car, Hiro begins to doubt his ability to be a hero, but this time it's Ando who does the reassuring.

Nothing to Hide

Leaving Las Vegas, 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.