Businessman

The man who keeps calculating the ownership of the stars

A person who claims ownership of the stars shining in the night sky and tirelessly counts the stars. An inhabitant of one of the asteroids visited by the Little Prince on his journey, this character symbolizes the foolishness of adults in the story.

Quotes

  • "I'm precise!"
  • "Owning stars starts with counting them one by one."

Trivia

  • In the original work, referred to as 'Businessman', but in new translations or some picture books, also written as 'Businessman'.
  • A watercolor painting in Saint-Exupéry's own hand, discovered in 2007, depicts this character.
  • His action of counting stars in the story is also interpreted as a metaphor for national mobilization during World War II.
  • In the planetarium anime, voiced by Kōzō Shioya, who plays multiple roles.
  • Often cited as a typical example of the adults appearing in 'The Little Prince'.

Alternate names

Businessman Businessman Businessman from The Little Prince

Tags

Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
Typical adult male appearance. The work provides no particularly detailed description of his appearance, but he is presumed to be dressed like a businessman.
Iconic items
  • Documents
  • Glasses
  • Trousers
  • Watch
  • Writing instruments

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Serious
Detailed personality
Extremely meticulous and fond of calculations. Obsessed with asserting ownership and insistent on numerical accuracy, he is oblivious to his surroundings and others' feelings. Bound by self-centered values from an adult perspective.
Keywords
  • Meticulous
  • Calculation enthusiast
  • Ownership assertion
  • Materialism
  • Self-centered
  • Lonely
  • Foolish
  • Serious
Motto
"I'm precise!"
Talents
  • Calculation ability
  • Memory
  • Analysis of things
Skills
  • Counting stars
  • Creating ownership claim documents
  • Performing meticulous work
Motivation
To count all the stars in the night sky and secure their ownership. He finds meaning in material wealth and possession without questioning its value.
Habits
Continuously calculating the number of stars as material for transactions.

History

Backstory
Lives on a small asteroid, continuously calculating the number of stars in the night sky and claiming ownership. In the story, as one of the inhabitants of the other asteroids visited by the prince, he satirizes the meaningless values of the adult world through his work ethic and philosophy of life.
Debut date
April 6, 1943
Work title
The Little Prince
Media type
Novel

Appearance in the Little Prince's journey

Significant event
Appearance in the Little Prince's journey
Description
Appears as an inhabitant of an asteroid visited by the prince during his travels, demonstrating a unique value system asserting ownership of stars.

Symbol of adults in the story

Significant event
Symbol of adults in the story
Description
Serves as a satire of the foolishness of adults who ignore metaphysics and the richness of the heart, pursuing only material things.

Relationships

The Little Prince

The prince encountered him during his journey and witnessed his obsession with possessions.

Other asteroid inhabitants

Rival

Contrasted in values and lifestyle.

Asteroid inhabitant

Asteroid inhabitant: unknown

Media appearances

The Little Prince

Novel / Supporting

1943 first edition

The Little Prince Petit Prince

Anime / Supporting

1978-1979 TV anime

Little Prince: The Little Prince and Me

Movie / Supporting

2015 theatrical anime

The Little Prince

Drama cd / Supporting

2009 drama CD

The Little Prince: The Story Beyond

Game / Supporting

Released in 2015

Voice cast and creators

Kōzō Shioya

Voice actor
Kōzō Shioya
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Le Petit Prince (planetarium program)

Hikari Hanada

Voice actor
Hikari Hanada
Language
Japanese
Version or series
2009 drama CD

Toshiya Ueda

Voice actor
Toshiya Ueda
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Yuki Saito's The Little Prince (1990 anime)

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Creator name
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Role
Original author

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Creator name
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Role
Illustrator

Related goods

The Little Prince Figure Set

Item name
The Little Prince Figure Set
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

The Little Prince Stationery Set

Item name
The Little Prince Stationery Set
Category
Stationery
Availability
Regular