Motro

Motro is an elderly man who always wears thick, round sunglasses, making it hard to see his eyes. He dresses in work clothes, but sometimes wears a blue-gray jacket when playing chess with Dola.

Motro may look strict and grumpy, especially with his loud voice, but he is actually very kind, especially to younger crew members like Pazu. While Louis says Motro is scarier than Dola when angry, most of the time he acts like a gentle grandfather. He is dedicated, fair, and tells things as they are, but is also playful and enjoys games like chess. His loyalty to Dola and the Tiger Moth is clear.

Motro has served on the Tiger Moth since the time of Dola’s father, making him the longest-serving member of the crew. He stayed to support Dola after her father passed away, becoming a guardian to the pirate family. Over the years, he has gained vast knowledge about airships and the pirate life. Although he is not Dola’s husband (who died long ago), they share a deep trust and friendship.

As the chief engineer of the Tiger Moth, Motro understands the ship better than anyone else. He is experienced in repairing, running, and even escaping trouble on airships. Motro also knows a lot about the army’s airship Goliath and is quick to recognize danger.

Motro is closest to Dola, often speaking with her as an equal and offering advice. The rest of the crew call him “Gramps” and respect his skill. He quickly grows fond of Pazu, making him his assistant and mentoring him. Motro and Dola sometimes play chess together in her private room, dressed in their best clothes.

• "Don’t shout so loud! … I can hear you just fine."
• "There’s no way we can win against the Goliath."
• "Those two are definitely good kids, but since they’re honest people, even if you help them, they won’t respect us pirates."

The Veteran Engineer

Motro is introduced as the oldest crew member aboard the Tiger Moth, respected by everyone. Though Dola often calls him "old geezer," she trusts him deeply and even invites him to play chess in private.

Protecting the Crew

When Pazu joins the crew, Motro is happy to take him on as an assistant. He teaches Pazu and looks after him, showing kindness and patience.

Facing Danger

Motro’s technical skills shine when the Tiger Moth is caught in the storm called the "Dragon's Nest." He tries to save the engines, but when the Goliath attacks and damages the engine room, Motro manages to escape just in time, saving himself and other crew members.

Saying Goodbye to the Tiger Moth

Motro is deeply saddened when the Tiger Moth is lost in the collapse of Laputa, calling it his "dear old ship." Dola cheers him up, saying they can build a better one. Despite the trouble, Motro manages to take some treasures by wearing many rings on his fingers.

Reunion

At the end, when he meets Pazu again, Motro is the only one who calls out to Pazu instead of Sheeta, showing their special bond.

• In the movie credits, Motro is listed as "Old Engineer."
• In the novel, he is also called "Mole Grandpa."
• Even though he is said to be scary when angry, he acts kindly most of the time.
• In the anime series Lupin III, an old engineer named Dr. Lombach looks a lot like Motro, appearing in episode 145, "Wings of Death Albatross."

Motro shows deep love for the Tiger Moth, mourning its loss as if it were a family member. He also has a clever side, as shown by the way he sneaks out treasures by wearing flashy rings on every finger during Laputa’s collapse.