was a Japanese actor,

voice actor Voice acting is the art of performing voice-overs to present a character or provide information to an audience. Performers are called voice actors/actresses, voice artists, dubbing artists, voice talent, voice-over artists, or voice-over talen ...

and narrator from Taitō, Tokyo. He was best known for voicing Medama Oyaji in nearly every adaptation of Shigeru Mizuki's '' GeGeGe no Kitarō'' made during his lifetime.

Career

During his life he had been attached to Gekidan Tōgei and then Theatre Echo; he was attached to Aoni Production at the time of his death. He had a naturally deep voice but became famous for voicing characters with a high pitched voice. In addition to '' GeGeGe no Kitarō'', he also had prominent roles in '' Tensai Bakabon'' (as the first voice of Honkan-san), '' Mazinger Z'' (as Mucha), ''

Paul's Miraculous Adventure is an action-adventure anime television series created by Tatsunoko Productions in partnership with Topcraft. The series was broadcast on Fuji TV and various other local stations across Japan from October 3, 1976, to September 11, 1977, and la ...

'' (as Doppe), '' Magical Princess Minky Momo'' (as Sindbook), '' Akuma-kun'' (as Youaltepuztli), '' Dr. Slump & Arale-chan'' (as Gara and

Akira Toriyama is a Japanese manga artist and character designer. He first achieved mainstream recognition for his highly successful manga series '' Dr. Slump'', before going on to create '' Dragon Ball'' (his best-known work) and acting as a character des ...

), '' Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibōken'' (as Brass), and the '' Shin Megami Tensei: Persona'' series (as Igor).

Medama Oyaji

In 1968, he was cast in the first '' GeGeGe no Kitarō'' anime as the title character's father Medama Oyaji, an anthropomorphic eyeball. He reprised the role, alongside co-stars

Masako Nozawa is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator. Throughout her life, she has been affiliated with Production Baobab, 81 Produce and self-owned Office Nozawa; she is also affiliated with Aoni Production. Her late husband, Masaaki Tsukada, ...

(Kitarō) and

Chikao Ōtsuka was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator. He was most known for the roles of Captain Hook (''Peter Pan no Bōken & Disney's Peter Pan''), Dick Dastardly ('' Wacky Races'' & '' Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines''), Goemon Ish ...

(Nezumi-Otoko), in the 1971 follow up

color Color (American English) or colour (British English) is the visual perceptual property deriving from the spectrum of light interacting with the photoreceptor cells of the eyes. Color categories and physical specifications of color are assoc ...

series. When it came time for the 1980s series the producers decided to go with an all new voice cast, but auditions for Medama Oyaji came up short so Tanonaka was asked to reprise the role yet again. From there he continued to voice the character in practically every adaptation made during his lifetime, the sole exception being the PlayStation 2 games from the early 2000s, in which the role was given to Kazuo Kumakura, and a single episode of the '71 series where Hiroshi Ōtake filled in for him. Tanonaka even performed the voice of Medama Oyaji for the live action adaptations, and also appeared on many variety shows and in many commercials as the character. In 2008, he reunited with Nozawa and Ōtsuka to reprise their respective roles for the darker Kitarō adaptation ''Hakaba Kitarō''. As Medama Oyaji is actually the reanimated form of Kitarō's deceased father, the character was voiced by Daisuke Gōri when he appeared alive in the first episode.

Death

On January 13, 2010, he suffered a heart attack in his Tokyo home and was found dead by family members. He was 77 years old at the time of his death. His final performance was in ''

Marie & Gali ''Marie & Gali'' () is a Japanese anime created by Izumi Todo. It aired on NHK from March 30, 2009, until March 22, 2011, for a total of 70 episodes of five minutes each. It was the first anime (in over three decades) produced by Toei Animat ...

'' as the voice of

Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (15 April 14522 May 1519) was an Italian polymath of the High Renaissance who was active as a painter, Drawing, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect. While his fame initially re ...

. Memorial services were held in Tokyo Memolead Hall on January 19, 2010. He is survived by his older brother Hiroshi.

Roles

Television

;1964 *''

Zero Sen Hayato 0 (zero) is a number representing an empty quantity. In place-value notation such as the Hindu–Arabic numeral system, 0 also serves as a placeholder numerical digit, which works by multiplying digits to the left of 0 by the radix, usual ...

'' (Ichihisō Hosokawa) ;1965 *''

Kaitō Pride A gentleman thief, gentleman burglar, lady thief, or phantom thief is a stock character in fiction. A gentleman or lady thief is characterised by impeccable manners, charm, courteousness, and the avoidance of physical force or intimidation to ...

'' (Scope) *'' Obake no Q-tarō'' (TBS edition) (Shōta's Papa) ;1967 *'' Punpunmaru'' (Gatekeeper, Narrator) ;1968 *''

Akane-chan is a shōjo manga series by Tetsuya Chiba. It was serialized in ''Shōjo Friend'', published by Kodansha, from April to September 1968. It was adapted into a monochrome 1968 Toei anime series with the same name directed by Fusahito Nagaki, Y ...

'' (Kadomatsu) *'' Animal 1'' (Tōgorō) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō'' (Medama Oyaji) ;1969 *''

Hakushon Daimaō is an anime television series by Tatsunoko Productions. that originally ran from October 1969 to September 1970, with a total of 52 episodes on Fuji TV. It tells the story of a boy who finds a bottle with a mysterious power - each time it ...

'' (Kan-chan's Papa) *'' Sazae-san'' (Ceiling Mouse) ;1970 *'' Ashita no Joe'' (Miss Oyama (episode 35)) ;1971 *''GeGeGe no Kitarō'' (second series) (Medama Oyaji) *'' Kunimatsu-sama no Otōridai'' (Odeko) *'' Tensai Bakabon'' (Honkan-san) ;1972 *'' Mazinger Z'' (Mucha) ;1973 *'' Cutie Honey'' (Saint Chapel Academy Principal) *'' Wansa-kun'' (Roro) ;1975 *'' UFO Robo Grendizer'' (Mucha) *''

Maya the Honey Bee is an anime television series produced first by Zuiyo Enterprise and Asahi Broadcasting Corporation of Osaka. After the first 6 episodes, Zuiyo Enterprise would split into Zuiyo Company and Nippon Animation, which retained the rights of t ...

'' (Max) ;1976 *''

Paul no Miracle Daisakusen is an action-adventure anime television series created by Tatsunoko Productions in partnership with Topcraft. The series was broadcast on Fuji TV and various other local stations across Japan from October 3, 1976, to September 11, 1977, and la ...

'' (Doppe) ;1978 *'' Ginga Tetsudō 999'' (President Derumukade (episode 38)) *'' Majokko Tickle'' (Ago) ;1979 *'' Cyborg 009'' (Loki, Doctor Rōson) *'' Ginga Tetsudō 999'' (Kokku (episode 53)) ;1980 *'' Haero Bun Bun'' (Big) *'' Moero Arthur Hakuba no Ōji'' (Sandee) ;1981 *'' Dr. Slump & Arale-chan'' (Gara, Toriyama (Tori Robo), Annai Obake, Dodongadon, Villager, Crow Leader) *'' Shin Taketori Monogatari: Sennen Joō'' (Ramen-monger's uncle) *'' Yattodetaman'' (Chairman) ;1982 *'' Gyakuten! Ippatsuman'' (Urashima) *'' Mahō no Princess Minky Momo'' (Sindbook) *''

Ochamegami Monogatari Korokoro Poron , is a musical Greek mythology-based Japanese anime series, based on the 1977 manga series '' Olympus no Pollon'' (, , "Pollon of Olympus") by Hideo Azuma. ''Olympus no Pollon'' was serialized in ''Princess'' magazine from 1977 to 1979, per ...

'' (Beauty Artist) ;1983 *'' Itadakiman'' (Nika) *''

Manga Nihonshi Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is used ...

'' ( Sesshū) ;1985 *''GeGeGe no Kitarō'' (third series) (Medama Oyaji) ;1987 *'' Dragon Ball'' (Gara) ;1989 *'' Akuma-kun'' (Youaltepuztli) *'' Dragon Ball Z'' (Raichi (episodes 40-44)) *'' Gakiden'' (Father) *''

Peter Pan no Bōken is an anime series by Nippon Animation, directed by Yoshio Kuroda, which first aired in Japan on Fuji Television between January 15, 1989, and December 24, 1989, and It is also popular in the United Kingdom. Outline An adaptation of the cla ...

'' (Ton Chihōte) *'' Ranma ½: Nettōhen'' (Nikuman #2) ;1990 *'' Moomin'' (Thingumy) ;1991 *'' Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibōken'' (Brass) *'' Getter Robo Gō'' (Doctor Tama) ;1992 *'' Crayon Shin-chan'' (Saint) ;1993 *''

Kenyū Densetsu Yaiba ''Yaiba'' (stylized as ''Y∀IBA'') is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Gosho Aoyama. It was serialized in Shogakukan's ''shōnen'' manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' from September 1988 to December 1993, with its c ...

'' (Obaba) ;1995 *'' Bonobono'' (Kuzuri-kun's Father) *''Dragon Ball Z'' (Bibidi (episode 277)) ;1996 *'' Elf wo Karumono-tachi'' (Jii-chan Elf) *''GeGeGe no Kitarō'' (fourth series) (Medama Oyaji) ;1999 *'' Digimon Adventure'' (Pikkoromon) ;2000 *''

Pocket Monsters A pocket is a bag- or envelope-like receptacle either fastened to or inserted in an article of clothing to hold small items. Pockets are also attached to luggage, backpacks, and similar items. In older usage, a pocket was a separate small bag o ...

'' (Old Man Tsubo) ;2002 *'' Final Fantasy: Unlimited'' (Frog Hermit (episode 17)) ;2003 *''

One Piece ''One Piece'' (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha's ''shōnen'' manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' since July 1997, with its individual chapte ...

'' (Shōjō) ;2007 *''GeGeGe no Kitarō'' (fifth series) (Medama Oyaji) ;2008 *'' Hakaba Kitarō'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' Negibōsu no Asatarō'' (Jii-san) *'' Persona: Trinity Soul'' (Igor) ;2009 *''

'' (

) ;2011 *'' Persona 4: The Animation'' (Igor, archived audio) ;2014 *'' Persona 4: The Golden Animation'' (Igor, archived audio)

OVA

*'' Bokuha Ōsama'' series (Cabinet Minister Wan) *'' Haja Taisei Dangaiō'' (Shoulder Clown) *'' Tengai Makyō: Jiraiya Oboro Hen'' (Oboke)

Theatrical animation

*'' One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure'' (2001) (Boo Jack) *'' Palme no Ki'' (2002) (Zakuro) *'' Persona 3 The Movie: No. 1, Spring of Birth'' (2013) (Igor, archived audio) *'' Persona 3 The Movie: No. 2, Midsummer Knight's Dream'' (2014) (Igor, archived audio) *'' Persona 3 The Movie: No. 3, Falling Down'' (2015) (Igor, archived audio) *'' Persona 3 The Movie: No. 4, Winter of Rebirth'' (2016) (Igor, archived audio) unknown date *'' Dr. Slump'' (Gara) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō: Daikaijū'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō: Gekitotsu!! Ijigen Yōkai no Daihanran'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō: Obake Nighter'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō: Saikyō Yōkai Gundan! Nippon Jōriku!!'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō: Yōkai Daisensō'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō: Yōkai Tokkyū! Maboroshi no Kishu'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' Gekijōban: GeGeGe no Kitarō: Nippon Bakuretsu'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' Mazinger Z tai Ankoku Daishōgun'' (Mucha) *'' Mazinger Z tai Devilman'' (Mucha) *'' Nagagutsu o Haita Neko'' (Killer B) *'' Nagagutsu Sanjūshi'' (Killer B) *'' Nagagutsu o Haita Neko: Hachijū Nichi-kan Sekaiisshū'' (Killer B) *'' Ultraman USA'' (Ulysses) *'' Urusei Yatsura: Itsudatte My Darling'' (Commanding Officer)

Video games

*'' Dragon Ball: Raging Blast'' (Rō Kaiōshin) *'' Dragon Ball Z 3'' (Rō Kaiōshin) *'' Dragon Ball Z Sparking!'' (Rō Kaiōshin) *''

Dragon Ball Z Sparking! Meteor ''Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi'' (released in Japan as ) is a series of fighting games developed by Spike based on the '' Dragon Ball'' manga series by Akira Toriyama. The series was published by Namco Bandai Games under the Bandai brand ...

'' (Rō Kaiōshin) *'' Dragon Knight II'' (Pharmacist) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō: Yōkai Daiundōkai'' (Medama Oyaji) *'' Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy'' (Farmer) *'' One Piece Grand Battle! 3'' (Shōjō) *''

Persona 3 released outside Japan as ''Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3'', is a 2006 role-playing video game developed by Atlus. It is the fourth main installment in the '' Persona'' series, which is part of the larger ''Megami Tensei'' franchise. Atlus or ...

'' (Igor, Mister Ekoda) *''

Persona 4 released outside of Japan as ''Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4'', is a 2008 role-playing video game by Atlus. It is chronologically the fifth installment in the '' Persona'' series, itself a part of the larger ''Megami Tensei'' franchise, and w ...

'' (Igor) *'' Persona 4 Arena'' (Igor, archived audio) *'' Persona 4 Arena Ultimax'' (Igor, archived audio) *'' Persona 5'' (Igor, archived audio)

Tokusatsu

*'' Chouriki Sentai Ohranger'' (''Bara Baby'')

Dubbing roles

Live action

*''

Bewitched ''Bewitched'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series that originally aired for eight seasons on ABC from September 17, 1964, to March 25, 1972. It is about a witch who marries an ordinary mortal man and vows to lead the life of a typi ...

'' ("Daddy Comes for a Visit", "Darrin the Warlock") (Silas Bliss Junior) *'' The NeverEnding Story'' (Nighthob (

Tilo Prückner Tilo Prückner (26 October 1940 – 2 July 2020Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication from ...

'' (Grand Nagus Zek (

Wallace Shawn Wallace Michael Shawn (born November 12, 1943) is an American actor, playwright, and essayist. His film roles include Wally Shawn (a fictionalized version of himself) in '' My Dinner with Andre'' (1981), Vizzini in '' The Princess Bride'' (1987) ...

)) *''

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace ''Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'' is a 1999 American Epic film, epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It stars Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ahmed Best, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Dan ...

'' (

Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character of the Gungan race from the ''Star Wars'' saga created by George Lucas. Jar Jar appears throughout the ''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy – as a major character in '' Episode I: The Phantom Menace'', with a ...

) *'' Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones'' (Jar Jar Binks)

Animation

*'' Alice in Wonderland'' (TBS edition) (The King of Hearts, The Dormouse) *''

Aladdin (TV series) Aladdin is a folk tale of Middle Eastern origin. Aladdin, Aladin, and variants such as Aladdin and His Magic Lamp, may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Disney franchise * ''Aladdin'' (franchise) ** Aladdin (Disney character), protagonist o ...

'' ( Aziz) *''

The Flintstones ''The Flintstones'' is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera, Hanna-Barbera Productions. The series takes place in a romanticized Stone Age setting and follows the activities of the titular family, the Flintstones, and their nex ...

'' ( Barney Rubble) *'' The Mask: Animated Series'' (Mayor Mortimer Tilton) *''

One Hundred and One Dalmatians ''One Hundred and One Dalmatians'' (also simply known as ''101 Dalmatians'') is a 1961 American animated adventure comedy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and based on the 1956 novel '' The Hundred and One Dalmatians'' by Dodie Smith. Th ...

'' (Old edition) (Pongo) *''

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' is an American media franchise created by the comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It follows Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Leonardo, Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Miche ...

'' (Video edition) (Krang) *'' Top Cat'' (Officer Dibble)

Film

*'' GeGeGe no Kitarō'' (Medama Oyaji (voice)) *'' GeGeGe no Kitarō: Sennen Noroi Uta'' (Medama Oyaji (voice))

Radio

*'' Seishun Adventure'' (" Fengshen Yanyi") (

NHK-FM is the official music and news FM radio station of the NHK (the Japan Broadcasting Corporation). See also * NHK External links * FM Radio in Japan Publicly funded broadcasters Radio stations established in 1969 1969 establishment ...

) (Yúnzhōngzǐ)

Other

*''

Gakkō no Kaidan Gakkō no Kaidan (literally ''School Ghost Stories'') may refer to: * ''Gakkō no Kaidan'' (novel series), a series of Japanese light novels by Takaaki Kaima * ''Gakkō no Kaidan'' (film), a series of Japanese horror movies based on the books by ...

'' (Trailer voice-over) * '' Kitaro ga Mita Gyokusai - Mizuki Shigeru no Senso'' (2007) (Medama Oyaji's voice) * Masudaya Corporation Mōrā commercial (1975) (Mōrā (voice)) *'' Nep League'' (May 7, 2007) (Medama Oyaji's voice)

References

External links

Official agency profile
* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Tanonaka, Isamu 1932 births 2010 deaths Japanese male video game actors Japanese male voice actors Male voice actors from Tokyo People from Taitō Aoni Production voice actors