is a Japanese actor and voice actor, widely known to international audiences for his work in the

tokusatsu is a Japanese term for live action film or television drama that makes heavy use of practical special effects. ''Tokusatsu'' entertainment mainly refers to science fiction, War film, war, fantasy, or Horror film, horror media featuring such te ...

genre of

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...

, usually portraying villainous characters. His real name is , which was the name he was credited during his debut. He has also been credited as , changing his stagename to "Yutaka" in 1999.

Biography

Hirose was born in

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...

. A gymnast in high-school, Hirose wanted to be an actor while putting his physical talents to use. Upon graduation, he joined the Toei Action Club, finding himself in various guest roles. In 1986, he auditioned for the role of Jin/Red Flash in

Choushinsei Flashman is the tenth installment in the ''Super Sentai'' metaseries produced by Toei Company. It was broadcast on TV Asahi from March 1, 1986, to February 21, 1987 , replacing ''Dengeki Sentai Changeman'' and was replaced by ''Hikari Sentai Maskman'' wit ...

, instead being cast as the villain Wanda and proved to be highly popular. In 1987, he auditioned for the role of Kotaro Minami in ''

Kamen Rider Black is a tokusatsu superhero-drama television series. It is the eighth installment in the '' Kamen Rider '' series and a co-production between Ishimori Productions and Toei. The series aired on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and the Tokyo Broadcas ...

''. Wanting a younger unknown, they instead gave Hirose a guest role earlier in the series. By the time he was cast as the villain Dr. Kemp in 1988's

Choujuu Sentai Liveman is the twelfth entry of Toei Company's Super Sentai metaseries. The last Super Sentai title of the Shōwa Era, it aired on TV Asahi from February 27, 1988 to February 18, 1989, replacing ''Hikari Sentai Maskman'' and was replaced by ''Kousoku Se ...

, his popularity for playing villainous roles increased. Hirose became a favorite of writer

Toshiki Inoue is a Japanese screenwriter from Saitama Prefecture. He is known for his work on anime and tokusatsu dramas and films. He is the son of , who himself was a screenwriter for tokusatsu dramas. He is also a manga author, and has written both ''Mebiu ...

, who wrote him specifically his roles in Choujin Sentai Jetman,

Gosei Sentai Dairanger is a Japanese ''tokusatsu'' television series. It was the seventeenth production in the long-running Super Sentai metaseries of television tokusatsu dramas produced by Toei Company, following ''Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger''. It was originally bro ...

Choukou Senshi Changéríon is a ''tokusatsu'' series created by Toei Company. The series aired from April 3, 1996, to December 25, 1996. It was originally planned to run for a full 52 episodes before being cut down to 39 due to low ratings. Plot The DarkZide stealthily a ...

and

Kamen Rider Agito , is the eleventh installment in the popular Kamen Rider tokusatsu franchise. The series represented the 30th anniversary of the Kamen Rider Series. The series was also a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei and was shown o ...

. Hirose also had guest appearances in tokusatsu shows on Tokkyuu Shirei Solbrain, while working, on the other hand, in films, stage plays and other television guest roles. Always admiring his Flashman and Liveman costar

Jouji Nakata is a Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator who is affiliated with the Office Osawa agency. His major voice roles include Alucard in ''Hellsing'', Hijikata Toshizo in Golden Kamuy, Roy Revant in ''Solty Rei'', Giroro in ''Sgt. Frog'', Kire ...

, who later found immense popularity in voice acting, he made his voice performance debut as Lian in

Brave Command Dagwon ''Brave Command Dagwon'' (勇者指令ダグオン) is a Japanese anime series begun in 1996, created by Takara and Sunrise (company), Sunrise under the direction of Tomomi Mochizuki (who also did screenplay for the show) and was the seventh and ...

. Still proving to be very popular with tokusatsu fans to this day. He has currently put acting on hold to focus on representing and managing a talent division agency.

Roles

Tokusatsu Credits

*''

Choudenshi Bioman is Toei Company's eighth installment in the Super Sentai metaseries. Its 51 episodes aired on TV Asahi from February 4, 1984 to January 26, 1985, replacing ''Kagaku Sentai Dynaman'' and was replaced by ''Dengeki Sentai Changeman'' with a movie b ...

'' (1984, episode 5) - Thug *''

Dengeki Sentai Changeman is a Japanese television series and the ninth installment of the Super Sentai metaseries. It aired from February 2, 1985 to February 22, 1986, replacing ''Choudenshi Bioman'' and was replaced by '' Choushinsei Flashman'' running for 55 episodes, ...

'' (1985, episodes 4 & 45) - Dog Human / Army Officer *''

Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion , also known as ''Space Wolf Juspion'', is a Japanese tokusatsu television series and part of the Metal Hero Series franchise. Produced by Toei Company, it was originally broadcast from 15 March 1985 to 24 March 1986, running for 46 episodes. The ...

'' (1985, episode 14) - Groom *''

'' (1986-1987) - Ley Wanda / Wandara (voice) *''

'' (1987, episode 4) - Hayami *''

'' (1988-1989) - Kenji Tsukigata / Dr. Kemp / Beauty Beast Kemp / Fear Beast Kemp / Fear Beast Zuno (voice) *''

Tokkei Winspector is a Japanese tokusatsu TV series, part of the Metal Hero Series franchise and the first piece of the ''Rescue Police Series'' trilogy. The series follows the adventures and missions of a special "Rescue Police" team known as ''Special Police Wi ...

'' (1990, episode 30) - Masao Murano *'' Choujin Sentai Jetman'' (1991-1992, episodes 37 to 47) - Emperor Tranza *'' Tokkyuu Shirei Solbrain'' (1991, episode 33) - Kousuke Doi *''

'' (1993-1994) - Jin Matoba / Demon-Fist Master Jin *''

'' (1996) - Kazuki Katayama / General Zander *''

'' (2002, episodes 49 & 50) - Shirakawa

Voice Acting

*''

'' (1997) - Space Swordsman Lian

Movies

*'' Shin Gokudou no Tsumatachi'' *''

'' (1986, film version) - Ley Wanda *'' Bakusou Trucker Gundan'' (series) *'' Doreijuu''

Trivia

*As a gymnast and member of the Toei Action Club, he often does most of his own stunts. *Specializes in stunts and sword battle. *Directed the action sequences for the sequels to the Bakusou Trucker Gundan movies.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hirose, Yutaka Japanese male actors Living people 1962 births