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Koichi Yamadera

is a Japanese actor, narrator and singer from Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture. He graduated from Tohoku Gakuin University's economics school and is currently affiliated with Across Entertainment. Before that, he was affiliated with the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society.

He is known for his roles in Cowboy Bebop (as Spike Spiegel), the Yakuza videogame series (as Shun Akiyama), ' (as Sukeroku), Ghost in the Shell (as Togusa), Neon Genesis Evangelion (as Ryoji Kaji), Gintama (as Shoyo Yoshida / Utsuro), Ninja Scroll (as Jūbei Kibagami), Dragon Ball Super (as Beerus), Anpanman (as Cheese), Ranma ½ (as Ryōga Hibiki/P-chan and the Jusenkyō Guide), ' (as Aberdt Desler), ' (as Black Hole) and Lupin III (as the official voice of Koichi Zenigata since 2011). He's been in every Pokémon film to date, though always in different roles, the exception being , in which he reprised his role as Mew from , of which movie 22 is a remake. He also voiced Mew in some collateral projects. For Disney, he is the official dubbed voice of Donald Duck, Genie and Stitch (among others) in Japanese.

In the live action field, he is the official dub-over artist of Will Smith (Yamadera met Smith several times), Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey. He is also known for voicing Chris Tucker, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Robin Williams, Mike Myers, Stephen Chow, Brad Pitt, Charlie Sheen, Michael Keaton, Michael J. Fox, Will Ferrell, Chris Pratt and Jon Hamm in the Japanese language releases of their respective films.

History

Yamadera was the manager of the Tagajō Senior High School basketball team before he made a name for himself. His voice acting debut was the OVA Megazone 23 as the motorcycle-riding Shinji Nakagawa, while his television debut was the anime Bosco Adventure as the cowardly Otter. Yamadera's break-out role as a voice actor was the anime Ranma ½, in which he played the dual role of Hibiki Ryōga and the Jusenkyō Guide. In 1991, Yamadera joined forces with Toshihiko Seki and Noriko Hidaka to form the acting unit . In October 1997, Yamadera became a host on the TV Tokyo children's variety show Oha Suta. In March 2016, after almost two decades, he announced his retirement from it.

In 2011, Yamadera took over the role of Koichi Zenigata in Lupin III media from Gorō Naya.

In a 2012 article by Japan Times, it was mentioned that he didn't consider doing voice acting at first, and was interested in going into sales or being an onscreen actor.

Yamadera's also known for his versatile range, as shown in the video game ' where he voiced all five Monokuma Kubs, including Monophanie (female). According to the Danganronpa V3 official blog, Yamadera is the first person who came to mind as "the same person voicing multiple characters at the same time". No one has as much "multiple characters" experience as him. He was able to take the individual quirks of each of the Monokuma Kubs and make all of them unique.

Other notable examples of multiple voice acting include the Kingdom Hearts series where he voiced Donald Duck, Genie (from Aladdin), Sebastian (from The Little Mermaid), Beast (from Beauty and the Beast), Mushu (from Mulan), Jaq (from Cinderella) and Stitch (from Lilo & Stitch), and the Japan Animator Expo series of 35 short films where Yamadera and Megumi Hayashibara voiced all characters.

Yamadera is known as "the man with the seven-colored voice". During casting he is also said to be called "When in doubt, Yamadera".

In 2011 and 2017, TV Asahi conducted a poll among Japanese voice actors and actresses on "who they thought was really the most amazing person in their profession". Yamadera ranked first both times. In 2017, Niconico conducted a survey on popular anime voice actors and actresses. Yamadera ranked first overall, third among female voters and first among male voters.

In 2018, he joined the cast of the American animated web series ' starring Michael B. Jordan. According to the series showrunner Gray Haddock, "Yamadera-san gives Kazu a fantastic balance of attitude and strength, and as anime fans we're doing our best not to geek out that he's joined the cast".

In 2019, Will Smith came to Japan for a solo interview, and at Smith's request, Yamadera performed a live voiceover, which was highly praised by Smith. This was aired on NTV's "news every" and "Oha!4 NEWS LIVE" on June 5 and June 11, respectively.

Personal life

Yamadera has been married three times; first, on May 23, 1993, to fellow voice actress Mika Kanai. They divorced in 2006, although it wasn't publicized until 2007.

His second wife was voice actress Rie Tanaka, then 33-years-old, and he was 51. They married on June 17, 2012, with a ceremony held in Hawaii on January 3, 2013. In August 2018, they announced that they had filed for divorce.

On June 14, 2021, at age 60, he announced his marriage to radio personality , who is 31 years younger than him.

Filmography

Television animation

1986
1987
  • Red Photon Zillion (Guardock (episodes 26, 28, 30 and 31), navigator #A (episode 13), Mash (episodes 15 and 16), Nōza soldier (episode 16), Nōza Army staff officer (episode 19), staff officer #A (episode 26))
  • Bikkuriman (Heikō-oni)
  • City Hunter (Abe, hitman, skunk, Inspector Fukamachi, additional voices)
  • Esper Mami (Subordinate #A, pupil #B, director, man #C, Kabi)
  • Akakage (Tomizō Karakuri, JōshÅ«-man, Tenjiku Yami, ninja)
  • Legend of the Century's End Savior: Fist of the North Star 2 (Villager)
  • ' (Drill Crusher)
  • Slippy Dandy (Slippy Dandy)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1995
1997
  • City Hunter: Goodbye, My Sweetheart (Professor Takeaki Mutō)
  • GakkyÅ« Ō Yamazaki (Yamadera)
1998
1999
2000
  • Hidemari no Ki (Ryōan Tezuka)
2001
2002
  • ' (Togusa, The Laughing Man (Aoi), Baby Ruth, Watchdog Robot)
  • Tsuribaka Nisshi (Densuke Hamasaki)
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
  • Detective Conan (Masateru Hira (episode 449))
  • Oh! Edo Rocket (Ginjirō the Locksmith)
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
  • My Home Hero (Shino)
  • Go! Go! Vehicle Zoo (Gao-nii)
  • ' (Zohakuten)
2024
2025
2026

Original net animation (ONA)

2023

Original video animation (OVA)

1985
1986
  • ' (Velt Zaruck (episodes 2 and 3))
1987
1988
1989
1990
  • The Hakkenden (Dōsetsu Inuyama)
  • Nineteen 19 (Kazuya Kawara)
  • Ranma ½: Hot Song Contest (Ryoga/P-chan, Jusenkyō Guide)
  • Goddamn (Gen Todoroki)
  • Shiawase no Katachi (Koitsu)
  • Mashin EiyÅ«den Wataru: Sōkaizan EiyÅ« Densetsu (Kurama Wataribe)
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2007
  • ' (Jean-Louis Chochi)
2008
  • Ranma ½: Nightmare! Incense of Spring Sleep (Ryoga/P-chan, Jusenkyō Guide)
2015
2017
  • The Ultraman: Jackal Vs Ultraman (Melos, King Jackal)

Film animation

1986
1988
1989
1990
1991
  • Gekkō no Piasu: Yumemi to Gin no Bara Kishi Dan (Devil King Child)
  • Ranma : ChÅ«goku Nu Kunlun Dai Kessen! Okite Yaburi no Gekitō Hen (Ryōga Hibiki)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Tobe! Chibigon (Cheese, Kabaotto)
1992
  • Hashire Melos! (Melos)
  • Ranma : Kessen Momo Maboroshi Kyō! Hanayome wo Datsu Rimodose!! (Ryōga Hibiki)
  • Silent Möbius: The Motion Picture 2 (Nachi Aida)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Tsumiki Jō no Himitsu (Cheese, Kamameshidon, Kabaotto, Cabinet Minister Garangara)
1993
  • Ninja Scroll (JÅ«bee Kibagami)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: KyōryÅ« NosshÄ« no Daibōken (Cheese, Kamameshidon, Kabaotto)
1994
  • Darkside Blues (Hochi)
  • Ranma : Chō Musabetsu Kessen! Ranma Team vs. Densetsu no Hō-Ō (Ryōga Hibiki)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Ririkaru Magical Mahō no Gakkō (Cheese, Kamameshidon)
1995
1996
  • Apo Apo World: Giant Baba 90 Fun Ipponshōbu (Giant Baba)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Kara Tobu Ehon to Glass no Kutsu (Cheese, Kamameshidon, Kabaotto)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Baikinman to 3 Baipanshi (Akakinman)
  • X (Sorata Arisugawa)
1997
  • Chokin Senshi Cashman (Chapitt (Cashman))
  • Gekijōban: Cutie Honey F: Densetsu no Chō Nishinobiyoru Ma no Te! Ai to Seigi no Ken de Tatakae, Honey!! (Robalt)
  • ' (Ryōji Kaji)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Niji no Pyramid (Cheese, Kamameshidon, Kabaotto)
  • The End of Evangelion (Ryōji Kaji)
1998
  • Crayon Shin-chan: Dengeki! Buta no Hizume Isakusen (Barrel)
  • ' (Mew)
  • ' (Hokusen)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Tenohira wo Taiyō ni (Cheese, Kabaotto)
1999
  • The Doraemons: Okashinao Kashina Okashinana? (Jaidora)
  • ' (Lugia)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: YÅ«ki no Hana Gahirakutoki (Cheese, Kabaotto)
2000
2001
2002
2003
  • ' (Butler the Magician)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Ruby no Negai (Cheese, Kabaotto)
  • Tokyo Godfathers (Taxi driver)
2004
  • ' (Professor Lund)
  • ' (Togusa)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Yumeneko no Kuni no NyanÄ« (Cheese, Kabaotto)
2005
2006
2007
2008
  • Gekijōban: Yatterman: Shin Yatter Mecha ŌshÅ«go! Omocha no Kuni de Dai Kessen da Koron! (Yatter Mechas, Narrator)
  • ' (Mugen Graceland)
  • Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (Togusa)
  • ' (Marcus Octavius)
  • Soreike! Anpanman: Yōsei Rinrin no Himitsu (Cheese, Kamameshidon, Kabaotto)
2009
2010
  • ' (Shoyo Yoshida)
  • ' (Goon)
2011
2012
2013
2014
  • ' (Gemini Saga)
  • ' (Ninja Riot)
  • ' (Koichi Zenigata)
2015
2016
  • ' (Titus Drautos)
  • ' (Jarvis)
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
  • ' (Professor Valenski)
  • ' (Beerus)
2025
2026
  • Chimney Town: Frozen in Time
  • ' (Hundley Yeoksam)

Web animation

2006
2008
2014
2019
  • ' (Kazu Iida)
2020
  • ' (Togusa)
2021

Video games

1993
  • Tengai Makyō: FÅ«un Kabukiden (Mangetsu no Ungie, Priest MōsufÄ«l)
1994
1995
1996
  • Valkyrie no Densetsu Gaiden: Rosa no Bōken (Narration)
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
  • Adventure of Tokyo Disney Sea ~Losing of Jewel's Secret (Genie, Sebastian)
  • ' (Balrog)
  • '
  • Kikō Heidan J-Phoenix (GurenrÄ«dā)
  • SD Gundam G Generation F.I.F (Gyunei Guss, Master Pierce Rayer)
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2016–2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2026
  • ' (Star-Lord)
  • Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy (Kain Highwind)
TBA

Dubbing roles

American Live-action films

Television

Animation

Puppetry

Television drama

Unknown date

  • Doyō Drama: Shanhai Typhoon
  • The Fantastic Deer-Man (Deer (voice))
  • Half Blue Sky (Doctor)
  • Hikeshi Ya Komachi (Higashi Mama)
  • Jyoshiana Icchokusen!
  • Kiteretsu Daihyakka (Kiteretsu's father)
  • Koeharu! (Genmai Odawara)
  • Koinu no Waltz (Katsuyuki Imai)
  • Psycho Doctor (Chikaraishi)
  • The Way of the Househusband (Narrator (episode 9))
  • Yoishyo no Otoko (Shinya Matsunaga, Narrator)

Live-action films

Tokusatsu

Variety shows

Radio

CDs

  • Breath
  • Gap System Menthol
  • Gap System Super Light
  • Glay ("Giant Strong Faust Super Star") (Doctor Moog)

Drama CDs

Singles

  • GLORY DAYS, (1992)
  • Tsukareta, (1996)
  • Jabba Jabba Morning/OHA OHA Starter (with Raymond), (1998)
  • Tensai Bakabon no Kuku ha Korediinoda!!, (1999)
  • Utau, (2000)
  • Hustle (Kaiketsu Zorori Opening Theme), (2004)
  • Ajyapā (with Rikako Aikawa and Motoko Kumai) (Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori First Opening Theme), (2005)
  • Zekkōchō, (Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori Second Opening Theme), (2006)
  • Sākuru Obu raifu (The Lion King Opening Theme)

Other

  • December 17, 1993 Aladdin Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Japanese Version)
  • :"Friend Like Me"<br />"Ali Ōji no Tōri"
  • March 18, 2000 Ashita Ninattara... (Donkey Kong Country opening and ending)
  • :"Ashita Ninattara..." (Donkey (Kōichi Yamadera) and Diddy (Megumi Hayashibara))<br />"Banana Tengoku" (Donkey (Kōichi Yamadera) and Diddy (Megumi Hayashibara))
  • March 10, 2004 Tōkyō Disneyland: Feel the Magic
  • :"Friend Like Me"
  • :"Hitoribocchi no Bansankai"
  • March 24, 2004 Hustle (Kaiketsu Zorori opening)
  • :Hustle
  • January 25, 2006 Kingdom Hearts II Original Soundtrack
  • :"Swim This Way" (Disc 2, Track 3)
  • :"Under the Sea" (Disc 2, Track 5)
  • :"A New Day Is Dawning" (Disc 2, Track 7)

Commercials

Other

References

External links