Akiji Kobayashi
Akiji Kobayashi (小林昭二, Kobayashi Akiji, September 6, 1930 – August 27, 1996), sometimes credited as Shōji Kobayashi, was a Japanese actor. He attended Nihon University College of Art, but withdrew before completing his degree and joined the Haiyuza Theatre Company in 1949. He made his film debut with Satsujin Yogisha in 1952. He is best known in the West for portraying the role of Captain Toshio Muramatsu in the 1966-1967 television series, Ultraman. From 1983-84, he appeared in the popular television detective series Seibu Keisatsu. His other notable television role was Tōbei Tachibana ("Oya-san") in several series of the Kamen Rider franchise. He was one of Kon Ichikawa's favorite actors, appearing in 12 Ichikawa films. His final film appearance was Yatsuhaka-mura as Head of a Factory directed by Kon Ichikawa in 1996. He was the official dubbing artist of John Wayne and Richard Crenna. Kobayashi died of lung cancer in Yokohama on August 27, 1996, ten days before his 66th birthday.
Known For
Credits
- 1997 · Master Swordsman Hirate Miki - Duel in Tone as
- 1996 · Gamera 2: Attack of Legion as Senior sergeant
- 1996 · Ultraman Zearth as Fisherman
- 1996 · Revive! Ultraman as
- 1995 · Getting Any? as Chief of World Defence Force
- 1994 · 47 Ronin as
- 1994 · Ie Naki Ko as
- 1993 · Kogarashi Monjirō Returns as
- 1993 · Kamen Rider SD: Strange?! Kumo Otoko as Toubei Tachibana (voice)
- 1992 · Godzilla vs. Mothra as Yuzo Tsuchiashi
- 1992 · Run, Melos! as Dionysus II (voice)
- 1991 · Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah as Yuzo Tsuchiashi
- 1991 · Noh Mask Murders as
- 1990 · Tales of the Bizarre as
- 1990 · Ultra Q The Movie: Legend of the Stars as Detective
- 1990 · Like the Clouds, Like the Wind as Konton
- 1989 · Hana no furu gogo as
- 1989 · Black Rain as Katayama
- 1989 · Ultraman: Terror on Route 87 as Toshio Muramatsu
- 1989 · The Men Who Made Ultraman as
- 1986 · Death Shadows as
- 1986 · Desperate Pursuit as Inoue
- 1986 · Bakumatsu seishun graffiti: Ronin Sakamoto Ryoma as Hanazuki
- 1985 · The Empty Table as
- 1983 · Kojika Monogatari as ペニー
- 1983 · The Makioka Sisters as Seitaro Jinba
- 1982 · The Longest Tunnel as
- 1982 · Suspicion as Chief of Police, Ishihara
- 1982 · Karate Cop as Asst Chief Fuji
- 1982 · Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2 as
- 1981 · The Black Hood as
- 1981 · Lonely Heart as
- 1981 · Yuki as Jinjii (voice)
- 1980 · Koto: The Ancient City as
- 1980 · Shogun Assassin as Lord Kurogawa
- 1979 · The Tale of Jean Valjean as Jean Valjean (voice)
- 1979 · Immortal Kamen Rider Special as Tobei Tachibana
- 1979 · Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle as Toshio Muramatsu
- 1979 · The House of Hanging as Sannosuke
- 1979 · The 47 Ronins of Ako as Hara Soemon
- 1979 · Akio Jissoji's Ultraman as Captain Toshio Muramatsu
- 1979 · Attack, Jun as
- 1978 · Queen Bee as Detective Kogure
- 1977 · Island of Hell as Takezo
- 1977 · Lullaby to Kill as Koreya Kusakabe (manager)
- 1977 · Utamaro's World as
- 1976 · The Inugami Family as Kokichi Inugami
- 1976 · The Kagestar: The Movie as Inspector Tonda
- 1976 · The Kagestar as Inspector Keibu Tonda
- 1976 · All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!! as Tōbei Tachibana
- 1975 · Kamen Rider Stronger: The Movie as Tôbei Tachibana
- 1975 · Kamen Rider Stronger as Tobei Tachibana
- 1975 · Kamen Rider Amazon: The Movie as Tōbei Tachibana
- 1975 · Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders as Tobei Tachibana
- 1974 · Five Riders vs. King Dark as Tobei Tachibana
- 1974 · Kamen Rider X as Tobei Tachibana
- 1973 · Kamen Rider V3 vs. Destron Mutants as Tobei Tachibana
- 1973 · Internal Sleuth as
- 1973 · Kamen Rider V3: The Movie as Tōbei Tachibana
- 1973 · Kamen Rider V3 as
- 1973 · The Woman Who Calls for Corpses as
- 1972 · Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril as Narrator
- 1972 · Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice as
- 1972 · Daigoro vs. Goliath as Hitoshi Suzuki
- 1972 · Professional Killers as
- 1972 · Kamen Rider vs. Ambassador Hell as Tōbei Tachibana
- 1972 · Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx as Ozunu Kurokuwa
- 1972 · Kamen Rider vs. Shocker as Tobei Tachibana
- 1972 · Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance as Narrator
- 1972 · The Pirates of Buban as
- 1971 · Return of Ultraman: Terror of the Waterspout Monsters as Captain Takamura
- 1971 · Mandala as
- 1971 · Mysterious Thirteen Nights: Chapter 5 - The Mystery of the Skull Wife as
- 1971 · Go Go Kamen Rider as Tobei Tachibana
- 1971 · Kamen Rider as Tobei Tachibana
- 1970 · This Transient Life as
- 1969 · Prison Break as
- 1969 · The Curse of the Ghost as Naosuke
- 1968 · Sabu and Ichi's Detective Stories as
- 1967 · Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature as Capt. Toshio Muramatsu
- 1966 · Ultraman as Captain 'Cap' Toshio Muramatsu
- 1966 · ウルトラマン前夜祭 ウルトラマン誕生 as
- 1966 · The Birth of Ultraman as Toshio Muramatsu
- 1965 · Pleasures of the Flesh as Mari's pimp
- 1965 · 宇宙少年ソラン as ワイラー
- 1965 · Kwaidan as (segment "In a Cup of Tea") (uncredited)
- 1963 · Fight of the Gamblers as
- 1963 · Youth of the Beast as Tatsuo Nomoto
- 1963 · Intruders as Ichiro Honma
- 1962 · Harakiri as
- 1962 · Foundry Town as Hei-san
- 1959 · The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity as Nonaka Shôi