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Akiji Kobayashi

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.

Master Swordsman Hirate Miki - Duel in Tone

1997

Gamera 2: Attack of Legion

1996

as Senior sergeant

Ultraman Zearth

1996

as Fisherman

Revive! Ultraman

1996

Getting Any?

1995

as Chief of World Defence Force

47 Ronin

1994

Ie Naki Ko

1994

Kogarashi Monjirō Returns

1993

Kamen Rider SD: Strange?! Kumo Otoko

1993

as Toubei Tachibana (voice)

Godzilla vs. Mothra

1992

as Yuzo Tsuchiashi

Run, Melos!

1992

as Dionysus II (voice)

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

1991

as Yuzo Tsuchiashi

Noh Mask Murders

1991

Tales of the Bizarre

1990

Ultra Q The Movie: Legend of the Stars

1990

as Detective

Like the Clouds, Like the Wind

1990

as Konton

Hana no furu gogo

1989

Black Rain

1989

as Katayama

Ultraman: Terror on Route 87

1989

as Toshio Muramatsu

The Men Who Made Ultraman

1989

Death Shadows

1986

Desperate Pursuit

1986

as Inoue

Bakumatsu seishun graffiti: Ronin Sakamoto Ryoma

1986

as Hanazuki

The Empty Table

1985

Kojika Monogatari

1983

as ペニー

The Makioka Sisters

1983

as Seitaro Jinba

The Longest Tunnel

1982

Suspicion

1982

as Chief of Police, Ishihara

Karate Cop

1982

as Asst Chief Fuji

Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2

1982

The Black Hood

1981

Lonely Heart

1981

Yuki

1981

as Jinjii (voice)

Koto: The Ancient City

1980

Shogun Assassin

1980

as Lord Kurogawa

The Tale of Jean Valjean

1979

as Jean Valjean (voice)

Immortal Kamen Rider Special

1979

as Tobei Tachibana

Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle

1979

as Toshio Muramatsu

The House of Hanging

1979

as Sannosuke

The 47 Ronins of Ako

1979

as Hara Soemon

Akio Jissoji's Ultraman

1979

as Captain Toshio Muramatsu

Attack, Jun

1979

Queen Bee

1978

as Detective Kogure

Island of Hell

1977

as Takezo

Lullaby to Kill

1977

as Koreya Kusakabe (manager)

Utamaro's World

1977

The Inugamis

1976

as Kokichi Inugami

The Kagestar: The Movie

1976

as Inspector Tonda

The Kagestar

1976

as Inspector Keibu Tonda

All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!!

1976

as Tōbei Tachibana

Kamen Rider Stronger: The Movie

1975

as Tôbei Tachibana

Kamen Rider Amazon: The Movie

1975

as Tōbei Tachibana

Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders

1975

as Tobei Tachibana

Five Riders vs. King Dark

1974

as Tobei Tachibana

Kamen Rider V3 vs. Destron Mutants

1973

as Tobei Tachibana

Internal Sleuth

1973

Kamen Rider V3: The Movie

1973

as Tōbei Tachibana

The Woman Who Calls for Corpses

1973

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril

1972

as Narrator

Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice

1972

Daigoro vs. Goliath

1972

as Hitoshi Suzuki

Professional Killers

1972

Kamen Rider vs. Ambassador Hell

1972

as Tōbei Tachibana

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx

1972

as Ozunu Kurokuwa

Kamen Rider vs. Shocker

1972

as Tobei Tachibana

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance

1972

as Narrator

The Pirates of Buban

1972

Return of Ultraman: Terror of the Waterspout Monsters

1971

as Captain Takamura

Mandala

1971

Mysterious Thirteen Nights: Chapter 5 - The Mystery of the Skull Wife

1971

Go Go Kamen Rider

1971

as Tobei Tachibana

Kamen Rider

1971

as Tobei Tachibana

This Transient Life

1970

Prison Break

1969

The Curse of the Ghost

1969

as Naosuke

Sabu and Ichi's Detective Stories

1968

Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature

1967

as Capt. Toshio Muramatsu

Ultraman

1966

as Captain 'Cap' Toshio Muramatsu

ウルトラマン前夜祭 ウルトラマン誕生

1966

The Birth of Ultraman

1966

as Toshio Muramatsu

Pleasures of the Flesh

1965

as Mari's pimp

宇宙少年ソラン

1965

as ワイラー

Kwaidan

1965

as (segment "In a Cup of Tea") (uncredited)

Fight of the Gamblers

1963

Youth of the Beast

1963

as Tatsuo Nomoto

Intruders

1963

as Ichiro Honma

Harakiri

1962

Foundry Town

1962

as Hei-san

The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity

1959

as Nonaka Shôi