Kaneta Kimotsuki was a celebrated Japanese voice actor and actor, renowned for his distinctive voice and decades-long career that left an indelible mark on the anime industry. Born Kanemasa Kimotsuki on November 15, 1935, in Kagoshima, Japan, he pursued his passion for performance from a young age, becoming involved in theatre and radio before transitioning to voice acting.

His career in animation took flight in the 1960s, a period during which he lent his voice to numerous productions. He quickly became a ubiquitous presence in children's anime and educational programs, often voicing supporting characters, comedic relief, and memorable villains. His unique vocal quality made him a sought-after talent for a wide range of roles.

Among his vast filmography, Kimotsuki is best remembered for several iconic roles that spanned generations. He had a particularly strong association with the works of Fujiko F. Fujio. He first joined the Doraemon franchise in the 1973 series, voicing the character Takeshi Goda, also known as Gian. When the beloved 1979 anime series began, he returned to the cast in the role of Suneo Honekawa, the wealthy and cunning friend of Nobita, a character he would voice for 26 years until a cast change in 2005. His connection to Fujiko F. Fujio's creations extended to other classics, including voicing Kabao in the 1967 Perman, and later taking on the role of Peryan (Perman No. 4) in the 1983 series and subsequent films. He also voiced Godzilla in the 1965 Obake no Q-Taro, the Professor in the 1985 series, and Benzou Karino in Kiteretsu Daihyakka.

Beyond the world of Fujiko Pro, Kimotsuki created other equally iconic characters. In Leiji Matsumoto's space opera Galaxy Express 999, he was the voice of the mysterious and beloved Conductor, a role he reprised in numerous films and specials throughout his life. For the long-running children's series Soreike! Anpanman, he voiced the skeletal villain Horrorman from 1991 until his passing in 2016, forming a memorable villainous trio with his co-stars. His other prominent anime roles included Iyami in Osomatsu-kun (1988), Dracula in Kaibutsu-kun, Kemumaki Kemuzou in Ninja Hattori-kun, Great Britain (007) in Cyborg 009 (1979), and characters in series like Dokaben, Heidi, Girl of the Alps, and Trigun.

His talent was not confined to Japanese animation. Kimotsuki was also the official Japanese dubbing voice for several classic Disney characters, most notably Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio, a role he performed for decades across various media and the Kingdom Hearts video game series. He also dubbed the voices of Tom from Tom and Jerry, Scuttle from The Little Mermaid, and Roquefort from The Aristocats, among many others.

Beyond performing, Kimotsuki was deeply committed to his craft and the voice acting community. He served as a mentor to younger talents, famously giving voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi his stage name. He was also a founder and director of his own agency and theatre company, 21st Century FOX, where he directed and nurtured upcoming actors.

Throughout his career, Kimotsuki received numerous accolades recognizing his contributions to the industry. He was honored with the Tokyo International Anime Fair Merit Award in 2007 and received the prestigious Merit Award at the sixth Seiyu Awards in 2012. Kaneta Kimotsuki passed away from pneumonia on October 20, 2016, at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy of beloved characters that continue to be cherished by audiences worldwide.