Takeshi Kusaka was a Japanese actor and voice actor born on February 24, 1931, in Toshima, Tokyo. He passed away on May 15, 2017, at the age of 86. Kusaka was a highly respected figure in the Japanese entertainment industry, primarily known for his extensive work in live-action theatre and film, as well as his contributions to voice acting for foreign film dubbing. He was the founder of the Shiki Theatre Company, one of Japan's most prominent and successful theatrical production companies, highlighting his significant role in the nation's performing arts scene.

Kusaka's career was active from 1954 until his death in 2017, encompassing a wide range of roles. While he appeared in numerous live-action films such as Akira Kurosawa's Madadayo and the popular film Antarctica, his voice was a familiar presence in Japanese dubs of Western cinema. He provided the Japanese voice for actor F. Murray Abraham's Oscar-winning performance as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus and for Anthony Hopkins's iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in the TV Asahi edition of Hannibal. His dubbing work extended to animation as well, where he voiced Judge Claude Frollo in the Japanese version of Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Dr. Harley Street in SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron.

Within the realm of anime, Kusaka's most prominent role is that of the villain Vega in the Fighter II: The Animated Movie. It is important to note the character naming discrepancies between the Japanese and international versions of the Street Fighter series. In the Japanese release of the film, Kusaka voiced the character known as Vega, who is the final antagonist of the story. This same character is called M. Bison in English localizations, while the name Vega is used for a different, claw-wielding Spanish fighter. Kusaka's performance as the powerful and malevolent leader of the Shadowlaw organization remains a key role in his anime filmography. He also provided the voice for Alois in the 1987 animated film Twilight of the Cockroaches and had a small voice role as a document voiceover in an episode of the Legend of the Galactic Heroes anime series. His work in anime was relatively sparse compared to his live-action and dubbing career, but his performance in Street Fighter II stands out as a significant contribution to a globally recognized franchise.