Akira Kimura was a Japanese actor and voice actor, recognized for his contributions to film and anime, particularly during the 1970s. He was born on June 2, 1934. His career began in front of the camera, with his first credited film role in the 1961 epic Human Condition, Part V and VI. He transitioned into voice acting, becoming a regular presence in the Space Battleship Yamato franchise, a series that achieved iconic status in Japanese animation.

Kimura's most prominent and defining voice role was that of Ryu Hijikata, a legendary and authoritative Earth Defense Force captain. He first voiced the character in the 1977 film Space Battleship Yamato: The Movie. He reprised this role for the film Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato in 1978, a key work in the series. His association with the franchise continued as he voiced the character in subsequent television series, including Space Battleship Yamato 2 (1978), Space Battleship Yamato: The New Voyage (1979), and Space Battleship Yamato III (1980). Through these multiple productions, Kimura established a notable recurring collaboration with creator Leiji Matsumoto and the Yamato production team.

Despite a career cut short by his untimely death on April 19, 1981, at the age of 46, Akira Kimura left a lasting, if niche, legacy through his work on the Yamato series. His portrayal of Captain Hijikata remains a part of the franchise's history. While information on his other roles is sparse, and his connection to the title "Kamui Gaiden" or "Ninpu Kamui Gaiden" appears to be a point of confusion with the live-action film's cast, his contribution to one of anime's most beloved space operas is well-documented.