Matsumoto Hakuō II is a renowned Japanese actor primarily celebrated for his legendary career in kabuki theater, with his work as a voice actor representing a small but notable facet of his extensive performance history. He was born Teruaki Fujima on August 19, 1942, in Tokyo, into a distinguished family of kabuki actors. He is a graduate of Waseda University.

His stage career began in early childhood, and he has been known by several stage names over the decades, reflecting the traditional naming successions within the kabuki world. For many years, he was widely known as Matsumoto Kōshirō IX, a name he held from 1981 until January 2018. At that time, in a formal ceremony, he succeeded to his current name, Matsumoto Hakuō II, following the retirement of his father, Matsumoto Hakuō I. This lineage makes him one of the most prominent and popular tachiyaku, or performers of male roles, in contemporary kabuki. His versatility, however, extends far beyond the kabuki stage. He has an extensive career in film and television and has also achieved international recognition for his work in Western stage musicals. Notably, he played the lead role in Man of La Mancha on Broadway in 1970 and has performed in London's West End.

In the realm of anime, Matsumoto Hakuō II is known for his role as Hitsujirō Munakata in the critically acclaimed 2022 film Suzume. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, the film features him voicing the grandfather of the male lead, Souta Munakata. Hitsujirō is a pivotal character who provides crucial information to the protagonist, Suzume, explaining the nature of the supernatural "Ever-After" and her unique connection to it. His deep and authoritative voice lends gravitas to this role, which serves as a key narrative guide within the story. This performance is a prime example of a distinguished stage and screen actor bringing their craft to an animated production. Another credit includes providing the Japanese voice for the character Baloo in the 2016 version of Disney's The Jungle Book.

While his filmography as a voice actor is limited, his contribution to Suzume marks a significant intersection of traditional Japanese performance art with contemporary anime. His career has been decorated with numerous high honors, including the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2005 and being designated a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese government in 2012. In 2022, he was also one of the recipients of the Order of Culture.