Shigesato Itoi
Description
Shigesato Itoi is a Japanese figure best known for his extensive work as a copywriter, essayist, and game designer, with voice acting representing a smaller, though notable, facet of his career. Born on November 10, 1948, in Maebashi, Gunma, Japan, Itoi rose to prominence in the 1980s by revolutionizing advertising copywriting in Japan. His creative influence later expanded into writing, lyricism, and video game design, where he gained international recognition as the creator of Nintendo's beloved Mother series, known as EarthBound in North America.
In the realm of anime, Itoi is primarily recognized for a single, iconic role. He provided the voice for Tatsuo Kusakabe, the understanding and good-natured father of the two main characters, in the seminal 1988 Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the film features Itoi as the professor who moves to the countryside with his daughters, Satsuki and Mei, to be closer to their ailing mother. His performance contributes to the film's enduring legacy as a masterpiece of animation. This role remains his most prominent and widely recognized credit as a voice actor.
Beyond voice acting, Itoi's involvement in film and television extends to on-screen appearances. He served as a judge on several episodes of the popular Japanese television programs Iron Chef and Hey! Spring of Trivia. In 2010, he made his live-action acting debut, playing the role of a professor in the film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's novel Norwegian Wood.
Itoi's career is marked by diverse creative achievements. As a game designer, he was the lead writer, director, and designer for all three entries in the Mother series. He founded the company Ape, Inc. to develop games for Nintendo and also created a self-titled bass fishing video game. In 1998, he launched his influential website and company, Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun, which he continues to serve as editor-in-chief. He is also a published author, having co-authored a collection of short stories with the celebrated writer Haruki Murakami in 1981.
In the realm of anime, Itoi is primarily recognized for a single, iconic role. He provided the voice for Tatsuo Kusakabe, the understanding and good-natured father of the two main characters, in the seminal 1988 Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the film features Itoi as the professor who moves to the countryside with his daughters, Satsuki and Mei, to be closer to their ailing mother. His performance contributes to the film's enduring legacy as a masterpiece of animation. This role remains his most prominent and widely recognized credit as a voice actor.
Beyond voice acting, Itoi's involvement in film and television extends to on-screen appearances. He served as a judge on several episodes of the popular Japanese television programs Iron Chef and Hey! Spring of Trivia. In 2010, he made his live-action acting debut, playing the role of a professor in the film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's novel Norwegian Wood.
Itoi's career is marked by diverse creative achievements. As a game designer, he was the lead writer, director, and designer for all three entries in the Mother series. He founded the company Ape, Inc. to develop games for Nintendo and also created a self-titled bass fishing video game. In 1998, he launched his influential website and company, Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun, which he continues to serve as editor-in-chief. He is also a published author, having co-authored a collection of short stories with the celebrated writer Haruki Murakami in 1981.
All Characters
- JapaneseAnime overview: My Neighbor Totoro