Yuusaku Yara is a veteran Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator. He was born on March 15, 1948, in Tokyo, Japan. His real name is Susumu Kawabe, and he was formerly known by the stage name Tetsu Kurobe. He is currently affiliated with Aoni Production. Yara stands 174 cm tall and has blood type A.

Yara began his career in 1975 and is known for his deep and low voice, which he often lends to mature men and villainous characters. He is also well-recognized as the first Japanese dubbing voice for actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in his early films.

Yara has an extensive filmography across television animation, original video animations, theatrical films, and video games. Some of his most notable roles include Sagittarius Aiolos in the Saint Seiya franchise, Hiroshi Sakura (Maruko's father) in Chibi Maruko-chan, and Senbei Norimaki in the Dr. Slump remake. He also served as the Narrator for the seminal space opera series The Legend of the Galactic Heroes.

Among the many roles listed, Yara's credits include Sanjōnoin in Chōyaku Hyakunin Isshu: Uta Koi, Commissioner Yoshizawa in Planzet, Konpei's Father in Kirara, Dai-Atlas in Transformers: Zone, and Vermillion in Jungle Book: Shōnen Mowgli. He also played Shimada in Hikari no Densetsu, Dokuroken Gundam in Tatakae!! Ramenman, Bois Magnus in The Weathering Continent, and Lucky Roman in Heavy.

His work in original video animations is particularly prolific, with roles such as Renzaburō Taki in Wicked City, Mephisto in Demon City Shinjuku, Charles Brenten in Dominion Tank Police, Walken in Baoh, Rokkon in Phantom Quest Corp., and Ginnai Doma in Black Lion. In the 1990s, he took on roles like Genpachi in the classic film Ninja Scroll and Geega in Birdy the Mighty.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Yara continued to be active, voicing characters such as Jiraia in Gintama, Timoteo in Katekyo Hitman Reborn!, Rod Reiss in Attack on Titan Season 3, and Merlin Walford in Wise Man's Grandchild. More recently, he has voiced Tecchin Tecchikawahara in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Satan in the original net animation Akuma-kun.

Beyond anime, Yara has also contributed his voice to numerous video games, including the role of Gillian Seed in Snatcher, Python in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, and Barry Burton in the Japanese dubs of Resident Evil: Revelations 2 and the Resident Evil remaster. His work also extends to tokusatsu, where he provided narration for Ultraman 80 and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus.

In recognition of his long and distinguished career, Yuusaku Yara was awarded the Achievement Award at the 17th Seiyu Awards in 2023.