Kobuhei Hayashiya is the former stage name of Hayashiya Shōzō IX, a multifaceted Japanese entertainer born Yasutaka Ebina on December 1, 1962, in Tokyo. He is a professional rakugoka, a traditional Japanese comic storyteller, and a tarento, a broad category of media personality, in addition to his work as a voice actor. He comes from a distinguished family in the entertainment world, being the son of the renowned rakugoka Hayashiya Sanpei I. He later succeeded to the name Hayashiya Shōzō IX, a prestigious title in the rakugo community.

His career as a voice actor includes a range of roles in anime television series, specials, and films. He is known for his work in several productions based on the manga of Mitsuru Adachi. He provided the voice for Koutarou Matsudaira, the catcher and fourth batter for the Meisei High School baseball team, in the long-running television series Touch and its subsequent film sequels, including Touch 2: Sayonara no Okurimono, Touch 3: Don't Pass Me By, and Touch: Sebangou no Nai Ace, as well as the later special Touch: Cross Road - Kaze no Yukue. He also voiced the character Takashi Ariyama in another Adachi work, the television anime Hiatari Ryoko.

Another significant and long-running role was that of Officer Youichi Terai in the popular and long-running series Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo, often abbreviated as Kochikame. He reprised this role for the series' theatrical films, including Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo: The Movie and its sequel. In the anime adaptation of the popular children's story Arashi no Yoru ni, he voiced the character Tapu, one of the goats. His other voice roles include Waaya in Super Doll Licca-chan, Ponkichi in the Studio Ghibli film Pom Poko, and Tadayoshi Nakane in the anime film Ushiro no Shōmen Daare. He also performed as the voice of the character Nick Candy in the Touch special.

Beyond voice acting, Hayashiya Shōzō IX has maintained a prominent career in rakugo and as a television personality, appearing in numerous variety shows and television dramas. He has also served as an associate professor of humanities at Josai International University. His work continues to span live-action and animated projects, maintaining his presence in Japanese popular culture.