Yonehiko Kitagawa
Description
Yonehiko Kitagawa is a Japanese voice actor, actor, and narrator born on June 9, 1931, in Tokyo, Japan. His real name is Kunihiko Takeda. He is represented by the talent agency Aoni Production, where he has been affiliated since its founding in 1969 and also serves as the principal of its training school, Aoni Juku Tokyo. Early in his career, he performed under the stage name Kunihiko Kitagawa.
Kitagawa's career began in the 1950s, spanning the early days of Japanese television and the dawn of anime. He has built an extensive filmography, providing voices for numerous television anime, animated films, and dubbed overseas productions. A graduate of Hosei University, he was active in theater troupes such as Gekidan Mirai-za and Gekidan Izumi-za before transitioning to voice acting.
He is known for voicing a wide array of characters, often portraying elderly men, mentors, villains, and figures of authority. One of his most prominent and long-running roles is Chairman Harabote Muscle in the Kinnikuman anime series, a character he voiced across multiple television series, films, and original video animations from the 1980s onward. He also played numerous other characters in the franchise, including The Mountain and Akuma Shogun. Another significant early role was Dr. Nossori in Mazinger Z. He voiced Poseidon and served as the narrator for the 1972 series Umi no Triton. In the Lupin III franchise, he voiced Lupin the Second in the first television series. His other notable anime roles include Dr. Ishihara in Azumanga Daioh, Visconti in GetBackers, and Al Salem in Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
Kitagawa's filmography includes specific roles as cited by the user. In the Magical Taruruuto-kun franchise, he voiced the Harako Family Butler in the 1991 film Magical Taruruuto-kun: Moero! Yuujou no Mahou Taisen. He played the role of the King of Atlas in the 1970 Toei Animation film 30,000 Miles Under the Sea. He also voiced the character Anderson in the 1994 Gatchaman original video animation.
Throughout his long career, Kitagawa has been a recurring presence in several long-running franchises. He has taken on various roles in multiple installments of GeGeGe no Kitarou, Fist of the North Star, and Case Closed, demonstrating his versatility and continued activity in the industry. His work is characterized by a deep and reliable vocal presence, fitting for the many patriarchs, officials, and seasoned characters he has portrayed over more than seven decades. He continues to be affiliated with Aoni Production.
Kitagawa's career began in the 1950s, spanning the early days of Japanese television and the dawn of anime. He has built an extensive filmography, providing voices for numerous television anime, animated films, and dubbed overseas productions. A graduate of Hosei University, he was active in theater troupes such as Gekidan Mirai-za and Gekidan Izumi-za before transitioning to voice acting.
He is known for voicing a wide array of characters, often portraying elderly men, mentors, villains, and figures of authority. One of his most prominent and long-running roles is Chairman Harabote Muscle in the Kinnikuman anime series, a character he voiced across multiple television series, films, and original video animations from the 1980s onward. He also played numerous other characters in the franchise, including The Mountain and Akuma Shogun. Another significant early role was Dr. Nossori in Mazinger Z. He voiced Poseidon and served as the narrator for the 1972 series Umi no Triton. In the Lupin III franchise, he voiced Lupin the Second in the first television series. His other notable anime roles include Dr. Ishihara in Azumanga Daioh, Visconti in GetBackers, and Al Salem in Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
Kitagawa's filmography includes specific roles as cited by the user. In the Magical Taruruuto-kun franchise, he voiced the Harako Family Butler in the 1991 film Magical Taruruuto-kun: Moero! Yuujou no Mahou Taisen. He played the role of the King of Atlas in the 1970 Toei Animation film 30,000 Miles Under the Sea. He also voiced the character Anderson in the 1994 Gatchaman original video animation.
Throughout his long career, Kitagawa has been a recurring presence in several long-running franchises. He has taken on various roles in multiple installments of GeGeGe no Kitarou, Fist of the North Star, and Case Closed, demonstrating his versatility and continued activity in the industry. His work is characterized by a deep and reliable vocal presence, fitting for the many patriarchs, officials, and seasoned characters he has portrayed over more than seven decades. He continues to be affiliated with Aoni Production.
All Characters
- Japanese
- JapaneseAnime overview: 30,000 Miles Under the Sea
- Japanese
- JapaneseAnime overview: Kinnikuman: New York Kikiippatsu!
- JapaneseAnime overview: Kinnikuman: Ōabare! Seigi Chōjin
- JapaneseAnime overview: Kinnikuman
- JapaneseAnime overview: Kinnikuman
- JapaneseAnime overview: Kinnikuman