Ryūzaburō Ōtomo is a highly respected Japanese voice actor and narrator, born on May 18, 1952. He began his career in the late 1970s and, after being affiliated with several major talent agencies, is now freelance. He is immediately recognizable for his deep, powerful, and commanding voice, which has led him to be frequently cast in roles of villains, authority figures, and other larger-than-life characters.

Ōtomo's career in voice acting began in 1979 with a role in The Ultraman. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he built a substantial portfolio, appearing in numerous anime series and establishing himself as a go-to actor for antagonist roles, a niche he shares with contemporaries like Norio Wakamoto. His work spans a vast range of genres and formats, from children's programs to mature theatrical features.

Among his most iconic and enduring roles is Sir Crocodile in the long-running series One Piece, a character he has voiced since 2001. He has also taken on other major roles in the franchise, including Edward Newgate (Whitebeard) and Kozuki Sukiyaki. His contributions to the Dragon Ball franchise are also significant, where he has voiced characters such as Dabura, the demon king Shenlong (the Eternal Dragon), King Cold, and the Ox-King.

His distinctive voice has brought to life a wide array of other memorable characters. He is known for playing the vampire lord Vamdemon (Myotismon) in Digimon Adventure, the villainous Lord Giri in Mahōjin Guru Guru, and the sinister Black Doom in the video game Shadow the Hedgehog. His filmography also includes roles in acclaimed series like Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and Samurai Champloo. Beyond anime, he is a prolific voice actor in video games, with notable performances as Uka Uka in the Crash Bandicoot series and Astaroth in the Soulcalibur series.

A testament to his skill and the respect he commands in the industry, Ōtomo has been chosen to take over several ongoing roles following the passing of fellow esteemed voice actors such as Daisuke Gōri and Shigezō Sasaoka. As of 2024, he continues to be active in the industry, with recent roles including the Flatwoods Monster in the anime series Dandadan.