Koichi Yamadera facts for kids

Koichi Yamadera (山寺 宏一, Yamadera Kōichi, born June 17, 1961) is a famous Japanese actor, narrator, and singer from Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture. He is known for his incredible voice acting skills, bringing many beloved characters to life. He works with Across Entertainment.

Yamadera is famous for voicing characters like Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop, Shun Akiyama in the Yakuza video games, and Beerus in Dragon Ball Super. He has also voiced characters in many popular anime series such as Ghost in the Shell (as Togusa), Neon Genesis Evangelion (as Ryoji Kaji), and Lupin III (as Koichi Zenigata since 2011).

He has appeared in every Pokémon movie, playing different characters each time. In some movies, he even voiced Mew! For Disney, he is the official Japanese voice for well-known characters like Donald Duck, Genie, and Stitch.

In live-action films, Koichi Yamadera is the official Japanese voice for Hollywood stars such as Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, and Jim Carrey. He has also dubbed for actors like Chris Tucker, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Robin Williams, Mike Myers, Brad Pitt, and Chris Pratt.

Koichi Yamadera's Career Journey

Yamadera started his voice acting career in 1985. His first role was Shinji Nakagawa in the anime Megazone 23. He then voiced Otter in the TV anime Bosco Adventure.

Breakthrough Roles and Popularity

His big break came with the anime Ranma ½, where he voiced two characters: Ryōga Hibiki and the Jusenkyō Guide. In 1991, he formed an acting group called Banana Fritters with Toshihiko Seki and Noriko Hidaka.

From 1997 to 2016, Yamadera was a host on the children's TV show Oha Suta. He is known for his amazing voice range, which means he can make many different voices. For example, in the video game Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, he voiced all five Monokuma Kubs, including a female character! People often say he is "the man with the seven-colored voice" because of his incredible talent.

Awards and Recognition

Koichi Yamadera is highly respected by other voice actors. In polls conducted by TV Asahi in 2011 and 2017, he was ranked as the most amazing person in their profession. In 2017, a survey by Niconico also showed him as the most popular anime voice actor overall.

In 2018, he joined the cast of the American animated series Gen:Lock. The show's creator, Gray Haddock, was very excited to have him, saying Yamadera-san gives his character "a fantastic balance of attitude and strength." In 2019, Will Smith even asked Yamadera to perform a live voiceover during an interview in Japan, and Smith was very impressed.

Voice Acting Roles in Animation

Koichi Yamadera has voiced countless characters in animated TV shows and movies.

Television Animation Highlights

• 1986: Bosco Adventure (Otter)
• 1988: Soreike! Anpanman (Cheese, Kabao-kun, Kamameshidon)
• 1989: Ranma ½ (Ryōga Hibiki/P-chan, Jusenkyō Guide)
• 1995: Neon Genesis Evangelion (Ryōji Kaji)
• 1998: Cowboy Bebop (Spike Spiegel, Ein)
• 2002: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (Togusa, The Laughing Man)
• 2004: Kaiketsu Zorori (Zorori)
• 2008: Yatterman (Narrator, Yatter-Mechas)
• 2012: Hunter × Hunter (Second Series) (Silva Zoldyck)
• 2013: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (Abelt Desler)
• 2015: Dragon Ball Super (Beerus), One Piece (Donquixote Rosinante/Corazon)
• 2021: Lupin the 3rd Part 6 (Koichi Zenigata)
• 2023: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc (Zohakuten)

Original Net Animation (ONA) Roles

• 2023: Lupin the 3rd vs. Cat's Eye (Koichi Zenigata)
• 2014: Japan Animator Expo (multiple characters)

Original Video Animation (OVA) Roles

• 1985: Megazone 23 (Shinji Nakagawa)
• 1993: Ninja Scroll (Jūbee Kibagami)
• 1998: Queen Emeraldas (Tochirō Ōyama)

Film Animation Roles

• 1989: Kiki's Delivery Service (Osono's husband, police officer)
• 1993: Ninja Scroll (Jūbee Kibagami)
• 1995: Ghost in the Shell (Togusa)
• 1998: Pokémon: The First Movie (Mew)
• 2001: Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Spike Spiegel)
• 2005: Arashi no Yoru Ni (Barry)
• 2006: Paprika (Doctor Morio Osanai)
• 2009: Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (Ryōji Kaji)
• 2013: Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (Beerus)
• 2019: Lupin III: The First (Koichi Zenigata), Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution (Mew)
• 2021: Gintama The Final (Shoyo Yoshida / Utsuro)

Video Game Voice Acting

Koichi Yamadera has lent his voice to many video games, bringing characters to life in interactive worlds.

Key Video Game Roles

• 1998: Street Fighter Zero 3 (Cody, Balrog)
• 2002: Kingdom Hearts (Donald Duck, Genie, Sebastian, Beast, Mushu)
• 2007: Final Fantasy IV (Kain Highwind)
• 2010: Yakuza 4 (Shun Akiyama)
• 2011: Catherine (Vincent Brooks)
• 2013: The Last of Us (Joel)
• 2016–2017: New Danganronpa V3 (Monotaro, Monodam, Monosuke, Monokid, Monophanie)
• 2019: Kingdom Hearts III (Donald Duck)
• 2023: Detective Pikachu Returns (Detective Pikachu)

Dubbing for International Films

Yamadera is also famous for dubbing foreign films into Japanese, giving voices to many well-known actors and animated characters.

Dubbing for Live-Action Actors

He is the official Japanese voice for:

• Eddie Murphy in films like Shrek (Donkey) and Beverly Hills Cop.
• Jim Carrey in movies such as The Mask, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Sonic the Hedgehog (Dr. Ivo Robotnik).
• Brad Pitt in films like Fight Club and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
• Jean-Claude Van Damme in action movies like Universal Soldier.
• Charlie Sheen in films like Hot Shots!.
• Chris Pratt as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy and Owen Grady in Jurassic World.
• Robin Williams as Genie in Aladdin and in Mrs. Doubtfire.
• Will Ferrell in movies like Megamind and The Lego Movie.
• Michael Keaton as Batman in Batman and The Flash.
• Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future series.
• Tom Hanks in films like Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan.
• Chris Tucker in the Rush Hour series.
• Will Smith in movies like Independence Day and Aladdin (Genie).
• Jon Hamm in TV series like Mad Men.
• Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy.
• Keanu Reeves in Speed.
• Stephen Chow in Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle.
• Idris Elba in Hobbs & Shaw.
• Martin Short in Only Murders in the Building.

Dubbing for Animated Films

• The Angry Birds Movie (Mighty Eagle)
• Beauty and the Beast (Beast)
• DC League of Super-Pets (Batman)
• Despicable Me (Vector)
• Hotel Transylvania (Dracula)
• Ice Age (Manfred the Mammoth)
• The Lego Movie (Batman)
• Lilo & Stitch (Stitch)
• The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (Sebastian)
• Mulan II (Mushu)
• Sing (Mike)
• Wreck-It Ralph (Ralph)
• Wish (Valentino)

Other Appearances

Koichi Yamadera has also been involved in various other projects.

Variety Shows and Radio

He has hosted and appeared on many Japanese variety shows, including Oha Suta and Monomane Battle, where he showcased his talent for impressions. He has also been a radio personality on shows like Kōichi Yamadera no Gap System.

Commercials and Events

Yamadera's voice is often heard in commercials for popular brands like McDonald's and Toyota. He has also been the voice announcer for Disney Channel and events at Tokyo Disneyland.

See also

In Spanish: Kōichi Yamadera para niños