Keiji Fujiwara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keiji Fujiwara
|
|
|---|---|
| 藤原 啓治 | |
 |
|
| Born | October 5, 1964 Tokyo, Japan
|
| Died | April 12, 2020 (aged 55) Tokyo, Japan
|
| Occupation |
|
| Agent | Air Agency |
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
Keiji Fujiwara (born October 5, 1964 – died April 12, 2020) was a super talented Japanese actor and voice actor. He was known for giving voices to many popular characters in anime shows and video games.
You might know his voice from characters like Hiroshi Nohara, who is Shinnosuke's dad in the long-running anime series Crayon Shin-chan. He also voiced Maes Hughes in Fullmetal Alchemist, Axel in Kingdom Hearts, and Leorio in Hunter × Hunter.
Keiji Fujiwara was also famous for dubbing (which means providing the voice for) the actor Robert Downey Jr. in Japanese. This means he was the voice of Iron Man/Tony Stark in the Marvel movies for Japanese audiences!
In 2006, Fujiwara started his own company called Air Agency. This company helped manage other voice actors and produced audio dramas.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Keiji Fujiwara was born in Tokyo, Japan. He spent most of his childhood in Iwate Prefecture. When he was in high school, he loved music and was the singer in a band he formed with his friend Kotaro Furuichi. Kotaro later became a famous guitarist in a rock band called The Collectors.
Around age 18, Fujiwara moved back to Tokyo by himself. He joined an acting school called Bungakuza. During the 1980s, he performed in many theater plays while working different part-time jobs. In the early 1990s, he started working with his first voice acting agency, Ken Production.
His first regular role in a TV anime was in Yokoyama Mitsuteru Sangokushi. But his big break came when he landed the role of Hiroshi Nohara in Crayon Shin-chan. This made him a very well-known voice actor.
In November 2006, he decided to leave Ken Production and start his own agency, Air Agency. His company not only managed voice actors but also created original audio dramas and live events. In 2010, Fujiwara even tried his hand at directing sound for an anime called Kakkokawaii Sengen!. He also taught at the Japan Newart College starting in 2008.
Health and Passing
In August 2016, Air Agency announced that Keiji Fujiwara was sick and had been diagnosed with cancer. He took a break from work to focus on his health. He officially returned to voice acting in June 2017. Sadly, Keiji Fujiwara passed away from the disease on April 12, 2020.
Famous Voices You Might Know
Keiji Fujiwara voiced many characters that you might recognize from popular anime and video games. Here are some of his most famous roles:
- Hiroshi Nohara in Crayon Shin-chan: He was the voice of Shin-chan's funny and loving dad for many years.
- Maes Hughes in Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: A kind and cheerful military officer who loved his family very much.
- Axel in the Kingdom Hearts video game series: A fiery and memorable character with a unique personality.
- Leorio Paladinight in Hunter × Hunter (2011 version): A determined character who wants to become a doctor.
- Shiro Fujimoto in Ao no Exorcist: A powerful exorcist and a father figure to the main character.
- Shingo Shoji in Initial D: A street racer known for his aggressive driving style.
- Hattori Zenzou in Gintama: A ninja who often provides comic relief.
- Esidisi in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Battle Tendency: A powerful and ancient Pillar Man.
- Holland Novak in Eureka Seven: The leader of a rebel group.
- Megatron in Transformers: Animated and Transformers: Prime: The iconic leader of the Decepticons.
- Joker in Batman: The Brave and the Bold and other animated Batman projects: The famous villain from Gotham City.
- Mewtwo in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: The powerful psychic Pokémon.
- Ardyn Izunia in Final Fantasy XV: A main villain in the popular video game.
- Reno in Final Fantasy VII Advent Children and Final Fantasy VII Remake: A member of the Turks.
He also provided the Japanese voice for many Hollywood actors, most notably Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. He also voiced characters played by Jim Carrey, Matthew McConaughey, Christian Slater, and Heath Ledger (as the Joker in The Dark Knight).
Images for kids
-
Keiji Fujiwara, a talented Japanese voice actor.
See also
In Spanish: Keiji Fujiwara para niños
