Koichi Yamadera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Koichi Yamadera
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| 山寺 宏一 | |
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| Born | June 17, 1961 Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
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| Other names | Yama (やまちゃん, Yama-chan) Bazooka Yamadera (バズーカ山寺) |
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| Years active | 1985–present |
| Agent | Across Entertainment |
| Height | 176 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
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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 amazing ability to voice many different characters. He works with Across Entertainment.
Yamadera has voiced many iconic characters. These include Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop, Shun Akiyama in the Yakuza video games, and Togusa in Ghost in the Shell. He also voiced Ryoji Kaji in Neon Genesis Evangelion and Beerus in Dragon Ball Super. For younger fans, he is known as Cheese in Anpanman. He has been in every Pokémon film, often playing different roles. For Disney, he is the official Japanese voice of beloved characters like Donald Duck, Genie, and Stitch.
In live-action movies, he is the official Japanese voice for famous actors. These include Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, and Jim Carrey. He has also voiced Chris Tucker, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Robin Williams, and Brad Pitt.
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Becoming a Voice Actor
Koichi Yamadera started his career in 1985. His first voice acting role was Shinji Nakagawa in the OVA Megazone 23. He then appeared on TV in the anime Bosco Adventure as Otter. A big step in his career was playing two roles in Ranma ½: Ryōga Hibiki and the Jusenkyō Guide.
In 1991, Yamadera formed an acting group called Banana Fritters. He also hosted the children's TV show Oha Suta for almost two decades. He left the show in 2016. In 2011, he took over the voice role of Koichi Zenigata in the Lupin III series.
Amazing Voice Range
Yamadera is famous for his incredible voice range. He can voice many different characters, even in the same project. For example, in the video game Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, he voiced all five Monokuma Kubs, including a female character. People say he is the best at voicing multiple characters at once.
He also voiced many characters in the Kingdom Hearts series. These include Donald Duck, Genie, Sebastian, Beast, Mushu, Jaq, and Stitch. In the Japan Animator Expo short films, he and Megumi Hayashibara voiced all the characters. Because of his talent, he is often called "the man with the seven-colored voice." When casting for roles, people often say, "When in doubt, Yamadera."
In polls held by TV Asahi in 2011 and 2017, Japanese voice actors voted him the most amazing person in their profession. He ranked first both times. In 2017, a survey by Niconico also ranked him first among popular anime voice actors.
In 2018, he joined the American animated web series Gen:Lock. The show's creator praised his ability to give his character, Kazu, a great mix of attitude and strength. In 2019, Will Smith visited Japan and asked Yamadera to perform a live voiceover. Smith was very impressed by his performance.
Personal Life
Koichi Yamadera is married to radio personality Robin Shoko Okada. They married in 2021.
Voice Roles
Koichi Yamadera has lent his voice to many animated shows, movies, and video games.
Television Animation
- 1986
* Bosco Adventure (Otter)
- 1989
* Ranma ½ (Ryōga Hibiki/P-chan, Jusenkyō Guide) * Soreike! Anpanman (Cheese, Kabao-kun, Kamameshidon)
- 1995
* Neon Genesis Evangelion (Ryōji Kaji)
- 1998
* Cowboy Bebop (Spike Spiegel)
- 2002
* Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (Togusa)
- 2004
* Kaiketsu Zorori (Zorori)
- 2008
* Stitch! (Stitch) * Yatterman (Narrator, Yatter-Mechas)
- 2015
* Dragon Ball Super (Beerus) * One Piece (Donquixote Rosinante/Corazon)
- 2020
* My Hero Academia 4 (Gentle Criminal)
- 2023
* Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc (Zohakuten)
Original Video Animation (OVA)
- 1985
* Megazone 23 (Shinji Nakagawa)
- 1993
* Ranma ½ OVA (Ryoga/P-chan)
Film Animation
- 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)
- 2013
* Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (Beerus)
- 2019
* Lupin III: The First (Koichi Zenigata) * Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution (Mew)
- 2022
* Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Beerus)
Video Games
- 1998
* Street Fighter Zero 3 (Cody, Balrog)
- 2002
* Kingdom Hearts (Donald Duck, Genie, Sebastian, Beast, Mushu)
- 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 Roles
Koichi Yamadera is also a top voice actor for dubbing foreign films and TV shows into Japanese.
Live-Action Film Dubbing
* Beverly Hills Cop (Detective Axel Foley) * Coming to America (Prince Akeem Joffer) * The Nutty Professor (Professor Sherman Klump, Buddy Love)
* The Mask (Stanley Ipkiss) * How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Grinch) * Sonic the Hedgehog (Dr. Ivo Robotnik)
* Fight Club (Tyler Durden) * Mr. & Mrs. Smith (John Smith)
* Independence Day (Captain Steve Hiller) * Aladdin (Genie)
* Aladdin (Genie) * Mrs. Doubtfire (Daniel Hillard / Misses Euphegenia Doubtfire)
* Batman (Batman) * The Flash (Batman)
* Back to the Future (Marty McFly)
* Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump) * Saving Private Ryan (Captain John H. Miller)
* Guardians of the Galaxy (Star-Lord) * Jurassic World (Owen Grady)
- Other Notable Roles
* The Empire Strikes Back (Han Solo (Harrison Ford)) * The Last of Us (Joel (Pedro Pascal)) * Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Roger Rabbit)
Animated Film Dubbing
- Beauty and the Beast (Beast)
- Lilo & Stitch (Stitch)
- Ice Age (Manfred the Mammoth)
- The Lego Batman Movie (Batman)
- Wreck-It Ralph (Ralph)
- Sing (Mike)
- Hotel Transylvania (Dracula)
Other Appearances
Yamadera has also appeared in live-action films and TV dramas. He has been a host on variety shows and done voice work for commercials.
Live-Action Films
- Godzilla vs. Megaguirus: G Extermination Strategy (2000), Yama-chan
- Shin Ultraman (2022), Zōffy (voice)
Television Drama
- Natsuzora: Natsu's Sky (2019) (Yūsei Toyotomi)
Variety Shows
- Oha Suta (Main host, as "Yama-chan")
- Monomane Grand Prix (Performer, impersonating various singers)
Commercials
- McDonald's (2000, voice of Ronald McDonald)
- Pokémon film series (Narration)
Images for kids
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Koichi Yamadera
See also
In Spanish: Kōichi Yamadera para niños
