Akiji Kobayashi (小林昭二 Kobayashi Akiji), sometimes credited as Shoji Kobayashi (小林 昭二 Kobayashi Shōji) or Issei Mori, was a Japanese actor and voice actor. He was best known in the West for portraying Captain Toshio Muramatsu in Ultraman. He also portrayed Tōbei Tachibana throughout the Kamen Rider series.
Death
Akiji Kobayashi died of lung cancer on August 27, 1996 in Yokahama, Japan, ten days before his 66th birthday. He was 65 years old at the time.
Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Ultra Q | Major Amano | Episode 19 "Challenge from the Year 2020" |
| Ultraman | Toshio Muramatsu | ||
| 1967 | Ultraseven | Sato | Episode 47 "Who are You?" |
| 1971 | Return of Ultraman | Captain Takamura | Episode 13 "Terror of the Tsunami Monsters, Tokyo's Big Pinch
Episode 14 "Terror of the Two Giant Monsters, Tokyo in a Giant Tornado" |
| 1972 | Ultraman Ace | Akira Koyama | Episode 6 "Pursue the Mystery of the Transformation Terrible-Monster" |
| 1990 | Ultra Q The Movie: Legend of the Stars | Detective | |
| 1996 | Revive! Ultraman | Captain Muramatsu | Voiced stock footage |
| Ultraman Zearth | Fisherman | ||
| Ultraman Zearth: Parody Chapter | Tobei Tachibana |
Gallery
Akiji as Tobei Tachibana in the Ultraman Zearth: Parody Chapter short
Akiji's final appearance in the Ultraman Series
Akiji's photograph in Ultraman Zearth 2
Trivia
- Akiji Kobayashi was meant to reprise his role as a fisherman in Ultraman Zearth in Ultraman Zearth 2, but because he passed away during filming, a photograph of him was shown in the film instead.
- Akiji dubbed America actor John Wayne in numerous movies.
