Susumu Kurobe is a Japanese actor, known for portraying Shin Hayata, the human host of Ultraman in his titular series. His real name is Takashi Yoshimoto . His stage name is derived from his birthplace.[1]
Career[]
While studying economics at Chuo University in Tokyo, Kurobe grew interested in acting and joined a theater company. When his father found about his lack of focus at university, he was disowned and he stopped sending him money, leading Kurobe to be homeless. He took multiple part-time jobs, including as a shoe-shiner, where he happened to meet Toho film director Kajiro Yamamoto, who recommended he audition for Toho's new talent program.[2][3] After passing, he was employed by Toho and entered an actor training school, where he received training in Japanese dance, modern ballet, voice, and dialogue. The following year, Kurobe made his debut in Akatsuki no Gasshō.[1]
In 1966, Kurobe gained widespread recognition for his role as Shin Hayata in Ultraman.[4][5][6] He subsequently appeared in several Toho films but left the company around 1970 to focus on television dramas. He then became known for playing antagonist roles in historical dramas, crime dramas, and other tokusatsu series.[1]
During his early portrayal of Hayata, Kurobe faced criticism from senior actors who believed that young actors should not take on hero roles, leading to his reluctance to play the character. Additionally, the busy filming schedule prevented him from watching his performance during the broadcast period. Even 30 years later, he was reluctant to discuss his role in Ultraman until he watched around six episodes while preparing his 1998 autobiography As Hayata, As a Father.[2] Over time, after receiving support from fans and positive international feedback, Kurobe came to take pride in his role in Ultraman.[1]
Since the 1990s, with the revival of tokusatsu works, Kurobe began appearing in Ultraman-related events more often. In 2005, after approximately 39 years, he made a formal return to the Ultraman franchise by appearing as a main cast member in Ultraman Max. The following year, he reprised his role as Hayata in both Ultraman Mebius and its film, appearing alongside other Showa Ultraman leading actors Kohji Moritsugu, Jiro Dan, and Keiji Takamine, who are collectively nicknamed the "Dandy 4". He has continued to appear at numerous events, such as the Tokyo International Film Festival in 2019 and an Ultraman Connection Live event in 2021.[7][8]
Personal Life[]
Kurobe's family were farmers and he was raised on a farm.[2][1] His father was a middle school teacher.[3]
His eldest daughter, Takami Yoshimoto, played Rena Yanase in Ultraman Tiga. He became a grandfather in 2011, when his daughter gave birth to a son.
Roles[]
Stage[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ultraman Festival 2001 Live Stage Part 1 | Ultraman | Voice |
| Ultraman Festival 2001 Live Stage Part 2 | |||
| 2007 | Ultraman Premier Stage | Shin Hayata/Ultraman | Voice (Ultraman) |
| 2008 | Ultraman Premier Stage 2 | ||
| 2009 | Ultraman Premier Stage 3 | ||
| 2011 | Ultraman Premier 2011 | ||
| 2014 | 3 Major Tokusatsu Hero Festival | Ultraman[11] | Voice |
Other Roles[]
- Sailor Fuku Hangyaku Doumei - Villain Leader
- J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai - Crime Boss (Episode 12)
- Kamen Rider Black - Hideomi Kuromatsu
- Tokkei Winspector - Professor Onikichi Kuroda
- Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster - Assassin
- Son of Godzilla - Meteorological observation aircraft captain
- King Kong Escapes - Dr. Who's Henchman
- Destroy All Monsters - Shin Kuroiwa
- Latitude Zero - Chin
- Ganbaron
- Megaloman - Barock
- Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah - Flight Chief
- Godzilla vs. Mothra - Flight Chief
- Godzilla vs. Megaguirus - Maritime Self-Defense Force Executive
- Reigo: King of the Sea Monsters - Captain Yamagami
- Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit - Officer Kimura
Discography[]
- Ultraman Mebius
- Ultraman Mebius (Opening) (with Project DMM, as member of Ultra Defense Force)
Gallery[]
.png "Vlcsnap-2019-01-03-22h31m55s7 (3).png (141 KB)")
Miscellaneous[]
![Kurobe doing his transformation pose with Ryu Manatsu, Jiro Dan, Kohji Moritsugu and Keiji Takamine at Ultraman Festival 2014[12]](/wiki/File:6777_623729991080196_560273325271993382_n.jpg "6777 623729991080196 560273325271993382 n.jpg (26 KB)")
![[13]](/wiki/File:Susumu_Kurobe_2016.jpg "Susumu Kurobe 2016.jpg (168 KB)")
Trivia[]
- After his role in Ultraman, Susumu Kurobe's workload decreased, prompting him to embark on a journey across Africa. Kurobe reported that his decision to undertake this journey was influenced by a chance encounter with a high school senior who worked as a cameraman at a Japanese television station. This senior encouraged Kurobe to travel to Africa. Consequently, on December 31, 1972, Kurobe shipped his motorcycle to Mombasa on Kenya's eastern coast and traveled alone to the capital, Nairobi. During his journey, he faced multiple falls and required hospitalization, covering 18,000 kilometers over six months before ultimately abandoning his plan to cross the Sahara Desert.[1][14]
- Fifteen years later, Kurobe undertook a month-long self-driving safari in Africa with his family. He personally drove the vehicle, collected information at camping sites, and planned the itinerary. This trip aimed to allow his family to experience the adventure he had embarked on alone with his motorcycle and to share his past experiences with his children.
- In an interview with Susumu Kurobe during 2013, he stated that:
- There were actually no auditions for Shin Hayata, he got the role due to Toho and Tsuburaya Productions' wish.
- The decision for Hayata and Fuji to become a married couple in the Superior 8 Ultra Brothers is a "bad idea", telling that his wife turned envious because of it, although both him and Hiroko Sakurai (Fuji's actor) does constantly tell each others that their characters aren't meant to be together.
- His favorite Ultraman is Ultraman Zero.
- His favorite Ultra Kaiju are Pigmon and Woo.
- While playing heroic characters in Tsuburaya Productions' shows, he is known for playing villainous characters in other shows, including Toei's. Similarly, Kohji Moritsugu portrayed a villain in Kamen Rider Blade.
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 https://yomidr.yomiuri.co.jp/article/20191226-OYTET50008/2/
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://yomidr.yomiuri.co.jp/article/20191226-OYTET50008/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.nikkan-gendai.com/articles/view/geino/177949
- ↑ https://www.sanspo.com/article/20230927-A5OFE65MIFKDRNBABU7SGR7UQM/2/
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2067853/full/
- ↑ https://mainichi.jp/articles/20160217/k00/00m/040/076000c
- ↑ https://2019.tiff-jp.net/news/ja/?p=53762
- ↑ https://tokusatsunetwork.com/2021/07/event-recap-ultraman-connection-live-ultraman-day
- ↑ http://ultra2008.jp/cast/kurobe/index.htm
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20161112035404/http://blog.m-78.jp/2013/06/26/次回よりスタート！%E3%80%80「新」ウルトラマン列伝/
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/n-2661
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/n-2642
- ↑ https://tamashiiweb.com/t_kokkaku/89/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXVh8mF9BY4