Akiji Kobayashi

Akiji Kobayashi (小林昭二, Kobayashi Akiji, September 6, 1930 – August 27, 1996), sometimes credited as Shōji Kobayashi, was a Japanese actor. He attended Nihon University College of Art, but withdrew before completing his degree and joined the Haiyuza Theatre Company in 1949. He made his film debut with Satsujin Yogisha in 1952.

He is best known in the West for portraying the role of Captain Toshio Muramatsu in the 1966-1967 television series, Ultraman. From 1983-84, he appeared in the popular television detective series Seibu Keisatsu. His other notable television role was Tōbei Tachibana ("Oya-san") in several series of the Kamen Rider franchise. He was one of Kon Ichikawa's favorite actors, appearing in 12 Ichikawa films. His final film appearance was Yatsuhaka-mura as Head of a Factory directed by Kon Ichikawa in 1996. He was the official dubbing artist of John Wayne and Richard Crenna. Kobayashi died of lung cancer in Yokohama on August 27, 1996, ten days before his 66th birthday.

Filmography (100 Appearances)

Master Swordsman Hirate Miki - Duel in Tone

1997

The 8-Tomb Village

1996

Gamera 2: Attack of Legion

1996

Revive! Ultraman

1996

Ultraman Zearth

1996

Getting Any?

1995

47 Ronin

1994

Ie Naki Ko

1994

Kogarashi Monjirō Returns

1993

Kamen Rider SD: Strange?! Kumo Otoko

1993

Godzilla vs. Mothra

1992

Run, Melos!

1992

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

1991

Noh Mask Murders

1991

Tales of the Bizarre

1990

Ultra Q The Movie: Legend of the Stars

1990

Like the Clouds, Like the Wind

1990

Afternoon When Flowers Fell

1989

Black Rain

1989

Ultraman: Terror on Route 87

1989

The Men Who Made Ultraman

1989

Kamen Norider

1988

Death Shadows

1986

Desperate Pursuit

1986

Bakumatsu seishun graffiti: Ronin Sakamoto Ryoma

1986

The Empty Table

1985

Kojika Monogatari

1983

The Makioka Sisters

1983

The Longest Tunnel

1982

Lady on 6th Street: Taste of Honey

1982

Suspicion

1982

Karate Cop

1982

Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2

1982

The Black Hood

1981

Lonely Heart

1981

Yuki

1981

Koto: The Ancient City

1980

Shogun Assassin

1980

Seibu Keisatsu

1979

The Tale of Jean Valjean

1979

Immortal Kamen Rider Special

1979

The Shogun Assassins

1979

Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle

1979

The House of Hanging

1979

The 47 Ronins of Ako

1979

Akio Jissoji's Ultraman

1979

Attack, Jun

1979

Queen Bee

1978

Fushoku no kōzō

1977

Utamaro's World

1977

Island of Hell

1977

Lullaby to Kill

1977

The Inugami Family

1976

The Kagestar: The Movie

1976

The Kagestar

1976

All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!!

1976

Kamen Rider Stronger: The Movie

1975

Kamen Rider Stronger

1975

Kamen Rider Amazon: The Movie

1975

Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders

1975

Kamen Rider Amazon

1974

Five Riders vs. King Dark

1974

Kamen Rider X

1974

Kamen Rider V3 vs. Destron Mutants

1973

Internal Sleuth

1973

Kamen Rider V3: The Movie

1973

Kamen Rider V3

1973

The Woman Who Calls for Corpses

1973

Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice

1972

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril

1972

Daigoro vs. Goliath

1972

Professional Killers

1972

Kamen Rider vs. Ambassador Hell

1972

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx

1972

Kamen Rider vs. Shocker

1972

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance

1972

The Pirates of Buban

1972

Return of Ultraman: Terror of the Waterspout Monsters

1971

Mandala

1971

Mysterious Thirteen Nights: Chapter 5 - The Mystery of the Skull Wife

1971

Go Go Kamen Rider

1971

Kamen Rider

1971

This Transient Life

1970

Prison Break

1969

The Curse of the Ghost

1969

Sabu and Ichi's Detective Stories

1968

The Return of the Filthy Seven

1967

Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature

1967

Ultraman

1966

The Birth of Ultraman

1966

The Father of Ultra Q

1966

Pleasures of the Flesh

1965

宇宙少年ソラン

1965

Kwaidan

1965

Fight of the Gamblers

1963

Youth of the Beast

1963

Intruders

1963

Harakiri

1962

Foundry Town

1962

The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity

1959 Debut
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