Isamu Tanonaka

Isamu Tanonaka (田の中 勇, Tanonaka Isamu, July 19, 1932 – January 13, 2010[1]) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator from Taitō, Tokyo. He was best known for voicing Medama Oyaji in nearly every adaptation of Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitarō made during his lifetime.[2]

Isamu Tanonaka
田の中 勇
Born(1932-07-19)July 19, 1932
Taitō, Tokyo, Japan
DiedJanuary 13, 2010(2010-01-13) (aged 77)
Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Occupation
Years active1952–2010
AgentAoni Production
Height163 cm (5 ft 4 in)

Career

During his life he had been attached to Gekidan Tōgei and then Theatre Echo; he was attached to Aoni Production at the time of his death. He had a naturally deep voice but became famous for voicing characters with a high pitched voice. In addition to GeGeGe no Kitarō, he also had prominent roles in Tensai Bakabon (as the first voice of Honkan-san), Mazinger Z (as Mucha), Paul's Miraculous Adventure (as Doppe), Magical Princess Minky Momo (as Sindbook), Akuma-kun (as Youaltepuztli), Dr. Slump & Arale-chan (as Gara and Akira Toriyama), Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibōken (as Brass), and the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series (as Igor).[2]

Medama Oyaji

In 1968, he was cast in the first GeGeGe no Kitarō anime as the title character's father Medama Oyaji, an anthropomorphic eyeball. He reprised the role, alongside co-stars Masako Nozawa (Kitarō) and Chikao Ōtsuka (Nezumi-Otoko), in the 1971 follow up color series. When it came time for the 1980s series the producers decided to go with an all new voice cast, but auditions for Medama Oyaji came up short so Tanonaka was asked to reprise the role yet again. From there he continued to voice the character in practically every adaptation made during his lifetime, the sole exception being the PlayStation 2 games from the early 2000s, in which the role was given to Kazuo Kumakura, and a single episode of the '71 series where Hiroshi Ōtake filled in for him. Tanonaka even performed the voice of Medama Oyaji for the live action adaptations, and also appeared on many variety shows and in many commercials as the character. In 2008, he reunited with Nozawa and Ōtsuka to reprise their respective roles for the darker Kitarō adaptation Hakaba Kitarō. As Medama Oyaji is actually the reanimated form of Kitarō's deceased father, the character was voiced by Daisuke Gōri when he appeared alive in the first episode.

Death

On January 13, 2010, he suffered a heart attack in his Tokyo home and was found dead by family members.[1] He was 77 years old at the time of his death. His final performance was in Marie & Gali as the voice of Leonardo da Vinci.[3] Memorial services were held in Tokyo Memolead Hall on January 19, 2010. He is survived by his older brother Hiroshi.[2]

Roles

Television
1964
  • Zero Sen Hayato (Ichihisō Hosokawa)
1965
1967
  • Punpunmaru (Gatekeeper, Narrator)
1968
1969
1970
1971
  • GeGeGe no Kitarō (second series) (Medama Oyaji)
  • Kunimatsu-sama no Otōridai (Odeko)
  • Tensai Bakabon (Honkan-san)
1972
1973
1975
1976
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1985
  • GeGeGe no Kitarō (third series) (Medama Oyaji)
1987
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1995
  • Bonobono (Kuzuri-kun's Father)
  • Dragon Ball Z (Bibidi (episode 277))
1996
1999
2000
2002
2003
2007
  • GeGeGe no Kitarō (fifth series) (Medama Oyaji)
2008
2009
2011
2014

OVA
  • Bokuha Ōsama series (Cabinet Minister Wan)
  • Haja Taisei Dangaiō (Shoulder Clown)
  • Tengai Makyō: Jiraiya Oboro Hen (Oboke)

Theatrical animation

unknown date

Video games

Tokusatsu

Live action

Animation

Film
  • GeGeGe no Kitarō (Medama Oyaji (voice))
  • GeGeGe no Kitarō: Sennen Noroi Uta (Medama Oyaji (voice))

Radio

Other

References
  1. 田の中勇氏死去（声優） (in Japanese). Jiji Press. January 15, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  2. Yomiuri Shimbun. "Gegege no Kitarō Voice Actor Isamu Tanonaka Passes Away". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  3. "「目玉おやじ」役41年、田の中勇さん死去 - 芸能ニュース". Nikkan Sports. January 16, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  4. "Persona 3 the Movie #1's Promo, Title, Date, Staff, Cast Revealed". Anime News Network. March 28, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  5. "Isamu Tanonaka - 34 Character Images | Behind The Voice Actors". behindthevoiceactors.com. Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
  6. "ネバーエンディング・ストーリー＜インターナショナル版HDニューマスター＞ ネバーエンディング・ストーリー＜エクステンデッド版ＨＤニューマスター＞". Zeque Productions. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
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