Akiji Kobayashi
Known for: Acting
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
Series
Kamen Rider
Tobei Tachibana
1971
Series
Ultraman
Captain 'Cap' Toshio Muramatsu
1966
Series
Tales of the Bizarre
1990
Film
Harakiri
1962
Series
Kamen Rider Stronger
Tobei Tachibana
1975
Series
Professional Killers
1972
Series
Attack, Jun
1979
Series
Kamen Rider V3
Tobei Tachibana
1973
Series
Kamen Rider X
Tobei Tachibana
1974
Series
Operation: Mystery
Taizo Machida
1968
Series
Kamen Rider Amazon
Tobei Tachibana
1974
Series
Kojika Monogatari
ペニー
1983
Film
Kwaidan
(segment "In a Cup of Tea") (uncredited)
1965
Film
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
Yuzo Tsuchiashi
1991
Film
Godzilla vs. Mothra
Yuzo Tsuchiashi
1992
Series
The Kagestar
Inspector Keibu Tonda
1976
Series
Sabu and Ichi's Detective Stories
1968
Film
Shogun Assassin
Lord Kurogawa
1980
Series
宇宙少年ソラン
ワイラー
1965
The 47 Ronins of Ako
Hara Soemon
1979
Series
Seibu Keisatsu
Minami Choutaro
1979
Film
The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity
Nonaka Shôi
1959
Film
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril
Narrator
1972
Film
Getting Any?
Chief of World Defence Force
1995
Series
Ie Naki Ko
1994
Film
Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice
1972
Film
Afternoon When Flowers Fell
1989
Film
The Makioka Sisters
Seitaro Jinba
1983
Kamen Norider
Tobei Tachibana
1988
Film
Gamera 2: Attack of Legion
Senior sergeant
1996
Film
The Shogun Assassins
1979
Film
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance
Narrator
1972
Film
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx
Ozunu Kurokuwa
1972
Film
The Pornographers
Man at the Party
1966
Film
Island of Hell
Takezo
1977
Film
Youth of the Beast
Tatsuo Nomoto
1963
Film
Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature
Capt. Toshio Muramatsu
1967
Film
Daigoro vs. Goliath
Hitoshi Suzuki
1972
Film
Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders
Tobei Tachibana (archive footage)
1975
Film
The Inugami Family
Kokichi Inugami
1976
Film
Suspicion
Chief of Police, Ishihara
1982
Film
Black Rain
Katayama
1989
Film
Mandala
1971
Film
The Tale of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean (voice)
1979
Film
Death Shadows
1986
Film
Queen Bee
Detective Kogure
1978
Series
Fushoku no kōzō
Detective Okawa
1977
Film
Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle
Toshio Muramatsu
1979
Film
The Return of the Filthy Seven
1967
Film
The Empty Table
1985
Film
Lullaby to Kill
Koreya Kusakabe (manager)
1977
Film
Like the Clouds, Like the Wind
Konton
1990
Film
All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!!
Tōbei Tachibana
1976
Film
The 8-Tomb Village
1996
Film
This Transient Life
1970
Film
Yuki
Jinjii (voice)
1981
Film
The Father of Ultra Q
1966
Film
Ultraman Zearth
Fisherman
1996
Film
Koto: The Ancient City
1980
Series
Kamen Rider (1971)
Tobei Tachibana
1971
Film
47 Ronin
1994
Film
Run, Melos!
Dionysus II (voice)
1992
Film
The Longest Tunnel
1982
Film
The House of Hanging
Sannosuke
1979
Film
Kamen Rider SD: Strange?! Kumo Otoko
Toubei Tachibana (voice)
1993
Film
Ultra Q The Movie: Legend of the Stars
Detective
1990
Film
Kamen Rider V3: The Movie
Tōbei Tachibana
1973
Film
Kamen Rider V3 vs. Destron Mutants
Tobei Tachibana
1973
Film
Kamen Rider vs. Ambassador Hell
Tōbei Tachibana
1972
Film
Foundry Town
Hei-san
1962
Film
Kamen Rider Amazon: The Movie
Tōbei Tachibana
1975
Film
Go Go Kamen Rider
Tobei Tachibana
1971
Film
Kamen Rider vs. Shocker
Tobei Tachibana
1972
Film
Karate Cop
Asst Chief Fuji
1982
Film
Noh Mask Murders
1991
Film
Utamaro's World
1977
Film
Pleasures of the Flesh
Mari's pimp
1965
Film
Lady on 6th Street: Taste of Honey
Kodera
1982
Film
Desperate Pursuit
Inoue
1986
Film
The Black Hood
1981
Film
Internal Sleuth
1973
Film
The Birth of Ultraman
Toshio Muramatsu
1966
Film
Akio Jissoji's Ultraman
Captain Toshio Muramatsu
1979
Film
Kogarashi Monjirō Returns
1993
Film
Return of Ultraman: Terror of the Waterspout Monsters
Captain Takamura
1971
Film
Master Swordsman Hirate Miki - Duel in Tone
1997
Film
Lonely Heart
1981
Film
The Curse of the Ghost
Naosuke
1969
Film
Prison Break
1969
Film
Kamen Rider Stronger: The Movie
Tôbei Tachibana
1975
Film
Five Riders vs. King Dark
Tobei Tachibana
1974
Film
Bakumatsu seishun graffiti: Ronin Sakamoto Ryoma
Hanazuki
1986
Film
Fight of the Gamblers
1963
Film
Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2
1982
Film
The Pirates of Buban
1972
Film
Revive! Ultraman
1996
Film
Mysterious Thirteen Nights: Chapter 5 - The Mystery of the Skull Wife
1971
Film
Immortal Kamen Rider Special
Tobei Tachibana
1979
Film
Ultraman: Terror on Route 87
Toshio Muramatsu
1989
Film
The Men Who Made Ultraman
1989
Film
The Kagestar: The Movie
Inspector Tonda
1976
Intruders
Ichiro Honma
1963
Film
The Woman Who Calls for Corpses
1973