Isamu Tanonaka

Isamu Tanonaka
Isamu Tanonaka
田の中勇
Born	July 19, 1932; Taitō, Tokyo, Japan
Died	January 13, 2010 (aged 77); Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Occupations	Actor; voice actor; narrator;
Years active	1952–2010
Agent	Aoni Production
Height	163 cm (5 ft 4 in)

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]

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

Kaitō Pride (Scope)
Obake no Q-tarō (TBS edition) (Shōta's Papa)

1967

Punpunmaru (Gatekeeper, Narrator)

1968

Akane-chan (Kadomatsu)
Animal 1 (Tōgorō)
GeGeGe no Kitarō (Medama Oyaji)

1969

Hakushon Daimaō (Kan-chan's Papa)
Sazae-san (Ceiling Mouse)

1970

Ashita no Joe (Miss Oyama (episode 35))

1971

GeGeGe no Kitarō (second series) (Medama Oyaji)
Kunimatsu-sama no Otōridai (Odeko)
Tensai Bakabon (Honkan-san)

1972

Mazinger Z (Mucha)

1973

Cutie Honey (Saint Chapel Academy Principal)
Wansa-kun (Roro)

1975

UFO Robo Grendizer (Mucha)

1976

Paul no Miracle Daisakusen (Doppe)

1978

Ginga Tetsudō 999 (President Derumukade (episode 38))
Majokko Tickle (Ago)

1979

Cyborg 009 (Loki, Doctor Rōson)
Ginga Tetsudō 999 (Kokku (episode 53))

1980

Haero Bun Bun (Big)
Moero Arthur Hakuba no Ōji (Sandee)

1981

Dr. Slump & Arale-chan (Gara, Toriyama (Tori Robo), Annai Obake, Dodongadon, Villager, Crow Leader)
Shin Taketori Monogatari: Sennen Joō (Ramen-monger's uncle)
Yattodetaman (Chairman)