Kenji Utsumi

Born:August 26, 1937

Place of Birth:Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

Died:June 13, 2013

Known For:Acting

Biography

Kenji Utsumi, born on August 26, 1937, in Kitakyushu, Japan, was a revered actor and voice artist who left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. Throughout his career, Utsumi showcased his remarkable talent and versatility, becoming a household name in both live-action and animated productions.

One of Utsumi's most iconic roles was voicing Raoh in the legendary anime series Fist of the North Star, where his commanding voice brought the character to life with power and intensity. His portrayal of Kaioh in the same series further solidified his reputation as a voice actor of unparalleled skill and depth.

Utsumi's contributions to the world of anime extended beyond Fist of the North Star, with memorable roles in beloved series such as Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump Arale-chan, and Fullmetal Alchemist. His ability to breathe life into a diverse range of characters, from the wise Shenlong to the formidable Alex Louis Armstrong, captivated audiences and earned him a dedicated following.

In addition to his work in anime, Utsumi made a significant impact as a dubbing artist, lending his voice to iconic Hollywood stars such as Jack Nicholson, Steve McQueen, and Robert Shaw in Japanese-language versions of their films. His talent for capturing the essence of these actors while adding his unique flair further showcased his immense skill and versatility.

Utsumi's legacy in the world of voice acting was recognized with a prestigious lifetime achievement award at the third Seiyu Awards, honoring his outstanding contributions to the industry. His dedication to his craft and his ability to imbue each character with depth and emotion left an enduring impression on both his colleagues and fans alike.

Throughout his illustrious career, Kenji Utsumi's voice resonated with audiences, leaving a lasting impact on the world of entertainment. His passion for his craft, coupled with his unmatched talent and versatility, solidified his status as a true legend in the realm of voice acting. Utsumi's legacy continues to inspire and influence aspiring voice artists, ensuring that his contributions to the industry will never be forgotten.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods

Shenlong (voice)

2013

The events of Battle of Gods take place some years after the battle with Majin Buu, which determined the fate of the entire universe. After awakening from a long slumber, Beerus, the God of Destruction is visited by Whis, his attendant and learns that the galactic overlord Frieza has been defeated by a Super Saiyan from the North Quadrant of the universe named Goku, who is also a former student of the North Kai. Ecstatic over the new challenge, Goku ignores King Kai's advice and battles Beerus, but he is easily overwhelmed and defeated. Beerus leaves, but his eerie remark of "Is there nobody on Earth more worthy to destroy?" lingers on. Now it is up to the heroes to stop the God of Destruction before all is lost.

Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest

Shenron (voice)

1990

The evil Dr. Kochin uses the dragon balls to resurrect his mentor, Dr. Wheelo, in an effort to take over the world. Dr. Wheelo, his body having been destroyed by the avalanche that killed him fifty years before, desires the body of the strongest fighter in the world as his new vessel. Believing Roshi to be the world's strongest warrior, Dr. Kochin abducts Bulma and forces Roshi to surrender himself to save her. When Goku hears of their abduction, he goes to their rescue.

Dragon Ball: The Path to Power

Commander Red/Shenlong (voice)

1996

A retelling of Dragon Ball's origin with a different take on the meeting of Goku, Bulma, and Kame-Sen'nin. It also retells the Red Ribbon Army story; but this time they find Goku rather than Goku finding them.

Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: The Sacred Star of Milos

Alex Louis Armstrong (voice)

2011

After a mysterious prisoner with only a few weeks left on his sentence breaks out of prison in Central City, the Elric brothers attempt to track him down. The search leads them to Table City in the southwestern country of Creta, where Alphonse rescues a young alchemist named Julia from the very man they are trying to capture. In the thick of the fight, they literally tumble into Julia's home turf, the slums of Milos Valley, and are embroiled in the grassroots rebellion of her people.

Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture

Jamin (voice)

1994

The Armor of Mars -- a suit of armor consisting of six pieces. If anyone from the bloodline of the ancient warrior Godimus were to find all six pieces for himself, he would receive power equal to the level of a god. The Curse of Godimus, however, also dictates that this same person would lose all sense of himself and become an insane killing machine.

Macross Plus: The Movie

Col. Millard Johnson (voice)

1995

Three decades after the great war between the humans and the Zentradi, the U.N. government is developing new technologies to use in their transforming fighter aircraft by running tests on the colony planet Eden. Military test pilots and former childhood friends, loose cannon Isamu Alva Dyson and the Zentradi mixed race Guld Goa Bowman, are selected to each pilot a new aircraft (Shinsei Industries' YF-19 & General Galaxy's YF-21) for Project Super Nova, to choose the newest successor to the VF-11 Thunderbolt variable fighter which is currently still in use by the U.N. Spacy military forces. Their own personal grudges end up disrupting the tests, and begin to wreak havoc on the program.