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Tōru Ōhira | |
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大平 透 | |
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Born | (1929-09-24)September 24, 1929[1] |
Died | April 12, 2016(2016-04-12) (aged 86)[2] |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1952–2015 |
Tōru Ōhira (大平 透,Ōhira Tōru, September 24, 1929 – April 12, 2016) was a Japanesenarrator andvoice actor from theTokyo Metropolitan Area. He was the founder of Ōhira Production and was also attached to 81 Produce.
One of his best-known roles was the dub voice ofDarth Vader inStar Wars, on the series' home video releases and playing the title character Moguro Fukuzō in the originalThe Laughing Salesman. He was also known for his manynarration roles, most notably in theSuper Sentai series.
Ōhira was a very influential figure in the dubbing industry during theShōwa period.
After graduating from Tokyo Metropolitan University Jōnan Senior High School (in which he was also the supervisor of the school'svolleyball team), he went on to graduate from theMeiji University Department of Political Science and Economics. In 1954, he joined theNippon Broadcasting System, in which he became an announcer and producer. In 1955, with the opening of theTokyo Broadcasting System, he enlisted in its theatrical company. He left the company in 1958 to become a voice artist.
His breakthrough performance was the dubbing voice of Darth Vader in theStar Wars series. He reprised this role forStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and acrossover appearance inSoulcalibur IV- notable because the game was originally in Japanese, meaning that Ōhira was Vader's "original" voice in the game, unlike with the films. In addition, he was usually cast in either astringent villain roles or gag characters, such asPete inDisney cartoons.
He was also a close friend ofKyosen Ōhashi, and the mentor of Shirō Yasutomi.
On April 12, 2016, Ōhira died from pneumonia at the age of 86. As his last will, he requestedTesshō Genda to replace him as the voice of Moguro Fukuzō.
Year | Title | Role | Console | Source |
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2001 | Sakura Taisen 3 ~Pari wa Moeteiru ka?~ | Duke Calmar | [4] | |
2001 | Stupid Invaders | Gorgious Klatoo | Dreamcast,Microsoft Windows | [5] |
2002 | Space Channel 5: Part 2 | President Peace | Dreamcast,PlayStation 2,Xbox Live Arcade,PlayStation Network,Steam,Microsoft Windows | [5] |
2002 | Kingdom Hearts | Mayor of Halloween Town | PlayStation 2 | [5] |
2005 | Kingdom Hearts II | Pete, Mayor of Halloween Town | PlayStation 2 | [4] |
2008 | Soulcalibur IV | Darth Vader | PlayStation 3,Xbox 360 | [5] |
2008 | Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes | Hakushon Daimaō | [4] | |
2009 | Kingdom Hearts Coded | Pete | NTT docomo | [4] |
2010 | Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep | Pete | PlayStation Portable | [5] |
2010 | Kingdom Hearts Re:coded | Pete | Nintendo DS | [5] |
2012 | Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance | Pete, Julius | Nintendo 3DS | [5] |
2014 | Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX | Pete | PlayStation 3 | [5] |