Shinpachi Tsuji

Shinpachi Tsuji’s Journey from Stage to Studio

A cheerleading squad member during his student days at Chuo University’s Faculty of Law, Tsuji left before finishing his degree and trained at the Bungakuza acting institute instead. Stage work came first, joining the troupe Hiho Zerobankan in 1981. Companies like Ryuzanji Jimusho, Tsubaki-gumi, and Gekidan Chocolate Cake gave him steady credits over the years, and by his own account, voice work eventually let him support himself as a full-time actor. Born in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture and raised in Chiba, he carries a distinct Tohoku accent studios still call on for regional roles. Off camera he runs Shinpachikai, a small troupe built around reading plays, or roudokugeki.

Naruto, Fairy Tail, and the Anime Legacy

Pakkun the ninja dog earned Tsuji recognition among Naruto fans, while Fairy Tail’s Makarov Dreyar became arguably his signature role, carried across the original series, its sequels, and the 100 Years Quest continuation. Code Geass fans know him as Taizo Kirihara, recast across the Lelouch of the Rebellion compilation films. Earlier credits include Shintaro Kosaka in Witch Hunter Robin, Bason in Shaman King, and Baihumon in Digimon Tamers. His filmography stretches back to Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service and Perfect Blue, and continues into recent releases like Getter Robo Ark, where he plays Musashi Tomoe, and the 2023 film Komada: A Whisky Family.

Dubbing Gary Oldman and Jeffrey Wright

Hollywood dubbing work makes up a large share of his catalog. He’s the standard Japanese voice for Gary Oldman, covering Sirius Black across the Harry Potter franchise, George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and roles in Child 44 and Red Riding Hood. Jeffrey Wright roles fall to him too, including Commissioner Gordon in The Batman, Bernard Lowe in Westworld, and Felix Leiter in the recent 007 films. He also dubs Luis Guzman, voicing Gomez Addams in Wednesday.

Games and Continued Stage Work

Gaming credits include Achilles Davenport in the Assassin’s Creed series, Daedalus in God of War III, and Sai Sahan in The Elder Scrolls Online, alongside parts in Tales of Vesperia, Granblue Fantasy, and Dragalia Lost. Tokusatsu work has kept him busy too, most recently voicing dual roles in Kamen Rider Gotchard. Decades into the profession, he continues splitting time between recording booths and the small reading-play stage he built for himself.