For the past five decades, Lupine’s loyal, cool-as-cool sidekick has become Daisuke Jigen. voiced Kiyoshi Kobayashi. The 88-year-old voice actor announced his resignation.
Kobayashi first spoke to Daisuke in the 1969 animated pilot. He is the only voice actor continuing in the series when the show was taped later in 1971. Since then, Kobayashi has played the role.
In Japan, Kobayashi also spoke Crystal Bowie in Space adventure Cobra, Watari in Death report, Jubilee from the Samuari Shodown Games and splinters from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He’s even called Clint Eastwood, James Coburn, and Lee Marvin because his voice sounds so tough.
Akio Otsuka will take on the role. Otsuka is best known for representing the various snake incarnations in the Solid metal gear Games as well as blackjack in the self-titled Batou in Ghost in the shell, and Shunsui Kyouraku in bleaching, among many other roles.
“For me, Lupine was the job of my life,” said Kobayashi. “I dedicated my life to him.” Kobayashi added that it was a shame he couldn’t continue the role until he was 90. “One way or another, it was impossible to hold on to.” According to the veteran voice actor, he was told that Jigen sounds older and is difficult to understand. “Of course,” he said. “I am 88 years old.” Still, it’s an impressive run to bring the character to life well into the eighties.
“I want to be humble I thank everyone who supported me, ”he continued. “Thank you. And Lupine, I’ll make my escape.”
Kobayashyi’s final role as Daisuke Jigen is not the 2019 CG film Lupine III: the first, but will be the debut episode of the upcoming series Lupine III part 6. The show will air this October and will mark the anime’s fiftieth Anniversary. Otsuka will take on the role for the rest of the series.
.
