Issei Futamata

Growing up, Issei Futamata had little interest in acting. Instead, he dreamed of becoming a motorcycle racer during his school days.

He spent his high school years interested in motocross racing and even competed in local races.

After graduating from Aomori Prefectural Towada Technical High School, he moved to Tokyo aiming to earn enough money to buy a powerful motorcycle, taking up a job at a sewing machine shop.

A pivotal moment came when a supervisor, responding to Futamata’s question about staying at the company, simply said he would leave if he were Futamata’s age.

Inspired, Futamata quit after buying his dream bike.

He then shifted his ambitions from motorcycles to the world of radio and voice performance, entering the Tokyo Announce Academy with dreams of being a DJ.

While there, he was introduced to stage acting and voice work, quickly finding greater excitement in performing.

Issei Futamata’s first voice work included minor animation and dubbing projects, such as roles in "Future Boy Conan" and "Dinosaur War Izenborg".

He steadily gained recognition with supporting and lead roles, voicing youthful heroes, anti-heroes, quirky sidekicks, and eccentric villains.

His most prominent roles include Godai in “Maison Ikkoku,” Kinkotsuman in “Kinnikuman,” and Gai in “Urusei Yatsura.”

Versatility is a hallmark of his craft, with credits in “Mobile Suit Gundam,” “Dragon Ball,” “City Hunter,” and “Saint Seiya,” among a vast list of series.

He became well-established as a go-to actor for energetic, comedic, and heartfelt roles, often shifting seamlessly from earnest protagonists to outrageous comic relief.

In addition to anime, Futamata’s distinctive voice has narrated countless TV programs, documentaries, and commercials.

He has also dubbed for a variety of foreign films and series, including recurring work as the Japanese voice of actors like Giancarlo Esposito and Steve Buscemi.

He is also heavily featured in video games, including “Street Fighter EX” (as Skullo Mania), “Super Robot Wars,” and “Armored Core”.

In 2013, Issei Futamata married Tomoka Kiriyama, a voice actress 29 years his junior.

The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in July of 2014.

Futamata’s school years were marked by extracurricular interests: he was a member of the kendo and archery clubs in junior high and high school, respectively.

Off-screen, he maintains a love of motorcycles (favoring off-road riding), although he rides far less nowadays and tends to avoid bikes when traveling for work.

He also enjoys golf, baseball, and developed a passion for film after entering the voice acting profession.

• His natural voice range is high baritone, making him well-suited for both energetic youth and comedic roles, as well as older, dramatic characters.
• He holds both standard car and motorbike licenses and is often noted for his former obsession with riding.
• Futamata’s career has been marked by a steady stream of varied, supporting, and leading roles—earning him a reputation as one of the anime industry’s premier "utility players".
• He is well known for bringing humor, warmth, and a spontaneous presence to every role, maintaining a long-lasting connection with fans across decades.

Issei Futamata’s enormous body of work spans not only anime but also tokusatsu (live-action special effects productions), radio drama, and the stage.

He has contributed narration to many major Japanese TV programs and documentaries, as well as commercials for household brands.

He also occasionally appears in live-action television and films, not just as a voice actor but also as a narrator or special guest appearance.