
Isamu Tanonaka
Known for Acting · 74 credits
- Born
- 1932-07-19
- Died
- 2010-01-13
- Place of birth
- Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
- Also known as
- 田の中 勇
Biography
was a Japanese voice actor from Taitō, Tokyo. He was best known for voicing Medama Oyaji in nearly every adaptation of Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitarō made during his lifetime.
During his life he had been attached to Gekidan Tōgei and then Theatre Echo; he was attached to Aoni Production at the time of his death. He had a naturally deep voice but became famous for voicing characters with a high pitched voice. In addition to GeGeGe no Kitarō, he also had prominent roles in Tensai Bakabon (as the first voice of Honkan-san), Mazinger Z (as Mucha), Paul's Miraculous Adventure (as Doppe), Magical Princess Minky Momo (as Sindbook), Akuma-kun (as Youaltepuztli), Dr. Slump & Arale-chan (as Gara and Akira Toriyama), Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibōken (as Brass), and the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series (as Igor).
Known For
TV Shows (34)

Monster
2004
as Old Man (voice)

Dr. Slump
1981
as Gala (voice)

Cackling Kitarou
2007
as Medama Oyaji

Tomorrow's Joe
1970
as Miss Oyama

UFO Robot Grendizer
1975
as Mucha (voice)

Chouriki Sentai Ohranger
1995
as Bara-Baby (voice)

Mazinger Z
1972
as Mucha

PERSONA 4 the Animation
2011
as Igor (voice)

Ninja Scroll: The Series
2003

Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
1991
as Gramps Brass

Graveyard Kitaro
2008
as Medama Oyaji (voice)

Cackling Kitarou
1968
as Medama Oyaji (voice)

Persona 4 The Golden Animation
2014
as Igor (voice)

Twin Princess of Wonder Planet
2005
as Omendo

Transformers: Super-God Masterforce
1988
as Donq (Humans)

Dragon Quest: Legend of the Hero Abel
1989
as Yogi (voice)

Witch Girl Tickle
1978
as Ago

Cackling Kitarou
1985
as Medama-oyaji

Tensai Bakabon
1971
as おまわりさん

Steel Jeeg
1975
as Ootone

もーれつア太郎
1969
as Kokoro no Kopun B

Tatakae!! Ramenman
1988
as キョンピー

The Genie Family
1969
as Papa

アパッチ野球軍
1971
as Monkey(story12-26)

Norakuro
1970
as 山ザル軍曹

Paul's Miraculous Adventure
1976
as Doppe (voice)

Marude Dameo
1991

Cackling Kitarou
1996
as Medama Oyaji

Kunimatsu-sama no Otoridai
1971
as おでこ

Bark! Bun Bun
1980
as Big (voice)

Animal 1
1968
as 東五郎

Cackling Kitarou
1971
as 眼球老爹(配音)

Umeboshi-denka
1969
as 王様

The Enemy's the Pirates!
1990
as Yoshizaki (voice)
Movies (40)

Persona3 THE MOVIE #2 Midsummer Knight's Dream
2014
as Igor (voice)

One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure
2001
as Boo Jack (voice)

Persona3 the Movie #4 Winter of Rebirth
2016
as Igor (voice)

Persona3 THE MOVIE #3 Falling Down
2015
as Igor (voice)

Persona3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth
2013
as Igor (voice)

The Wonderful World of Puss 'n Boots
1969
as Killer Cat B (voice)

Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General
1974
as Dr. Nossori/Mucha

Kindaichi Case Files Movie 2: Deep Blue Massacre
1999
as Kisuke Akamori (voice)

Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hello! Wonder Island
1981
as Gala (voice)

Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hoyoyo! The Great Race Around The World
1983
as Gara / Toriyama

Puss 'n Boots Travels Around the World
1976
as Cat Assassin B (voice)

Slayers Premium
2001
as Master (voice)

Mazinger Z vs. Devilman
1973
as Mucha

Flying Phantom Ship
1969

Animal Treasure Island
1971
as Cat Sailor C (voice)

The Fantastic Adventures of Unico
1981
as God 3 (voice)

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
1971
as Police Chief (voice)

Spooky Kitaro: The Great Yokai War
1986
as Medama Oyaji (voice)

Botchan
1980
as Nodaiko (voice)

I Am A Dog: Don Matsugorou's Life
1983

Spooky Kitaro: Yokai Express! The Phantom Train
1997
as Medama Oyaji (voice)

Spooky Kitaro: Youkai Japan Rally 3D
2008

Spooky Kitaro: Japan Explodes!!
2008
as Medama Oyaji (voice)

Spooky Kitaro: The Great Sea Beast
1996
as Kitarou's Father (voice)

Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hoyoyo! The Treasure of Nanaba Castle
1984
as Gala (voice)

Dr. Slump: Hoyoyo! Space Adventure
1982
as Gala (voice)

Kirato Saw Honorable Death With No Surrender ~ Mizuki Shigeru's War
2008
as Medama Oyaji (voice)

Tatakae!! Ramenman
1988
as キョンピー

Spooky Kitaro: Ghost Nighter
1997
as Medama-oyaji (voice)

Spooky Kitaro: The Strongest Ghost Army! Landing in Japan!!
1986

Devil Boy
1989

The Three Musketeers in Boots
1972
as Killer Cat B (voice)

Spooky Kitarō
1985
as Medama Oyaji (voice)

Spooky Kitaro: Kitaro's Ghost Train
1999
as Medama-oyaji

Spooky Kitaro: The All Seeing Eye
1980

Devil Boy: Welcome to Devil Land!!
1990

Spooky Kitaro: Crash!! The Great Rising of Demons from Another Dimension
1986

Spooky Kitaro
1968
as Le père de Kitarou (Voix)

Ursa Minor Blue
1993
as Tongari

Osawaga! Super Baby
1994
About Isamu Tanonaka
was a Japanese voice actor from Taitō, Tokyo. He was best known for voicing Medama Oyaji in nearly every adaptation of Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitarō made during his lifetime. During his life he had been attached to Gekidan Tōgei and then Theatre Echo; he was attached to Aoni Production at the time of his death. He had a naturally deep voice but became famous for voicing characters with a high pitched voice. In addition to GeGeGe no Kitarō, he also had prominent roles in Tensai Bakabon (as the first voice of Honkan-san), Mazinger Z (as Much… With 74 credits spanning from 1968 to 2016, Isamu Tanonaka has appeared in 40 films and 34 TV shows.
Fans searching for Isamu Tanonaka movies, Isamu Tanonaka filmography, or the latest projects starring Isamu Tanonaka can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Isamu Tanonaka Movies
- Persona3 THE MOVIE #2 Midsummer Knight's Dream (2014) — as Igor (voice)
- One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure (2001) — as Boo Jack (voice)
- Persona3 the Movie #4 Winter of Rebirth (2016) — as Igor (voice)
- Persona3 THE MOVIE #3 Falling Down (2015) — as Igor (voice)
- Persona3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth (2013) — as Igor (voice)
Where to Watch Isamu Tanonaka Films
Most Isamu Tanonaka movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Isamu Tanonaka, check our movies catalogue and browse page.