'Lupin III' Voice Actor Kiyoshi Kobayashi Dies at 89

by DatRandomDude
Aug 8, 2022 8:07 PM | 22 Comments

Tokyo-based talent agency Haikyo announced on Monday that Kiyoshi Kobayashi, best known for his role as Daisuke Jigen in the Lupin III franchise died on July 30 due to pneumonia. He was 89 years old. The funeral was held privately by close relatives with a public service planned for the future.

Born in Tokyo City in 1933, Kobayashi began his career in 1958 as a voice actor and narrator, which spanned more than 50 years. He was cast as Jigen in the original Lupin III pilot in 1969, a role that he kept until episode 0 of Part 6 last year. Kobayashi announced his retirement on the day of the episode's airing but returned to voice the character Guillermo Márquez in the Summer 2022 short anime KJ File.

Kobayashi's other notable roles include Watari in Death Note, Mohammed Avdol in the JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) OVA series, and Adrian Rubinsky in the Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu OVA series.

Source: Sankei Shimbun

News submitted by zanderlex

Seiyuu Life Event

20 of 22 Comments Recent Comments

Thank you sir for your performance as Jigen. You were one of the coolest partners around.

Aug 13, 2022 2:54 AM by Haneken2086

YeeYeeAss said:
Oh no. He was the only member of the og cast who was still alive. I will never forget his amazing work as Jigen Daisuke. May he rest in piece.

No, the last one standing is the OG Fujiko Eiko Masuyama. She's retired but still alive.

In any case, RIP Jigen. The last one standing from the original voice cast that was the last one to be replaced. Such sad news.

Aug 10, 2022 7:31 AM by CataOrShane

Goddamnit we lost a legend :(

REST WELL MY HERO ;;

Aug 10, 2022 1:57 AM by Chandela

RIP, Sir. Your work is timeless.

Aug 9, 2022 9:12 PM by GreenGrass

Such a sad loss... I'm glad he got to retire with a bang last year. RIP to a legend.

Aug 9, 2022 1:25 PM by morshuwarrior

Oh no. He was the only member of the og cast who was still alive. I will never forget his amazing work as Jigen Daisuke. May he rest in piece.

Aug 9, 2022 12:48 PM by YeeYeeAss

Rest in peace sir.

Aug 9, 2022 10:09 AM by Absurdo_N

Too sad to see him go. His voice acting was amazing

Aug 9, 2022 7:05 AM by AdrianRubinsky

A true legend, at least he went out like a champ with the 0th episode of Part 6.

Now only one person of the OG crew left ;_;

Aug 9, 2022 6:36 AM by Nidhoeggr

Rest in peace. So many people are dying :(

Aug 9, 2022 6:20 AM by CQLLIST

Figured that his health was failing since he retired from voicing the character not too long ago

Deep condolences to his loved ones and I hope that he is resting in peace knowing full well just how grateful we all are to him for giving his all for this role and the many others that he did

Aug 9, 2022 6:03 AM by Tokoya

Rest in peace. Will never forget that legendary Jigen's voice.

Aug 9, 2022 4:20 AM by INU4SH4

Rest in peace 🙏

Aug 9, 2022 3:45 AM by Sakuta002766

That's sucks. Rest in peace.

Aug 9, 2022 2:55 AM by Stacias

Sad but everything ends oneday...
Rest in peace legend....Mata o ne someday

Aug 9, 2022 12:23 AM by ryo-san

Rest in peace, legend...

Aug 9, 2022 12:18 AM by Memore

He's easily one of the voices I can hear in my head when I think of it. May he rest in peace.