"Cackling Kitarou" is the third TV anime adaptation of Shigeru Mizuki's popular manga series "Gegege no Kitarou," which follows the adventures of Kitarou, a yokai boy who fights to maintain harmony between humans and supernatural creatures. Known for its blend of horror, comedy, and folklore, this version continues to celebrate traditional Japanese spirits and myths through its unique storytelling and art style.
Trivia:
1. Unlike previous adaptations, "Cackling Kitarou" incorporated more modern animation techniques of its time, giving the series a fresh visual appeal while maintaining the classic essence.
2. Shigeru Mizuki himself was involved in consulting for the series, ensuring the authenticity and cultural representation of yokai were preserved.
3. The voice actor for Kitarou in this version became iconic, with his portrayal influencing future adaptations and fan perceptions of the character.
Full Cast of Cackling Kitarou
Keiko Toda
Kitarou
Keiko Toda voiced the character Medama Oyaji in the TV series 'Cackling Kitarou.' This role is a distinctive part of her career, showcasing her versatility as a voice actress beyond her better-known live-action and narration work. While Toda is widely recognized for her roles in genres like drama and for narrating documentaries, medama oyaji's quirky, supernatural character provided her an opportunity to delve into a comedic and fantastical role. This performance stands out because it highlights her ability to bring to life eccentric, animated characters, adding a dynamic layer to her extensive career in the entertainment industry.
Isamu Tanonaka
Medama-oyaji
Isamu Tanonaka's portrayal of Medama-oyaji in the TV series 'Cackling Kitarou' is both iconic and endearing, bringing a unique charm to the character through his distinctive voice work that blends humor with a subtle depth. Unlike his other roles, which often involved more conventional characters, his performance as Medama-oyaji stood out for its creativity, giving life to a tiny but spirited eyeball figure that became a fan favorite. A trivia fact about this role is that Isamu Tanonaka continued voicing Medama-oyaji across multiple adaptations of the series, becoming the definitive voice associated with the character for several decades.
Kei Tomiyama
Nezumi Otoko
Kei Tomiyama's portrayal of Nezumi Otoko in the TV series 'Cackling Kitarou' is a standout performance that perfectly captures the mischievous and sly nature of the character. Known for his distinctive voice and ability to bring animated characters to life, Tomiyama infused Nezumi Otoko with a blend of humor and cunning, making the character both entertaining and memorable. Compared to his other roles, such as the heroic Sanada in 'Yoroiden Samurai Troopers' and the calm and collected Toguro in 'Yu Yu Hakusho,' his portrayal of Nezumi Otoko showcased his versatility in voicing morally ambiguous characters. An interesting trivia fact is that Kei Tomiyama was one of the pioneers of Japanese anime voice acting and was also a singer, which added a unique charm to his performances.
Yoko Mita
Neko Musume
Crew of Cackling Kitarou
Full backstage crew list →