Shigeru Chiba

From One Piece Encyclopedia

Shigeru Chiba (千葉 繁, Chiba Shigeru?), real name: Masaharu Maeda (前田 正治, Maeda Masaharu?), is an actor and veteran seiyū, or voice actor, born on February 4, 1954 in Kikuchi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. He has also worked as a sound effects director and music director. He is employed by the talent management firm 81 Produce.

[edit] Career

Originally a stunt actor, Chiba also appeared in the Nikkatsu Roman Porno series of movies. He starred in the "Let's Make a Chiba Shigeru Promotion Film" project movie Kurenai no Gankyō, as well as the Mamoru Oshii films Cerberus, Hell's Watchdog and Talking Head. Due to the strength of his unique character acting, he is able to play both serious and gag roles, and there are few voice actors who can match his range. From his humble beginnings, he was able to get the leading role in Highschool! Kimen-gumi, landing the role of Rei Ichidō.

[edit] Voice Acting

In the anime of One Piece, he does the voices of Buggy the Clown and Mayor Woop Slap.

He is also most known for the roles of the narrator of Fist of the North Star, Megane (Urusei Yatsura), Rei Ichidō (High School! Kimengumi), Kazuma Kuwabara (YuYu Hakusho), and Pilaf (Dragon Ball).