JapaneseVoice actorActorYamanashi

Hidekazu Ichinose

Hidekazu Ichinose is a Japanese voice and live-action actor, recognized for *Reborn!* and *Ultraman Cosmos*, with expertise in sword fighting.

1. Personal Information and Background

1.1. Birth and Early Life

Hidekazu Ichinose was born on March 16, 1975, in Ichikawamisato Town, Nishiyatsushiro District, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Although some earlier records incorrectly listed his birth year as 1977, this was corrected to 1975 from 2007, and he is often noted for looking younger than his actual age. He has a height of 67 in (170 cm) and his blood type is B.

1.2. Education and Agencies

Ichinose graduated from Yamanashi Gakuin University Affiliated High School. Throughout his career, he has been affiliated with several talent agencies, including Junction, Cast Plus (formerly Creative Media Agency), and currently Office Pilote.

2. Career

Ichinose's career spans both voice acting and live-action performance, with significant contributions to television, film, and stage.

2.1. Voice Acting Career

Ichinose has lent his voice to various characters across television anime, video games, original video animations, and radio dramas. His most iconic role is that of Hayato Gokudera.

2.1.1. TV Anime

Ichinose's television anime roles include:

YearTitleRole
2006We Were ThereKagawa
2006-2010Reborn!Hayato Gokudera
2007Eyeshield 21Taiga Kamiya
2009Yume o Kanaeru ZōTachibana
2012Poyopoyo Kansatsu NikkiHide Sato
2012-2015Kamisama KissAotake
2013DD Fist of the North StarJuza


His performance as Hide Sato in Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki drew comparisons to his role as Hayato Gokudera in Reborn!. Both characters are noted for having similar hairstyles, a short-tempered nature, and a dislike for cats. The character's name, "Hide," also resembles Ichinose's given name, leading to speculation that the role was specifically created for him.

2.1.2. Video Games

Ichinose has provided voice work for numerous video games, primarily reprising his role as Hayato Gokudera in the Reborn! series. His video game roles include:

YearTitleRole
2006-2010Reborn! seriesHayato Gokudera
2012Poyopoyo Kansatsu NikkiHide Sato


The Reborn! game series includes titles such as DS Shinuki MAX! Vongola Carnival!!, DS Flame Rumble Mukuro Kyoshu!, Dream Hyper Battle! Shinuki no Honoo to Kuroki Kioku, Dream Hyper Battle! Wii, DS Flame Rumble Kaien Ring Soudatsusen!, Let's Ansatsu!? Nerawareta 10-daime!, DS Vongola-shiki Taisen Battle Sugoroku, DS Fate of Heat Honoo no Unmei, DS Flame Rumble Chou Moeyo Mirai, Nerae!? Ring x Vongola Trainers, Battle Arena, Kindan no Yami no Delta, DS Mafia Daishugo! Vongola Festival!!, Battle Arena 2 Spirit Burst, Flame Rumble X Mirai Choubakuhatsu, Fate of Heat 3 Yuki no Shugosha Raishu!, Kizuna no Tag Battle, and Flame Rumble XX Choukessen! Shin 6 Chouka.

2.1.3. OVA and Radio

Ichinose's voice work extends to Original Video Animations (OVAs) and radio dramas. He voiced Hayato Gokudera in Reborn! Jump Super Anime Tour 2009 Vongola-shiki Shugakuryokou, Kuru! THE COMPLETE MEMORIAL (2010). He also played Dojima in Touhai ~Ura Rate Mahjong Touhairuku~ (2013) and Touhai ~Ura Rate Mahjong Touhairuku~ Zen Nihon Ryuuou-i Tournament Hen (2013). For radio dramas, he voiced Hayato Gokudera in VOMIC Reborn!.

2.1.4. Radio Programs

Ichinose has been a regular presence on various radio programs, often related to his anime roles. He co-starred in the Reboraji! series, including Reboraji! ~Bucchake Ring Soudatsusen~, Reboraji! ~Bucchake Namimori Dong☆Dong~, Reboraji! ~Bucchake Arcobaleno Daishugo~, Reboraji! ~Bucchake Choice Koryaku Daisakusen!~, and Reboraji! ~Bucchake Namimori Dong☆Dong☆Dong~. He also hosted "Ichi's Chanbara Radio" on WALLOP and has been a co-host on "Entame Gakuin" on FM FUJI since 2021.

2.2. Acting Career

Ichinose has a prolific acting career, with significant roles in television dramas, films, and stage productions. He is particularly noted for his physical roles, often leveraging his martial arts skills.

2.2.1. Television Dramas

Ichinose has appeared in numerous television dramas, including tokusatsu and historical dramas.

YearTitleRoleNetwork
2001-2002Ultraman CosmosKeisuke FubukiTBS
N/AAoi Tokugawa SandaiN/ANHK
2005Ai-OiN/ANETCINEMA.TV
2006Fūrin KazanTakeda NobushigeTV Asahi
2007Mito Kōmon Season 37, Episode 1KichinosukeTBS
2007Natsugumo AgareNinja of the Shiroju GroupNHK
2007Fūrin KazanAkiyama NobutomoNHK
2008Mito Kōmon Season 38, Episode 16Seishiro TakaokaTBS
2008Kagerō no Tsuji: Inemuri Iwane Edo Sōshi 2 Episodes 2 & 10Sakutaro YoshimuraNHK
2008Nanase Futatabi Episode 8Young Male Cafe CustomerNHK
2009Nene: Onna TaikōkiHonda MasazumiTV Tokyo
2009Hissatsu Shigotonin 2009 Episode 4YoneshichiTV Asahi
2009Tomica Hero Rescue Force Episode 48KamiyaTV Tokyo
2010Shokatsu no Onna 4N/ATV Asahi
2010Mito Kōmon Season 41Hayato TojoTBS
2011Shinsengumi Keppūroku Episode 11Washirow TozawaNHK BS Premium
2011Saka no Ue no Kumo Episode 12Kurihara YukieNHK
2011Mito Kōmon Final SpecialDenhachiTBS
2012Sōsa Kenji Chikamatsu Shigemichi 11Koichi HatanakaTV Tokyo
2012Haohao! Kyonshi Girl: Tokyo Denshidai Senki Episode 5Kiyohiko KiyoharaTV Tokyo
2013Yotteko Tenteko Meido CafeHideji / EimaruSun Television
2014Yoshiwara Uradōshin Episode 1ShinozakiNHK
2014Ōoka Echizen 2 Episode 8Gyobu ShirasakaNHK BS Premium
2015Garo: Gold Storm Sho Episodes 1 & 2BikuroTV Tokyo
2019Cosmic Front NEXT: The Man Who Created the Japanese Calendar, Shibukawa HarumiShibukawa HarumiNHK BS Premium


During the filming of Ultraman Cosmos, Ichinose surprised Taiyō Sugiura, the lead actor, by wearing the Ultraman Cosmos Luna Mode costume after filming concluded.

2.2.2. Films

Ichinose's filmography includes a variety of genres, from tokusatsu to historical and action films.

YearTitleRole
2002Ultraman Cosmos 2: The Blue PlanetKeisuke Fubuki
2003Ultraman Cosmos vs. Ultraman Justice: The Final BattleCaptain Keisuke Fubuki
2003Shin Kage no Gundan Part 3 & 4: JiraikaKyotaro
2004Stray SheepN/A
2004BridgeMansaku Nanamiy (lead role)
2004Shin Kage no Gundan ~Saishusho~Kyotaro
2004Sarutobi Sasuke Yami no GundanKurosame
2005Hachigatsu Jugo-nichi no Last DanceN/A
2005Koko ni IruN/A
2005SISTERN/A
2007Drift 3 TakaN/A
2007Caraway ~Baka Aniki~N/A
2007Ryu no Kiba -DRAGON FANG-N/A
2008Snakes and EarringsDetective
2009Kyō Kara HitmanSuzuki
2009TajomaruN/A
2010Hana no AtoN/A
2010Sengoku Bancho GachizamuraiJoma
2011Mahjong Hishoden Naki no Ryuu GaidenAssassin
2011IchimeiN/A
2014Uzumasa LimelightShigeru Wada

2.2.3. Stage and Musicals

Ichinose has an extensive background in stage plays and musicals, often taking on prominent roles and showcasing his physical acting abilities.

YearTitleRole
2003HikokuninAndrew Jarvis
2008Fuurin Kazan Harunobu MoyuItagaki Nobusato
2008Magdala na Maria ~Maria-san no Mad (Apple) Tea Party~Samurai
2009Oasis to Sabaku ~Love on the planet~Yoshitaka
2009Onna NobunagaShibata Katsuie
2011Bugs G' Value ~BURSTING MOMENTS~N/A
2011Magdala na Maria ~Maria-san no Mad (Apple) Tea Party (Reprise!)~Samurai
2011Postman's LoveN/A
2011SHINSENGUMI ~episode IKEDAYA~Hijikata Toshizō
2011Nen'yu Honnoji ~Oni o Aishiteshimatta Otoko~Tokichiro Kinoshita (Hashiba Hideyoshi)
2012Sengoku Blog-gata Rōdoku-geki SAMURAI.com Murakumo-MURAKUMO-N/A
2012SAMURAI 7Heiachi
2012Oedo Hicho 808N/A
2012Satomi HakkendenOokaku Inumura
2013Bugs G' Value ~even more BURSTING~N/A
2013Shinshu Tenma KyōMinbu Obata
2013Mitsuboshi Kitchen 10th Original J-Musical "TOMORROW homme"N/A
2013Hiroshima ni Genbaku o Otosu HiN/A
2014Stage Version "Tenchu"Ryumaru
2014Mitsuboshi Kitchen 11th Original J-Musical "LOVE"N/A
2014SONG OF SOULS-Keicho Genma Senki-N/A
2015SAMURAI 7Hyogo
2015Live Spectacle NarutoIruka Umino
2015Super Kabuki II One Piece"Aokiji" Kuzan
2016FUJIYAMAN/A
2016Theatre Cocoon On Repertory 2016 Genroku Minato Uta -Sennen no Koi no Mori-N/A
2016YamikariudoN/A
2016SHINSENGUMI-episode ABULANOKOUJI-Toshizo Hijikata
2016Live Spectacle Naruto (Re-run)Iruka Umino
2017Nigatsu Hanagata KabukiN/A
2017Gekidan BRATS 10th Anniversary Performance Part 2 'Enshu Mori no Ishimatsu ~Baka wa Shinanakya Naoranai~'N/A
2017Sabiiro no ArmorJuzubo
2017Aokai no Teeda ~Truth~Ganju
2022-2023OndineKing of Water Spirits (Magician)
2023-2024Baroque Music Play Vivaldi -Four Seasons-N/A
202599Takumi Sakasaguchi


Ichinose also provides sword fighting instruction for musicals, including Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon musicals.

2.3. Other Professional Activities

Beyond acting, Ichinose has engaged in various other professional endeavors. He provided narration for the television program "Anison Plus+" on TV Tokyo in 2009. He has also held dinner shows titled "Legend of Sword" at Tokyo Kaikan between 2009 and 2012, and again in 2014, where he performed and provided sword fighting instruction alongside Kunihide Kuruma. His released DVDs include "Ichinose Hidekazu -Ichi style-" and "Ichinose Hidekazu 'Ichi x KOREAN ~Journey to meet Sain-gon~'". He has also been featured on numerous Reborn!-related DVDs, such as the "Vongola Saikyo no Carnevale" series and special interview DVDs. Additionally, he has released several music CDs, primarily character songs for his role as Hayato Gokudera in Reborn!. Ichinose also works as a model and has appeared in commercials, including appearances on variety shows such as The Return of Ultraman and World Ururun Stay Report.

3. Skills and Interests

3.1. Special Skills and Techniques

Ichinose possesses a range of special skills, particularly in martial arts. He holds a 5th dan in Todo (Japanese sword fighting with a real sword) and a 1st dan in Karate. He is passionate about sword fighting and actively provides instruction for stage productions. His other reported skills include archery, horse riding, and playing the drum kit.

3.2. Interests and Hobbies

Ichinose has a strong affection for period dramas, a passion that began after watching Yagyū Ichizoku no Inbō in high school. He actively seeks roles in period dramas and hopes for their revival. He enjoys drinking alcohol. His food preferences include a fondness for strawberries, but he dislikes garlic and chocolate. He is also fond of dogs and lives in Tokyo with his pet dog, named Hayato, after the character Hayato Gokudera he voices in Reborn!.

4. Personal Life and Public Activities

4.1. Ambassador Activities

Since April 26, 2012, Ichinose has served as a tourism ambassador for his hometown, Ichikawamisato Town in Yamanashi Prefecture.

4.2. Personality and Anecdotes

Ichinose is known for his free-spirited personality, which sometimes leaves his co-stars flustered during radio programs. He is often called "Ichise" because his surname, Ichinose (市瀬), does not contain the common connecting particles "no" or "no" (の, 野, 乃) that are sometimes mistakenly assumed.

In April 2007, Ichinose fractured a bone during the filming of the NHK historical drama Natsugumo Agare. Despite rumors that this might lead to his departure from Reborn!, his voice was unaffected, and he continued his voice acting work with crutches for a period, without the need for a substitute. He is also known for being a very fast runner, although he once lost a short-distance race to his co-star Yu Inoue at a Reborn! event in 2008, a result he attributes to his restrictive costume. His deep affection for Hayato Gokudera is evident not only in naming his dog after the character but also in celebrating Gokudera's birthday precisely at midnight on his personal blog.