Shiro Izumi

2.1. Birth and Family

Shiro Izumi was born 常盤 一郎_{Ichiro Tokiwa}^Japanese on May 6, 1961, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He is married and has one son.

2.2. Education

Izumi graduated from Chiba Prefectural Yachiyo Higashi High School in Chiba Prefecture.

2.3. Physical Characteristics

Izumi's reported height is 71 in ^{(180 cm)}, and his blood type is AB.

3.1. Early Career and Training

Izumi began his acting career after training at the Toei Academy and subsequently joining the Toei Actor's Center. He also performed with various theatre groups, including the Tokyo Vaudeville Show. During his career, he was affiliated with agencies such as Vacdeville and Hoei Shinsha.

3.2. Super Sentai Series Roles

Shiro Izumi is most renowned for his significant contributions to the Super Sentai franchise, where he played two central characters that left a lasting impression on audiences.

3.3. Other Television Dramas

Izumi's extensive work in television dramas includes:

• Seiun Kamen Machineman (Nippon Television, 1984) - Nagahara Pitcher (Episode 3: "Crush the Idols")
• Kao Ai no Gekijo / Jinsei wa Gatagoto Ressha (TBS, 1984)
• Shitetsu Ensen 97-punsho (TV Asahi, 1984) - (Episode 8: "Goodbye to the Bōsōzoku!")
• Sukeban Deka II: Shoujo Tetsu Kamen Densetsu (Fuji Television, 1986) - Kaze (Episode 18: "Saki Enters an All-Boys School!? Tough High School")
• Kin'yō Onna no Drama Special / Tsumetai Natsu: Joshidaisei Shūshoku Katsudō Nikki (Fuji Television, 1986)
• Musashibō Benkei (NHK, 1986) - Retainer (Episode 32: "Koromogawa Tatewajō")
• Abarenbo Shogun (TV Asahi)
  • Abarenbo Shogun II (1986) - Masaki (Episode 176: "Temporary Wedding Eve of the Decisive Battle!")
  • Abarenbo Shogun III (1988-1989) - Torazo, a young man of the Megumi group
• Onna Fuurinkazan (TBS, 1986-1987) - Uesugi Kagetora
• Thursday Golden Drama (Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation / NTV, 1986)
  • Haha no Sakebi (1986)
  • Haru no Shimai (1987)
• Saturday Wide Gekijō (TV Asahi)
  • Kyotaro Nishimura Travel Mystery: L Tokkyuu Raichou Kyuugou Satsujin Jiken (1987) - Akira Kawahara
  • Ame no Naka no Satsujinsha (1992)
  • Muta Keiji-kan Jiken File 22: Kanmon Kaikyo - Yokohama Renzoku Satsujin (1996) - Cafe Master
  • Chou Kanzen Hanzai no Joi (1998) - Tatsuya Ando
  • Kyotaro Nishimura Travel Mystery: Akita Shinkansen Komachi Satsujin Jiken (1999) - Inoue
• Jungle (NTV, 1987) - (Episode 16: "The Policeman Was Targeted!")
• Hangman GOGO (ABC / TV Asahi, 1987) - Nobuhiko Murano (Episode 16: "Emergency Order: Disband Today!")
• Suiyō Drama Special / Michinoku Honeymoon Satsujin Jiken (TBS, 1987)
• Ooka Seidan (TV Asahi, 1987) - Nuinosuke Kano
• Doyō Drama Special / Lemon no Kaori no Suru Onna (TBS, 1988)
• Motto Abunai Deka (NTV, 1988) - Akira Kuroi (Episode 2: "Offense and Defense")
• Shoya (Tohoku Broadcasting Company, 1988)
• Koibito no Uta ga Kikoeru (NTV, 1989)
• Tsurezuregusa: Koroshi no Suzuri (TV Tokyo, 1990)
• Ikenai Joshikō Monogatari (NTV, 1990) - Tarō Shinoda, teacher at St. Mariana Academy
• Sengoku Ranse no Abarenbo: Saitō Dōsan Dotō no Tenka Tori (TV Asahi, 1991)
• Tuesday Suspense Gekijō (NTV)
  • Asami Mitsuhiko Mystery 4: Minoji Satsujin Jiken (1988) - Yoshio Takakuwa, son of Masafumi Takakuwa
  • Bōkyō (1989)
  • Yabō no Kuni (1989) - Kameyamashachū
  • Baby Sitter Satsujin Jiken (1990)
  • Onna Dōbutsui Jikenbo 3: Hitomishirisuru Inu (1991) - Utsumi
  • Waga Machi V (1994)
  • Tōban Bengoshi 3 (1997)
  • Onna Bengoshi, Ayuko Takabayashi 15: Hida Takayama no Onna (1994) - Detective Mizuhara
  • Onna Bengoshi, Ayuko Takabayashi 20: Hōhihonsen Sōshun no Shikaku (1997)
  • Yuganda Kagami (1995)
  • Hanzai Shinri Bunseki-kan File Final (1998) - Policeman
• Tuesday Mystery Gekijō / Dokushin Career Woman no Amai Yume (TV Asahi, 1991)
• Monday Drama Special (TBS)
  • Sasori Kyuukyoku no Salesman-tachi... (1991)
  • Miura Kaigan Uogashi Monogatari (1991)
  • Totsukawa Keibu Series 6: Hagi Tsuwano ni Kieta Onna (1994) - Keiichiro Shirai
• Yo nimo Kimyō na Monogatari (Fuji Television)
  • Jinkaku Kaizō Drink (1991) - Tadokoro
  • Nechirata Jiken (1992) - Tanaka's Son
• Eigamitaina Koishitai / Ai to Seishun no Tabidachi (TV Tokyo, 1991)
• Gekai Arimori Saeko Special: Saeko no Chichi wa Satsujinhan!? Yomigaeru 36-nen Mae no Sangeki!! Giwaku ni Yureru Chichi to Musume no Kizuna (NTV, 1991)
• Nanatsu no Rikon Suspense / Utukushii Asa (Kansai TV / Fuji Television, 1993)
• Suna no Jou no Ie (Fuji Television, 1993)
• Meibugyō Tōyama no Kinsan (TV Asahi, 1994) - Kiyokichi (Season 6, Episode 9: "Woman, Murderous Intent in the Fog")
• Mito Kōmon (TBS)
  • Season 23 (1995) - Kitaro (Episode 37: "Kiso Bushi Osen, the Foster Mother - Tsumago")
  • Season 24 (1995) - Sadakichi (Episode 5: "A Woman's Tears Who Cannot Claim to Be a Mother - Kuwana")
• Hagure Keiji Junjōha IX (TV Asahi, 1996) - (Episode 8: "Workplace Bullying! Revenge of a Dispatched OL")
• Nagareita Shichinin (TV Asahi, 1997) - (Episode 5: "Bride's Father's Curry Rice")
• Amigasa Jūbei (TV Tokyo, 1997) - Takata Gunbee (Episode 7: "Fierce Battle! Akō Rōshi Hunt")
• Friday Entertainment (Fuji Television)
  • Tsuri Deka Jikenbo: Umi no Misshitsu Satsujin Jiken (1997)
  • Ofukuro ni Sasageru Uta (1998)
• Ōoka Echizen (TBS, 1999) - Tomiyoshi (Season 15, Episode 19: "The Flower Knew")

3.4. Film Appearances

Shiro Izumi's filmography includes theatrical releases and special event films:

• Dengeki Sentai Changeman (Toei) - Yuma Oozora / Change Pegasus
  • Gekijōban Dengeki Sentai Changeman (1985)
  • Gekijōban Dengeki Sentai Changeman 2: Shuttle Base! Kiki Ippatsu! (1985)
• Stardust Story: Hoshisuna Monogatari (N.S.O. Japan, 1987)
• Love Story wo Kimi ni (Toei, 1988)
• Super Sentai World (Toei, 1994) - Masato (event 3D film)
• Kamen Rider World (Toei, 1994) - Yuki (event 3D film)
• Nippon Ichi Mijikai "Haha" e no Tegami (Toei, 1995)
• Shakkin Ō 3 (Nikkatsu, 1998)
• Wakkanai Hatsu Manabiza (JTA Kinema Tokyo, 1999)

3.5. Original Videos and Theatre

Izumi also performed in direct-to-video productions and stage plays:

• Toriko The Body (Image Factory, 1995)
• Another XX Kuroi Tsuisekisha (Toei Video, 1997)
• Mizu ni Oboreru Sakana no Yume (Tokyo Vaudeville Show, 1993)
• Don Ton Carleone no Gag Gag Everybody (Tokyo Vaudeville Show, 1993)
• Performances with Fuyumi Sakamoto
• Performances with Ken Matsudaira

5.1. Skills and Hobbies

Izumi's known skills include Kendo, baseball, and golf. He is also noted for his ability to fall asleep quickly anywhere.

6.1. Notable Anecdotes

During the auditions for Dengeki Sentai Changeman, Izumi aimed for the role of the Red Ranger but was ultimately cast as Change Pegasus, a more comedic character. In the final episode of Changeman, he even performed as the suit actor for Change Pegasus.

His role as Burai / Dragon Ranger in Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger was initially planned for only five episodes but was extended due to overwhelming popularity. Many fan letters for Burai came from mothers who had watched Changeman in their youth. However, his popularity also led to some intrusive fan behavior, including fans waiting outside his home, and unfortunate incidents such as laundry theft and graffiti on his car.

His co-star in Zyuranger, Yuta Mochizuki, who played Geki / Tyranno Ranger, regarded Izumi as a reliable older brother figure, admiring him much like their characters in the series. Izumi's appearance at the Super Sentai show at the then-Koishikawa Korakuen Amusement Park's outdoor theater was so well-received that it became a catalyst for future series to include actors who played the un-transformed heroes in their live stage performances.

In a personal anecdote, during the filming of Changeman, Izumi had his hair cut by the aunt of Masaki Aiba from the group Arashi. He even visited their family home and gave them an autograph as Change Pegasus.

6.2. Public Perception and Impact

Shiro Izumi's portrayal of Burai / Dragon Ranger had a profound impact on the Super Sentai franchise and its fanbase. The character's popularity, particularly the strong emotional connection audiences felt, demonstrated the power of a well-developed supporting hero. The fan campaign to bring Burai back after his death underscored the deep resonance of Izumi's performance. His role as the first "sixth ranger" set a precedent for future Super Sentai series, establishing a popular archetype that continues to be a staple of the franchise. His ability to connect with audiences, especially the "mother demographic," highlights his broad appeal and the lasting legacy of his characters.