What's After the Movie
Gorô Naya
Gorō Naya (納谷悟朗, 17 November 1929 – 5 March 2013) was a renowned Japanese actor, voice actor, narrator and theatre director whose career spanned over six decades, making him an unforgettable pillar of Japan’s post‑war entertainment industry. Born in Hakodate, Hokkaidō, he entered the world at a turbulent time and, at fifteen, volunteered for the Kamikaze, later reflecting that his youthful ideals were shattered by the war's harsh realities. After the conflict he pursued higher education at Ritsumeikan University, where he discovered a talent for dialect coaching—particularly the Kyoto accent—and gradually fell in love with the performing arts, declaring that a sudden inner voice urged him toward acting. He cut his teeth on children’s stage troupes such as Todo and the experimental group Ina no Kai, and later honed his vocal skills in radio drama, which sparked a lifelong fascination with narration. In 1959 Naya joined the influential troupe Theatre Echo, where he quickly became a key figure in dubbing foreign films for Japanese television, earning the unofficial title of Japan’s go‑to voice for Hollywood legends like Clark Gable, Charlton Heston, Lee Van Cleef and John Wayne. Though prolific, he modestly rejected the label “voice actor,” preferring to be seen as a performer who inhabited characters. His most iconic roles include the bumbling yet relentless Inspector Koichi Zenigata in the Lupin III series—first voiced in 1971—and Captain Jūzō Okita in Space Battleship Yamato, a part he later regretted casting himself as an elderly voice. Naya’s dedication to his craft endured through health setbacks, such as a 1985 stomach ulcer surgery, and he remained active until 2012, stepping down from Zenigata when age caught up with him. A passionate Hanshin Tigers fan and outspoken critic of contemporary voice‑acting practices, Naya left an indelible legacy that continues to influence generations of Japanese performers.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Gorô Naya, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Gorô Naya rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Gorō Naya
Born: Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan
Citizenship: Japanese
Birthday: November 17, 1929
Occupations: Actor, voice actor, narrator, theatre director
Years Active: 1951-2012
Spouses: Kachiko Hino
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Gorô Naya
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro
Lupin the Third: The Last Job
One Piece: Strong World Episode 0
Lupin the Third: Lupin Family Lineup
OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let’s Go Kamen Riders
Lupin the Third: Missed by a Dollar
Lupin the Third: Alcatraz Connection
Slayers Premium
Lupin the Third: Return of Pycal
Lupin the Third: Episode 0: First Contact
Kamen Rider 555: Paradise Lost
Lupin the Third: Operation: Return the Treasure
Lupin the Third: Angel Tactics
Casshern
Lupin the Third: Seven Days Rhapsody
Lupin the 3rd: The Elusiveness of the Fog
Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy
Lupin the Third: The Hemingway Papers
Eleven Cats
White Fang Story
Future War 198X
Lupin the Third: Swallowtail Tattoo
Lupin the Third: Napoleon’s Dictionary
Final Yamato
A 10th Rider Appears! Kamen Rider - All Riders Assemble!
Night on the Galactic Railroad
Lupin the Third: The Legend of the Gold of Babylon
Odin: Starlight Mutiny
Crusher Joe
Golgo 13: The Professional
Space Fantasia 2001 Nights
The Tale of Genji
Lupin the Third: Bye Bye, Lady Liberty
White Wolf
Botchan
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Venus Wars
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Prophecies of Nostradamus
Kamen Rider vs. Ambassador Hell
Kamen Rider Stronger: The Movie
Ghost Sweeper Mikami
30,000 Miles Under the Sea
Aim for the Ace!
Kamen Rider Amazon
Princess Knight
Lupin the Third: Pilot Film
Noiseman Sound Insect
Space Battleship Yamato
Ninja Resurrection
Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo
Lupin the Third: The Pursuit of Harimao’s Treasure
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Lupin the Third: Green vs Red
The Big O
Lupin the Third: From Siberia with Love
Lupin the Third: Sweet Lost Night
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie
Kamen Rider V3 vs. Destron Mutants
Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive
Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro
Kindaichi Case Files Movie 2: Deep Blue Massacre
Lupin the Third: Farewell to Nostradamus
Lupin the Third: Voyage to Danger
Lupin the Third: Dragon of Doom
Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan
Lupin the Third: Tokyo Crisis
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Frankenstein Conquers the World
Flying Phantom Ship
Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato
Lupin the Third: The Secret of Twilight Gemini
Lupin the Third: The Columbus Files
Invasion of Astro-Monster
Kamen Rider Stronger
Dororo and Hyakkimaru
Kamen Rider
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Gorô Naya, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2010
Lupin the Third: The Last Job
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
One Piece: Strong World Episode 0
Crocus (voice)
2008
Lupin the Third: Green vs Red
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
Lupin the Third: Sweet Lost Night
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
2003
Kamen Rider 555: Paradise Lost
Wirepuller of Smart Brain
Lupin the Third: Operation: Return the Treasure
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
2002
Lupin the Third: Return of Pycal
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
Lupin the Third: Episode 0: First Contact
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
2001
Lupin the Third: Alcatraz Connection
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
Slayers Premium
Shugoshin / Guardian Deity (voice)
2000
Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro
Lupin the Third: Missed by a Dollar
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
1999
Kindaichi Case Files Movie 2: Deep Blue Massacre
Shuuichirou Aizawa (voice)
Lupin the Third: The Columbus Files
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
1996
Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
Lupin the Third: The Secret of Twilight Gemini
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
1995
Lupin the Third: The Pursuit of Harimao’s Treasure
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
Lupin the Third: Farewell to Nostradamus
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
1994
Ghost Sweeper Mikami
Nobunaga Oda (voice)
Lupin the Third: Dragon of Doom
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
1990
Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy
Dick (voice)
Lupin the Third: The Hemingway Papers
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
White Wolf
Schott (voice)
1986
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Bongo (voice)
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Bongo (voice)
1985
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Night on the Galactic Railroad
Campanella's Father (voice)
Lupin the Third: The Legend of the Gold of Babylon
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
Odin: Starlight Mutiny
Shonosuke Kuramoto / Narrator
1979
Aim for the Ace!
Chairman Ryûzaki (voice)
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie
Doctor Ban (voice)
Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
1978
Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo
Inspector Koichi Zenigata (voice)
Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato
Juzo Okita
1973
Kamen Rider V3 vs. Destron Mutants
Destron Chief (voice)
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Emperor Atonio of Seatopia (voice)
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