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Tessyo Genda

Tessyo Genda (玄田 哲章, Genda Tesshō, born May 20, 1948 in Okayama Prefecture) is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with 81 Produce. His real name is Mitsuo Yokoi (横居 光雄, Yokoi Mitsuo) which he first used to identify himself in earlier works. He is sometimes credited as Tessyou Genda, Tetsuaki Genda, and Tetsusyo Genda.

Genda developed an interest in acting during his high school years and decided to enroll in the Toho Performing Arts Academy after further consultation from his teacher. Upon graduating, he joined auditions held by the theater companies Bungakuza and Gekidan Kumo only to be rejected. Genda found solace when the Gekidan Baraza accepted him in 1970; he remained with the company for 17 years. As a ballet dancer, he specializes in the pirouette and is popularly known as "Pirouette Genda" to fans.

At the suggestion of his director Nachi Nozawa, he decided to try voice acting by joining the cast of Science Ninja Team the Gatchaman. Looking back on this experience, Genda remembered how clumsy he was with reading the script and coordinating with the other cast members which frustrated him greatly. He became used to the medium over time and even won the Merit Awards during the 4th Seiyu Awards.

Genda's deep bass pitch makes him the standard go-to for strong manly characters. He usually serves as the official Japanese voice for actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stalone, and Samuel L. Jackson. His roles include Action Mask in Crayon Shin-chan, Professor D'Artagnan in Zatch Bell!, and Optimus Prime in the Transformers films.

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