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Jiro Dan (団 時朗, Dan Jirō) was a Japanese actor and voice actor. He was known for his role as Hideki Go, the protagonist of Return of Ultraman, a role he consistently reprised throughout the Ultraman Series. He used stage name "団 次郎" (same pronunciation) until 1984, and his real name was Hideo Murata (村田 秀雄, Murata Hideo).

Career[]

Jiro Dan was frequently a cover model for Japanese fashion magazines in the 1960s prior to acting in Return of Ultraman. He debuted as an actor and and later a singer in 1968.[1] He also broke into the Toho film industry, appearing as the character G-Guard Commander in the 1996 series, Godzilla Island.

Death[]

On March 24, 2023, Alpha Agency, of whom Jiro was under, announced that he had passed away at 4:14 a.m. on March 22 from lung cancer.[2] His condition was diagnosed back in 2017, but worsened in 2022. Despite this, Jiro remained upbeat about life and was dedicated to his work until the end.[3][4]

At the end of the ULTRAMAN MUSIC LIVE event at TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2023 on November 26, 2023, a photo of Jiro Dan was displayed as "Tatakae! Ultraman" and "Kaettekita Ultraman" played as a tribute.

Roles[]

Year Title Role Notes
1971 Return of Ultraman Hideki Go
1972 Ultraman Ace Fake Hideki Go Episode 10 "Duel! Ultraman Ace vs. Hideki Go"
1973 Ultraman Taro Hideki Go Episode 33 "5 Seconds Before the Great Explosion of the Land of Ultra!"
Episode 34 "The Last Day of the Six Ultra Brothers!"
Episode 52 "Steal the Ultra Life!"
1974 Ultraman Leo Episode 34 "Ultra Brothers, Eternal Vows"
1997 Ultraman Zearth 2: Superhuman Big Battle - Light and Shadow Newscaster
2006 Ultraman Mebius & the Ultra Brothers Hideki Go/Ultraman Jack Voice (Ultraman Jack)
2007 Ultraman Mebius Voice (Ultraman Jack)
Episode 45 "Deathrem's Plot"
Episode 50 "Words from the Heart -Final Trilogy III-"
2008 Great Decisive Battle! The Super 8 Ultra Brothers Voice (Ultraman Jack)
2009 Ultraman Mebius Gaiden: Ghost Rebirth Ultraman Jack Voice
Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends The Movie
2010 Ultraman Zero The Movie: Super Deciding Fight! The Belial Galactic Empire
2012 Ultraman Saga Hideki Go/Ultraman Jack Voice (Ultraman Jack)
2017 Ultra Fight Orb Ultraman Jack Voice

Stage[]

Year Title Role Notes
2008 Ultraman Premier Stage 2 Ultraman Jack Voice

Other Roles[]

  • Robot 8-chan - Dr. Aoi
  • Godzilla Island - G-Guard Commander
  • Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger - Ikki Kasumi
  • Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger - Elder of the Ryusoul Tribe

Discography[]

Return of Ultraman
Kaettekita Ultraman (Opening) (with Misuzu Children's Choir)
MAT Team no Uta (with Misuzu Children's Choir)
Tatakae! Ultraman (with Misuzu Children's Choir)
Ultraman Mebius
Ultraman Mebius (Opening) (with Project DMM, as member of Ultra Defense Force)

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • His blood type is AB.
  • Jiro Dan played Hideki Go at age 22, making him the youngest actor to play an Ultra's human host in the Showa period.
  • Although Jiro Dan debuted with his real name, Hideo Murata, he was often confused with a singer of the same name.
  • His stage name was formerly written in Katakana, but was then changed to kanji.

References[]

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