is a Japanese actor and voice actor affiliated with Sigma Seven. Some of Matsumoto's most notable roles are Wataru Akiyama in Initial D, Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist, Magnum Ace in Shippū! Iron Leaguer, Gourry Gabriev in Slayers and Ryo Hibiki in Sonic Soldier Borgman. His wife was voice actress Junko Sakuma, who died in March 2011.
Career Matsumoto graduated from the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law, Chuo University after graduating from Yakuendai High School. He used to be a member of Production Baobab. He was also the vice-chairman of Sugoroku, a theater company led by Kenichi Ogata, and became the chairperson after Ogata retired. He later left the company in 2016.
When Matsumoto was a student, he was the captain of a cycle racing club, and has even participated in the National Athletic Meet. However, he left the club due to a back injury. Originally a science fiction enthusiast, he was a science major until he was in high school. However, after watching a political program on TV at some point, he became interested in the world's developments and entered the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Law at Chuo University with the intention of becoming a bureaucrat. Although he hoped to pursue a career related to politics, he was faced with a harsh reality and spent his school days lost in his career path.
In the midst of all this, Matsumoto was impressed by the movie The Sound of Music, and since all of his friends at the boarding house were film buffs, he decided to become a film production staff member. However, when he graduated from university, the Japanese film industry was in a state of downsizing and there were not many good opportunities for staff, and unlike today, there were few production companies, so the road to film production was difficult. He decided to join a theatrical troupe, hoping to become staff after getting into the world of actors first. When he was about to graduate, a friend of his introduced him to Theater Company Garakuta Kōbō (now Sugoroku), which was recruiting, and he entered the affiliated training school as a fourth-year student.
Although he did not have much experience in voice work, when he went to observe a studio that was recording the voice actors' dubbing, he was surprised to see how all the cast members at the scene watched the footage only once on the spot and recorded it immediately, although nowadays actors receive rehearsal materials in advance. When he borrowed the script and watched the performance, his eyes could not keep up with the speed of the performers' work, and he couldn't follow where they were at. After that, he had several auditions for voice work, but had no idea what work he was auditioning for. In the midst of that, he was told to read a manuscript according to the feeling of an artwork he was shown, and when he did, he passed his first audition. That was to be his debut work, the anime TV series Manga Nihon Keizai Nyūmon.
Filmography
Anime television 1987 Kimagure Orange Road – Mitsuru Hayakawa Manga Nihon Keizai Nyumon – Tsuchida Mister Ajikko – Shougo 1988 Yoroiden Samurai Troopers – Cale (Yami Mashou Anubis) Starship Troopers – Johnny Rico Sonic Soldier Borgman – Ryo Hibiki 1989 Tenku Senki Shurato – Fudo Myo-o Acalantha Idol Densetsu Eriko – Shogo Ohgi 1990 Brave Exkaiser – Shuntarou Idol Angel Yokoso Yoko – Yutaka Tokudaiji Karasu Tengu Kabuto – Kabuto Idol Tenshi Yokoso Yoko – Yutaka RPG Densetsu Hepoi – Michael Samurai Pizza Cats – Zankaa 1991 The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird – Yutaro Katori/Fighbird Future GPX Cyber Formula – Hiroyuki Kazami (young) Romance of the Three Kingdoms – Cao Cao 1992 Tekkaman Blade – Noal Vereuse Ashita e Free Kick – Tachibana Daichi Cooking Papa – Tatsuya Kimura Flower Witch Mary Bell – Jeat Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun – Umigishi-kun Tekkaman Blade – Noal Vereuse 1993 YuYu Hakusho – Toya The Brave Express Might Gaine – Black Gaine/Black Might Gaine Shippu! Iron Leaguer – Magnum Ace 1994 Haō Taikei Ryū Knight – Tsukimi Tottemo! Luckyman – Lucky Star 1995 Slayers – Gourry Gabriev H2 – Fujio Koga Kuma no Putaro – Conductor Kyoryu Boukenki Jura Tripper – Mosaru Mojacko – Ume-san Ninku – Basara Ninku Soar High! Isami – Mitsukuni Street Fighter II V – Tyler (eps 3–4) Virtua Fighter – Jacky Bryant 1996 VS Knight Ramune & 40 Fire – Narcist Dandy B'tX – Zaji Case Closed – Takehiko Fujie, Tsuze, Yuuzou Kaiketsu Zorro – Teo Martian Successor Nadesico – Genpachiro Akiyama Midori no Makibao – Amago Wakuchin Rurouni Kenshin – Tetsuma Okubo Slayers Next – Gourry Gabriev 1997 Anime Ganbare Goemon – Goemon, Goemon Impact Pokémon – Adult Lunick/Adult Kazuki Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo – Makoto Toujou Vampire Princess Miyu – Ryu Shinma Vampiyan Kids – Vampire Hunter Slayers Try – Gourry Gabriev 1998 Initial D – Wataru Akiyama Lost Universe – Spreader of Darkness Silent Mobius – Ralph Bomerz Momoiro Sisters – Shouichi Tanaka Nessa no Haoh Gandalla – Yuki Saijoh Shadow Skill – Scarface 1999 Angel Links – Marcotte Bucky – The Incredible Kid – En Initial D: Second Stage – Wataru Akiyama Legend of Himiko – Chosa Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko – Curtis Lawson Steel Angel Kurumi – Kamihito Kagara Wild Arms: Twilight Venom – Keanu, Kianu Fallwind 2000 Gravitation – Hiroshi Nakano Love Hina – Noriyasu Seta Boys Be... – Daisuke Nitta Clockwork Fighters Hiwou's War – Kurogane Sazae-san – Norisuke Namino Vandread – Leader 2001 Star Ocean EX – Bowman Jean Go! Go! Itsutsugo Land – Director (episode 19b) Hellsing – Boz Hero Hero-kun – Hero Hero-Papa Offside – Kazuhito Oda A Little Snow Fairy Sugar – Paul Zone of the Enders – Joey 2002 Get Backers – Wan Paul Princess Tutu – Neko-sensei Twelve Kingdoms – Kantai MÄR – Galian Atashin'chi – Sport's Teacher (First) Pokémon Advance – Kinya's Gold Usokki, Umezu Getbackers – Paul Wang Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Policeman Mirage of Blaze – Shuhei Chiaki Mobile Suit Gundam Seed – Haruma Yamato Naruto – Postman Ninja Cheeky Angel – Hosoi, Yanagisawa 2003 Croquette! – Worcester E's Otherwise – Yuuki Tokugawa F-Zero Falcon Densetsu – Beast-Man Fullmetal Alchemist – Dolcetto, Jean Havoc Maburaho – Shunji Kamishiro Mermaid Forest – Eijiro (60 years ago), Fisherman Rumiko Takahashi Anthology – Keiichi, Ruriko Tonegawa's husband, Takanezawa, Yoshio Hirooka Sou Nanda – Chairman (ep 6) Wolf's Rain – Horse (ep 20) 2004 Paranoia Agent – Zebra Agatha Christie no Meitantei Poirot to Marple – Franklin Clarke Black Jack – Kyuuma Futari wa Pretty Cure – Juna Initial D: Fourth Stage – Wataru Akiyama Kannazuki no Miko – Tsubasa Kyo kara Maoh! – Raven The Melody of Oblivion – Lucky Thoroughbred Midori Days – Masami Kyomoto Otogi Zoshi – Shuten Doji Phoenix – Inugami Harima (Sun Chapter) Rockman.EXE Stream – Charlie Airstar Space Symphony Maetel—Galaxy Express 999 Side Story – Ra Frankenbach Leopard The Moon is East, The Sun is West: Operation Sanctuary – Fukano 2005 Doraemon – Nobisuke Nobi Zoids Genesis – Major Zailin Eureka Seven – Stoner Gallery Fake – Jun Sekine Trinity Blood – Virgin Walsh GUNxSWORD – Joe Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor – Archanfel Rockman.EXE Beast – Charlie Airstar 2006 Black Jack 21 – Bill Budd Le Chevalier D'Eon – Earl St. Germain The Familiar of Zero – Count Mott Ginga Tetsudo Monogatari: Eien e no Bunkiten – Yurihi Hataraki Man – Shimura Hell Girl: Two Mirrors – Eiichi Kurebayashi Lovege Chu – Miracle Seiyu Hakuso – Hisatoki Edogawa Pumpkin Scissors – Messenger (episode 16) Higurashi When They Cry – Ichiro Maebara Zegapain – Kurashige 2007 Darker Than Black – Gai Kurasawa Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Alejandro Corner Koutetsu Sangokushi – Sonsaku Hakufu Naruto: Shippuden – Ganryu and Kizashi Haruno Deltora Quest – King Endon Ghost Hound – Takahito Komagusa Higurashi no Naku Koroni Kai – Ichirou Maebara Kaiji – Furuhata Les Miserables – Shoujo Cosette – Famuyu Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Alejandro Corner Princess Resurrection – Pharaoh (ep12) Pururun! Shizuku-chan! – Chirikarareddo Shion no Oh – Shinji Yasuoka Terra e... – Jomy's father 2008 Slayers Revolution – Gourry Gabriev Soul Eater – Captain Nidhogg Gunslinger Girl: II Teatrino – European pole Bureau Chief Natsume's Book of Friends – Tanuma's Father Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo! – King Donuts Real Drive – Shozo Kominato Sands of Destruction – Cat Master (ep 1) Tales of the Abyss – Guy Cecil Yatterman – Kogoro Dokechi 2009 Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor – Gai Kurasawa Fresh Pretty Cure! – Wester Kobato. – Sotaro Mori Slayers Evolution-R – Gourry Gabriev 2010 Heroman – Doctor Minami Pokémon: Black and White – Cliff (ep 46) Psychic Detective Yakumo – Genichiro Sakakibara Showa Monogatari – Yuzo Yamazaki 2011 Blade (Ikeda) Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl – Yamamoto-san 2012 Bodacious Space Pirates – Kenjo Kurihara Eureka Seven – Stoner Initial D Fifth Stage – Wataru Akiyama Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic – Balkak Saint Seiya Omega – Hound Miguel 2013 Monogatari Series Second Season – Mayoi's Father (ep 8) 2014 Aikatsu! – Encierro Atsuji 2015 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders – Anubis Go! Princess Precure – Ibuki Haruno Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace – Namikoshi's Father Yatterman Night – Beane 2017 Altair: A Record of Battles – Doge Donatello Doria 2019 Attack on Titan – Eren Kruger 2021 SK8 the Infinity – Joe 2023 MF Ghost – Wataru Akiyama 2025 Anne Shirley – Matthew Cuthbert 2026 An Adventurer's Daily Grind at Age 29 – Cockdole High School! Kimengumi – Gorō Mutsu The Salty Koharu Has a Soft Spot for Me – Seizaemon Oshio Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 – Kiril Yang
Unknown date Lady Blue – Kyoshiro Urotsukidoji – Takeaki and Buju Elven Bride – Kenji Growlanser III: The Dual Darkness – Kenneth Leymon Puyo Puyo~n – Schezo Wegey NG Knight Ramune & 40 – Queen Cideron
Original video animation (OVA) Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 (1987) – Kouji Sugimoto Armor Hunter Mellowlink (1988) – Mellowlink Arity Starship Troopers (1989) – Jullian Rico Captain Tsubasa (1989) – Louis Napoleon Mōryō Senki Madara (1991) – Kaos RG Veda (1991) – Kujaku Adventure Kid (1992) – Kazuya Kuro no Shishi (1992) – Shishimaru Idol Defense Force Hummingbird (1993) – Shunsaku Kudo Please Save My Earth (1993) – Shukaido Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! (1994) – Takahashi Mitsuhashi Sonic the Hedgehog (1996) – Knuckles the Echidna Shinesman (1996) – Hiroya Matsumoto / Shinesman Red
Anime films Sonic Soldier Borgman: Last Battle – (1989) – Ryo Hibiki Heavy – (1990) – Guy Hyuga Sonic Soldier Borgman: Lover's Rain – (1990) – Ryo Hibiki Chibi Maruko-chan: My Favorite Song (1992) – Ryo Sato Urotsukidoji II: Legend of the Demon Womb – (1993) – Takeaki Kiryu Darkside Blues – (1994) – Tatsuya Elementalors – (1995) – Shiohisa Legend of Crystania – (1995) – Borks Ninku the Movie – (1995) – Basara/Kisumi Kimagure Orange Road: Summer's Beginning – (1996) – Mitsuru Hayakawa Pipi to Benai Hotaru – (1996) – Kira Jungle Emperor Leo – (1997) – Ramune Doraemon: Nobita and the Winged Braves – (2001) – Babylon Slayers Premium – (2001) – Gourry Gabriev Guilstein – (2002) – Chous Distour Inuyasha the Movie: Swords of an Honorable Ruler – (2003) – Setsuna no Takemaru Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa – (2005) – Jean Havoc Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006 (2006) – Nobita's Dad Doraemon: Nobita's New Great Adventure into the Underworld (2007) – Nobita's Dad Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend (2008) – Nobita's Dad Doraemon the Movie: Nobita's Spaceblazer (2009) – Nobita's Dad Eureka Seven: Pocketful of Rainbows – (2009) – Stoner Doraemon: Nobita's Great Battle of the Mermaid King (2010) – Nobita's Dad Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer (2010) – Alejandro Corner Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops—Winged Angels (2011) – Nobita's Dad Pretty Cure All Stars DX3: Deliver the Future! The Rainbow-Colored Flower That Connects the World – (2011) – Black Hole Showa Monogatari – (2011) – Yuzo Yamazaki Doraemon: Nobita and the Island of Miracles—Animal Adventure (2012) – Nobita's Dad