Nihei Masanari

Nihei joined Toho’s “New Face” program in 1960 and made his screen debut the following year. He quickly became a regular in action and comedy films, often appearing alongside the Crazy Cats. However, he is immortalized in pop culture history for his role as Ide in the original Ultraman (1966). As the Science Patrol’s comic relief and weapons expert, Nihei brought warmth and humor to the show, creating a beloved character that defined the archetype for future Ultra series.

Beyond Ultraman, Nihei had a robust career in genre film and television. He played Astronaut Itô in Gorath (1962), a role that showcased his dramatic chops, and appeared in Mighty Jack (1968). He remained connected to the Ultra franchise throughout his life, returning for cameos and voice roles in series like The Ultraman (1979) and Ultraman Max (2005). He passed away in 2021 from aspiration pneumonia.