News: Everybody loves akio otsuka: part two

January 19, 2006, 06:25 PM

by tim, via -
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Those of you who don't know Hideo Kojima's Japanese blog, well, probably don't care. Those of you who do, well, maybe you don't check it every day. This is forgivable! However, today would be a heck of a great day to check it. See, lately he's been doing a downloadable radio show called "HIDECHAN!" (I have them all on my iPod.) The day before yesterday's installment, which you can see here (and download directly here), is basically the greatest thing in the history of the internet, because it begins with two minutes of insertcredit.com's official favorite voice actor, Akio Otsuka, the man we all want to be (except for the Kangol hat) (and maybe the beard), talking nonsense. It begins with him narrating his thoughts as he wonders: where is he? Where is he going? What day is it? What time is it? He walks into a bar, and the bartender asks him, "What'll it be?" And he says, "Tell me an encouraging story."

Anyway, yeah. It's Kojima's new radio show thing, with plenty of surf-rock or free jazz in the background, with Akio Otsuka as a special guest. Also: secret background information on Hideo Kojima's short-lived indie music career. I'd write up a translated script if any of it was really interesting. You can very much enjoy it just listening to Akio Otsuka's voice.

Fun fact: Did you know Akio Otsuka's Chinese zodiac sign is the rabbit? He is three years older than Hideo Kojima. Also: dig the really weird ending, with the duck sound. It has certainly been a Hideo Kojima production.

The next time Otsuka voices a character in a game, I'll be sure to let you all know, for whatever reason. It's been a while. Maybe because he did the voice of Blackjack in the Blackjack movie, I don't know. I'm . . . going to go over there now.