Chafurin
Voice ActorChafurin is the stage name of Japanese actor Hirotaka Shimazawa, who voices Hitoshi Demegawa, the attention-seeking director of Sakura TV, in the Death Note anime produced by Madhouse.
Death Note Role
Chafurin plays Demegawa, the Sakura TV station director who inserts himself into the Kira case by airing broadcasts tied to Misa Amane and the shinigami-eye killings purely to boost ratings. The character's self-promoting, opportunistic streak gave Chafurin room to play up the comic, blustering energy he is known for bringing to supporting roles. Demegawa's media meddling becomes a recurring complication for both the police task force and Kira himself.
Career and Notable Roles
A Toyo University graduate affiliated with talent agency Office Osawa, Chafurin has built a long career as an anime actor and narrator, typically cast as gruff middle-aged or elderly figures. His narration and character work spans a wide range of Japanese animated television.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chafurin?
Chafurin is the stage name of Japanese actor Hirotaka Shimazawa, born in 1961 and affiliated with the talent agency Office Osawa. He voices Hitoshi Demegawa, the Sakura TV director, in the Death Note anime produced by Madhouse.
Who does Chafurin voice in Death Note?
Chafurin voices Demegawa, the Sakura TV station director who inserts himself into the Kira case by airing broadcasts tied to Misa Amane and the shinigami-eye killings purely to boost ratings. His self-promoting, opportunistic streak becomes a recurring complication for both the police task force and Kira himself.
What is Chafurin's background before voice acting?
Chafurin is a graduate of Toyo University who went on to build a long career as an anime actor and narrator represented by Office Osawa. His narration and character work spans a wide range of Japanese animated television.
What kind of characters does Chafurin usually play?
Chafurin is typically cast as gruff middle-aged or elderly figures, a niche reflected in his performance as the blustering, ratings-hungry Demegawa in Death Note. That comic, opportunistic energy is a hallmark of his supporting roles.
How does Chafurin's Death Note role reflect his acting style?
Demegawa's blustering, ratings-obsessed personality plays directly into the comic energy Chafurin is known for bringing to supporting roles. It's a fitting showcase for an actor typically cast as gruff, larger-than-life side characters in Japanese animation.
Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Death Note anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byTsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byMadhouse
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Anime, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Nippon Television and Warner Bros. Japan.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to Konami and other publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha, Tsugumi Ohba, and Takeshi Obata.
- Licensed imagery: Photographs of real people, including creators, voice actors and production staff, are used under licence from the rights holder or the applicable stock provider, or under the terms of a public licence permitting editorial use. Each such image is reproduced in its licensed form and remains the property of its owner.
- Exceptions: Limited exceptions to the practices described above may apply to individual entries. Where an exception applies, it is noted on the entry itself alongside the applicable attribution. Rights holders may contact us regarding any attribution and it will be reviewed promptly.
Official resources:
Help Us Keep This Wiki Accurate
Daddy Jim Anime maintains this encyclopedia. If you spot an error, a translation issue, or something that doesn't look right, let us know.
