Norio Imamura

Norio Imamura is best known for originating the role of Emporio Ivankov, the flamboyant leader of the Newkama Kingdom, in Toei Animation's One Piece. He held the part for several years until a personal scandal in mid-2010 made him step away from the production.

Mitsuo Iwata took over as the voice of Emporio Ivankov after Imamura departed the role in 2010 and has held it since. The recasting is one of the more unusual in the series' history, driven by events entirely outside the show itself.

Imamura trained under fellow voice actor Nachi Nozawa after joining the musical troupe It's Follies. That mentorship built the foundation for a stage and voice career stretching back to the 1970s.

In mid-2010, Imamura posted photos online documenting extensive tattooing on his body, a hobby that reportedly cost him several million yen over roughly a decade. The posts led to his arrest that July on charges tied to distributing indecent material, and he was released in September following a summary proceeding and a fine.

Norio Imamura, born Kiyonori Imamura in 1954, is a Japanese stage and voice actor whose career stretches back to the 1970s. He is best known for originating Emporio Ivankov in One Piece before a 2010 scandal ended his run in the role.