Last month the beloved Japanese actor Leo Morimoto passed away at the age of 83. He was known for his laid back demeanor and calm screen presence in dramas like Shomuni and Nagi’s Long Vacation. However, he is best remembered for providing the soothing narration for Japan’s dubbed version of the children’s show Thomas & Friends from 1990 to 2007. An entire generation of Japanese kids grew up with Morimoto’s voice as he chronicled the life of an anthropomorphic blue train locomotive. His leisurely personality belied the fact that he owned a rather exciting car, a Mazda Familia Coupé.
Morimoto also served as a DJ for the Nagoya-area radio station Tokai Radio. He hosted the late-night program Midnight Tokai, which played a mix of folk and easy listening tracks, such as Takuro Yoshida and Billy Vaughn, respectively. Morimoto was also known for his conversational interludes, which befit his relaxed and low-key persona.
Morimoto’s car, the MPA Mazda Familia Coupé, was built from 1965-68. Styling was done by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro while he was working at Carrozzeria Bertone. Its sharp lines matched sporty underpinnings consisting of a double-wishbone front suspension and front disc brakes, both rare for a Japanese car of the era.
Its newly developed 1.0-liter engine featured a single overhead cam design and a 10:1 compression ratio. As Mazda’s first high-performance piston engine, the high-revving inline-four generated a modest 68 horsepower and 58 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 4-speed manual and a curb weight of just 790 kg (1740 lb), it was more nimble and lively than anything based on an economy compact should have been, a taste of Mazda’s trademark personality for decades to come.
“My beloved car is a used, older-model Mazda Familia Coupe. It’s a cute little thing,” Morimoto said of his Familia Coupé when profiled in a Japanese magazine. “I mostly use it as a mobile storage unit—it’s packed full with guitars, cameras, clothes, and postcards from everyone.”
When Morimoto’s agency announced his sudden passing, many in Japan took to social media to express how much his voice had meant to their childhoods. In accordance with his wishes, his funeral was held privately with family only, leaving fans to honor his memory entirely through tributes, retrospectives, and memories of his work.
