Toshiyuki Nishida sadly passed away on 17 October 2025.
He is much-loved all over the world by Monkey fans for his portrayal of arguably the "best Pigsy" in Monkey season 1.
In Japan, his popularity continued in films, TV dramas and the long-running "Tantei Knight Scoop" TV show.
His passing sent shockwaves and outpouring of tributes both from fans and from colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Masaaki Sakai, the actor who played Monkey - now the only surviving member of the main cast members, paid tribute in this new article:During the 1970s, he appeared in many productions, winning the Best Actor award in the Geijutsusai for his performance in "Watashi Wa Rubi" in 1975, and then the 12th Kinokuniya Prize for Acting for his second appearance in "Sharaku Ko".
He made many appearances on TV from 1973 onwards - his characteristically vague expression, friendly appearance and peculiar use of the Fukushima dialect made him a popular figure with viewers. He also appeared on radio during this time.
In 1977, he made his debut as a singer with "Momen no aijo", and got the Golden Arrow Prize later that year. One of his most well known songs is "Moshimo Piano Ga Hiketanara (If I Could Play Piano)".
Toshiyuki's highly successful film career began with bit parts in the early to mid-1970s. His first starring role was as the 9th generation Kosuke Kindaichi in "Akuma Ga Kurite Fue O Fuku" in 1979.
Some of his most well known films include:
- "Gakko I" and "Gakko II" (English titles "A Class To Remember" and "A Class
To Remember II") where he is a teacher for a night class of unusual students
- The very popular "Tsuri Baka Nisshi" series of films (in English "A Fishing
Fool's Diary") feature Toshiyuki in great comic form as the fishing-obsessed
character Hamachan.
- "Dun-Huang" ("The Silk Road") (1988)
- "Dream of Russia"
- "Heavenly Sin"
Toshiyuki starred as Pigsy in "Monkey" in 1978. Toshiyuki's character Pigsy was known as Chohakkai (Monkey always called him Hakkai) in the Japanese version. He only appeared in season 1 (the first 26 episodes), and was replaced in season 2 (the last 26 episodes) by Tonpei Hidari. The main reason for this was that, before NTV (Nihon-TV) had decided to make a second season of "Monkey", they offered him the lead role in a big drama project called "Ikenaka Genta 80kg". This heart-warming drama started in 1980, and was a big success for Toshiyuki.
Toshiyuki is now one of the greatest actors in Japan, and has won many awards.
His many TV shows have included "Always Have The Sun In Mind", "Salon De Kinshiro Toyama", the Toei TV series "Special Crime Investigation Front", and a major role in NHK's yearlong Edo period historical drama in 2000, in which he played Tokugawa Hidetada. Since January 2001, he has starred in a popular TV show called "Tantei Night Scoop (Detective Knight News)".
In 2001, Toshiyuki played the lead role in the stage musical "Fiddler On The Roof" in Tokyo.
He married his wife Toshiko in 1974, and they have two daughters.
On Monday 3 March 2003, Toshiyuki Nishida suffered a heart attack and went into hospital for a few weeks. He made a good recovery, and was released from hospital 9 kilos lighter. On Sunday 27 April 2003, he turned up on the set for the 14th movie in the "Tsuri Baka" (Fishing Fool) series.
If you have any information about Toshiyuki Nishida, or if you can help with any of the missing bits on this page, please let me know using the Monkey Feedback page, and I'll put the information here.