[[quoteright:170:[[Anime/CodeGeass http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cit_norio_wakamoto_-_ALL_HAIL_EMPEROR_WAKAMOTO!!_ALL_HAIL_BRITANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:170:'''''[[MemeticBadass ALL HAIL EMPEROR WAKAMOTO!]]''''']]

->'''[[Manga/AzumangaDaioh HARRO, EVERY-NYAN!]] [[GratuitousEnglish HOW AH YOU? FAIN SANKYUU!]]'''

If there's one voice actor who is extremely [[PigeonholedVoiceActor pigeonholed]], but is just so ''awesome'' at doing his pigeonholed job that it doesn't matter, this man is that voice actor.

Norio Wakamoto was an anti-riot squad officer who saw action in the student protests in the 1960s/70s before he became a voice actor (we assume he just had to yell "HALT, CRIMINAL!" and [[CompellingVoice they'd immediately stop]] [[Anime/CodeGeass while shouting "YES, YOUR MAJESTY!"]]), well known for his [[LargeHam grandiose]] voice as a villain. So if you want a hammy, menacing BigBad (or any other villainous role), contact him. And his range of villain roles is also quite wide, from manipulating and scheming to TheBerserker type. Whether it's of a high position or as an underling (as long as it's no {{Mook}}). Beware...they can become [[EnsembleDarkhorse Ensemble Darkhorses]] or [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bastards]] greater than the BigBad himself.

Villains, however, aren't his only forte (though it's undoubtedly what he's really good at). [[ManOfAThousandVoices He is also capable of doing]] [[PlayingAgainstType humorous, perverted roles or, rarely, heroic types. Or even soft-spoken characters.]]

Norio Wakamoto is an expert in martial arts, and he will ''[[BadassGrandpa kick your ass]]''.

Also, thanks to his role as SocialDarwinist and [[TheEmperor Emperor]] [[Anime/CodeGeass Charles of Britannia]], he has reached a certain MemeticBadass status amongst Western anime fans (by that time, he'd already been considered one in Japan). There are people who state that any anime can turn instantly good if he is participating (or that any character he voices will always be perceived as {{Badass}}). It's even gotten to the point where, instead of having him "work his voice to fit a character", they work the character to fit his voice. The man is the ChuckNorris of Anime, with the voice of '''''BrianBlessed'''''.[[note]]though ToruOhira ('''''BrianBlessed''''''s Japanese dub voice on Boss Nass in StarWarsThePhantomMenace) could contend with the latter, seeing as '''''BrianBlessed''''', for one, isn't much of a GutturalGrowler RatedMForManly type...[[/note]]

Not just amongst the fans, but he is also very well respected amongst the seiyuu circle, to the point that many have tried doing a 'Wakamoto impression'. For example, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=5OXAfwXNk74#t=806s this one]], as done by TomokazuSugita, TakahiroSakurai, and YuuichiNakamura. In fact, [[http://www.moecul.com/en/index.html there's going to be a competition in 2012 about imitating Wakamoto]], to be judged by Wakamoto himself!

Is known as 'Neta ni Ikiru Otoko' on Niconico Douga.

A sample of his voicing can be found [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF2Q0dYuXfw here]]
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[[TheLongList Norio Wakamoto...]]
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lzG9MnkVlA ...is now available in GPS form.]]
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB6o6FAgVyI ...is a regenerative nanotech suit ("Mashimam shpeedo!")]]
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB-UV69j1Lw ...sings the opening of]] ''LuckyStar''.
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKlzoGP2m0w ...supports breasts]] (a parody of his first "ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!!!" speech, dialog taken from [[http://danbooru.donmai.us/post/show/225262/ this 4koma]]).
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrDw-3xBGN0 ...performs the Giga Drill Breaker.]]
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7pyxpJFj18 ... sings "Renai Circulation".]]
* [[http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm8767106 ...even has his own theme music in]] RealLife. [[spoiler: ([[CrowningMomentOfFunny Just don't let him play bowling.]])]]
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UucITQR0SrQ ...wishes he were a bird!]] ([[VisualNovel/HatofulBoyfriend and now]] [[VideoGame/QuizMagicAcademy he is!]])
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBeyaC_Va6Q ...is giving up the position of God]] (which we all knew he had).
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWNY4XXlRj0 ...is a]] [[CromartieHighSchool motorcycle]].
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYDO2-wVimA ...sings]] [[NyarkoSan Taiyou Iwaku Moeyo Chaos]].
* [[http://video.niconico.com/watch/sm15747779 ...sings]] ShinryakuIkaMusume.
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oC8px1P7C8 ...sings]] Anime/BlackRockShooter.
* ...sings [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyary_Pamyu_Pamyu Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRir_osYXcM PONPONPON]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB7rxsWyvhI Tsukema Tsukeru]].
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4tIi2Q_LWc ...counts sheeps to help you sleep]].
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDO7i4tWJKA ...is in Call of Duty 4]].
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEsDBOdi0a4 ...had a duet with]] RieTanaka.

For his Western equivalent of villain roles, go see SteveBlum, Creator/MichaelMcConnohie, TimCurry, and, occasionally, Creator/CrispinFreeman and LiamOBrien. For the Western equivalent of memetically great voices, see MorganFreeman.
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!!Norio Wakamoto can be heard in these works as the villain role:

* Renvolt Magashi in ''PhantasyStarUniverse''
* Cell in ''Manga/DragonBall Z''. It's said that while he was doing the voice of Cell, he would practice his lines at home. Children in the neighborhood would hear him, go up to his door, and yell "Cell, come out and fight us!", and in response, he would open his front door and shout "Who is that? Who wants to be drained?"
* Vicious in ''Anime/CowboyBebop''. Sort of playing against type, as, while certainly a villain, he's the icy, stoic type, rather than a LargeHam.
* Alexander Anderson in ''{{Hellsing}} Ultimate'', [[TheOtherDarrin replacing]] [[AuthorExistenceFailure the deceased]] NachiNozawa (RIP). ([[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDnu0giUS00&NR=1 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accused! O Lord, come! Ahhhhhmeeennn!]])
** Although, to note, despite being considered an antagonist, due to [[BlackAndGrayMorality the series' nature]], Alexander can overlap as [[AntiVillain a sympathetic]] HeroAntagonist.
* Emperor Charles zi Britannia in ''Anime/CodeGeass'' and ''VideoGame/{{Super Robot Wars Z}}2: Saisei-Hen''. Probably his most {{memetic|badass}} role in the West.
* OdaNobunaga in the ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'' series. Singularly the most ObviouslyEvil villain in anime and gaming history. ('''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V1AEvN8VZs WARE WA DAI ROKU TEN MAOU, ODA NOBUNAGA NARRRRIIII!!!!]]''')
* High Max in ''[[MegaManX Megaman X6]]''. So that's why High Max was so difficult...
* Taishakuten in ''RGVeda''
* Dracula in the ''VideoGame/{{Castlevania}}'' series (from ''Symphony of The Night'' onward). This role utilizes his famous EvilLaugh better than most.
** He has a '''''VARIETY''''' of them in ''Dracula X Chronicle'', depending on battle stage and how much Richter is going to get demolished if the attack connects.
* Igniz in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters 2001''. In 2002, he did Rugal Bernstein, but in 2002 Unlimited Match, Rugal's voice was reprised by the original actor, Toshimitsu Arai.
* M. Bison[=/=]Vega (Dictator) in the ''StreetFighter'' series ([[TheOtherDarrin Darrined]] the role from TomomichiNishimura).
* Barbatos Goetia in ''VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny2'' ('''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41zLRBt-Kl8 AITEMU NAZO! TSUKATTEN JA!! NNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!]]''').
* Shapiro Keats in ''{{Dancougar}}''. (First major villain role)
** Moon Will in ''DancougarNova''. He voices Earth Will as well, but only Moon Will is a villain.
* Tekkaman Omega in ''Anime/TekkamanBlade''.
* Denpa Shogun in ''MyselfYourself'', the BigBad of a sentai ShowWithinAShow.
* Overlord Zenon in ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea}} 2''.
** The narrator for the opening crawl in the original. "There exists a place they say is blacker than any darkness, deeper than any ocean..."
* Gene in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid: Portable Ops''.
** Which explains why he has a CompellingVoice.
* Hol Horse in the OAV of ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure''.
** He also voices Dio Brando in the obscure radio drama version.
* T-Bag (Robert Knepper) in the Japanese dub of ''PrisonBreak''.
* Imran Zakhaev in the ''ModernWarfare'' series.
* [[ZatchBell Victoream]]. Yes, ''that'' [[VillainSong one]]. Before that, he was a minor CanonFodder villain, but was still awesome.
* Mr. Sinister in the Japanese dub of ''WesternAnimation/{{X-Men}}''.
* Kagato in ''TenchiMuyo'' and ''TenchiUniverse''.
* Xemnas in ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''.
* Neue Regisseur in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration'' and ''[[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsCompact2 Super Robot Wars Impact]]''. Rather HilariousInHindsight, since both Kyosuke and Blade are voiced by ToshiyukiMorikawa.
** He also did Maier V. Branstein. The episode preview hung a LampshadeHanging on this.
* Chaos in ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy''
** Also, Rubicante in the DS version of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV''.
* Golba in ''SamuraiShodown: Edge of Destiny''.
* Shredder (James Saito) in the Japanese dub of the first two live action ''Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' movies.
* Black Shadow in ''VideoGame/{{F-Zero}} Legend of Falcon/GP Legend'' (''[[MemeticMutation WATASHI WA SHINEN!]]'' '''''[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome SHINEN ZUU!!!]]''''')
* Gntarl in the TV remake/expansion of ''{{Munto}}''.
* Geist in ''MDGeist'' (the original cut). [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaoUVZPm4Uo&NR=1 "BURYAAAAHHHHH!!!"]]
* Shurara in ''KeroroGunsou''. The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_d-NAHyPec resonance ritual has never been this creepy]].
* Conrad Viscuess in ''InfiniteRyvius''.
* Makuta Teridax in the Japanese dub of the ''{{Bionicle}}'' movies.
* VinceMcMahon in the Japanese-dubbed Wrestling/{{WWE}}. '''"[[MathematiciansAnswer MATASHI WA VINCE MCMAHON, DAMN IT!]]"'''
* Gambino from ''{{Berserk}}''.
* He was Marller's sidekick, the LargeHam God of Poverty, Senbee, in ''Manga/AhMyGoddess''. "SHAKKIN!"
* Megatron in the Japanese dub of ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated''. [[Film/{{Transformers}} "All Hail Megatron"]] indeed...
** [[Film/{{Transformers}} Movieverse Megatron]] in the video games based on the ''Transformers'' movies. (In the movies themselves, he's voiced by Kotaro Nakamura...)
* The Owl in ''WolfsRain''. Yes, it was an evil owl. And yes, it was the most awesome character in the entire anime.
* Masaomi Houzuki in ''VisualNovel/SharinNoKuni''.
* Sekidousai in ''{{Inukami}}''
* The Umibozu sea monster from episode 3 of ''{{Mononoke}}''.
* A guest voice in the role of Zeibu of the Mummy in ''TensouSentaiGoseiger'', a [=MotW=] whose plan is to mummify the world, with a TV broadcast. I kid you not.
* Scarl in ''{{Cyborg 009}}'' (2001 series).
* Sou-Banchou, alias [[spoiler: [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Kaoru Ichimonji]]]], in ''[[TokimekiMemorial Tokimeki Memorial 2]]''. Although, rather than a villain, he's a WorthyOpponent antagonist, and a [[spoiler: KnightTemplarBigBrother, if his sister Akane is your love target]].
* Mitsunari Ishida in ''{{Onimusha}}: Dawn of Dreams''
* Both Arc Kivat and Rey Kivat in the ''KamenRiderKiva'' movie
* [[ChurchMilitant Biagio Busoni]] in ''[[ToAruMajutsuNoIndex To Aru Majutsu no Index II]]''
* Youzou Torii in ''OhEdoRocket''
* [[DirtyCommunist Nikita Dragovich]] in the Japanese dub of ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOps''
* Vampire Lord Zaharl [[TalkingToHimself and]] masked superman [[PluckyComicRelief Gyallandou]], in a [[NoExportForYou little known]] Creator/{{Falcom}} game called ''Zwei 2''.
* Zeikfried in ''[[VideoGame/WildArms1 Wild Arms Alter Code: F]]''
* Dragless in ''VideoGame/LightningLegendDaigoNoDaibouken''
* General Bat in ''[[GetterRobo Shin Getter Robo Vs. Neo Getter Robo]]'' and ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsGC''
* Mumkhar/[[spoiler:Metal Face]] in ''VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}}''.
* The {{Yakuza}} [[NoNameGiven with the white suit and sunglasses]], in ''VisualNovel/{{Yarudora}} series vol.3: VisualNovel/{{Sampaguita}}''.
* Ganzack in the obscure Manga/OnePiece OVA ''Defeat Him! The Pirate Ganzack''
* [[MadScientist Dr. Josef Heiter]] in the Japanese dub of ''TheHumanCentipede''
* [[HuskyRusskie Ivan Drago]] in the Japanese dub of ''RockyIV''
* General Iaron in ''UltramanZeroTheRevengeOfBelial''.
* Aziz in the ''TrueLies'' Japanese dub.
* General Baal in ''VideoGame/{{Grandia}}''.
* Scorpius in ''[[SoundHorizon Moira]]''
* Zarok in ''[[VideoGame/MediEvil MediEvil: Resurrection]]''.

!!For his non-villainous roles, here's a bit of his portfolio:
* The shapeshifter Nagamimi in ''KyogokuNatsuhikoKosetsuHyakuMonogatari''.
* Johnny in ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear X'' and ''XX''.
* Al-Cid Margrace in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII''.
* Coach Ohta in ''{{Gunbuster}}''.
** In what has to be a shout-out to this role, he plays look-alike rugby coach Akira Fuwa in the second episode of ''Madonna''
* Chiyo-chichi (the yellow cat...thing) in ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh''.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UucITQR0SrQ "I wish I were a bird."]]
* The Narrator/Voice of Heavens in ''Manga/HayateTheCombatButler''.
* Onsokumaru in ''NininGaShinobuden'' — a role which must have been written with him in mind. He's given license to steal the show, and does it with gusto.
* Shigemichi Morimoto in ''SoulLink''.
* Woodchuck in ''RecordOfLodossWar'' (but note that Wood [[spoiler:ends up a victim of a Karla-induced GrandTheftMe]]).
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KESJUktMkog#t=4m0s Diao Chan]] in ''KoihimeMusou''.
** [[MachoCamp Er...]]
*** How can you say that? My lord is too cruel!! [[MostAnnoyingSound UWAAAA]][[BitingTheHandkerchief AAAA]][[NorioWakamoto NNNNNNNnnnn...]]!
* Matsudaira Katakuriko, the violent nutcase director of the Shinsengumi in ''Manga/{{Gintama}}''.
* Lando Calrissian [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer (yes, Billy Dee Williams)]] in the Japanese dub of the 2004 DVD ReCut of ''StarWars''. Also the narrator of the Japanese dub of ''StarWarsTheCloneWars''.
* [[LargeHam King Drake the Third]] in ''MakaiKingdom''.
** In the ''Disgaea 3'' cameo, if you talk to him, he'll say "There's only one voice actor in the universe that can voice me!"
* Mechazawa in ''CromartieHighSchool''.
** "Such a sober voice!"
* General Winters Socalo in ''DGrayMan''.
* In ''Manga/SailorMoon'', he played a softspoken NiceGuy ([[PlayingAgainstType bwuh?]]) named Yusuke Amade. He worked as a jazz artist and was in love with his co-worker, Akiko Yanagi, but [[CannotSpitItOut was too shy to tell her]]. As Naru and Usagi attempted to get to know him more, since Naru was a major fangirl of him, Amade became a target of the ''youma'' and Sailormoon had to save him. His sexy voice (and piano playing) attracted all da ladies.
* Gargoyle the dog statue from ''GargoyleOfTheYoshinagas''.
* Ooshima, the Kuroda group's second-in-command in ''{{Gokusen}}''. He's very funny.
* He voiced the minor hero character Shuren in ''FistOfTheNorthStar'', though not for long, since storyline reasons demanded Shuren's failed HeroicSacrifice against Raoh. He also did Raoh for a very short time in his silhouette debut.
** He is also a narrator for ''[[VideoGame/FistOfTheNorthStarKensRage Hokuto Musou]]''.
* Duke Duffau in ''ChronoCrusade'', leader of the demon pursuers. Interestingly, the character was an antagonist of sorts in the manga (although he mostly ignored the heroes and went straight for Aion), but in the anime adaptation, he got upgraded to an uneasy ally with the Magdalene Order.
* Oskar von Reuenthal in ''LegendOfGalacticHeroes'', one of his earliest (and best) roles.
* Yoshimitsu in ''SoulCalibur IV'', replacing NobuyukiHiyama. This has cemented Yoshimitsu's status as an EnsembleDarkHorse.
* The voice of the nanosuit OS in the Japanese version of ''VideoGame/{{Crysis}}''. And in very good {{Engrish}}, as well.
* Gustave St. Germain of ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}''.
* Taisou from ''GiantRobo''.
* The unnamed father of protagonist Mito Yuuri, in ''VisualNovel/{{Tayutama}}''.
* Ashlay Barnbalt in ''[[VideoGame/StarOcean1 Star Ocean]]: [[VideoGameRemake First Departure]]''
* Gigalt Gangaragash in ''{{Planetes}}''.
* The Nabuu brothers in ''GaReiZero''.
* A Nevada sheriff in ''[[{{Manga/Golgo13}} Golgo 13]]''.
* Raiden (Christopher Lambert) in the first ''Film/MortalKombat'' movie.
* The narrator of ''SeijuuSentaiGingaman''
* ''[[Anime/TransformersCybertron Transformers Galaxy Force]]'''s Flame Convoy, Scourge in ''TF Cybertron''.
* Did the voice of [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass Hiroshi]] from ''FamilyProject'' under a pseudonym.
* Amagumo, aka Rain Spider, in ''Manga/DesertPunk''. More a rival than a villain, and pretty much everyone in that series is utterly reprehensible anyway.
* The [[SummonMagic Stellar Spirit]] King in ''Manga/FairyTail''.
* [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Commander Paul Radhabinod]] in ''[[MuvLuv Muv Luv Alternative]]''
* Narrator of the "Go-Driller" [[ShowWithinAShow anime's]] [[OnTheNext previews]] in ''[[TokimekiMemorial Tokimeki Memorial 2]]''
* [[TheQuietOne "Big" Ed Hurley]] in the Japanese dub of ''TwinPeaks''. [[PlayingAgainstType Betcha' didn't see this one coming, did ya]]?
* The bartender "Master" in ''{{Catherine}}''
** Another bartender only referred to as "Master" in ''Manga/MaisonIkkoku'', one of his earliest roles.
* The Ancient One/Kaosu in ''Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers''[=/=]''RoninWarriors''.
* Enma Daimaou-sama in ''{{Dororon Enma-kun}} Meramera''
* Bontenmaru[=/=]DateMasamune in ''SamuraiDeeperKyo''
* General Godwin in ''DogDays''
* Gawn Brawdia in ''VideoGame/WildArms4''
* Various characters in ''{{Sazae-san}}''
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H7NbMBB7yk CV-Wakamoto]] in ''{{MUGEN}}''. Essentially, an original character that copies various voice clips and moves from Wakamoto's more famous roles.
* Eternity Sword Wisdom in ''EienNoAselia''.
* Robert T. Sturgeon, the Special Forces operative from the ''NinjaGaiden'' series, gets voiced by him in the [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVA]].
** Joe Hayabusa in the modern ''NinjaGaiden'' games (that's Ryu's father, btw).
* Chu in ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'', a Badass DrunkenMaster and BoisterousBruiser who fights Yusuke and befriends him.
* A Neutral role as Deus from ''MiraiNikki'' (which makes the above ComicBook/{{Watchmen}} quote HilariousInHindsight).
* The Principal, aka Shining Saotome, in ''UtaNoPrinceSama''.
* The Former Prime Minister in ''MajiDeWatashiNiKoiShinasai'', who [[InkSuitActor looks suspiciously like him]]. Very subtle, Minato Soft.
* Oko San, the high school track team captain and a pudding-obsessed bird, in the ''VideoGame/HatofulBoyfriend Drama CD''. This fulfills his wish to be a bird!
** Another such role is [[VideoGame/QuizMagicAcademy Garuda]], a giant bird with humanoid hands.
* Mio's Wooden Cubes in ''Manga/{{Nichijou}}''. It's the reason why Mio is so powerful.
* Philip Hughes in ''MobileSuitGundam: the Blue Destiny''

!!Tropes associated with Norio Wakamoto:

* '''BadAss''': See CrowningMomentOfAwesome.
** According to KappeiYamaguchi in the ''Giant Robo'' commentary, the man does a couple hundred push-ups a day [[BadassGrandpa despite being in his 60s]]. Definitive badass.
*** There´s also the fact that he was a riot cop in some of the biggest riots in Japan´s history.
** BadassBaritone
* CoolOldGuy: Is one of the more favored old generation seiyuus in business.
* EvilSoundsDeep
* GratuitousEnglish: In ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'', ''Anime/CodeGeass'', ''{{Hellsing}}'', and probably others.
* GutturalGrowler
* HilarityEnsues: If he's not being the bad guy and, instead, is landed with comical roles...this is guaranteed to happen.
* LargeHam
* LemonyNarrator: In the ''Manga/HayateTheCombatButler'' anime.
* ManOfAThousandVoices: Surprisingly.
* MeanCharacterNiceActor
* MeaningfulName: The name "Norio" means "Man of Law" in Japanese, a rather fitting name for a former policeman.
* PigeonholedVoiceActor: Pigeonholed, yes, but he is, to put it simply, [[WolverinePublicity the best there is at what he does, and what he does is AWESOME.]]
* RatedMForManly
* RollYourRs: UpToEleven
* SureWhyNot: Which explains why he supports boobs.
* {{Villain}}: Whether it's Big Bad, The Dragon, or anything listed there.
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'''''[[MemeticMutation ALL HAIL]] [[TheEmpire BRITANNIA!!!]] [[MemeticMutation ALL HAIL]] [[{{Gainaxing}} OPPAI!!!]]'''''