Ichirô Nagai, the voice actor of Sazae-san‘s Namihei and Ranma ½‘s Happōsai, was discovered after he had collapsed in a Hiroshima City hotel on Monday morning. He was taken to a hospital, but he passed away. He was 82.
Nagai was at a Hiroshima City television station to record a program’s narration Sunday afternoon. After finishing a meal, he stayed at the hotel in the city. Since he did not leave his room by checkout time the next morning, the hotel staff went in to check on his status, and discovered him collapsed in the bathtub. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death is unknown, and the police are currently investigating the matter.
Nagai’s many voice roles include Konakii-jiji in several versions of Gegege no Kitarō, Dr. Sakezō Sado in Space Battleship Yamato (Star Blazers), the narrator in the first Mobile Suit Gundam series and movies, Jigorō Inokuma in Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl, Karin-Sama and Tsuru Sennin in Dragon Ball, Netero in the ongoing Hunter x Hunter anime, Cherry in Urusei Yatsura, Professor Amamori in Queen Millennia, Dr. Reichwein in Monster, and Mito in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. He had just played the old man at the Phantom Ramen Shop in the second episode of Space Dandy. In live-action films, he voiced Dumbledore in the Japanese dub of the Harry Potter films and Yoda in the Star Wars films.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1CVPIMl2fU#t=35
Fellow voice actor Toshio Furukawa noted that he was in shock over the news, having just talked to Nagai at a New Year’s party. Voice actor Akira Kamiya also offered his prayers for Nagai and thanked his mentor for his kindness. Kappei Yamaguchi said, “No… This is the worst… I can’t stand up… No, I won’t listen to the news, l’ll wait for official contact. …At times like this, I want to watch Knight of the Iron Dragon.”
Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news tips
Source: TBS
Update: Nagai’s agency Aoni Production reported that the cause of death was ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease. Thanks, mrsatan
More from Anime News Network
New Ranma 1/2 anime preview reveals Netflix streaming, returning all-star voice cast【Video】
Fullmetal Alchemist, One Piece Voice Actor Ed Blaylock Passes Away
Ranma 1/2’s creator and voice cast stars stop by the Ranma 1/2 Cafe in Tokyo【Photos】
New anime for legendary series Ranma 1/2 announced【Video】
Legendary anime voice actor Iemasu Kayumi passes away at 80
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Visit Kiki’s Bakery at a unique fairytale village in Japan
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
The new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is packed with entertainment, food, and drinks–with one caveat
Hello Kitty Shinkansen Cafe: A delicious stop on the most kawaii bullet train in Japan
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Oddly epic chicken-tuna battle commercial features two legendary voice actors in animal mode
Anime voice actor star of Cowboy Bebop marries former idol less than half his age
Here’s what happens when Cowboy Bebop’s star voice actor tries imitating a bird【Video】
The new Ranma 1/2 anime is here! So is it worth watching?【SoraReview】
Dragon Ball anime replaces Yamcha’s voice actor for first time in 38 years
Goku’s voice actress’ voice to be converted to AI for “non-acting” projects in Japanese, English
Pokémon’s Professor Oak, Cowboy Bebop’s Jet Black passes away at age 67
Anime fans rank the top 10 voice actors who get female fans fired up: Is your fave on the list?
How do Japanese fans feel about Netflix Cowboy Bebop teaser with return of anime voice actors?
How many favorite voice actors do Japanese high school kids have and who are they?
Dragon Ball Z English voice actors dish about their early days dubbing at Funimation【Video】
Tokyo’s Ranma 1/2 cafe is open, and we just stuffed ourselves with awesome anime nostalgia
Japan’s greatest anime voice actress, one of its most popular bands team up in beautiful ramen ad
Leave a Reply