Voice Actor, Chikao Otsuka, passes awayJapan's voice actor, Chikao Otsuka, has passed away today due to heart failure. He was best known for his work in the Japanese television animation and video game industry.
If you grew up with Sonic Adventure the way I did, you probably played the game with the Japanese voices on. And, even as Sega of America constantly shuffles in new actors at cheaper rates, you could always count on the Japanese language track being there if you wanted to hear some familiar voices.
But one of those voices is no longer with us. Today we are learning that Chikao Otsuka, the Japanese voice of Doctor Eggman, died on January 15th. A (machine translated) post made by Aoni Production:
Our affiliation actor Yi Chikao Otsuka (85 years), January 15, 2015 because of ischemic heart failure [has] passed away. [We thank you] from the bottom of [our hearts] for your kindness.
Otsuka was what you would call a “lifer.” IMDB lists his first job as an actor in the 1968 Tetsuwan Atom anime, better known to North Americans as “Astro Boy.” He went on to play a number of beloved roles in his career, including Metal Gear Solid‘s Big Boss, Goemon in the anime Lupin the Third, Tao Pai Pai in Dragon Ball, and Gold Roger in One Piece, among dozens of others. Literally from the dawn of anime, this man was playing a major part in the industry.
He will be missed, and may his legacy never be forgotten.
Otsuka was noted for his voice as Boss in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Doctor Eggman and Gerald Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, Jinpachi Mishimi in the Tekken franchise, Captain Hook in the Kingdom Hearts series, and so many more.
OTSUKA, Chikao
Born: 7/5/1929, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Died: 1/15/2015, Japan
Chikao Ōtsuka’s westerns – voice actor:
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – 1966 [Japanese voice of Eli Wallach]
Guns for San Sebastian - 1968 [Japanese voice of Charles Bronson]
Once Upon a Time in the West – 1968 [Japanese voice of Charles Bronson]
Villa Rides! – 1968 [Japanese voice of Charles Bronson]
A Talent for Loving – 1969 [Japanese voice of Richard Widmark]
Red Sun – 1970 [Japanese voice of Charles Bronson]
Chino – 1979 [Japanese voice of Charles Bronson]