With his last role as the ramen shop owner from the second episode of Space Dandy, Ichiro Nagai passed away today. Found collapsed in his hotel, he was taken to a hospital where he died. He was eighty-two years old.
I was most familiar with Ichiro Nagai’s work from his roles as Karin, from Dragon Ball, 006, from Cyborg 009, Netero, from Hunter x Hunter, and D’s Left Hand, from Vampire Hunter D. These roles are but a fraction of his enermous and highly successful career.
I can not help but compare his passing to that of Marlin Brando who, upon deaths door, took up a small voice acting role as an old lady for a Western cartoon. I am glad we were able to hear Ichiro Nagai perform one last time.
Much like facebook, I fear liking this post makes me seem like a monster, but a nice little tribute to one of the greats.
Bakemono!