Aoni Production announced the passing of Dragon Ball narrator and voice actor Jouji Yanami (八奈見 乗児) today. He was 90 years old.
The Chinese-born actor died on December 3 at 10:59 p.m. Japan time, according to a post on Aoni Production’s website.
A funeral farewell ceremony has already taken place for family members. The company expressed its deepest condolences.
According to Natalie.mu, Yanami worked for RKB Mainichi Broadcasting and the Tokyo Actor’s Consumer’s Cooperative Society before starting to work at Aoni Production.
He will be remembered by many fans for his work as the narrator in Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Kai, and Dragon Ball Super anime. Yanami also worked as the voice of King Kai, Babidi and Dr. Briefs.
His voice talent has also been heard in Mazinger Z, Digimon, One Piece, Inuyasha, Yatterman, Lupin the 3rd, Astro Boy, and many other anime since 1963 until 2015.
Toei Animation paid respect to the late Jouji Yanami. “We pay our respects to the great Jōji Yanami, legendary Japanese voice actor who gave life to King Kai, Dr. Briefs, Professor Yumi, Gennai, Babidi, Gan Fall, narration in the Dragon Ball franchise, and so much more. Rest in peace and thank you.”
We pay our respects to the great Jōji Yanami, legendary Japanese voice actor who gave life to King Kai, Dr. Briefs, Professor Yumi, Gennai, Babidi, Gan Fall, narration in the Dragon Ball franchise, and so much more.
Rest in peace and thank you. pic.twitter.com/sgK89vzONB
— Toei Animation (@ToeiAnimation) December 14, 2021
[Sources]: Aoni Production: Home Page – [Archive]. Anime News Network: Dragon Ball Z Narrator, Voice Actor Jouji Yanami Passes Away – [Archive]. Comic Natalie: 八奈見乗児が90歳で死去、「鬼太郎」一反木綿役や「ドラゴンボール」ナレーションなど – [Archive].
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