Beloved Naruto and Gundam Voice Actor Eiji Yanagisawa Passes Away at 57

The anime community mourns the loss of a beloved voice actor, Eiji Yanagisawa, who has been a staple in the industry since his debut in 1981 with the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam series.

Sadly, Yanagisawa died on November 12, 2024, following a brain stem hemorrhage at the age of 57.

His talent agency, Production Baobab, shared that his funeral and wake were held privately, in accordance with his family’s wishes.

Yanagisawa’s voice brought to life a vast array of characters across both Eastern and Western animation.

He was known for his roles in major anime series such as Naruto: Shippuden, where he voiced Genzo, a photographer in the Hidden Leaf Village.

His portrayal added depth to a character that captured essential moments for the village, despite not being in the frontline of ninja battles.

In the realm of Gundam, Yanagisawa first voiced Slender in Mobile Suit Gundam I, a loyal member of the Principality of Zeon.

His work continued in this universe with roles in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed and SD Gundam Force, playing characters like Dr. Ulen Hibiki, Gunbike, and Zapper Zaku.

His contributions extended beyond anime as he lent his voice to Japanese versions of popular Western series and films, including CSI: New York, CSI: Miami, and The World is Not Enough.

We send our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Eiji Yanagisawa during this tough time.

His legacy in the anime world, marked by a diverse range of influential characters, will surely not be forgotten.

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