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Bleach's Genryūsai Voice Actor Masaaki Tsukada Passes Away
posted on by Egan Loo
Bleach voice actors Masakazu Morita (Ichigo Kurosaki) and Keiichi Takahashi (Tōdō Gizaemon) reported on Wednesday that fellow voice actor Masaaki Tsukada had passed away. Tsukada was 74 when he passed away on Monday, January 27. He had been under medical treatment for illness for some time.
Tsukada's many roles include Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto in Bleach, Toto in One Piece, Kobayashi-cha in Prince Mackaroo, Kiichirō Kimiyoshi in Higurashi no Naku Koroni Kai, General Grumman in Fullmetal Alchemist, Yutaka in Hoka Hoka Kazoku, Wang in The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, Gorō Tashiro in Showa Monogatari, and the Chairman in Yumeiro Pâtissière. He also dubbed Steve Kahan's character Captain Murphy in the Lethal Weapon films into Japanese. He was married to voice actress Masako Nozawa, who will be his chief mourner during his memoral services this weekend.
Morita said that he was at a loss on what to do, after the news of Tsukada's passing reached him. He remembered how Tsukada would always affectionately call him "Ichigo" instead of "Morita" at the recording studio for Bleach. He also remembered Tsukada's always smiling, bright personality, even though he would carry an air of dignity when he assumed the role of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
Takahashi remarked that Tsukada was in poor health and highlighted Tsukada's roles of Genryūsai in Bleach and Toto in One Piece. He added that Tsukada's voice was quite marvelous with a gentle dignity.
Update: Voice actor Toshio Furukawa noted that he co-starred with Tsukada in many works since he was young. As the voice of Kageroza Inaba, he always sat next to Tsukada during the Bleach recording sessions. This let them talk often about various topics from which he carries fond memories. Thanks, Daniel Zelter
