Veteran Seiyuu Masako Ikeda Passes Away at 87

Time catches up with everyone, but some voices manage to become immortal within the recording studios. Losing a pioneer of dubbing always leaves a real void in the history of Japanese animation. This Friday, the passing of the veteran voice actress and narrator Masako Ikeda was announced. Her representative agency confirmed through a statement that the artist died on March 3 at the age of 87. Medical reports indicated that the direct cause of death was a cerebral hemorrhage.

The immediate family organized a private and quite small funeral to bid her farewell in peace. The agency's representatives asked the media and fans for absolute respect for the privacy of her loved ones during this difficult grieving process. For the moment, there are no public plans to hold a massive tribute or a commemorative event open to the press. Colleagues in the industry and followers have already started filling social media with messages remembering her enormous contribution to entertainment.

About her career

Masako Ikeda was born on January 1, 1939, in the city of Tokyo. She worked actively in front of the microphones for more than 70 years. Her resume spans from traditional animation to international dubbing, becoming the official Japanese voice for Hollywood giants like Audrey Hepburn and Meryl Streep. The Japanese industry recognized her historical weight by awarding her the Merit Award at the first edition of the Seiyuu Awards in 2007. Years later, she added to her showcase the Meritorious Service Award during the Tokyo Anime Award Festival of 2020.

Iconic roles of Masako Ikeda

Her elegant tone led her to portray female characters with a strong presence. Here we remember some of the most important works that defined her time in the recording booths:

• Maetel in the classic space franchise Galaxy Express 999.

The most representative character of her entire career. Her voice gave this mysterious woman a perfect balance between strength and gentleness.

• Chimera Ant Queen in the 2011 version of Hunter x Hunter.

A dark and crucial role that marked the bloody beginning of one of the most popular arcs in the shonen genre.

• Reika Ryuzaki in the sports anime Aim for the Ace!.

A key role in the animation of the seventies that defined the standard of rivalry for an entire generation.

• Hydaelyn in the successful role-playing video game Final Fantasy XIV.

The voice of the main deity that guides the steps of millions of players around the world.

Which character portrayed by this legend of Japanese dubbing marked your experience as a viewer the most over the years?