Voice Actor Shouzou Iizuka Dies at 89

by DatRandomDude
Feb 28, 2023 5:16 PM | 11 Comments

Voice actor Shouzou Iizuka, best known for his roles as Keiichi Ikari in Mousou Dairinin (Paranoia Agent) and Nappa in Dragon Ball Z, died on February 15 at 9:14 a.m. from acute heart failure. He was 89. The funeral was held privately by his close relatives.

Born in Tokyo in May 1933, Iizuka moved to Iwaki City in Fukushima, where he lived until his high school graduation. While still a student at Nihon University's Fine Arts Department, he founded a theater company and staged plays throughout Japan. He began his voice acting career in 1965 and received his first major role as Ganger in Astroganger in 1972.

Iizuka's other notable roles include Genya Tachibana in Sennen Joyuu (Millenium Actress), Jinzouningen 8-gou and Mira-kun in the Dragon Ball series, Baraggan Louisenbairn in Bleach, Fudou and Heart in Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star), and Ryuu Jose in Kidou Senshi Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam). He also replaced Kenji Utsumi after his death as Genji Kamogawa in Hajime no Ippo: Rising.

Iizuka received the Merit Award as a voice actor at the 2022 Tokyo Anime Award Festival.

Source: Comic Natalie

Seiyuu Life Event

11 Comments Recent Comments

RIP Mr Izuka the original Nappa.

Mar 8, 2023 3:35 AM by Haneken2086

tis a pity for this death.

Mar 7, 2023 4:53 PM by Disapeared_Ghost

Rest in peace sir.

Mar 2, 2023 11:31 AM by Hirax

Rest in peace OG <3

Mar 1, 2023 11:21 AM by JVskunkape

RIP Legend you will always be remembered 😞

Mar 1, 2023 9:42 AM by Marcus5768

Another Dragon Ball legend gone....Lord knows I'm dreading the day when we have to say goodbye to em all, but in regards to Iizuka-san, I hope youre wonderful soul rests in peace sir

Mar 1, 2023 6:13 AM by Tokoya

What an awful way to start the day between Maon Kurosaki's passing and this. It's always sad to see a veteran go, though I had the feeling his health wasn't the best since he didn't get roles for an entire year and he was replaced by Tessho Genda in the last season of Nanatsu no Taizai. I really liked him as Baraggan, he knew to give the character the arrogance and power fitting the king of the Hollows. I also didn't know he was the first voice of Nappa.
May he rest in peace and condolences to his family.

Mar 1, 2023 3:25 AM by Illyricus

Rest in peace sir.

Mar 1, 2023 12:33 AM by Absurdo_N

I've watched so many animes that he was a part of that not only do I recognize the voice but also his picture. RIP

Mar 1, 2023 12:07 AM by CataOrShane

Rest in peace. Another veteran has passed away. I will never forget his brilliant voice acting from Dragon Ball Z, Hokuto no Ken, and Paranoia Agent.

Feb 28, 2023 9:36 PM by Adnash

We lost another veteran. Rest in peace.

Feb 28, 2023 7:38 PM by EndlessMaria