Original voice of Doraemon Tomita Kosei dies at 84

The voice behind Japanese anime Doraemon died at the age of 84, his agency announced.

“Our company’s Tomita Kosei (age of death, 84) passed away on September 27 in the second year of Reiwa (2020) due to a stroke,” read a statement on the agency’s website.

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He voiced Doraemon in the original 1973 Doraemon series. He voiced Shunsaku Ban, also known as Mustachio (Higeoyaji) or Daddy Walrus, a character appearing in many of Osamu Tezuka’s productions. He was known for dubbing over Ernest Borgnine, Charles Durning, Burt Young, Lee J. Cobb and many more.

He also lent his voice to the Japanese dubbing of Mario (Bob Hoskins) in Super Mario Bros. (film). He received an Achievement Award at the 3rd Seiyu Awards.

He died of a stroke on September 27th, 2020, at the age of 84.

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Doraemon is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Fujiko Fujio, of the duo Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko. The series has also been adapted into a successful anime series and media franchise. The story revolves around an earless robotic cat named Doraemon, who travels back in time from the 22nd century to aid a boy named Nobita Nobi.

Meanwhile, Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada died in Paris after acquiring COVID-19, a spokesperson has announced. He was 81.

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Original voice behind Doraemon Tomita Kosei dies at 84

“Kenzo, who died at the American hospital on Sunday, was famous not only for his clothes but went on to create a global brand of perfume and skin products. At the time of his death, he was acting honorary president of the Asian Couture Federation,” the Guardian said in its report.

“When I left Japan in 1964, I thought my stay in France would be for six months. I am happy that this stay is still not finished, 50 years on,” Kenzo told FranceInfo in 2016.

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, tweeted her “immense sadness” about Kenzo’s death.

“He was a creator of immense talent and gave colour and light their place in fashion. Paris cries today for one of its sons,” she wrote.