Bleach, Naruto Voice Actor Takaya Hashi Dead at 72

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In the realm of anime, voice actor Takaya Hashi boasted a impressive list of achievements. Born in Japan in 1952, he lent his voice to some of the most prominent anime series, as well as major North American projects that found their way to Asia. Sadly, it was announced that Hashi, a legendary figure in the industry, had passed away at 72. Leaving behind a remarkable legacy and numerous characters in ongoing series, his absence is certain to be felt not only within the anime community but also beyond it.

Apte Pro, Takaya Kato’s talent agency, has shared some sad news: our company president and CEO, known professionally as Takaya Hashi, passed away on August 27, 2025, following a sudden heart attack at the age of 72. Famous for his voice acting roles such as Kakuzu from Naruto, Robert Accutrone in Bleach, Donovan Desmond in Spy x Family, Inuarashi in One Piece, Flint in Pokemon, and many others, Takaya Hashi left an indelible mark within the anime voice-over industry due to his vast experience and unwavering commitment to his characters.

Honoring Takaya Hashi

In addition to his extensive voice acting career in anime, Takaya has lent his voice to notable roles in the Japanese versions of popular North American productions such as Kim Possible’s Steven Barkin, Corpse Bride’s Finis Everglot, Alice in Wonderland’s Blue Caterpillar, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’s Goblin King, and several others. Beyond films and television shows, Takaya has also made significant contributions to the voice acting in video games.

Hashi has been a prominent figure in various video games like “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth”, “Octopath Traveler”, “Xenoblade Chronicles”, “Guilty Gear Strive”, “Monster Hunter Rise”, “Dragon Quest”, “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” and “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain”. Recently, there’s been news of his passing, but it’s unclear if his roles in ongoing anime series, such as “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War” and “Spy x Family”, will be recast. In the world of “Spy x Family”, Donovan Desmond plays a significant role, particularly in the upcoming story arcs.

Hashi began his voice acting career in iconic anime series such as Aura Battler Dunbine and Fist of the North Star, both released in the early 1980s. Since then, Takaya has been a consistent presence in the entertainment industry, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans of pop culture and those whose lives he touched.

Our thoughts are with Takaya Hashi’s friends and family during this difficult time.

Via Apte Pro

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2025-08-28 17:11