Creating beloved anime series is a collaborative effort, and voice actors are essential in shaping memorable characters. Masako Ikeda was a particularly influential voice actress who brought personality to iconic franchises like Hunter x Hunter, Mobile Suit Gundam, and Galaxy Express 999. Sadly, Ikeda passed away at the age of 87 after a long and successful career, but her contributions to the anime world will continue to be celebrated.
Masako Ikeda, the actress, passed away earlier this week at the age of 87 due to a cerebral hemorrhage. The Tokyo Actors Cooperative announced her death, stating she passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026. A private wake and funeral were held with close family members, respecting the family’s wishes. The cooperative expressed gratitude for the years of support Ikeda received and requested that people refrain from contacting the family for interviews or condolences.
The Legendary Resume of Masako Ikeda
Masako Ikeda voiced many memorable characters in anime, and for those unfamiliar with her work, there’s a lot to explore. She played the Chimera Ant Queen in Hunter x Hunter, a key villain who sparked a frightening challenge for Gon and Killua. She also appeared in the very first Mobile Suit Gundam series as Amuro’s mother. However, Ikeda is perhaps best known for her work in a beloved classic anime that helped introduce a generation to the medium.
Masako Ikeda is best known for voicing Maetel in the classic anime series Galaxy Express 999, which first aired in 1978. The show, produced by Toei Animation, is widely considered a landmark achievement in anime history. While there aren’t currently any new anime installments, the manga had a revival from 2018 to 2025. Though Masako may no longer be able to voice the character, her work as Maetel remains incredibly iconic.
Ikeda also lent her voice to a variety of other anime series, including Devilman, Ultraman, Ranma 1/2, and Silent Mobius. Beyond anime, she was a prominent voice actress in video games, with significant roles in franchises like Final Fantasy, Valkyria Revolution, Dissidia, and Kingdom Hearts.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Masako Ikeda during this difficult time.
Via Haikyo
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2026-03-13 17:44