Talent agency 81 Produce announced on Monday that veteran voice actor Ryūji Nakagi, whose real name was Fumio Nakamoto, passed away on October 20 due to pneumonia. He was 89 years old.
Ryūji Nakagi (Credits: 81 Produce)
Nakagi built a long and respected career across anime spanning several decades, lending his deep, commanding voice to a string of memorable supporting characters. He is best remembered by fans for roles such as Gōzō Yūtenji in Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl, Tokuo Nakagawa in Oishinbo, Sakuma in Patlabor, and Rupert in Master Keaton.
Ryuji Nakagi’s Career Spanned Anime Classics of the 80s and 90s
While he may not have headlined many series, Nakagi was one of those steady character actors whose presence made every production feel grounded. His filmography reads like a map of anime history, touching beloved titles across multiple generations of viewers.
Beyond the roles above, he voiced Seiji in Silent Service and Krusenstern in The Legend of the Galactic Heroes, two franchises with fiercely loyal followings. Colleagues and fans have long praised his ability to give weight to mentors, officials, and elder figures with very little screen time.
Fans and 81 Produce Pay Tribute
The announcement from 81 Produce was met with an outpouring of condolences from fans across Japan and beyond. On social media, viewers shared clips of his most iconic moments, remembering a voice that helped define the sound of classic anime for a generation.
Nakagi’s passing marks the loss of another veteran from anime’s golden decades. His work in Yawara!, Patlabor, Oishinbo and The Legend of the Galactic Heroes remains streaming-accessible, giving new audiences the chance to discover the performances he left behind.
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Source: Anime News Network — read the full story there.
