Genzo Wakayama, voice of Ansem the Wise, passes away at 88

[Oracle Spockanort]

Genzo Wakayama, best known by Kingdom Hearts fans as the Japanese voice actor of Ansem the Wise, passed away on May 18th, 2021 at the age of 88. His family held a private memorial service for him.

Wakayama was best known for his Japanese dub work for actors Sean Connery, Gene Barry, Peter Graves, and Raymond Burr. He also had a prolific career as a disk jockey on TBS Radio from 1973-1995 He also narrated Abarenbo Shogun from 1978-2003. 

Source: Anime News Network

 

[Rob]

This hurts so much. Wakayama's performance as Ansem The Wise was so amazing. My favorite line from him comes from the Birth by Sleep Japanese commercial that begins with the iconic PSP logo with the *do do* sound then with him saying "Subete wa nemuri kara umareru" then Hikari starts playing. That was my favorite BBS commercial and I would rewatch every night until the game released. This applies to the final Jump Fest trailer which released before that as well and is my favorite BBS trailer and KH trailer as a whole.

His last KH role was in Melody of Memory. I'm going to be rewatching that scene a lot now.

Thank you, Wakayama. RIP

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

This hurts so much. Wakayama's performance as Ansem The Wise was so amazing. My favorite line from him comes from the Birth by Sleep Japanese commercial that begins with the iconic PSP logo with the *do do* sound then with him saying "Subete wa nemuri kara umareru" then Hikari starts playing. That was my favorite BBS commercial and I would rewatch every night until the game released. This applies to the final Jump Fest trailer which released before that as well and is my favorite BBS trailer and KH trailer as a whole.

His last KH role was in Melody of Memory. I'm going to be rewatching that scene a lot now.

Thank you, Wakayama. RIP

Gosh that is absolutely burned in my brain ;~;

 

[Zettaflare]

Rest in Peace. I always thought he was excellent as Ansem the Wise

 

[Absent]

Rest In Peace.

 

[WaltK]

This hurts so much. Wakayama's performance as Ansem The Wise was so amazing. My favorite line from him comes from the Birth by Sleep Japanese commercial that begins with the iconic PSP logo with the *do do* sound then with him saying "Subete wa nemuri kara umareru" then Hikari starts playing. That was my favorite BBS commercial and I would rewatch every night until the game released. This applies to the final Jump Fest trailer which released before that as well and is my favorite BBS trailer and KH trailer as a whole.

His last KH role was in Melody of Memory. I'm going to be rewatching that scene a lot now.

Thank you, Wakayama. RIP

This one, right?

So much nostalgia.

RIP

 

[Recon]

Wow, super sad to hear. Let’s pray he’s in a better place now.

Do you think they will find someone else to do Ansem the Wise’s voice lines (if that character’s role is still needed)?

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

This one, right?

So much nostalgia.

RIP

Damn...damn this takes me back. ;A; I know it all by heart still.

Wow, super sad to hear. Let’s pray he’s in a better place now.

Do you think they will find someone else to do Ansem the Wise’s voice lines (if that character’s role is still needed)?

I think they will recast. It seemed like they were going to keep the Radiant Garden scientists relevant to the future story...

 

[Guernsey]

I am really sorry that this happened. My condolences to his family,friends and co-workers.