'Slam Dunk' voice actor Tomomichi Nishimura passes on at 79
By Poch Eulalia
Tomomichi Nishimura was best known for providing the voice for characters from iconic anime series like "Slam Dunk" and "Yu Yu Hakusho (Ghost Fighter)."
Nishimura had been an active voice actor since the '70s. He will always be remembered for lending his voice to characters such as Coach Anzai ("Slam Dunk"), the narrator for "Yu Yu Hakusho", Captain T-Bone ("One Piece"), and Ōnoki ("Naruto Shippuden"). For Japanese gamers, he is also remembered as the voice of Akuma and M. Bison from the "Street Fighter" franchise. He had also provided voices in Studio Ghibli classics like "Castle in the Sky" and "Kiki's Delivery Service."
The news of his passing was announced by talent agency Arts Vision on their website. The statement reads: “Thank you very much for your continued warm support. Our agency talent, Tomomichi Nishimura (aged 79), who had been undergoing medical treatment for an illness, passed away on Nov. 29, Reiwa 7.” Fellow voice actors from some of his shows have since paid tribute.