Veteran voice actor Takaya Hashi, whose career spanned anime, film, and dubbing, has passed away from a heart attack on August 27 at the age of 72. The news was confirmed by Apte Pro, the talent agency where he also served as company president and CEO.
Born in Tokyo on September 8, 1952, Hashi built a career which ran for more than four decades. His roles are recognizable by multiple generations of fans, with some of them including: Toki in Fist of the North Star, Kakuzu in Naruto, Dogstorm/Inuarashi in One Piece, James Black in Detective Conan, Donovan Desmond in SPY×FAMILY, and Vearn in Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai.
Some fans may also know him as the Japanese voice of Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, originally portrayed by Alan Rickman. Hashi was also the dubbing voice for Rickman and Alec Baldwin in numerous other projects.
In its announcement, Apte Pro wrote:
“It is with great sadness that we inform you that our company President and CEO, Takaya Kato (stage name: Takaya Hashi), passed away suddenly in the morning of August 27, 2025, due to a myocardial infarction [heart attack]. He was 72.”
Source: Apte Pro Official Website
Featured image:
SPY x FAMILY © Tatsuya Endo, Shueisha / Spy x Family Project
Fist of the North Star ©Buronson, Tetsuo Hara, Coamix / Fist of the North Star Production Committee
Naruto ©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN
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