It’s with heavy hearts we report that Japanese voice actor Iemasa Kayumi has passed away, tragic news that was revealed this morning by Takeshi Yamanaka of Arc System Works and 81 Produce president Michiyoshi Minamisawa. This event reportedly occurred on September 30 while he was undergoing medical treatment.
While Kayumi was perhaps best known for his work as Guilty Gear’s Slayer, a role he reprised in the franchise’s most recent installment Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, he also provided his talents in a variety of video game and anime roles, including Street Fighter EX’s Shadowgeist, Mr. Big in the Art of Fighting animated series, One Piece’s Nefertari Cobra, James Black in Case Closed, Dragon Ball Z: The Legendary Super Saiyan’s Paragus, and many more.
The longtime voice artist also dubbed live-action movies, regularly taking on roles for actors such as Frank Sinatra, Sir Christopher Lee, James Stewart, and Sir Ian McKellan.
Our hearts go out to Kayuma’s family and friends during this trying time. May he rest in peace.
Sources: Takeshi Yamanaka, Gadget Tsūshin (via Hachima Kikō and Anime News Network), special thanks to ShinSyn for bringing this to our attention. Iemasa Kayumi photograph courtesy of 81 Produce.