Veteran Japanese voice actor Naoki Bandō passed away on September 28 at the age of 69. His talent agency, Production Ace, formally announced his passing, confirming that the performer had been undergoing medical treatment prior to his death. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Bandō brought memorable personality and gravity to dozens of animated roles, video games, and foreign film localizations.
Bandō was best known to modern anime fans for his performance in LEVEL-5's flagship franchise, voicing the mechanical feline Robonyan alongside numerous supporting characters in Yo-kai Watch. Universal Century Gundam enthusiasts also recognized his voice work as Torenov Y. Minovsky in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin and Vargas Dyson in Mobile Suit Gundam AGE. His dynamic vocal range extended across classic mecha series as well, including Guard Star in The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird and Silvarion in The Brave of Gold Goldran.
Prolific Career Across Anime & Games
His expansive body of work covered pivotal roles across multiple generations of anime and gaming history:
- Gato in Naruto
- Centichoro (Elder Centipede) in One-Punch Man
- Kintetsu Oosawagi in Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku
- Lord Emon in ICO Studio's classic video game Shadow of the Colossus
- Larikush in Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean
Beyond Japanese animation and gaming, Bandō maintained a prominent presence as a Japanese dubbing artist for high-profile Western television shows and feature films. He lent his voice to Japanese localizations for ER, 24, Casino Royale, and The Matrix. Bandō's distinct vocal presence and immense dedication to character work leave an enduring legacy across the global industry.
Official statements were made available on Production Ace and Oricon News.
