Voice Actor Masaru Ikeda Passes Away at 83: Known for Yatterman, Sakura Wars, and Robert De Niro Dubs

Masaru Ikeda, the veteran Japanese voice actor known for his roles in Yatterman and Sakura Wars as well as numerous film dubs, has passed away at the age of 83. According to an official statement, Ikeda died at 4:15 p.m. on January 31 due to heart failure caused by a myocardial infarction. He was 83 years old.

The announcement read, “On Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 4:15 p.m., Masaru Ikeda, an actor affiliated with our association, passed away due to heart failure caused by a myocardial infarction. He was 83. In accordance with the wishes of the family, the funeral was held privately with close relatives only. We express our deepest gratitude for the kindness shown to him during his lifetime and respectfully inform you of his passing. We kindly ask that the media refrain from contacting or visiting the bereaved family.”

Ikeda was widely recognized for voicing Yatta One in Yatterman and Commander Yoneda in Sakura Wars. In addition to his anime work, he was highly active in Japanese dubbing. He provided the Japanese voice for Robert De Niro in films such as Midnight Run and Guilty by Suspicion, and dubbed Morgan Freeman in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

Full Official Statement

Masaru Ikeda, an actor affiliated with our association
On Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 4:15 p.m., he passed away due to heart failure caused by a myocardial infarction. He was 83 years old.
In accordance with the wishes of the family, the funeral was held privately with close relatives only. We express our deepest gratitude for the kindness shown to him during his lifetime and respectfully inform you of his passing. We kindly ask that the media refrain from contacting or visiting the bereaved family.
Tokyo Actor’s Consumer’s Cooperative Society
Chairman Yuji Yoneda

Source : ORICON NEWS