Chikao Ohtsuka (Tao Pai Pai) Passes Away at 85

[Gyt Kaliba]

via ANN

I had at first completely forgotten about him having played Tao, being much more familiar with his work as Goemon in the Lupin III franchise, but as soon as I remembered that role, I decided to check and see if anyone had posted about it here yet. He was also Gold Roger in One Piece, Eggman in Sonic the Hedgehog, and Big Boss in the Metal Gear franchise, amongst a long resume of other roles.

Like I said, I mainly know him for his Lupin role, and admittedly it wasn't one of my absolute favorite performances in the franchise...but his contribution to the characterization of Goemon is undeniable. What I can remember of his Tao was impressive as well, having brought the first truly overpowering villain in the series to life excellently. Godspeed Mr. Ohhtsuka, you'll be missed.

[Valerius Dover]

Dr. Eggman-Sama will never be the same.....no one else could do that laugh.

[kei17]

Now the voices of the characters from Mutaito's era are all gone... I'm so sad. Otsuka was one of my favorite seiyuu.

[TheBlackPaladin]

Very sad. My introduction to him was through the Japanese version of Sonic X, and I heard in him in a number of other roles that I liked. He was so skilled at both dramatic and comedic roles. May he rest in peace.

[Hellspawn28]

Dr. Eggman-Sama will never be the same.....no one else could do that laugh.

I have to agree. It's a shame to see a lot of great voice actors who work on anime during the Showa era starting to die out . I also thought Ohtsuka did a good job on Tao Pai Pai.

[Puto]

Eggman will never be the same again. Rest in peace, Mr Ōtsuka. Rest in peace.

[Ryuman]

Yes, I was not expecting such terrible news. This has been one of the more hard-hitting deaths out of this past year or so to me, as I'm very familiar and fond of his work. Many of the characters he was still involved with just won't be the same. Rest in peace.

[Cure Dragon 255]

NOOOOO!!!!

I will miss him. He truly was one of a kind.

[MagicBox]

This is a big one. This one hits hard.

Just like with my Dragon Ball DVDs, I immediately switch my Sonic The Hedgehog games to the original Japanese track when I play them. I've been listening to Ōtsuka as Dr. Eggman for years. And of course, Goku and Arale VS TaoPaiPai is one of my all-time favorite fights in the series. I've watched those scenes more times than I can count. He was also Piemon and Apoclymon in Digimon Adventure, one of my favorite shows.

"Gran Death Big Bang!"

Such a loss, but what a legacy. I'll cherish the various Dragon Ball episodes/movies/games he was a part of, along with the rest of his work. RIP.

[goku262002]

I didn't know him soo much as Tao, but I knew him as Dr. Eggman and Dr. Weil (From Megaman Zero).

Jesus this is just stunning, I knew he was getting up there in age but I didn't think he'd pass soo soon. Oh man...

[dbboxkaifan]

Aw not him too.

I never heard Sonic in Japanese (I did watch a few Sonic X eps in Japanese but not much) since the English dub (SA, SA2, S06, SC, SG, SLW) felt like what was the 'original' language of it and so I don't feel like it'll change anything for the English Dr. Eggman's. It does kinda suck they replaced the original Sonic VA with someone else, but he's pretty good and I've gotten used to his Sonic so it's all right.

Toei's gonna have to do a recast sooner or later but it's important that Masako, Horikawa and Furukawa are kept as long as possible (unless they decide to retire or health issues) because they're just irreplaceable.

[Lord Beerus]

Man this is tragic.

I don't think we will ever find another who could voice Tao Pai Pai or Dr Eggman like he did.

RIP.

[ConfusedPhantom]

Oh, man. ._. Rest in peace, Chikao Otsuka. You will be sorely missed.

[Kamiccolo9]

Wow, I've never seen Sonic or the RRA episodes in Japanese, but this guy was also Dr. Weil from Mega Man Zero, and Jinpachi Mishima, 2 of the most memorable final boss fights I've had in years of video gaming. R.I.P.

[Ajay]

Damn, that really sucks. He was an absolutely fantastic actor.

He will be sorely missed. At least Akio Ōtsuka will be carrying his name for many years to come still.

RIP.

[DarkPrince_92]

Damn... Tao Pai Pai. R.I.P to the world's greatest assassin.

On my Birthday too...

[SSJ God Gogeta]

This is a sad day indeed.

R.I.P Chikao Ohtsuka, You will be missed.

[ChibiGoku]

It's worth noting that I think Sonic Boom (or Sonic Toon in Japan) may be Chikao Ohtsuka's last role that he voiced, which was released last month. A real shame that game may end up being his final work...

At any rate, it's really disheartening to hear about his passing. He was a very talented voice actor and I've gotten to hear him in various roles over the years. I think my favorite role of his that I liked would absolutely have to be Eggman. Having been playing the games in Sonic in Japanese since around 2000 or 2001 (as well as being my first exposure to him), I grew to really like his voice, as well as his iconic "Ohohoho!" laugh that he did in the role. To me, he was always Eggman, despite the great efforts made by Mike Pollock and the rest. It's going to be very strange hearing Eggman in the future without Ohtsuka handling him, especially since the new voice actor will definitely have a tall order to fill.

I give my best regards to his friends and family, as well as all the people who have worked with him all over the years. May he rest in peace.

[Super Sonic]

Never could get used to the Sonic games in Japanese, but know the feeling as after Deem Bristow passed away wasn't sure about good Eggmans. Nothing against Mr. Pollack, but Mr. Bristow made that role. Same in regards to Jim Cummings and the late Long John Baldry. (They made those roles their own as well, but different from the Eggman we know nowadays). Didn't know he was Tao Pai Pai. RIP.

[FortuneSSJ]

RIP Chikao Ohtsuka.
Thank you for your hardwork.