What happens when Masako Nozawa passes away in the future?

[precita]

Masako Nozawa is 79 years old. She may only be able to voice Goku for about 5 more years before serious health complications cause her to retire, even if she lives to 100 years old. We've already seen it happen with King Kai's Japanese VA. She probably won't be able to do Goku's screaming or performances even if for much longer.

Japan has known Masako Nozawa as Goku for over 30 years. Will they be able to accept a new person voicing Goku when Masako Nozawa passes away? Or will this cause TOEI to wrap up Dragonball Super and let the series rest?

I assume the videogames/merch will continue but they can just re-use old Goku sound clips for those. But will they end the anime series once more?

[JulieYBM]

There will be a new actor auditioned as quickly as possible.

This is not a complex or necessary discussion to have

[precita]

There will be a new actor auditioned as quickly as possible.

This is not a complex or necessary discussion to have

I wouldn't think replacing Goku's iconic voice after 30 years would ever be that easy, especially for Japanese fans.

[ToxicFlame707]

They will probably have a Fast 7 goodbye episode for Goku.

I never really got attached to Goku's Japanese VA until DBSuper came out since it's not in English yet, I'd be speacheless if she died.

[JulieYBM]

It is going to happen no matter what. The same thing happems to other roles all the time. Just like with Nagai Ichirou.

[Marjo]

It will be sad for me because she has a distinctive voice for a female Japanese voice actress as opposed to the rest...

Too bad same wont be said for Sean Schemale, once he kicks the bucket.

[Xeztin]

With all respect, they won't stop the show because of a voice actor and even though it may take some time getting used to, she would be replaced immediately just like Kaio. They'll probably try to find to closest voice to hers though.

[Hellspawn28]

Masako Nozawa will always be remember as Goku on no matter who they replace for Goku.

[ekrolo2]

She'll get replaced, some will throw decades-long bitch fits at the audacity of her being replaced, other will simply move on, but many a "This new actor/actress sucks" and "is the new actor/actress as good as Nozawa" debates shall rage on ad infinitum.

[DBZAOTA482]

Dragon Ball gets cancelled.

[trick007z]

They'll get someone to imitate her close enough that most won't pick up on subtle differences. Some will complain. Whatever, it's how this stuff goes. Hopefully this is a far in the future thing.

[Chuquita]

Somehow I wouldn't be surprised if she already has a personally-taught understudy for Gokû.

Nozawa has her own voice studio of sorts, doesn't she?

[Mnich]

It will be like a big fu*king punch right in the face. I know she's not getting younger but I hope she will voice Goku as long as possible. After that I just want a very, very, very, very similar voice to Masako Nozawa.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

If TOEI is serious about Super being another long running shonen anime, and not just ending after the Champa arc I'd imagine there's already been talks about what they will do in the inevitable circumstance something happens to Nozawa.

It would certainly be wise if they have considered holding auditions to find a back-up actor that knows the character well and can replicate Nozawa's work as faithfully as possible.

There's no doubt it will be a difficult void to fill, it would be like Simpsons fans having to accept someone other than Dan Castellaneta voice Homer, but then again it just goes to show some things in life are simply beyond anyone's control.

[Sandubadear]

They'll get someone to imitate her close enough that most won't pick up on subtle differences. Some will complain. Whatever, it's how this stuff goes. Hopefully this is a far in the future thing.

I think this is what will happen. For example, the casual fan (me included) wouldn't be able to tell the difference between current Kaio and Kaio from back in Z if I hadn't read about the recasting here.

[TheBlackPaladin]

It will be very, very sad when she passes, but there's no way Toei will cancel the Dragon Ball franchise because of that. Iconic characters have new actors assume the role as time goes on, that is always how it has been. Heck, even in the Dragon Ball franchise--with both dubs and the original version--voice actors have been replaced when the original one dies.

[successoroffate]

This is...like the 1234567th post about Nozawa dying...

[Lord Beerus]

Toei will just find another voice actor. It will be a tragic day when Nozawa passess away, but honestly I don't even want to talk about it. I'd rather spend more of my time appreciating the fantastic voice acting that Nozawa is continuing to provide for Dragon Ball than thinking about what happens when she dies. Life is too short to thinking about death. Let's spend more of our time enjoying Nozawa now, than contemplating what happen when dies.

[Cipher]

The Dragon Ball cast has some relatively elderly actors, and most voices have remained consistent through the franchise's entire thirty-year life-span as an animated property, so I suppose it's only natural to have these discussions, especially in the midst of new material, but ...

I'm not sure what answer anyone wants except the most obvious: A similar replacement actor would be hired, which doesn't diminish what an enormous loss that would be.

[precita]

This is...like the 1234567th post about Nozawa dying...

She's nearly 80 years old. What do you think?

As I said in my first post, even if she lives to 100 years old, she may still have health issues that prevent her from voicing acting giving her an early retirement. If Super goes on another 5 years its a very real possibility.