“Emperor of Anime Songs” Ichiro Mizuki passes away from lung cancer

Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, voice actor, and actor Ichiro Mizuki 水木一郎, known as the "Emperor of Anime Songs," passed away on December 6th, 2022, at the age of 74. According to his agency, Mizuki died of lung cancer.

In a statement on his official website, his agency, Yellow Bird, said:

Ichiro Mizuki, a singer affiliated with our agency, passed away at 6:50 p.m. on December 6th, 2022, due to lung cancer.

We would like to express our sincere condolences as well as our deepest gratitude to all of you for your kindness and friendship during his life.

Born on January 7th, 1948, he was 74 years old.

Mizuki was in and out of the hospital repeatedly, undergoing radiotherapy and drug therapy, and had been fighting the disease for over 1 year and 7 months.

With metastasis in the brain and lymph nodes and meningeal dissemination, his condition was severe. However, he continued to work valiantly on his treatment and rehabilitation with the goal of being "active for life."

Even though he was no longer able to perform as he hoped to, Mizuki retained his strong will. He was still smiling on stage at his last concert on November 27th, 2022.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported Ichiro Mizuki throughout the years.
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Ichiro Mizuki's Official Website

Since his debut in 1968, Ichiro Mizuki sang countless anisong (anime song) hits for classic anime such as Mazinger Z and Captain Harlock, earning the nicknames "Aniki" (big brother) or "the emperor" of anisongs. He was also famous for tokusatsu songs in such works as the Kamen Rider series and many others. In his career spanning over half a century, he recorded over 1,200 songs for Japanese film, television, and video games, and he created the anisong band JAM Project in 2000.

Fans have taken to Twitter to express their sadness at Mizuki's passing. "I was hoping to see him healthy and full of energy again... But I'm sure he's having a blast in heaven," one wrote. Another stated: "I'm shocked and saddened by the news of his passing. I wanted to see him again." "I can't believe I won't be able to see Aniki again," wrote a third.

Ichiro Mizuki was a true legend in the world of anisongs and a shining light inspiring so many other artists and fans around the world. May he rest in peace.

By - grape Japan editorial staff.

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