Tomomichi Nishimura, the voice actor known for roles including Coach Anzai in the anime Slam Dunk and Jorge Saotome in Yu Yu Hakusho, passed away on November 29. He was 79. The announcement was posted on the Arts Vision website on the 8th. In response, fellow voice actors who worked with him on Slam Dunk and Yu Yu Hakusho—including Shigeru Chiba, Megumi Ogata, and Ryotaro Okiayu—shared tributes via social media.

Ryotaro Okiayu, who played Hisashi Mitsui in Slam Dunk, wrote: “The news of Tomomichi Nishimura’s passing… for me, he was also my Coach Anzai. The last time we had the chance to work together was to commemorate the release of the Blu-ray BOX—was that about ten years ago now? The last time I saw him was for Ojarumaru. I will never forget his kind smile and his voice. My deepest condolences. ‘When you give up, that’s when the game ends.,’ after all.”

Shigeru Chiba, who voiced Kazuma Kuwabara in Yu Yu Hakusho, wrote: “Tomomichi Nishimura has departed on his journey. We were in the same theater troupe and worked together on many anime projects, and he always greeted me with a gentle smile. I sincerely pray for his soul. Thank you very much.”

Megumi Ogata, the voice of Kurama, reflected: “My debut work was Yu Yu Hakusho. From narration to the blue ogre… The fact that he was named ‘Jorge Saotome’ speaks to Nishimura-san’s character and virtue. He was a senior who taught me (sometimes firmly, sometimes gently) when I didn’t even know right from left. He would always call out, ‘Kurama! Long time no see!’ One of the few people I could truly lean on. From the bottom of my heart, I pray for his soul.”

Regarding the news of his passing, the website statement read: “Thank you very much for your continued warm support. Our agency talent, Tomomichi Nishimura (aged 79), who had been undergoing medical treatment for an illness, passed away on November 29, Reiwa 7.”

Nishimura was born on June 2, 1946. He was also known for voicing Al Robbins in the Japanese dub of the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation series, Mike in Ojarumaru, Mitsuyoshi Anzai in Slam Dunk, and Shibaraku Tsurugibe in Mashin Hero Wataru. On September 22, it had been reported that he would be taking a break for some time due to health issues.

Source : ORICON NEWS