Obituary: Genzo Wakayama, a voice actor known for dubbing James Bond as Sean Connery in "007" and as the wise anthem in "Kingdom Hearts II," passed away. He was 88 years old.

GENZO WAKAYAMA, a voice actor known for dubbing James Bond (Sean Connery) and Diz / Sage Anthem in the game "Kingdom Hearts II," died of heart failure at his home in Tokyo on May 18, 2021, according to reports in various newspapers. The funeral service will be held only with his relatives, and no farewell party is planned.

Mr. Wakayama was born in Otomari-cho, Sakhalin in 1932.
In 1952, he joined NHK's Sapporo Broadcasting Theater Company, and after leaving the company in 1957 and moving to Tokyo, he became a full-time voice actor, appearing in numerous radio, TV, and film productions.

From 1973 to 1995, he was the personality for 22 years on the TBS radio program "Wakayama Genzo no Tokyo Dial 954" (originally "It's 5:00, Good evening!"), which set a new record for the number of consecutive broadcasts.

In dubbing, he has starred as Sean Connery in the 007 series and others.
Inspector Oni Ironside," "New York Dad," "Operation Spy," and many others.

He has narrated many period dramas, including "Rorenbo Shogun.
He was active in a wide range of radio, TV, animated TV shows, theatrical cartoons, and video games.

May he rest in peace.