We here at TFW2005 are sad to inform you that Japanese Voice Actor Seizo Kato has passed away at the age of 86. Seizo Kato was the voice of Generation 1 Megatron and Galvatron in Japan, had a long, illustrious career and was also known for his additional roles as General Jark in Kamen Rider Black RX, Great Satan/Lokar in Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and Kiyonaga Matsumoto in the Detective Conan series.
Seizo Kato died of bladder cancer at a hospital in Itabashi, Tokyo. The staff of TFW2005 and its network offer our deepest condolences to his family.
cj37a
I recently got back in to transformers after decades. Just end of last year I picked up a reissue of the Takara G1 Galvatron Anime color, which does have Mr. Kato's voice. Part of the reason of the purchase was for the honor of having one of the great voice actors of transformers Megatron/Galvatron .. more, Mr. Kato, embodied with voice inside the physical character. The actor really does make the character as in the case of Mr. Kato. I feel the same way about Mr. Frank Welker, his American counter part. I was thinking about how old some of these voice actors are from my child hood just a day or so ago, and here I learn about the passing of Mr. Kato. He did many mand voice here and there (sometimes the detective from Lupin anime), but was most known for his major role as Megatron and Galvatron. He was a senior at Haikyo voice actor / actor group (haikyo.co.jp). Their main page notes his passing sadly in their news events.
弊社所属俳優 加藤 精三 儀 平成26年1月17日(金)11時40分、膀胱がんにより逝去いたしました。 ここに生前中のご厚誼を深謝し、謹んでご報告申し上げます。
cj37a
Google translate is limited.
" Kato Seizo's voice was really wonderful. I (was lucky / humbly received) the fun times as (he) when the leader Megatron. Together with my off the cuff sketch and scripture "I pray for his honarable soul" from my heart (Non-literal: may he rest in peace.)"
LegendAntihero
Me too although I'd probably buy an MP Galavatron anyway if Takara made one.
Stepper
I will get MP Galvatron in honor Seizo Kato,if Mr. Hasui do officially releases/announces them.
King Kaiser
R.I.P
LegendAntihero
Rest in peace my friend
D307
R.I.P.
conleyh2006
rip the tf world and family will miss you
Stepper
R.I.P Seizo Kato
T-Logicon
I wonder if he voiced the phrases in the Japanese galvatrons. (g1 toys)
Either way I'm sorry to hear of his passing.
MEGATRON2099
Rest In Peace
giga-galvatron
Loved his Galvatron voice in headmasters. He will be missed for sure
Necro Prime
That is a total shame. Rest in peace. Til All Are One.
Autovolt 127
Seizo Kato.
Bahamut Prime
Shockwave76
Poor guy, at least he's in a better place now…..
Btw he did an awesome Meg's voice in the Jap dub.
Satomiblood
I have minimal experience with his voicework, but I liked what I heard.
Sol Fury
Rest in peace
supervir2
That sentiment was my guess as well, though this could speak a little toward a new MP as well.
x BlackMagnus x
I copied the text in his tweet to Google translate and this is what I got.