Sometimes an actor owns a role so completely that they become forever linked to the character that they play. They might embody them so well that they end up playing them for decades to come. We’re seen that happen with Mark Hamill for example and his turn as The Joker. But if there’d anyone who can rise above that example, It’s Masako Nozawa, the voice behind Goku in all of his forms through the “Dragon Ball” franchise. So profound is her performance that she’s been officially recognized by the Japanese government in a Cultural Merit award; the first voice actor to be given that honor.
Nozawa’s resume goes well beyond the world of “Dragon Ball,” she has a list of credits that go back into the 1960s and has not let up across six decades. Even in “Dragon Ball” itself her work goes beyond Goku as she also plays the voices of Goku’s family, including his father Bardock and kids, Gohan and Goten. Between all of her performances, she has been a powerhouse in the voice acting industry, so it’s extremely fitting that she become the first voice actor to receive the Prestigious Person of Cultural Merit Recognition.
The honor of this achievement and the attention it brings to the voice acting community was not lost on Nozawa. “I understand this honor is one I receive on behalf of the voice acting community,” Nozawa said. “I feel immense pride that the spotlight of this award shines not only on myself, but also on my seniors, my peers, and the younger generation who will venture into the future of voice acting.”
She will be formally awarded in a ceremony on November 3rd along with other honorees. At 88 years old, she’s still going strong, and continues to lend her voice to projects in the world of film, games, and television. We congratulate her on her career, recognition, and contributions to the world of entertainment.
