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Industry Shares Messages After Digimon Singer's Passing

Kōji Wada's passing on April 3 touched Digimon fans and colleagues alike. The 42-year-old "Butter-Fly" singer passed away from cancer in his upper pharynx, a disease he had battled since a malignant tumor was discovered there and on a lymph node in his neck in 2003.

The following are comments posted on Twitter from Wada's colleagues upon hearing the news of his passing.

Kōji Wada, you did a good job. I wish for your happiness in the next world from the bottom of my heart. Please have a peaceful rest.

-Junya Enoki (Digimon Adventure tri.'s Takeru Takaishi)

Hearing about Kōji Wada's death, my heart is filled with grief. As someone involved in Digimon Adventure and as a fan myself, I've been saved by, and given dreams and strength through Wada's song "Butter-fly" as well as his other songs. I hold pride in the fact that we lived at the same time, and held dreams in the same work.

-Junya Ikeda (Digimon Adventure tri.'s Jō Kido)

I only had the chance to meet Kōji Wada once in person, but... Good job up until now. He performed the theme song for "Digimon Frontier," a work I participated mid-way in. I'm happy to have been able to hear his singing voice live.

-Ryōtarō Okiayu (Digimon Frontier's RhodoKnightmon)

It appears that Kōji Wada has passed away... I provided the composition for the Digimon Savers opening theme song, "Hirari." I remember how happy I was to meet him at the 2014 Anisama concert. It's such a shame. I wish for his happiness in the afterlife.

-IKUO (bassist for BULL ZEICHEN 88, Cube-Ray, Rayflower,The Choppers Revolution)

I heard that Kōji Wada passed away. I think he was a part of not just mine, but many people's childhood. I love Wada's voice; it was one that gave courage to so many people. I wish for his happiness in the afterlife.

-Minami Takahashi (voice actress, Trefle idol)

I heard of Kōji Wada's passing. Trefle's major debut single was a cover of "Butter-Fly." He even gave us a direct message on the CD's obi band, even though he was ill. I will continue to sing this song with the greatest care. I wish for his happiness in the afterlife.

-Yukari Goto (voice actress, Trefle idol)

I will listen to "Butter-Fly." I always have, and I always will. Forever. I wish for your happiness in the afterlife.

-Hiroki Yasumoto (Digimon: Data Squad's Franz Norstein)

Kōji Wada. Do you know how many people around the world continue to receive support by listening to your singing voice? You are the anime song singer I respect, and my real-life hero.

-Halko Momoi (singer)

Kōji Wada was 42 and from Kyoto. He was the exact same age as me, and from the same place... It's such a shame to lose someone so young. I know I'm at an age where I could also die at any time, but it really is too soon. I wish for your happiness in the afterlife.

-Hiroyuki Hashimoto (director, Is the order a rabbit?)

After seeing the news about [Wada's] passing, I can't help but think that it's such a shame. I give my deepest sympathy.

-Ichirō Mizuki (singer, Mazinger Z franchise)

Kōji Wada has been called to heaven. He was a very peaceful and kind person. I want to sing together again.

R.I.P.

-Masami Okui (singer, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Di Gi Charat, Shirobako)

I worked together with Kōji Wada many times during concerts and recordings.

I remember very clearly when we had a huge snowball fight despite our age in Shinjuku where the snow had piled up right after a meeting there in the middle of winter.

I won't forget your unique singing voice, that almost sounded like you were squeezing out everything you had.

-IMAJO (Psychic Lover guitarist)

Kōji Wada, thank you for all the effort you put in fighting your illness for so long. This is the same singer Wada that gulped down Wadaya sake, I won't forget that. I won't forget when you asked us to sing "Butter-fly" together. Please sing your favorite song in heaven!! It's heartbreaking to think I won't see your smiling face.

-Yoshiyuki "Yoffy" Wada (Psychic Lover vocalist)

I'll never forget the excitement of the large chorus when "Butter-fly" was performed at Anisama 2014. I wish for your happiness in the afterlife.

-Maon Kurosaki (singer, The Fruit of Grisaia, Highschool of the Dead)

Wada's agency Solid Vox will hold a "Wada Kouji Owakare no Kai" (Kōji Wada Farewell Event) event for his fans. The event will take place in Tokyo in the latter half of this month. Solid Vox will announce more details on the event on Wada's official website at a later date.

[Via Animate.tv]