News
Voice Actor Takeshi Aono Hospitalized After Stroke
posted on by Egan Loo
Fuji TV has announced on Saturday that 74-year-old voice actor Takeshi Aono remains in a hospital due to a stroke he suffered after surgery for aortic aneurysm. As a result, 55-year-old Bin Shimada will substitute for Aono as Tomozou Sakura — the grandfather of the title character in the Chibi Maruko-chan television anime series — starting with the episode that airs on Sunday.
According to Fuji TV, Aono was admitted to a hospital for surgery at the end of May, and was diagnosed with the cerebral infarction after the operation. While Aono's current condition is improving, the prospects for his return to work are uncertain.
Aono also plays Kami-sama and Dracule Mihawk on the Fuji TV anime series Dragon Ball Kai and One Piece, respectively, and Fuji TV is looking into recasting those roles as well. Among his many other roles, Aono played the science officer Shiro Sanada on Space Battleship Yamato, Piccolo (Parent) in the original Dragon Ball anime series, Tenchi's grandfather Katsuhito in Tenchi Muyo!, and Nurarihyon in various anime incarnations of Gegege no Kitarō.
Thanks to Evan Jacobson for the news tip.
Source: Sankei
Update: More background information added.
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