Tomomichi Nishimura, the celebrated Japanese voice actor famed for bringing iconic Street Fighter characters Akuma and M.
Bison to life, has passed away at the age of 79.
The news was formally confirmed by his agency, Arts Vision, in a statement published earlier today.
According to the official announcement, Nishimura died on November 29, 2025, following a period of illness for which specific details were not disclosed.
Nishimura’s extensive career has left an unforgettable impact on both the video game community and the wider world of anime.
Renowned among Nintendo Switch and multi-platform gaming audiences, his voice became synonymous with some of Capcom’s most legendary fighting franchises.
His performances as Akuma and M.
Bison (referred to as Vega in Japan) spanned numerous Street Fighter games, including Street Fighter Alpha 1–3, Street Fighter III: Third Strike, X-Men vs.
Street Fighter, and the Street Fighter EX series.
These characters—brought to life through his powerful and nuanced delivery—became fan favorites within gaming circles and eSports communities worldwide. Born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on June 2, 1946, Nishimura’s talents extended far beyond gaming.
He was a notable figure in the anime industry, credited with narrating the popular series YuYu Hakusho, voicing Tsuchikage Onoki in Naruto, Coach Mitsuyoshi Anzai in Slam Dunk, and the Titan leader Jamitov Hymem in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.
His multifaceted career further included roles dubbing major international films for Japanese audiences, such as providing the voice for Winston Wolfe (originally played by Harvey Keitel) in "Pulp Fiction." Nishimura’s contributions to the gaming landscape were not confined to fighting games.
He lent his voice talents to a variety of other titles, such as Hot Shots Golf (known internationally as Everybody’s Golf), where he voiced the beloved character Suzuki, as well as roles in Judgment (Mitsugu Matsugane) and Ghost of Tsushima (Gyozen).
These credits reflect his versatility and enduring influence on character-driven storytelling within interactive entertainment. Arts Vision, his management agency, previously announced in September 2025 that Nishimura would take a hiatus from voice acting due to health concerns.
The gaming and anime community responded with an outpouring of support, highlighting the deep respect and admiration he earned throughout his decades-long career. Tomomichi Nishimura’s legendary voice work across Capcom titles, Nintendo Switch releases, and leading anime series has left an indelible mark on both the video game and animation industries.
His absence will be deeply felt among fans and colleagues alike.
The thoughts of the gaming community remain with Nishimura’s family, friends, and countless admirers during this difficult time.
Bison to life, has passed away at the age of 79.
The news was formally confirmed by his agency, Arts Vision, in a statement published earlier today.
According to the official announcement, Nishimura died on November 29, 2025, following a period of illness for which specific details were not disclosed.
Nishimura’s extensive career has left an unforgettable impact on both the video game community and the wider world of anime.
Renowned among Nintendo Switch and multi-platform gaming audiences, his voice became synonymous with some of Capcom’s most legendary fighting franchises.
His performances as Akuma and M.
Bison (referred to as Vega in Japan) spanned numerous Street Fighter games, including Street Fighter Alpha 1–3, Street Fighter III: Third Strike, X-Men vs.
Street Fighter, and the Street Fighter EX series.
These characters—brought to life through his powerful and nuanced delivery—became fan favorites within gaming circles and eSports communities worldwide. Born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on June 2, 1946, Nishimura’s talents extended far beyond gaming.
He was a notable figure in the anime industry, credited with narrating the popular series YuYu Hakusho, voicing Tsuchikage Onoki in Naruto, Coach Mitsuyoshi Anzai in Slam Dunk, and the Titan leader Jamitov Hymem in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.
His multifaceted career further included roles dubbing major international films for Japanese audiences, such as providing the voice for Winston Wolfe (originally played by Harvey Keitel) in "Pulp Fiction." Nishimura’s contributions to the gaming landscape were not confined to fighting games.
He lent his voice talents to a variety of other titles, such as Hot Shots Golf (known internationally as Everybody’s Golf), where he voiced the beloved character Suzuki, as well as roles in Judgment (Mitsugu Matsugane) and Ghost of Tsushima (Gyozen).
These credits reflect his versatility and enduring influence on character-driven storytelling within interactive entertainment. Arts Vision, his management agency, previously announced in September 2025 that Nishimura would take a hiatus from voice acting due to health concerns.
The gaming and anime community responded with an outpouring of support, highlighting the deep respect and admiration he earned throughout his decades-long career. Tomomichi Nishimura’s legendary voice work across Capcom titles, Nintendo Switch releases, and leading anime series has left an indelible mark on both the video game and animation industries.
His absence will be deeply felt among fans and colleagues alike.
The thoughts of the gaming community remain with Nishimura’s family, friends, and countless admirers during this difficult time.
