According to a statement released by her agency, the Tokyo Actors Cooperative Association, Ikeda “passed away peacefully at 12:27 p.m. On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, due to a cerebral hemorrhage.” The wake and funeral were held privately with close family members only, in accordance with the wishes of her relatives.
Masako Ikeda’s influence on Japanese anime is undeniable, having begun her career in the late 1940s. Her perform helped shape the landscape of voice acting for generations of fans, and her passing marks a significant loss for the industry.
Throughout her extensive career, Ikeda voiced numerous iconic characters. She is perhaps best known for her role as Maetel in the classic anime series Galaxy Express 999, a landmark title in anime history.
Beyond Galaxy Express 999, Ikeda also lent her voice to the character of the Queen in the Chimera Ant arc of Hunter x Hunter, and appeared in the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise as the mother of main character Amuro Ray.
Ikeda’s talents extended beyond anime, with involvement in various other projects including serials and video games, including several titles in the Final Fantasy series and other popular game projects.
She was also widely recognized as the Japanese dubbing voice for screen legend Audrey Hepburn in numerous film releases in Japan.
Throughout her career, Ikeda received numerous accolades for her contributions to the anime industry, including an Achievement Award at the Seiyu Awards and an honorary award from the Tokyo Anime Awards. The Tokyo Actors Cooperative released a statement expressing “deep gratitude for the support, guidance, and encouragement she received throughout her long career” and requested privacy for the family during this time, as reported by Reddit.
