The website for the Sports Nippon newspaper reported on Tuesday that Crayon Shin-chan voice actor Rokuro Naya passed away on Monday. He was 82.

Naya was born in Tokyo and he was a member of a theatrical troupe until he made his voice acting debut in 1969 with Yōkai Ningen Bem. Over the years he has played many anime roles such as Crayon Shin-chan's Enchou-sensei, Saint Seiya's Aquarius Camus, Eureka Seven AO's Christophe Blanc, One Piece's Haredas, Yu Yu Hakusho's Sensui, Kite's Kanie, Zatch Bell's Professor Nazonazo, Psychic Detective Yakumo's Hideyoshi Hata, Black Cat's Maison Ondrosso, Hikaru no Go's Honinbou Kuwabara, Giant Robo's Koushin Chin Sanzan, and Batman: Gotham Knight's Lt. James Gordon. He also voiced dub roles in Western films and foreign dramas, such as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in NCIS , Christopher Henderson in 24 , and King of the Dead in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King .

Naya was awarded a Merit Award at the 8th Annual Seiyū Awards in February. The Merit Awards are given to voice actors who have contributed to many genres, including foreign works, over the years.

Naya was the younger brother of Goro Naya, who was the original voice actor for Inspector Zenigata in the long-running Lupin III anime franchise. Goro passed away in March 2013. The two brothers often acted together in the same series.

[Via 0takomu]