Goku’s voice actor receives one of Japan’s highest cultural honors

by

Okay, so this is HUGE news for Dragon Ball fans! Masako Nozawa, the woman who *is* Goku’s voice – seriously, she’s voiced him for decades – just became one of Japan’s Persons of Cultural Merit. What’s even cooler is she’s the first voice actor *ever* to get this award. It’s a massive honor, and honestly, totally deserved. She *is* Goku!

According to Crunchyroll, the 88-year-old actress will receive an award from the Japanese government for her lifelong dedication to the country’s arts and culture. The award ceremony, scheduled for November 4, 2025, will be attended by the Prime Minister and Emperor of Japan.

Japan’s Person of Cultural Merit is a prestigious national honor given each year to people who have made outstanding contributions to fields like art, literature, and music. Those who receive this award are recognized for their lifelong dedication to Japanese culture and receive an annual government pension of about 3.5 million yen (around $23,000 USD) for the rest of their lives.

Goku voice actor wins Person of Cultural Merit award

Veteran voice actor Nozawa has been chosen to continue her work after a remarkable career spanning over 60 years. She originally voiced Goku in the 1986 anime and has since become beloved for portraying Gohan and Goten, making her an essential part of the hugely popular Dragon Ball franchise.

In a heartfelt statement shared following the announcement, Nozawa said:

I’m deeply honored to receive this award, and I see it as recognition for the entire voice acting community. I’m incredibly proud that this award highlights the work of those who came before me, my current colleagues, and the talented newcomers who will shape the future of our field.

– I also express my heartfelt gratitude to all the creators who have brought these works and characters to life, and to the fans who continue to support us unwaveringly. It is only through your existence that ‘culture’ is nurtured, and that our journey as voice actors continues to be made possible.

I was so thrilled to learn that Nozawa-san received this incredible honor! It puts him in amazing company – past winners have included legends like Hayao Miyazaki, the director of Studio Ghibli films I adore, and Shigeru Miyamoto, the genius behind Super Mario. It’s just fantastic!

Read More

2025-10-20 12:48