The global cultural community is mourning a monumental loss. Iconic Japanese singer, actor, and voice artist Akihiro Miwa has passed away at the age of 91 due to natural causes related to old age. According to official reports from his management agency and Japanese media outlets like Livedoor News, Miwa’s final spoken words to those around him were a heartfelt “Thank You.”
In accordance with his final wishes, a private funeral has already been held with close family members, marking the peaceful end of an extraordinary life that shaped modern Japanese entertainment.
The Extraordinary Legacy of Akihiro Miwa
Born Akihiro Maruyama on May 15, 1935, in Nagasaki, Miwa survived the tragic atomic bombing of the city in 1945 during his childhood. Moving to Tokyo as a teenager, he began his professional career as a cabaret and chanson singer in Tokyo’s historic Ginza district at just 16 years old.
Miwa achieved massive fame in 1957 with his smash hit “Me Que Me Que” and cemented his legendary musical status with the 1965 masterpiece “Yoitomake no Uta” (The Song of the Yoitomake), a song dedicated to the working class that deeply resonated across Japan.
🔑 Key Highlights of His Multifaceted Career
- Studio Ghibli Voice Legend: Anime fans worldwide know his powerful voice acting as the Witch of the Waste in Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle and Moro the wolf god in Princess Mononoke.
- A Pioneer for LGBTQ+ Rights: Decades before it was mainstream, Miwa openly embraced his identity as a drag queen and performer, breaking heavy social barriers in conservative post-war Japan.
- Passionate Social Activist: Having survived the atomic bomb, Miwa was an outspoken anti-war advocate and frequently used his massive media presence to critique government military policies and fight for the marginalized.
📜 A Quick Timeline of a Historic Life
Survived Nagasaki Bombing
1945
A young Miwa survived the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, an experience that fueled his lifelong anti-war activism.
Musical Breakthrough
1957
Released the hit song ‘Me Que Me Que’, gaining nationwide recognition for his beautiful aesthetic and unique performance style.
Studio Ghibli Icons
1997 – 2004
Voiced Moro in Princess Mononoke (1997) and the Witch of the Waste in Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), embedding his voice in global cinema history.
A Peaceful Passing
June 28, 2026
Passed away peacefully of old age at 91, leaving behind a lasting message of gratitude: ‘Thank you’.
🙋♂️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who did Akihiro Miwa voice in Studio Ghibli films? Akihiro Miwa voiced two of the most iconic characters in Ghibli history: Moro, the giant wolf god in Princess Mononoke (1997), and the Witch of the Waste in Howl’s Moving Castle (2004).
Q2: What is Akihiro Miwa’s most famous song? His most celebrated song is “Yoitomake no Uta” (1965), which he wrote and composed himself. It became a legendary anthem in Japan for its raw and empathetic portrayal of working-class struggles.
Q3: What were Akihiro Miwa’s final words? According to his agency’s statement, his final words before passing away peacefully due to old age were simply, “Thank you” (Arigatou).