Some Tweets Remember Keiji Fujiwara
Keiji Fujiwara died of cancer at the age of 55. The news was devastating for the seiyuu community. Many seiyuu are remembering and looking back on their times with Fujiwara and the impact he made on them. A lot of anime I’ve watched wouldn’t have been the same without Fujiwara. From Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to Dr. Stone, he shaped a lot of characters that I look back and smile thinking about.
The following were all translated by @granblue_en on Twitter.
Takuya Eguchi
[original tweet | translation source]
Kaori Nazuka
[original tweet | translation source]
Tetsuya Fukuhara (creative director, Granblue Fantasy)
[original tweet | translation source]
Emiri Katou
[original tweet | translation source]
Yuuki Ono
[original tweet | translation source]
Madoka Yonezawa
[original tweet | translation source]
Tomoyo Kurosawa
[original tweet | translation source]
Koichi Haruta (former producer)
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Minoru Shiraishi
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Yuuichi Nakamura
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The following were translated by lig0schndr on Reddit
Ayana Taketatsu
Tomokazu Seki
Megumi Ogata
Mariya Ise
Nobunaga Shimazaki
Showtaro Morikubo
Marina Inoue
Romi Park
Natsuki Hanae
Toshiyuki Toyonaga
Kazuhiko Inoue
Yuki Kaji
Hiroki Yasumoto
Jouji Nakata
Katsuyuki Konishi
Shouta Aoi
Kensho Ono
Noriko Hidaka
Rie Tanaka
Kikuko Inoue
Ami Koshimizu
Megumi Han
Arisa Komiya
Ryotaro Okiayu
Kenjiro Tsuda
Nozomi Yamamoto
Kanako Kondo
Haruka Kudo
Hitomi Harada
Miyu Tomita
Wataru Hatano
Atsushi Abe
Suzuko Mimori
Atsuko Tanaka
Aya Suzaki
Sayaka Ohara
Asami Imai
Daisuke Hirakawa
Hikaru Akao
Yui Ishikawa
Toa Yukinari*
Kotono Mitsuishi*
Nobuhiko Okamoto (blog)
Nana Mizuki (blog)
Toshiyuki Morikawa (blog)
Satoshi Hino (blog)
Tatsuhisa Suzuki (blog)
Chie Nakamura (blog)*
* not translated
Taketatsu Ayana (Taketatsu and Fujiwara both voiced characters in Dagashi Kashi and co hosted a series of bonus videos released with the Blu-rays of the series)
Fujiwara Keiji-san.
When we had a photograph session together for a TV show, even though you said, "I'm shy, so I can't really talk much," after the session started and I was nervous you kindly threw me a lifeline and chatted with me a lot, and even at live events and such you've saved me so much.
I wanted to spend more time with you.
I wanted to thank you directly.
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Seki Tomokazu (Seki and Fujiwara both voiced characters for the same series several times including PSYCHO-PASS, Sengoku BASARA, and Hajime no Ippo)
The way you looked when you came to the studio with your script sticking out of your back pocket was so cool, and I often copied you. When we went to karaoke together, I would put on a song that had a video of your acting as a prank and put you in a bind so many times. I wanted to play around with you again. This feels too soon... Fujiwara-san. Truly, thank you for everything.
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Ogata Megumi
I've had the honor of working with you on various, many sets but... my strongest impression, is actually not from an anime, but from the drama CD "Radical Hospital".
Dr. Sakaki... Please say it's a joke like you always do...?
Fujiwara Keiji-san.
Truly, thank you for everything.
Please rest peacefully.
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Ise Mariya (Ise and Fujiwara both voiced main characters in HUNTER X HUNTER, and Ise references Fujiwara's role as Leorio in this tweet)
What I remember is
His white shirt and the sunglasses he wore
His gallant figure standing before the microphone
His bashful smile when having friendly conversations
His stylish behavior when everyone goes drinking
Both his voice and his acting were so cool
Everything about him was wonderful
Keiji-san really felt like Leorio to me
I have so many pleasant and fun memories
Thank you so much
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Shimazaki Nobunaga
Fujiwara Keiji-san, I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.
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Morikubo Showtaro
The tears won't stop.
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Inoue Marina
His voice, his acting, his smile, I loved them all.
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Park Romi (Park and Fujiwara both voiced important characters in Fullmetal Alchemist)
He just recovered...
Be it with Hagane, or Muji, or FA
he was everyone's older brother...
He truly was
Lieutenant Colonel Hughes.
Early
Far too early...
Kei-chan
You fought hard against what ailed you...
Please rest well...
Your casual comments
Even now I treasure.
Tonight I honor you...
I pray you rest in peace...
Notes: I'm not positive, but I believe in regards to the second line
"Hagane" likely refers to the first airing of Fullmetal Alchemist in 2003 that used the title 「鋼の錬金術師」 (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi).
"Muji" seems like it refers to Zoids, the first Zoids anime series that is often referred to colloquially as "Muji Zoids", "No Label Zoids", to differentiate it from other Zoid series. In this series, Fujiwara voiced Irvine, a main supporting character and older brother figure to the main characters.
"FA" likely refers to the second airing of Fullmetal Alchemist in 2009 that used the titled 「鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST」 and thus is sometimes referred to as "FA".
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Hanae Natsuki
This is too sad...
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Toshiyuki Toyonaga
My heart aches...
The words won't come out...
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Inoue Kazuhiko
Eh, Fujiwara Keiji... No way. It's too early. I remembered well the times we worked together in the studio. It's too early. I'm so saddened.
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Kaji Yuuki (Kaji and Fujiwara both voiced characters for the same series several times including Magi and Shingeki no Kyojin)
Keiji-san. I wanted to talk with you more.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a father like you,
if I could become a man like you, that kind of stuff, always, I thought to myself...
I should have told you so.
I wanted to talk with you more. I'm full of regret.
I want to see you.
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Yasumoto Hiroki
Words don't suffice.
He was cool. Truly.
We had talked about him visiting my place and drinking some unopened wine.
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Nakata Jouji First tweet, and reply
He was shy and gave off the impression that he didn't like superficial relationships, but when I tried talking to him he replied with a bashful smile, that's what I recall. When I heard he returned to work and was doing independent work, I thought on my own that he was doing well, but...
You must have had it hard, huh. However, you weren't the kind of person to say that out loud...
You stayed true to yourself until the very end. I pray for you.
I wanted to meet with you and talk with you again.
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Konishi Katsuyuki
No way. When I was a fledgling, because his place was in the neighborhood he invited me for a meal, and I was really happy about that. I wanted to meet with you again.
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Shouta Aoi
I can no longer meet you again.
By all means, I wanted to meet you again.
Just how much encouragement I received from the acting of that wonderful voice I grew accustomed to hearing from a young age.
From now on and always
that wonderful voice of yours
will remain in our hearts and ears.
Thank you for all the wonderful times you gave us.
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Ono Kensho
Fujiwara Keiji-san.
He really is cool, and he is someone I look up to. We have the same birthday, and on my own I felt like we had an affinity... I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.
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Hidaka Noriko
Fujiwara-san...
I thought I could meet you again someday at the studio, truly unfortunate.
Thank you for everything.
Please rest in peace...
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Tanaka Rie
Fujiwara Keiji-san...
The last time we met was during the recording for the Granblue Fantasy game...
I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.
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Inoue Kikuko
Kei-chan, I'm so sad.
You fought against illness for a long time... You truly gave it your all. Please rest well in heaven.
I won't forget your shy, bashful, and kind smile.
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Koshimizu Ami (Koshimizu and Fujiwara both voiced important characters in Eureka 7, and Koshimizu references her role as Anemone and Fujiwara's role as Holland in this tweet, as well as Tsujitani Kouji who voiced Dewey Novak in Eureka 7 and passed away in 2018)
Dewey and Holland, please stay a little longer.
I want you to stay. I wanted you to stay.
If you're not there, we can't fly freely...
Because you were there, we were able to live freely.
Thank you
but I still don't want to say goodbye.
Sorry that Anemone is like this.
If I could say one selfish thing
please come back...
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Han Megumi (Han and Fujiwara both voiced main characters in HUNTER X HUNTER, and Han references Fujiwara's role as Leorio in this tweet)
Just last night, during HUNTER's rebroadcast, we just saw off Leorio as he departed for his trip, Fujiwara-san.
Family and comrade, always thinking of his friends and a warm man, a perfect fit, my beloved senpai.
Always with the message title "Miss lovely forehead"
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_CUIyQAKMX/?igshid=14scn4kzgey86
Forever, and ever...
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Arisa Komiya
Fujiwara Keiji-san.
I had the honor of working with you for 1 year on Go-Busters, you were always so cool on set, it was my first dubbing experience and I learned so much from you.
I wanted to work with you again.
I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.
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Ryotaro Okiayu
I participated in "Hoshi Koe" at the Saitama venue last year, and you attended, Fujiwara-san.
I read your letters.
The last time I met you was back stage there.
It had been several years before then.
That's how it goes.
Thanks so much for everything.
Note: Hoshi Koe is the name of a series of events held in Japan by AIR AGENCY, a talent management and production company founded by Fujiwara Keiji in 2006.
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Kenjiro Tsuda
His white shirt
His light colored sunglasses
His cynical smile
His casual way of walking into the studio
His unshaven face
His still shadow at Planetarium
His husky voice
His retreating figure as he left
His appearance in a coat when he slowly spoke in his last moments
was cool
Thank you so much
Note: Planetarium is likely also referencing Hoshi Koe, which was held at planetariums in various cities in Japan.
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Yamamoto Nozomi
We acted together for the first time in UN-GO, and a while later when I greeted you at another set, you remembered me, saying, "I've met you before, right?" After that, when on the set for Utawarerumono you noticed my Ironman iPhone case and chatted with me, I was truly happy about each and every thing. I pray that you rest in peace.
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Kondo Kanako
I can't believe it.
I really liked your cool roughness.
Fujiwara-san. I pray that you rest in peace.
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Kudou Haruka
Is it because of the air pressure that my head hurts, or because I cried too much that my head hurts, I can't sort out my feelings. However, more than these sad feelings, I want to say so many times, "thank you."
Fujiwara-san.
We were together for my seiyuu debut work "Honey and Clover", and from there with "Noein" and "DEATH NOTE", our work together continued. I didn't know my right hand from my left, and you gave me so much advice.
On set you always spoiled me, listening to my trivial chatter with a smile.
I entered college, and even when I cut off all ties to the industry up to that point and distanced myself from work, every half a year you would send me a message asking "Are you doing all right?"
I entered my fourth year of college, and when I said to you, "I want to return to work!" you got a little angry, but you earnestly heard me out. Even though I caused trouble to a lot of people, you saying "Welcome Back!" with a smile has always supported me.
4 years after returning to work, when I was worried that I wasn't doing as well as I had hoped, you said "It'll be all right!" and gave me a push on the back, and I was able to move forward.
I really have been spoiled by you for so so long.
You taught me so many things, I couldn't hope to write them all out.
About acting, about movies, about novels, about life.
Even now I still have the novel I received from you right on my bookshelf. From now on, every time I watch a Kubrick or Victor Erice movie, I feel I will remember you.
The fact that there will no longer be replies to my messages, and the fact that I can no longer see you, really really make me sad, but you will always be in my heart. It's all right. I'm an adult now, too. I want to become an adult like you, someone who is loved by many, and someone who can guide others.
Thank you so much.
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Harada Hitomi (Harada and Fujiwara both voiced characters for Senran Kagura, and Harada references Fujiwara's role as Kiriya in this tweet)
Keiji-san. Kiriya-sensei.
I've been helped, so much by you.
Thank you so much.
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Tomita Miyu
Fujiwara Keiji-san, I had the honor of acting together with you for the first time in Kotobuki Hikoutai. Warm, and yet mischievous, I truly loved acting with that voice of yours.
I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.
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Hatano Wataru
Fujiwara Keiji-san.
Across various works, I've been in your debt.
When you called me for "Hoshi Koe", I was really happy.
The warm advice from a senpai I look up to, and the smile after a recording session.
I couldn't possibly forget.
I pray that you rest in peace.
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Abe Atsushi
I've been in your debt since when I debuted.
I see... We can't act together anymore...
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Mimori Suzuko
I'm thankful that I had the honor of working on the same set as you.
Thank you so much.
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Tanaka Atsuko
It's a sad sunset...
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Suzaki Aya
I'm truly saddened.
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Ohara Sayaka
It's a lie
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Imai Asami
............
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Hirakawa Daisuke
Keiji-san... Keiji-san...
I'm so sad... I want to see you... Keiji-san...
Hirakawa Daisuke
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Akao Hikaru (Akao and Fujiwara both voiced characters for Back Street Girls, and Akao references this in this tweet)
I'm still in disbelief even after a new day has dawned
and I can't quite get the right words.
I feel like a hole opened up in my heart.
Since I was young through anime
you showed me this fun world
and as a member of Gokudols, I looked forward to the day I could meet you again.
I pray that you rest well.
_______
Ishikawa Yui (Ishikawa and Fujiwara both voiced characters for Shingeki no Kyojin, and Ishikawa references Fujiwara's role as Hannes in this tweet)
[Yui] That voice that I heard so many times when I was a child. Shingeki's Hannes-san was also, rough, cool, and warm... I loved him. Fujiwara Keiji-san, I pray that you rest in peace.
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Yukana
I wanted to act together with you more.
Thank you so much...
I pray that you rest in peace.
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Okamoto Nobuhiko
Title: I'm sorry
I was planning to talk about trust and play today, but I hope you'll allow me to do that tomorrow.
I had the honor of doing my first radio show with him.
When I was unable to speak well, he laughed at me.
When we were recording for the Ao no Exorcist movie and from the start all I was capable of was shouting, he laughed at me.
When I kept wearing the same clothes on the set of To Aru, he laughed at me.
When I look back on things, it might have been sarcastic laughing, but I only remember the figure of him laughing.
And, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble.
His appearance as an actor, the way he thought about and interpreted the script, what he brought forth, I received so much encouragement and experience from him.
Keiji-san,
Truly, truly, thank you so much.
I really I love you.
Thank you for everything.
I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.
Notes:
The radio show Okamoto references I believe is "Sorairo Radio", a radio show promoting the anime "Sola" that aired from 2007/3/30 to 2007/7/27 for 19 episodes. During the month of July Okamoto and Fujiwara co-hosted the show.
Okamoto and Fujimura voiced Okamura Rin, the protagonist, and Fujimoto Shiro, Rin's adoptive father, respectively in Ao no Exorcist.
Okamoto and Fujimura voiced Accelerator, a main supporting character, and Kihara Amata, something of a mentor figure to Accelerator, respectively in To Aru Majutsu no Index.
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Mizuki Nana
Title: The carnation that arrived at my house 2 weeks ago ☆
At my last place, even plants said to be robust I ended up letting die (>_<)
However, ever since I started living at my new place
my plants have been really lively! My care for flowers especially has gotten better!
Proper ventilation and sunlight really are important after all (laugh)
https://www.mizukinana.jp/blog/photos/2020/blog/nana_phot_20200416.jpg
I found out about Fujiwara Keiji passing away.
I had the honor of working together with him for various works,
during my first public performance at Tokyo Dome he provided wonderful narration,
and at the planetarium in my home prefecture I had the honor of performing together with him...
Truly I was blessed with so many irreplaceable experiences.
I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.
Notes:
The performance at Tokyo Dome is referencing NANA MIZUKI LIVE CASTLE 2011, a series of live concerts performed at Tokyo Dome by Mizuki Nana on 2011/12/3 and 2011/12/4. Fujiwara provided narration for a short film called PLANETARIUM "Princess Nana of the Heavens" (PLANETARIUM「天界の奈々姫」) which was shown during the concert on both days.
The performance at the planetarium is referencing when Fujiwara and Mizuki co-starred in a Hoshi Koe performance held on 2016/4/24 at the Matsuyama City General Community Center Cosmo Theater. Matsuyama is the capital of the Ehime Prefecture, and Mizuki Nana was born in Niihama, Ehime. Mizuki had also made two blog posts about enjoying rehearsing for the event with Fujiwara and celebrating the successful completion of the event.
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Morikawa Toshiyuki
Title: Fujiwara Keiji-san...
Fujiwara Keiji-san...
I pray you rest in peace.
It's too sudden.
My mind is a mess.
Even though I'm someone who works at my own pace...
... Right now, I'm overcome with feelings of loss.
From the time when I was a newcomer, we've been walking together through the ages for over 30 years.
As an actor, and as a president, you were truly a friend...
Since you were young you were shy and cool,
overflowing with chivalry,
an existence that even men were charmed by
that is "Fujiwara Keiji"
..., It's so painful... the words won't come out.
I'm sorry.
I feel that you really must have had it tough fighting against your illness.
Now, please rest well.
And, the letters you sent me I will always cherish.
Morikawa Toshiyuki
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Hino Satoshi
Title: Keiji-san...
Keiji-san...
It's a lie, right...?
It's a joke, right...?
This... is too sad...
Keiji-san
as a person, as a man, as an actor, you were someone who I respected from the bottom of my heart.
Everything about you was cool, you were someone I admired.
I wanted to learn more and more about various things from you.
Even now I clearly remember the time when on the set of the anime "Shakugan no Shana," as the role of the father, Kantarou, you kindly covered up for and accepted my terrible acting.
Keiji-san,
"Dad, thank you so much for everything up to now"
While reflecting on each and every thing I learned from you, I will devote myself towards the sake of the future of the seiyuu industry.
I pray you rest in peace.
Note: Hino and Fujimura voiced Sakai Yuuji, the protagonist, and Sakai Kantarou, Yuuji's father, respectively in Shakugan no Shana.
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Suzuki Tatsuhisa
Title: Letter
I hate the idea of something getting overshadowed without anyone knowing about it, so I will write about it here.
Since we first met when I was 19, I've been in your debt for a long time. Since before we started having work together, you'd hear out my concerns and give me advice, and go along with my selfish requests to take me along for drinks. Even though you'd always say, "Waddaya want now, Tattsun," you'd always keep your promises. Whenever we met at the studio you'd always be giving off a pleasant, lazy mood. When you were the sound director you'd say things like "Tattsun, you're the only person I can ask for this," things that I couldn't tell if you were being serious or not.
It's only now that I can say this, but I took you seriously every time, and every time I was seriously happy you asked me. The fact that you said those things to me.
Sometimes I'd tell you about how people say that our voices or our acting are similar, and even though you'd reply by saying stuff like, "What? That's gross," behind your sunglasses I could see that the look in your eyes always softened happily. I like chatting in the smoking area, so anytime I'd spot you I'd head straight there.
When you'd say, "Yo!" to me, it was a little embarrassing, but I was always happy you did.
I won't talk about acting.
That's something I'll keep locked away in my heart.
I know you had it tough.
However, I stopped talking about it.
Since you hate that.
All I can remember, is you always saying, "Yo! Tattsun," every time you saw me.
Gimme a break, let me remember something else, too.
Thank you for always listening to my selfish requests.
Thank you for always listening to both my trivial ramblings and my serious talks.
I always thought you were an annoyingly cool old man.
You were always the best.
You were always the strongest.
Everything about you is cool.
So I envy you.
When I go over there, I'm gonna have a ton of stories for you. Before I do, please make sure to find some good sake and tobacco over there. It might take a while, but I'm definitely going to have, a ton I want to talk to you about.
It's about time I wrapped things up.
This is a letter that will never be read by its recipient, after all, so there's no point in going on for too long.
Let's meet again with a smile.
Anytime, anywhere.
With love.
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