UNITED STATES — The anime and voice-acting community is mourning the reported death of Mike McFarland, the acclaimed American voice actor, ADR director, script writer and line producer best known to generations of fans as the English voice of Master Roshi and Yajirobe in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z.

McFarland was 56.

News of his reported passing on September 10, 2026, has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow voice actors, anime professionals and longtime fans who remembered both his performances behind the microphone and his extensive work directing English-language anime productions.

Mike McFarland Remembered by Anime Fans

McFarland became one of the recognizable voices associated with the English-language anime boom.

His performance as Master Roshi gave the eccentric Dragon Ball martial-arts master a distinctive English voice, while his work as Yajirobe further established his place within the franchise.

Outside Dragon Ball, his voice credits included some of the most popular anime series of the past several decades.

He portrayed Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist, Buggy the Clown in One Piece, Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan, Gordon Agrippa in Black Clover, and Ectoplasm in My Hero Academia, among numerous other characters.

His performances reached audiences across generations and helped make English-dubbed anime more accessible to millions of viewers.

A Career Behind the Scenes

McFarland’s contribution to anime extended far beyond acting.

He worked extensively as an ADR director, script writer and line producer, helping shape English adaptations of Japanese productions.

Among the projects associated with his directing work were Fullmetal Alchemist, Attack on Titan, Dragon Ball, the Rebuild of Evangelion films, Summer Wars, Wolf Children and The Boy and the Beast.

For colleagues, his importance to the industry was therefore not limited to the characters he voiced. He was also part of the creative teams responsible for adapting and producing English versions of major anime titles.

Mike McFarland’s Battle With Cancer

McFarland’s health struggles became publicly known in 2025.

In January of that year, he was hospitalized after doctors discovered a brain tumor, and he underwent emergency surgery.

Later in 2025, updates shared by people close to him revealed that he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Fans and fellow members of the voice-acting community rallied around him during his treatment and recovery, with supporters helping raise funds and sharing messages of encouragement.

His health battle became an important part of the concern surrounding him among anime fans, particularly those who had followed his work for years.

Tributes Pour In

Following news of his reported death, tributes began spreading throughout the anime community.

Fans have remembered McFarland for the enormous range of characters he brought to life, while fellow performers have highlighted his work as both an actor and director.

For many viewers, his voice is inseparable from characters they grew up watching.

Master Roshi, Buggy the Clown, Jean Havoc and Jean Kirstein represent only a portion of a career that touched numerous major anime franchises.

Remembering His Legacy

Mike McFarland leaves behind a substantial body of work spanning decades of English-language anime production.

His career demonstrated the importance of voice actors and localization professionals in bringing Japanese animation to English-speaking audiences.

Whether heard as Master Roshi offering another eccentric lesson, Buggy causing chaos in One Piece, or Jean Kirstein navigating the dangers of Attack on Titan, McFarland gave each character a distinctive personality.

His influence was equally significant behind the scenes, where his directing and production work helped shape the English versions of numerous acclaimed productions.

For anime fans around the world, his performances will continue to be heard whenever those beloved series and films are revisited.

Mike McFarland Details

Mike McFarland Cause of Death

A formal cause of death has not been publicly disclosed in the available reports.

McFarland had previously been diagnosed with glioblastoma and had undergone treatment for a brain tumor, but the available death reports do not provide a formal statement establishing the precise medical cause of death.

Any additional claims should therefore be treated cautiously until confirmed by his family or an authoritative representative.

A Lasting Voice in Anime

Mike McFarland’s career was deeply connected to the growth of English-language anime.

He was both the voice behind memorable characters and one of the professionals helping shape the performances heard by English-speaking audiences.

His work as Master Roshi alone made him recognizable to millions, but his broader career demonstrated a much wider creative contribution.

As tributes continue to spread, fans and colleagues are remembering a performer and director whose work became part of the soundtrack of modern anime fandom.

Mike McFarland was 56. His voice and creative work will remain part of the anime legacy he helped build.

Disclaimer

This article is based on information available at the time of publication concerning Mike McFarland’s reported death. A formal family obituary and complete details concerning his death and funeral arrangements may be released separately. The precise cause of death has not been publicly confirmed in the available information and should not be assumed beyond what has been officially disclosed.