Akihiro Miwa, a cultural icon who shaped post-war Japanese entertainment across music, theater, film, and anime, died on June 20 of old age. He was 91.

Miwa's official website confirmed the news on Sunday, noting that his health had deteriorated over the past three months after he began reducing his workload the previous year due to his advanced age. According to his agency's statement, he spent his final days convalescing at home and passed peacefully, expressing gratitude before "quietly closed his eyes." His funeral, attended by close family only, was decorated with yellow roses—his signature flower.

Born in 1935 in Nagasaki, Miwa survived the atomic bombing in 1945, an experience he later recounted publicly. After moving to Tokyo following middle school, he became a professional singer at 16, performing classical, chanson, tango, Latin, and jazz at venues like the famous Ginza cafes. His 1957 hit "Meke Meke" launched his career, though he's perhaps best remembered for "Yoitomake no Uta," a song frequently covered by other artists.

Beyond music, Miwa became a pioneering figure in drag performance during an era when gender expression was far less accepted in Japan. He was instantly recognizable by his trademark yellow hair and uncompromising approach to self-presentation.

In anime, Miwa's distinctive deep voice brought gravitas to several memorable roles. Fans best know him as Moro, the fierce wolf deity in Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke, and as the Witch of the Waste in Howl's Moving Castle. He also voiced Arceus in Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life and appeared in other anime including Harmagedon and Maeterlinck's Blue Bird.

His influence extended far beyond voice work. Miwa appeared in films, stage productions, and television throughout his career, including a role in Takeshi Kitano's 2005 film Takeshis'. He was also an accomplished writer and author.

In 2018, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government honored Miwa as an "Honorary Citizen of Tokyo" for demonstrating a life that transcended gender boundaries and for his lifetime of contributions to Japanese culture across multiple disciplines.