Many considered actor and singer Hideki Saijo as an icon, especially during his prime in the 1970’s. However, the popular singer has now passed away at the age of 63. He passed away last 16 May 2018 due to heart failure. The Aoyama Funeral Home in Tokyo will hold a service on 26th May.

Born Tatsuo Kimoto, the Hokkaido native became one of Japan’s biggest stars in the 1970’s. He was so popular that he and fellow singers Hiromi Gou and Gorou Noguchi formed the Shin Gosanke. Meanwhile, his list of hit songs include Young Man” and “Kizudarake no Laura”.

As for his anime work, he not only worked as an anisong singer, but also as a seiyuu as well. He voiced the title characters for anime such as Botchan and Sugata Sanshiro in the early 80’s, as well as voiced other characters like Junji in Kuroi Ame ni Utarete. And of course, Gundam fans know him as the singer for Turn A Gundam’s OP theme song, “Turn A Turn”. He also performed the first ED theme song for the original Chibi Maruko-chan anime as well.

Rest in Peace Hideki Saijo.

Source: Mainichi