TV Tokyo announced on Monday that voice actor Kenyuu Horiuchi (Naruto’s Pain and Second Hokage, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-‘s Wilhelm van Astrea, Joker Game’s Lieutenant Colonel Yūki) will replace late voice actor Unshō Ishizuka in the role of Professor Oak (Professor Ōkido) in the Pokémon Sun & Moon television anime series.
TV Tokyo said in its memorial comments last month, “Unshō Ishizuka worked as a voice actor with many roles in anime programs and anime films, and in dubbing foreign films and foreign drama programs.”
TV Tokyo revealed last month that Ishizuka had already recorded before his death his parts for the Pokémon Sun & Moon television anime through the episode that will premiere in the first week of October.
Talent management agency Aoni Production noted that Ishizuka had been receiving medical care for some time before his death, but it had not proved effective.