Today, the Dragon Ball fandom is coming together to mourn the loss of one of its own. According to reports, a beloved narrator from one of Dragon Ball Z‘s most iconic dubs has passed away.
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Not long ago, Toei Animation confirmed Jose Lavat’s passing with a touching tribute on social media. Over on Twitter, the company honored the vetted actor by thanking him for the work he did on making Dragon Ball Z the global phenomenon it has become.
“Rest in peace Jose Lavat, an amazing dubbing actor who lended his voice talent to many famous characters for Hispanic audiences including the narrator in Dragon Ball Z. Thank you #PepeLavat for everything,” the message reads.
Rest in peace Jose Lavat, an amazing dubbing actor who lended his voice talent to many famous characters for Hispanic audiences including the narrator in #DragonBallZ. Thank you #PepeLavat for everything. pic.twitter.com/uxfuxmFw4x
— Toei Animation (@ToeiAnimation) May 15, 2018
Lavat’s death is a difficult one for fans to process, and audiences who grew up with Dragon Ball Z‘s Latin America Spanish dub will remember the actor fondly. Ever since the anime was brought abroad, Latin America has welcomed Son Goku warmly, and Dragon Ball Z developed a massive following in countries such as Mexico. It was Lavat who helped bring that show to life for Spanish-speaking audiences, and fans are paying tribute to the actor on social media to share their thanks.
While Lavat may be best known by anime fans for his work on Dragon Ball Z, the actor did voice work on plenty of other titles. Not only did Lavat do the Spanish dub of Soichiro Yagami in Death Note, but he also did dubs for Tarzan, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings, and Street Fighter.
What is your favorite narration from Lavat in Dragon Ball Z? Let me know in the comments or find me on Twitter @MeganPetersCB to talk all things comics, k-pop, and anime.
Dirox_Z
Rest In Peace Jose Lavat, Thank you for everything, your voice will be eternal in our hearts… pic.twitter.com/0bzNHc79KP
— DiroxPlayZ ?? (@Dirox_Z) May 15, 2018
MXDoblaje
Muy triste por el fallecimiento del gran Sr. José Lavat, gran voz en el mundo del doblaje. Gracias por hacernos vibrar de emoción cada tarde al escucharte en Dragon Ball, entre muchos otros trabajos. Descansa en paz, maestro. pic.twitter.com/xLEQTurCHJ
— Doblaje Mexicano (@MXDoblaje) May 15, 2018
VampireSkeleton
Rest in power Jose Lavat. You’ll always go down as one of the greatest narrators ever. https://t.co/pZUOO3UFI5
— ☠VampireSkele†on☠ (@VampireSkeleton) May 15, 2018
LaloGarx
Te fuiste en tu día, Pepe Lavat… el día del Maestro. Gracias por enseñarme tanto, gracias por tu eterno sentido del humor, gracias por tu humildad, profesionalismo y talento. ¿Y ahora qué hacemos sin ti? Nunca te voy a olvidar, querido amigo. #PepeLavat pic.twitter.com/UOEHXLn3NZ
— Lalo Garza (@LaloGarx) May 15, 2018
DbZ_ec
Lo extrañaremos señor José Lavat… #dragonball #dragonballZ #dragonballsuper pic.twitter.com/MQ68bXCcWM
— Dragon Ball Ecuador (@DbZ_ec) May 15, 2018
xiBLVCKMASKix
I absolutely hate losing members of the Dragon Ball family. It’s the only show I’ve ever felt so connected to that I literally want everyone who worked on it to be in the absolute best health possible.
— ?? (@xiBLVCKMASKix) May 15, 2018
DoctorWaddleDee
This narrator shall be missed forever and ever in his home territory!
— Jonathan Pattison (@DoctorWaddleDee) May 15, 2018
SuperSaiy651684
Rest in peace Jose Lavat You will be always be missed Worldwide my Feelings right now.?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/96EkdoTskS
— Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Evolution Vegeta (@SuperSaiy651684) May 16, 2018
Notimex
#QEPD | Falleció José Lavat, quien dedicó gran parte de su vida en especializarse en el mundo del doblaje de voz. Dejó un gran legado en varias películas, series y caricaturas en español. pic.twitter.com/g7CWobkjnX
— Notimex (@Notimex) May 15, 2018
dash_aniston
Golpe demoledor a todos los fanáticos del doblaje y de Dragon Ball en general así como familiares y amigos.
— Dash (@dash_aniston) May 15, 2018
José Lavat voz del Narrador en Dragon Ball Z y Súper recientemente ha fallecido. Aún se guarda hermetismo sobre ello.
Gandalf y Shoichiro Yagami se
quedan sin voz. pic.twitter.com/mXJG2U1xGb