The legendary voice actress Masako Nozawa, world-renowned for being the voice of Son Goku in Dragon Ball, was officially honored by the Ministry of Culture of Japan. At 88 years old, Nozawa was honored this week for her “significant contributions to the advancement of Japanese culture”, an award that also includes an annual pension of approximately 20,000 euros.
Masako Nozawa Receives Order of Culture in Japan
The distinction received by Masako Nozawa is one of the country’s highest cultural honors. In recent statements, the actress said she was “truly thrilled”, highlighting that she was awarded for doing something she deeply loves.
In addition to the prestige of the Order of Culture, the honor guarantees the actress a lifetime annual pension of approximately 20,000 euros (about 115,000 BRL at current exchange rates), a financial recognition for her lasting impact on the entertainment industry and Japanese pop culture.
“My Health is My Only Asset,” Says the Voice of Goku
At 88 years old, the voice of Goku, Gohan, and Goten has shown great vitality. She highlighted that her “good health is her only asset”, which is what allows her to continue working and sharing her iconic voice. The actress expressed her desire to “continue contributing to Japanese culture”, no matter how small her future contributions may be.
Nozawa’s career is vast, but it was her work in Dragon Ball that made her famous globally, making her voice synonymous with the Saiyan hero for millions of fans.
Future of Dragon Ball
The honor comes at a time of great anticipation for fans. A commemorative Dragon Ball event was recently revealed, and the presence of Masako Nozawa is confirmed. At the event, the reveal of a new game and, possibly, announcements about a new anime for the saga are expected.
