A national treasure of Japanese voice acting, Masako Nozawa is best known for playing Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Son Goten across the Dragon Ball franchise. Voicing all three generations herself, she has more than earned her status as an industry legend.
On October 25, she celebrated her 90th birthday, prompting fans everywhere to send their best wishes. But the occasion also led to one astonishing realization: Nozawa was born all the way back in 1936, before construction had even begun on Yamato, the lead ship of Japan's famed battleship line. For many online, it was yet another reminder that Nozawa is a living legend.
The revelation gained attention through a post highlighting Nozawa's birth date of October 25, 1936. Construction on the legendary World War II battleship Yamato did not begin until 1937, and the ship was not launched until 1940. The poster marveled that fans are witnessing history firsthand: even today, Nozawa remains a leading voice actor entrusted with major roles.
Part of the surprise comes from the sheer energy Nozawa still brings to her work. Her performances remain so lively that it is easy to forget her age—until a milestone like this suddenly puts her extraordinary career into perspective.
Another user pointed out that in 1936, some members of the Shinsengumi were still alive. That comparison makes the distance between then and now feel even more staggering.
The user was referring to former Shinsengumi member Shichisaburo Ikeda, one of the few members said to have lived to the age of 90. He later retired from the group and became a merchant.
At 90, Nozawa is not merely still active—she remains one of the industry's most prominent performers. Generations of fans have grown up hearing her voice, making it almost surreal to realize that she has now reached 90 and was born before World War II.
Born in 1936, Nozawa made her film debut as a child actor at the age of three. She later entered the voice-acting industry through Japanese dubbing work for Western films broadcast on television.
Her first starring role came as Kitaro in GeGeGe no Kitaro, followed by appearances in countless major titles including Galaxy Express 999 and Dragon Ball. Her decades of work in voice acting have earned widespread recognition, and in 2025, she became the first voice actor to be named a Person of Cultural Merit.
