At the start of the ongoing day, we're met with the dire online announcement of the passing of renowned Anime song singer Ichiro Mizuki (小田一行), occurred six days ago at age 74. On the artist's official website, it was revealed that the performer had suffered of a diagnosed lung cancer with additional brain and lymphatic metastasis for well over a year of RT treatments, but his strong will as a performer to his fans has kept him up and going to the best of his capabilities, down to his very last live performance that was held near November's end, this very year.
On Taiko no Tatsujin, some of his most popular works for the Mazinger Z were featured across the years (the eponymous Mazinger Z and Orb no Inori) alongside the short-lived Goshagu! Choujin Neiger from the 11th Taiko arcade, but Donders everywhere might recall him better for the trio of iconic Namco Original songs he helped making for Tobikkiri! Anime Special, the second Anime-focused PS2 game: Gattai! Don-Ranger Robo, Kitto Motto Zutto and -of course- Hibike! Taiko no Tatsujin.
We at Taiko Time join our online voice to the ones of those saddened by the news, from the closer family members/friends to fans of his works of any time. May he rest in peace.
Source (Ichiro Mizuki website, obituary announcement)
